Get your patient on Nerlynx (Neratinib)

NERLYNX as a single agent is indicated for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early-stage human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, to follow adjuvant trastuzumab based therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.1 )] .

NERLYNX in combination with capecitabine is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2 based regimens in the metastatic setting [see Clinical Studies (14.2 )] .

When not using dose escalation [see Dosage and Administration (2.2 )], administer antidiarrheal prophylaxis during the first 56 days of treatment and initiate with the first dose of NERLYNX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 ) and Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] .

Instruct patients to take loperamide as directed in Table 1 . Titrate loperamide to 1–2 bowel movements per day.

If diarrhea occurs despite prophylaxis, treat with additional antidiarrheals, fluids and electrolytes as clinically indicated. NERLYNX dose interruptions and dose reductions may also be required to manage diarrhea [see Dosage and Administration (2.3 )] .

NERLYNX dose modification is recommended based on individual safety and tolerability. Management of some adverse reactions may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction as shown in Table 3 to Table 6 .

Discontinue NERLYNX for patients with adverse reactions that fail to recover to Grade 0–1 or baseline, with toxicities that result in a treatment delay >3 weeks, or if unable to tolerate 120 mg daily. Additional clinical situations may result in dose adjustments as clinically indicated (e.g., intolerable toxicities, persistent Grade 2 adverse reactions, etc.).

When NERLYNX is used in combination with capecitabine, refer to the capecitabine prescribing information for dose modifications of capecitabine.

Reduce the NERLYNX starting dose to 80 mg in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C). No dose modifications are recommended for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh A or B) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )] .

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): Avoid concomitant use with NERLYNX [see Drug Interactions (7.1 )] .

H ₂ -receptor antagonists: Take NERLYNX at least 2 hours before the next dose of the H ₂ -receptor antagonist or 10 hours after the H ₂ -receptor antagonist [see Drug Interactions (7.1 )] .

Antacids: Separate dosing of NERLYNX by 3 hours after antacids [see Drug Interactions (7.1 )] .

The safety and efficacy of NERLYNX in pediatric patients has not been established.

In the ExteNET trial, in the NERLYNX arm; 1236 patients were <65 years, 172 patients were ≥65 years, of whom 25 patients were 75 years or older. There was a higher frequency of treatment discontinuations due to adverse reactions in the ≥65 years age group than in the <65 years age group; in the NERLYNX arm, the percentages were 45% compared with 25%, respectively, and in the placebo arm 6% and 5%, respectively. The incidence of serious adverse reactions in the NERLYNX arm vs placebo arm was 7% vs 6% (<65 years old) and 10% vs 8% (≥65 years old). The serious adverse reactions most frequently reported in the ≥65 years old group were vomiting (2.3%), diarrhea (1.7%), renal failure (1.7%), and dehydration (1.2%).

In the NALA trial, in the NERLYNX plus capecitabine arm; 242 patients were <65 years, 61 patients were ≥65 years, of whom 12 patients were 75 years or older. The incidence of serious adverse reactions in the NERLYNX plus capecitabine arm in the ≥65 years age group was 36% and in the <65 years age group was 34%. The serious adverse reactions most frequently reported in the ≥65 years age group were diarrhea (16%), acute kidney injury (8%), and dehydration (7%). No overall differences in effectiveness were observed between patients ≥65 years old and patients <65 years old.

No dosage modifications are recommended for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh A or B).

Neratinib clearance is reduced, and C _max and AUC increase in patients with severe, pre-existing hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C). Reduce the NERLYNX dosage for patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )] .

Severe diarrhea and sequelae, such as dehydration, hypotension, and renal failure occurred during treatment with NERLYNX. Diarrhea was reported in 95% of NERLYNX-treated patients in ExteNET, a randomized placebo-controlled trial in the extended adjuvant setting who were not required to receive antidiarrheal prophylaxis. In the NERLYNX arm, Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 40% and Grade 4 diarrhea occurred in 0.1% of patients. The majority of patients (93%) had diarrhea in the first month of treatment, the median time to first onset of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 8 days (range, 1–350), and the median cumulative duration of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 5 days (range, 1–139) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] .

Diarrhea was reported in 83% of NERLYNX plus capecitabine treated patients in NALA, a randomized placebo-controlled trial in the metastatic breast cancer setting who were required to receive anti-diarrheal prophylaxis in the first 21-day cycle. The majority of patients (70%) had diarrhea in the first 21 days of treatment, the median time to first onset of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 11 days (range, 2–728) and the median cumulative duration of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 3 days (range, 1–21). In the NERLYNX plus capecitabine arm, Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 24% of patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] .

Antidiarrheal prophylaxis has been shown to lower the incidence and severity of diarrhea. Instruct patients to initiate antidiarrheal prophylaxis with loperamide along with the first dose of NERLYNX and continue during the first 56 days of treatment; after day 56, titrate dose to achieve 1–2 bowel movements per day and not to exceed 16 mg loperamide per day [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 )] . Consider adding other agents to loperamide as clinically indicated [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] .

Alternatively, a 2-week NERLYNX dose escalation approach prior to initiation of the recommended treatment regimen with NERLYNX can also be considered for diarrhea management [see Dosage and Administration (2.2 )]. For patients who used NERLYNX dose escalation, the median time to first onset of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 45 days (range, 15–132) and the median cumulative duration of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 2.5 days (range, 1–6). Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 13% of patients who used NERLYNX dose escalation [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 )].

Monitor patients for diarrhea and treat with additional antidiarrheals as needed. When severe diarrhea with dehydration occurs, administer fluid and electrolytes as needed, interrupt NERLYNX, and reduce subsequent doses [see Dosage and Administration (2.3 )] . Perform stool cultures as clinically indicated to exclude infectious causes of Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea or diarrhea of any grade with complicating features (dehydration, fever, neutropenia).

NERLYNX has been associated with hepatotoxicity characterized by increased liver enzymes. In ExteNET, 10% of patients experienced an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increase ≥2× ULN, 5% of patients experienced an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increase ≥2× ULN, and 1.7% of patients experienced an AST or ALT increase >5× ULN (≥Grade 3). Hepatotoxicity or increases in liver transaminases led to drug discontinuation in 1.7% of NERLYNX-treated patients.

In the NALA study, in NERLYNX and capecitabine-treated patients, 7% experienced an ALT or AST increase >3× ULN, 2% experienced an ALT or AST increase >5× ULN, 7% experienced a bilirubin increase >1.5× ULN, and 1.3% experienced a bilirubin increase >3× ULN. Hepatotoxicity or increases in liver transaminases led to drug discontinuation in 0.3% of NERLYNX and capecitabine-treated patients.

Total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase should be measured prior to starting treatment with NERLYNX monthly for the first 3 months of treatment, then every 3 months while on treatment and as clinically indicated. These tests should also be performed in patients experiencing Grade 3 diarrhea or any signs or symptoms of hepatotoxicity, such as worsening of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant tenderness, fever, rash, or eosinophilia [see Dosage and Administration (2.3 ) and Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] .

Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, NERLYNX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of neratinib to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis caused abortions, embryo-fetal death, and fetal abnormalities in rabbits at maternal AUCs approximately 0.2 times the AUC in patients receiving the recommended dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose. [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1 )] .

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Table 10 includes drug interactions that affect the pharmacokinetics of neratinib.

Neratinib is an intracellular kinase inhibitor that irreversibly binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, and HER4. In vitro , neratinib reduces EGFR and HER2 autophosphorylation, downstream MAPK and AKT signaling pathways, and showed antitumor activity in EGFR and/or HER2 expressing carcinoma cell lines. Neratinib human metabolites M3, M6, M7 and M11 inhibited the activity of EGFR, HER2, and HER4 in vitro. In vivo , oral administration of neratinib inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenograft models with tumor cell lines expressing HER2 and EGFR.

Neratinib exposure-response relationships and the time course of pharmacodynamic response are unknown.

Neratinib AUC increases in less than dose proportional manner over a daily dose range of 40 to 400 mg (0.17 to 1.7 times the maximum approved recommended dosage).

A two-year carcinogenicity study was conducted in rats at oral neratinib doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day. Neratinib was not carcinogenic in male and female rats at exposure levels >25 times the AUC in patients receiving the maximum recommended dose of 240 mg/day. Neratinib was not carcinogenic in a 26-week study in Tg.rasH2 transgenic mice when administered daily by oral gavage at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day in males and 125 mg/kg/day in females.

Neratinib was not mutagenic in an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (AMES) assay or clastogenic in an in vitro human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration assay or an in vivo rat bone marrow micronucleus assay.

In a fertility study in rats, neratinib administration up to 12 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.5 times the maximum recommended dose of 240 mg/day in patients on a mg/m ² basis) caused no effects on mating or the ability of animals to become pregnant. In repeat-dose toxicity studies in dogs with oral administration of neratinib daily for up to 39 weeks, tubular hypoplasia of the testes was observed at ≥0.5 mg/kg/day. This finding was observed at AUCs that were approximately 0.4 times the AUC in patients at the maximum recommended dose of 240 mg.

The safety and efficacy of NERLYNX were investigated in the ExteNET trial (NCT00878709), a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of NERLYNX after adjuvant treatment with a trastuzumab based therapy in women with HER2-positive breast cancer.

A total of 2840 patients with early-stage (Stage 1 to 3c) HER2-positive breast cancer within two years of completing treatment with adjuvant trastuzumab was randomized to receive either NERLYNX (n=1420) or placebo (n=1420). Randomization was stratified by the following factors: hormone receptor status, nodal status (0, 1–3, vs 4 or more positive nodes) and whether trastuzumab was given sequentially versus concurrently with chemotherapy. NERLYNX 240 mg or placebo was given orally once daily for one year. The major efficacy outcome measure was invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) defined as the time between the date of randomization to the first occurrence of invasive recurrence (local/regional, ipsilateral, or contralateral breast cancer), distant recurrence, or death from any cause, with 2 years and 28 days of follow-up.

Patient demographics and tumor characteristics were generally balanced between treatment arms. Patients had a median age of 52 years (range 23 to 83) and 12% of patients were 65 or older. The majority of patients were White (81%), and most patients (99.7%) had an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of patients had hormone receptor positive disease (defined as ER-positive and/or PR-positive), 24% were node negative, 47% had one to three positive nodes and 30% had four or more positive nodes. Ten percent (10%) of patients had Stage I disease, 41% had Stage II disease and 31% had Stage III disease. The majority of patients (81%) were enrolled within one year of completion of trastuzumab treatment. Median time from the last adjuvant trastuzumab treatment to randomization was 4.4 months in the NERLYNX arm versus 4.6 months in the placebo arm. Median duration of treatment was 11.6 months in the NERLYNX arm vs 11.8 months in the placebo arm.

The efficacy results from the ExteNET trial are summarized in Table 11 and Figure 1 .

Figure 1: iDFS in the ExteNET Trial - ITT Population

CI=Confidence Interval; iDFS=Invasive Disease Free-Survival; ITT=Intent to Treat

Approximately 75% of patients were re-consented for extended follow-up beyond 24 months. Observations with missing data were censored at the last date of assessment. This exploratory analysis suggests that the iDFS results at 5 years are consistent with the 2-year iDFS results observed in ExteNET. After a median follow-up of 8 years, there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the NERLYNX arm and the placebo arm [HR 0.95 (95% CI: 0.75, 1.21)]. The 5-year estimate of OS was 94.1% (95% CI, 92.7%, 95.3%) in the NERLYNX arm and 93.3% (95% CI, 91.8%, 94.5%) in the placebo arm.

The safety and efficacy of NERLYNX in combination with capecitabine was studied in NALA (NCT01808573), a randomized, multicenter, open-label clinical trial in patients (n=621) with metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who had received 2 or more prior anti-HER2 based regimens in the metastatic setting. HER2 expression was based on archival tissue tested at a central laboratory prior to enrollment. HER2 positivity was defined as a HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 3+ or IHC 2+ with confirmatory in situ hybridization (ISH) positive. Fifty-nine percent of these patients were hormone receptor positive (HR+) and 41% were hormone receptor negative (HR-); 69% had received two prior anti-HER2 based regimens, 31% had received three or more prior anti-HER2 based regimens, 81% had visceral disease, and 19% had non-visceral-only disease. Patients with asymptomatic or stable brain metastases were included in NALA trial (16%).

Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive NERLYNX 240 mg orally once daily on Days 1–21 in combination with capecitabine 750 mg/m ² given orally twice daily on Days 1–14 for each 21-day cycle (n=307) or lapatinib 1250 mg orally once daily Days 1–21 in combination with capecitabine 1000 mg/m ² given orally twice daily on Days 1–14 for each 21-day cycle (n=314). Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

The efficacy results from the NALA trial are summarized in Table 13 , Figure 2 , and Figure 3 .

Figure 2. Progression-Free Survival (Central Assessment - ITT Population)

CI=Confidence Interval; ITT=Intent to Treat; L+C=Lapatinib plus Capecitabine; N+C=NERLYNX plus Capecitabine

Figure 3. Overall Survival (ITT Population)

ITT=Intent to Treat; L+C=Lapatinib plus Capecitabine; N+C=NERLYNX plus Capecitabine