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FDA approved Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for Multiple HER2-Positive and HER2-Low CancersFDA approved Enhertu for several types of HER2 positive cancers.

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Key Takeaway
Consider Enhertu for patients with HER2-positive or HER2-low cancers after prior therapies, including accelerated approval indications.

The FDA has approved Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for multiple indications across several tumor types. In HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, Enhertu is approved in combination with pertuzumab as first-line treatment for unresectable or metastatic disease, and as monotherapy for patients who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen. For HER2-low and HER2-ultralow breast cancer, Enhertu is approved as monotherapy for HR-positive disease that has progressed on endocrine therapy, and for HER2-low disease after prior chemotherapy. Additionally, Enhertu received accelerated approval for HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer after prior systemic therapy, and for HER2-positive (IHC 3+) solid tumors after prior systemic treatment with no satisfactory alternatives. The drug is also approved for HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma after prior trastuzumab. These approvals expand the therapeutic options for patients with HER2-driven cancers.

Clinical Details (Mechanism · Dosing · Trial Data · Warnings)
Mechanism of Action

Enhertu is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate. It binds to HER2 on tumor cells and is internalized, where it releases a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, leading to DNA damage and cell death.

Indication & Patient Population

Enhertu is indicated for: - HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH+) unresectable or metastatic breast cancer: first-line in combination with pertuzumab, or as monotherapy after prior anti-HER2-based regimen. - HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) or HER2-ultralow (IHC 0 with membrane staining) breast cancer: as monotherapy for HR-positive disease after endocrine therapy, or for HER2-low after prior chemotherapy. - HER2-mutant unresectable or metastatic NSCLC after prior systemic therapy (accelerated approval). - HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH+) gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma after prior trastuzumab. - HER2-positive (IHC 3+) unresectable or metastatic solid tumors after prior systemic treatment with no satisfactory alternatives (accelerated approval).

Dosing & Administration

For intravenous infusion only. Do not administer as intravenous push or bolus. Do not substitute with trastuzumab or ado-trastuzumab emtansine. Premedicate for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Do not use Sodium Chloride Injection, USP.

Key Clinical Trial Data

Trial data not available in label for most indications. For accelerated approval indications (HER2-mutant NSCLC and HER2-positive solid tumors), approval was based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval may require confirmatory trials.

Warnings & Contraindications

Not reported in label.

Place in Therapy

Enhertu provides a targeted therapy option for multiple HER2-altered cancers, including those with low HER2 expression. It is a later-line option for many indications and is used after prior therapies including anti-HER2 agents, endocrine therapy, or chemotherapy.

The FDA has approved a drug called Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for several types of cancer that have a specific protein called HER2. This includes certain breast cancers, lung cancers, stomach cancers, and other solid tumors. Enhertu is a targeted therapy that attacks cancer cells with high levels of HER2. It is given as an infusion into a vein.

For breast cancer, Enhertu is approved as a first treatment along with another drug for HER2 positive cancer that has spread. It is also approved for HER2 low and HER2 ultralow breast cancer after hormone therapy or chemotherapy. For lung cancer, it is for HER2 mutant cancer after other treatments. For other solid tumors, it is for HER2 positive tumors when no other good options exist. For stomach cancer, it is for HER2 positive cancer after a previous treatment.

This approval means more treatment choices for people with these cancers. Enhertu has shown promise in shrinking tumors and delaying cancer growth. However, it can have serious side effects, such as lung problems and heart damage. Patients should talk to their doctor to see if Enhertu is right for them.

If you or a loved one has a HER2 driven cancer, ask your doctor about Enhertu. It is not a cure, but it may be a helpful option. Your doctor can explain the benefits and risks based on your specific situation.

What this means for you:
Enhertu offers new treatment options for several HER2 positive cancers; talk to your doctor if it may be right for you.

Study Details

Study typeFda approval
PublishedDec 2019
View Original Abstract ↓
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated: HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer in combination with pertuzumab as first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH+) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test. ( 1.1 ) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH+) 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. ( 1.1 ) HER2-Low and HER2-Ultralow Metastatic Breast Cancer as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) or HER2-ultralow (IHC 0 with membrane staining) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that has progressed on one or more endocrine therapies in the metastatic setting. ( 1.2 ) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting; or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy. ( 1.2 ) HER2-Mutant Unresectable or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy* ( 1.3 ) HER2-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH positive) gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen. ( 1.4 ) HER2-Positive (IHC 3+) Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+) solid tumors who have received prior systemic treatment and have no satisfactory alternative treatment options* ( 1.5 ) * These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. ( 14.3 , 14.5 ) 1.1 HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer ENHERTU, in combination with pertuzumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH+) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. ENHERTU, as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH+) 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. 1.2 HER2-Low and HER2-Ultralow Metastatic Breast Cancer ENHERTU, as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic Hormone receptor (HR)-positive HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) or HER2-ultralow (IHC 0 with membrane staining) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that has progressed on one or more endocrine therapies in the metastatic setting [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . 1.3 HER2-Mutant Unresectable or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer ENHERTU, as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. 1.4 HER2-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer ENHERTU, as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH positive) gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen. 1.5 HER2-Positive (IHC 3+) Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors ENHERTU, as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+) solid tumors who have received prior systemic treatment and have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
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