herceptin

Important safety information

Exacerbation of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia. ( 5.5 , 6.1 ) 5.1 Cardiomyopathy Herceptin can cause left ventricular cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, hypertension, disabling cardiac failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiac death [see Boxed Warning: Cardiomyopathy ] . Herceptin can also cause asymptomatic decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). There is a 4–6 fold increase in the incidence of symptomatic myocardial dysfunction among patients receiving Herceptin as a single agent or in combination therapy compared with those not receiving Herceptin. The highest absolute incidence occurs when Herceptin is administered with an anthracycline. Withhold Herceptin for ≥ 16% absolute decrease in LVEF from pre-treatment values or an LVEF value below institutional limits of normal and ≥ 10% absolute decrease in LVEF from pretreatment values [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . The safety of continuation or resumption of Herceptin in patients with Herceptin-induced left ventricular cardiac dysfunction has not been studied. Patients who receive anthracycline after stopping Herceptin may also be at increased risk of cardiac dysfunction [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Cardiac Monitoring Conduct thorough cardiac assessment, including history, physical examination, and determination of LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan. The following schedule is recommended: Baseline LVEF measurement immediately prior to initiation of Herceptin LVEF measurements every 3 months during and upon completion of Herceptin Repeat LVEF measurement at 4 week intervals if Herceptin is withheld for significant left ventricular cardiac dysfunction [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] LVEF measurements every 6 months for at least 2 years following completion of Herceptin as a component of adjuvant therapy. In NSABP B31, 15% (158/1031) of patients discontinued Herceptin due to clinical evidence of myocardial dysfunction or significant decline in LVEF after a median follow-up duration of 8.7 years in the AC-TH arm. In HERA (one-year Herceptin treatment), the number of patients who discontinued Herceptin due to cardiac toxicity at 12.6 months median duration of follow-up was 2.6% (44/1678). In BCIRG006, a total of 2.9% (31/1056) of patients in the TCH arm (1.5% during the chemotherapy phase and 1.4% during the monotherapy phase) and 5.7% (61/1068) of patients in the AC-TH arm (1.5% during the chemotherapy phase and 4.2% during the monotherapy phase) discontinued Herceptin due to cardiac toxicity. Among 64 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831) who developed congestive heart failure, one patient died of cardiomyopathy, one patient died suddenly without documented etiology, and 33 patients were receiving cardiac medication at last follow-up. Approximately 24% of the surviving patients had recovery to a normal LVEF (defined as ≥ 50%) and no symptoms on continuing medical management at the time of last follow-up. Incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) is presented in Table 1 . The safety of continuation or resumption of Herceptin in patients with Herceptin-induced left ventricular cardiac dysfunction has not been studied. Table 1: Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure in Adjuvant Breast Cancer Studies Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure % (n) Study Regimen Herceptin Control NSABP B31 & NCCTG N9831 Median follow-up duration for NSABP B31 & NCCTG N9831 combined was 8.3 years in the AC→paclitaxel+Herceptin arm. AC Anthracycline (doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide. →Paclitaxel+Herceptin 3.2% (64/2000) Includes 1 patient with fatal cardiomyopathy and 1 patient with sudden death without documented etiology. 1.3% (21/1655) HERA Includes NYHA II-IV and cardiac death at 12.6 months median duration of follow-up in the one-year Herceptin arm. Chemotherapy → Herceptin 2% (30/1678) 0.3% (5/1708) BCIRG006 AC →Docetaxel+Herceptin 2% (20/1068) 0.3% (3/1050) BCIRG006 Docetaxel+Carboplatin+Herceptin 0.4% (4/1056) 0.3% (3/1050) In HERA (one-year Herceptin treatment), at a median follow-up duration of 8 years, the incidence of severe CHF (NYHA III & IV) was 0.8%, and the rate of mild symptomatic and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction was 4.6%. Table 2: Incidence of Cardiac Dysfunction Congestive heart failure or significant asymptomatic decrease in LVEF. in Metastatic Breast Cancer Studies Incidence NYHA I–IV NYHA III–IV Study Event Herceptin Control Herceptin Control H0648g (AC) Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide. Cardiac Dysfunction 28% 7% 19% 3% H0648g (paclitaxel) Cardiac Dysfunction 11% 1% 4% 1% H0649g Cardiac Dysfunction Includes 1 patient with fatal cardiomyopathy. 7% N/A 5% N/A In BCIRG006, the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3/4 cardiac ischemia/infarction was higher in the Herceptin containing regimens (AC-TH: 0.3% (3/1068) and TCH: 0.2% (2/1056)) as compared to none in AC-T. 5.2 Infusion Reactions Infusion reactions consist of a symptom complex characterized by fever and chills, and on occasion included nausea, vomiting, pain (in some cases at tumor sites), headache, dizziness, dyspnea, hypotension, rash, and asthenia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. In post-marketing reports, serious and fatal infusion reactions have been reported. Severe reactions, which include bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, angioedema, hypoxia, and severe hypotension, were usually reported during or immediately following the initial infusion. However, the onset and clinical course were variable, including progressive worsening, initial improvement followed by clinical deterioration, or delayed post-infusion events with rapid clinical deterioration. For fatal events, death occurred within hours to days following a serious infusion reaction. Interrupt Herceptin infusion in all patients experiencing dyspnea, clinically significant hypotension, and intervention of medical therapy administered (which may include epinephrine, corticosteroids, diphenhydramine, bronchodilators, and oxygen). Patients should be evaluated and carefully monitored until complete resolution of signs and symptoms. Permanent discontinuation should be strongly considered in all patients with severe infusion reactions. There are no data regarding the most appropriate method of identification of patients who may safely be retreated with Herceptin after experiencing a severe infusion reaction. Prior to resumption of Herceptin infusion, the majority of patients who experienced a severe infusion reaction were pre-medicated with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids. While some patients tolerated Herceptin infusions, others had recurrent severe infusion reactions despite pre-medications. 5.3 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Herceptin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In post-marketing reports, use of Herceptin during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of Herceptin. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential that exposure to Herceptin during pregnancy or within 7 months prior to conception can result in fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 months following the last dose of Herceptin [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 5.4 Pulmonary Toxicity Herceptin use can result in serious and fatal pulmonary toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity includes dyspnea, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusions, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pulmonary insufficiency and hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary fibrosis. Such events can occur as sequelae of infusion reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Patients with symptomatic intrinsic lung disease or with extensive tumor…