What is Tucatinib (systemic) (monograph)?
[Web]
Introduction
Antineoplastic agent; a highly selective, reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2).
Uses for Tucatinib (Systemic)
Breast Cancer
Used in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for the treatment of HER2-positive advanced unresectable or metastatic breast cancer in adults, including those with brain metastases, previously treated with ≥1 anti-HER2-based regimen in the metastatic setting (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this cancer).
Colorectal Cancer
Used in combination with trastuzumab for treatment of adults with RAS wild-type, HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.
Accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response; continued approval may be contingent on verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory studies.
Designated an orphan drug by FDA for treatment of HER2-positive colorectal cancer.
Tucatinib (Systemic) Dosage and Administration
General
Pretreatment Screening
-
Serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations.
-
Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential.
-
In patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, confirm presence of specific RAS mutations mutations with an FDA-approved test.
-
In patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, confirm presence of HER2 overexpression or gene amplification with a laboratory assessment of tumor tissue.
Patient Monitoring
-
Serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations every 3 weeks during therapy, and as clinically indicated.
Premedication and Prophylaxis
-
Prophylactic use of antidiarrheal agents not required in principal efficacy study (HER2CLIMB study).
Dispensing and Administration Precautions
-
Based on the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), tucatinib is a high-alert medication that has a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error.
Administration
Oral Administration
Administer twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart at the same time each day, without regard to meals.
Swallow tablets intact; do not chew, crush, crack, break, or split.
If a dose of tucatinib is missed or vomited, take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Dosage
Adults
Breast Cancer
Oral
300 mg twice daily in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine. Continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Consult respective manufacturers' labelings or published protocols for information on dosage and method and sequence of administration of other antineoplastic agents used in combination with tucatinib.
May administer capecitabine and tucatinib at the same time. In the HER2CLIMB study, capecitabine 1 g/m2 twice daily within 30 minutes after a meal was administered on days 1–14 and trastuzumab 8 mg/kg IV initially, followed by either 6 mg/kg IV or 600 mg by sub-Q injection was administered on day 1 of each 21-day cycle.
Colorectal Cancer
Oral
300 mg twice daily in combination with trastuzumab. Continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Consult respective manufacturers' labelings or published protocols for information on dosage and method and sequence of administration of other antineoplastic agents used in combination with tucatinib.
Dosage Modification for Toxicity
Oral
Temporary interruption of therapy, dosage reduction, and/or permanent discontinuance of drug may be necessary. When dosage reduction is necessary, reduce dosage as described in Table 1.
Dose Reduction Level |
Recommended Dosage Reductions for Adverse Reactions |
---|---|
First |
250 mg twice daily |
Second |
200 mg twice daily |
Third |
150 mg twice daily |
Fourth |
Permanently discontinue tucatinib |
If an adverse reaction occurs, modify dosage accordingly (see Table 2).
Adverse Reaction and Severity |
Modification |
Diarrhea (Grade 3 without anti-diarrheal treatment) |
Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy. Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the same dose level. |
Diarrhea (Grade 3 with anti-diarrheal treatment) |
Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy. Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose level. |
Diarrhea (Grade 4) |
Permanently discontinue |
Hepatotoxicity (Grade 2 bilirubin [>1.5 to 3 × ULN]) |
Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the same dose level. |
Hepatotoxicity (Grade 3 ALT or AST [> 5 to 20 × ULN] OR Grade 3 bilirubin [> 3 to 10 × ULN]) |
Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose level. |
Hepatotoxicity (Grade 4 ALT or AST [> 20 × ULN] OR Grade 4 bilirubin [> 10 × ULN]) |
Permanently discontinue |
Hepatotoxicity (ALT or AST > 3 × ULN AND Bilirubin > 2 × ULN) |
Permanently discontinue |
Other adverse reactions (Grade 3) |
Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose level. |
Other adverse reactions (Grade 4) |
Permanently discontinue |
Concomitant Use of Drugs Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes
Avoid concomitant use of tucatinib with potent inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 2C8. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce tucatinib to 100 mg twice daily. If concomitant use of the potent CYP2C8 inhibitor is discontinued, return tucatinib dosage (after 3 elimination half-lives of the CYP2C8 inhibitor) to the dosage used prior to initiation of the CYP2C8 inhibitor.
Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Oral
Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C): Reduce dosage to 200 mg twice daily.
Mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B): No dosage adjustment required.
Renal Impairment
Oral
Mild or moderate renal impairment (Clcr 30–89 mL/minute using Cockcroft-Gault formula): No dosage adjustment required.
Severe renal impairment (Clcr <30 mL/minute using Cockcroft-Gault formula): Combination therapy with tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab not recommended.
Geriatric Use
No specific dosage recommendations for patients ≥65 years of age.
Related/similar drugs
Keytruda, Arimidex, Avastin, fluorouracil, capecitabine, Femara, XelodaWarnings
Contraindications
-
None.
Warnings/Precautions
Diarrhea
Severe diarrhea associated with dehydration, hypotension, acute kidney injury, and death reported. Median time to initial onset of diarrhea was 12 days. Median time to resolution of diarrhea was 8 days.
Administer antidiarrheal therapy as clinically indicated if diarrhea occurs during therapy. Perform diagnostic tests to exclude other causes of diarrhea. If diarrhea occurs, temporary interruption, dosage reduction, or permanent discontinuance of therapy may be necessary.
Hepatic Toxicity
Severe hepatotoxicity (i.e., elevations in ALT and/or AST concentrations >5 times the ULN, elevations in serum bilirubin concentrations >3 times the ULN) reported.
Monitor liver function tests (i.e., ALT, AST, bilirubin concentrations) prior to initiation of therapy, every 3 weeks thereafter, and as clinically indicated. If hepatotoxicity occurs, temporary interruption, dosage reduction, or permanent discontinuance of therapy may be necessary.
Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality
Based on its mechanism of action and animal findings, tucatinib may cause fetal harm. Embryofetal toxicity and teratogenicity demonstrated in animals.
Avoid pregnancy during therapy. Perform pregnancy test prior to initiating tucatinib therapy in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential and men who are partners of such women to use effective contraception while receiving the drug and for ≥1 week after the last dose of the drug. If used during pregnancy or if patient becomes pregnant, apprise patient of potential fetal hazard.
Impairment of Fertility
Results of animal studies suggest tucatinib may impair male and female fertility.
Specific Populations
Pregnancy
May cause fetal harm.
Avoid pregnancy during therapy. Perform pregnancy test prior to initiating tucatinib therapy in females of reproductive potential.
Advise females of reproductive potential and men who are partners of such women to use effective contraception while receiving the drug and for ≥1 week after the last dose of the drug. If used during pregnancy or if patient becomes pregnant, apprise patient of potential fetal hazard.
Lactation
Not known whether tucatinib or its metabolites distribute into milk, affect milk production, or affect breast-fed infants.
Women should not breast-feed during therapy and for ≥7 days after the last dose of the drug.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
In the HER2CLIMB study, 26% of tucatinib-treated patients were ≥65 years of age and 2.5% were ≥75 years of age. No overall difference in efficacy relative to younger adults. Serious adverse reactions (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, nausea) reported more frequently in geriatric patients.
In the MOUNTAINEER study, 12 patients were ≥65 years of age; however, there were too few patients to assess differences in effectiveness or safety.
Hepatic Impairment
Mild or moderate hepatic impairment: Systemic exposure not substantially altered. No dosage adjustment required.
Severe hepatic impairment: Systemic exposure increased by 1.6-fold. Reduce tucatinib dosage to 200 mg twice daily.
Renal Impairment
Mild or moderate renal impairment: Pharmacokinetics not substantially affected. No dosage adjustment required.
Severe renal impairment: Pharmacokinetics not studied.
Common Adverse Effects
Adverse effects (≥20%) of patients with metastatic breast cancer: Diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, stomatitis, decreased appetite, anemia, rash.
Adverse effects (≥20%) of patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer: Diarrhea, fatigue, rash, nausea, abdominal pain, infusion related reactions, pyrexia.
Tucatinib increases Scr by inhibiting tubular secretion of creatinine. Elevated Scr concentrations are reversible in most patients following discontinuance of therapy. Use of alternative markers for renal function may be necessary if elevated Scr concentrations persist.
How should I use Tucatinib (systemic) (monograph)
General
Pretreatment Screening
-
Serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations.
-
Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential.
-
In patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, confirm presence of specific RAS mutations mutations with an FDA-approved test.
-
In patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, confirm presence of HER2 overexpression or gene amplification with a laboratory assessment of tumor tissue.
Patient Monitoring
-
Serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations every 3 weeks during therapy, and as clinically indicated.
Premedication and Prophylaxis
-
Prophylactic use of antidiarrheal agents not required in principal efficacy study (HER2CLIMB study).
Dispensing and Administration Precautions
-
Based on the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), tucatinib is a high-alert medication that has a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error.
Administration
Oral Administration
Administer twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart at the same time each day, without regard to meals.
Swallow tablets intact; do not chew, crush, crack, break, or split.
If a dose of tucatinib is missed or vomited, take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Dosage
Adults
Breast Cancer
Oral
300 mg twice daily in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine. Continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Consult respective manufacturers' labelings or published protocols for information on dosage and method and sequence of administration of other antineoplastic agents used in combination with tucatinib.
May administer capecitabine and tucatinib at the same time. In the HER2CLIMB study, capecitabine 1 g/m2 twice daily within 30 minutes after a meal was administered on days 1–14 and trastuzumab 8 mg/kg IV initially, followed by either 6 mg/kg IV or 600 mg by sub-Q injection was administered on day 1 of each 21-day cycle.
Colorectal Cancer
Oral
300 mg twice daily in combination with trastuzumab. Continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Consult respective manufacturers' labelings or published protocols for information on dosage and method and sequence of administration of other antineoplastic agents used in combination with tucatinib.
Dosage Modification for Toxicity
Oral
Temporary interruption of therapy, dosage reduction, and/or permanent discontinuance of drug may be necessary. When dosage reduction is necessary, reduce dosage as described in Table 1.
Dose Reduction Level |
Recommended Dosage Reductions for Adverse Reactions |
---|---|
First |
250 mg twice daily |
Second |
200 mg twice daily |
Third |
150 mg twice daily |
Fourth |
Permanently discontinue tucatinib |
If an adverse reaction occurs, modify dosage accordingly (see Table 2).
Adverse Reaction and Severity |
Modification |
Diarrhea (Grade 3 without anti-diarrheal treatment) |
Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy. Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the same dose level. |
Diarrhea (Grade 3 with anti-diarrheal treatment) |
Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy. Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose level. |
Diarrhea (Grade 4) |
Permanently discontinue |
Hepatotoxicity (Grade 2 bilirubin [>1.5 to 3 × ULN]) |
Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the same dose level. |
Hepatotoxicity (Grade 3 ALT or AST [> 5 to 20 × ULN] OR Grade 3 bilirubin [> 3 to 10 × ULN]) |
Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose level. |
Hepatotoxicity (Grade 4 ALT or AST [> 20 × ULN] OR Grade 4 bilirubin [> 10 × ULN]) |
Permanently discontinue |
Hepatotoxicity (ALT or AST > 3 × ULN AND Bilirubin > 2 × ULN) |
Permanently discontinue |
Other adverse reactions (Grade 3) |
Hold tucatinib until recovery to ≤ Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose level. |
Other adverse reactions (Grade 4) |
Permanently discontinue |
Concomitant Use of Drugs Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes
Avoid concomitant use of tucatinib with potent inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 2C8. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce tucatinib to 100 mg twice daily. If concomitant use of the potent CYP2C8 inhibitor is discontinued, return tucatinib dosage (after 3 elimination half-lives of the CYP2C8 inhibitor) to the dosage used prior to initiation of the CYP2C8 inhibitor.
Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Oral
Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C): Reduce dosage to 200 mg twice daily.
Mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B): No dosage adjustment required.
Renal Impairment
Oral
Mild or moderate renal impairment (Clcr 30–89 mL/minute using Cockcroft-Gault formula): No dosage adjustment required.
Severe renal impairment (Clcr <30 mL/minute using Cockcroft-Gault formula): Combination therapy with tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab not recommended.
Geriatric Use
No specific dosage recommendations for patients ≥65 years of age.
Related/similar drugs
Keytruda, Arimidex, Avastin, fluorouracil, capecitabine, Femara, XelodaWhat other drugs will affect Tucatinib (systemic) (monograph)?
Metabolized principally by CYP2C8 and, to a lesser extent, by CYP3A.
In vitro, reversible inhibitor of CYP isoenzymes 2C8 and 3A. Time-dependent inhibitor of CYP3A, but does not inhibit CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, and 2D6, or uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1.
Substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), but not a substrate of organic anion transporter (OAT) 1, OAT3, organic cation transporter (OCT) 1, OCT3, organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, OATP1B3, multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) 1, MATE2K, or bile salt export pump (BSEP).
Drugs Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes
Potent CYP2C8 inhibitors: Possible increased systemic exposure to tucatinib and increased risk of adverse effects. Avoid concomitant use. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce tucatinib dosage to 100 mg twice daily. If concomitant use of potent CYP2C8 inhibitor is discontinued, return tucatinib dosage (after 3 elimination half-lives of the CYP2C8 inhibitor) to dosage used prior to initiation of CYP2C8 inhibitor.
Moderate CYP2C8 inhibitors: Possible increased systemic exposure to tucatinib and increased risk of adverse effects. If used concomitantly, monitor for signs of tucatinib toxicity.
Potent CYP3A or moderate CYP2C8 inducers: Possible decreased systemic exposure to tucatinib and reduced efficacy of tucatinib. Avoid concomitant use.
Drugs Metabolized by Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes
Substrates of CYP3A: Possible increased systemic exposure to the CYP3A substrate and increased risk of adverse effects of the substrate drug. Avoid concomitant use with CYP3A substrates that have a narrow therapeutic index. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce dosage of the CYP3A substrate as appropriate.
Drugs Affected by Transport Systems
P-gp substrates: Possible increased systemic exposure of the P-gp substrate and increased risk of adverse effects of the substrate drug. If used concomitantly with a P-gp substrate that has a narrow therapeutic index, reduce dosage of the P-gp substrate as appropriate.
Specific Drugs
Drug |
Interaction |
Comments |
---|---|---|
Digoxin |
Increased AUC and peak plasma concentrations of digoxin by 1.5- and 2.4-fold, respectively |
Avoid concomitant use; if concomitant cannot be avoided, adjust dosage of digoxin as appropriate |
Gemfibrozil |
Increased AUC and peak plasma concentrations of tucatinib by 3- and 1.6-fold, respectively |
Avoid concomitant use; if concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce dosage of tucatinib to 100 mg twice daily When gemfibrozil is discontinued, return tucatinib dosage (after 3 elimination half-lives of gemfibrozil) to prior dosage |
Itraconazole |
Increased both AUC and peak plasma concentrations of tucatinib by 1.3-fold. |
|
Metformin |
Reduced renal clearance of metformin without any effect on GFR Increased AUC and peak plasma concentration of metformin by 1.4- and 1.1-fold, respectively |
|
Midazolam |
Increased AUC and peak plasma concentration of midazolam by 5.7- and 3-fold, respectively |
|
Omeprazole |
No clinically important effect on pharmacokinetics of tucatinib |
|
Rifampin |
Decreased AUC and peak plasma concentrations of tucatinib by 48 and 37%, respectively |
Avoid concomitant use |
Tolbutamide |
No clinically important effect on pharmacokinetics of tucatinib |