DESTINY-Lung02 Phase II trial shows clinically meaningful efficacy and favorable safety at 5.4mg/kg vs. 6.4mg/kg dose of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s ENHERTU in HER2-mutant disease
Updated results from DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial demonstrate continued durable activity across patient subtypes
WILMINGTON, Del.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Detailed positive results from an interim analysis of the DESTINY-Lung02 Phase II trial showed ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) demonstrated clinically meaningful tumor responses in previously-treated patients with HER2-mutant (HER2m) unresectable and/or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results will be presented today as a late-breaking presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022.
ENHERTU is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
At a pre-specified interim analysis of DESTINY-Lung02, patients receiving ENHERTU at a dose of 5.4mg/kg or 6.4mg/kg demonstrated clinically meaningful activity. The safety profile for both doses was also consistent with the overall safety profile of ENHERTU, with the 5.4mg/kg dose demonstrating a favorable safety profile in this patient population. A confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 53.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 39.5-67.8) and 42.9% (95% CI 24.5-62.8) was seen in the 5.4mg/kg and 6.4mg/kg arms respectively, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). One complete response (CR) was observed in each arm (5.4mg/kg: 1.9%, 6.4mg/kg: 3.6%), with 27 (51.9%) partial responses (PR) observed in the 5.4mg/kg arm and 11 (39.3%) PRs observed in the 6.4mg/kg arm.
Koichi Goto, MD, Medical Oncologist and Investigator at National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan, said: “DESTINY-Lung02 reinforces HER2 as an actionable mutation in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and further demonstrates that ENHERTU provides a clinically meaningful tumor response for these patients who have historically had limited treatment options. The response seen in this trial, along with the disease control observed support ENHERTU as a potential treatment option in this type of non-small cell lung cancer.”
Cristian Massacesi, Chief Medical Officer & Oncology Chief Development Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “The clinically meaningful activity, together with the favorable safety profile seen in the DESTINY-Lung02 trial helps establish the optimal dose of ENHERTU at 5.4 milligrams per kilogram in previously-treated HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. As we continue to explore the potential of this important medicine across multiple HER2-targetable tumor types, these data reaffirm the need to undertake HER2 testing in patients diagnosed with lung cancer.”
Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: “The DESTINY-Lung02 results are consistent with the data previously seen with ENHERTU in non-small cell lung cancer and the efficacy demonstrated in this interim analysis, which supported the recent US FDA accelerated approval of ENHERTU in patients with HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, reinforces the potential to establish this medicine as a treatment option for these patients. These data will help inform future regulatory submissions worldwide with the goal of continuing to offer this innovative medicine to as many patients as possible.”
Summary of results: DESTINY-Lung02
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Efficacy Measure |
ENHERTU (5.4mg/kg) n=52 |
ENHERTU (5.4mg/kg) n=52 Additional 90-day follow-upi |
ENHERTU (6.4mg/kg) n=28 |
|
Confirmed ORR (%) (95% CI)ii,iii |
53.8% (39.5-67.8) |
57.7% (43.2-71.3) |
42.9% (24.5-62.8) |
|
Complete Response (%) |
1.9% |
1.9% |
3.6% |
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Partial Response (%) |
51.9% |
55.8% |
39.3% |
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Stable Disease (%) |
36.5% |
|
50.0% |
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Progressive Disease (%) |
3.8% |
|
3.6% |
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Not Evaluable (%)iv |
5.8% |
|
3.6% |
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DCR (95% CI) ii,v |
90.4% (79.0-96.8) |
|
92.9% (76.5-99.1) |
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Median DoR (months) (95% CI)ii |
NE (4.2-NE) |
8.7 (7.1-NE) |
5.9 (2.8-NE) |
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Median TTIR (months) (95% CI) |
1.4 (1.2-5.8) |
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1.4 (1.2-3.0) |
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CI, confidence interval; DCR, disease control rate; DoR, duration of response; NE, not estimable; ORR, objective response rate; TTIR, time to initial response |
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i As the median DoR for the 5.4mg/kg dose arm was not reached at the March 24, 2022 cutoff, an additional 90-day follow-up response analysis was conducted; data cutoff for the 90-day follow-up was June 22, 2022 |
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ii As assessed by blinded independent central review |
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iii ORR is Complete Response + Partial Response |
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iv Three patients were NE at 5.4mg/kg (one patient never received treatment due to COVID; two patients discontinued before first tumor assessment); one NE at 6.4mg/kg (discontinued due to adverse event before first tumor assessment. |
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v DCR is Complete Response + Patrial Response + Stable Disease |
At the pre-specified interim analysis, a median duration of response (DoR) was not reached in the 5.4mg/kg arm and a median DoR of 5.9 months (95% CI 2.8-NE) was seen in the 6.4mg/kg arm. As median DoR was not reached in the 5.4mg/kg arm, an additional 90-day follow-up response analysis was conducted, where ENHERTU demonstrated a confirmed ORR of 57.7% (95% CI 43.2-71.3) and a median DoR of 8.7 months (95% CI 7.1-NE), with CRs seen in 1.9% of patients and PRs in 55.8% of patients.
In DESTINY-Lung02, a favorable safety profile was observed in patients treated with ENHERTU 5.4mg/kg, with no new safety signals identified at either dose. Grade 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were higher with ENHERTU 6.4mg/kg versus 5.4mg/kg, with Grade 3 or higher treatment-related TEAEs occurring in 31.7% and 58.0% of all patients receiving ENHERTU 5.4mg/kg or 6.4mg/kg, respectively. The most common Grade 3 or higher TEAEs occurring in greater than 10% of patients were neutropenia (11.9% (5.4mg/kg), 34.0% (6.4mg/kg)), anemia (8.9% (5.4mg/kg), 14.0% (6.4mg/kg)) and leukopenia (2.0% (5.4mg/kg), 14.0% (6.4mg/kg)). There were 13 cases (5.9% in the 5.4mg/kg arm and 14.0% in the 6.4mg/kg arm) of treatment-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis reported, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. The majority (5.4mg/kg: 5.0%, 6.4mg/kg: 14.0%) were low Grade (Grade 1 or 2), with one Grade 3 event (5.4mg/kg: 1.0%) reported. No Grade 4 or Grade 5 ILD or pneumonitis events occurred.
DESTINY-Lung01 updated results
Updated results from the DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial, which evaluated ENHERTU in HER2m (cohort 2) or HER2-over-expressing (cohort 1 and cohort 1a) NSCLC, were also presented at ESMO and showed that ENHERTU continues to demonstrate consistent efficacy, safety and survival with longer follow-up.
After a median follow-up of 16.7 months, results of previously treated patients with HER2m NSCLC (cohort 2) showed the median DoR for ENHERTU in the overall patient population increased to 10.6 months (95% CI 5.6-18.3), with median overall survival (OS) increasing to 18.6 months (95% CI 13.8-25.8). Subgroup analyses of patients with or without a presence of baseline asymptomatic brain metastases showed that treatment with ENHERTU resulted in a median PFS of 7.1 months (95% CI 5.5-9.8) and 9.7 months (95% CI 4.5-16.9) respectively, and a median OS of 14.0 months (95% CI: 9.8-19.5) and 27.0 months (95% CI: 15.3-NE), respectively. The subgroup analysis of patients who had received either two or fewer prior therapies or more than two prior therapies showed a median PFS of 8.3 months (95% CI: 5.8-15.2) and 6.8 months (95% CI: 4.4-9.8) respectively, and a median OS of 22.1 months (95% CI: 14.0-31.3) and 13.8 months (95% CI: 7.1-18.6), respectively.
Additionally, updated results from cohort 1 (ENHERTU 6.4mg/kg) and cohort 1a (ENHERTU 5.4mg/kg), which evaluated patients with previously-treated metastatic HER2-overexpressing NSCLC, highlight encouraging anti-tumor activity. In cohort 1, a confirmed ORR of 26.5% (95% CI 15.0-41.1) was seen in patients receiving ENHERTU 6.4mg/kg, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.7 months (95% CI 2.8-7.2) and a median OS of 12.4 months (95% CI 7.8-17.2). In cohort 1a, a confirmed ORR of 34.1% (95% CI 20.1-50.6) was seen in patients receiving ENHERTU 5.4mg/kg, with a median PFS of 6.7 months (95% CI 4.2-8.4), and a median OS of 11.2 months (95% CI 8.4-NE).
The overall safety profile of ENHERTU in DESTINY-Lung01 was consistent with previous data, with no new safety signals identified with the longer follow-up. In the HER2m NSCLC patient cohort, there was one additional case of treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis observed, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. ILD has been observed in 27.5% of patients treated with ENHERTU 6.4mg/kg in the HER2-mutant cohort, with the majority identified as low Grade, and two Grade 5 events reported. In the HER2-overexpressing NSCLC patient cohorts, there were two additional cases of treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis observed in the 6.4mg/kg dose cohort, and two cases observed in the 5.4mg/kg dose cohort, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. ILD has been observed in 20.4% and 4.9% of patients treated with ENHERTU at the 6.4mg/kg and 5.4mg/kg doses respectively in the HER2-overexpressing cohort, with the majority identified as low Grade, and four Grade 5 events (three in the 6.4mg/kg dose cohort and one in the 5.4mg/kg dose cohort) reported. Data from the DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial were previously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1
Important Safety Information
Indications
ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
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Unresectable or metastatic HER2-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
- Unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy
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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. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen
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WARNING: INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE and EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY
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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 HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg)
In patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 12% of patients. Fatal outcomes due to ILD and/or pneumonitis occurred in 1.0% of patients treated with ENHERTU. Median time to first onset was 5 months (range: 0.9 to 23).
Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg)
In patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 10% of patients. Median time to first onset was 2.8 months (range: 1.2 to 21).
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 HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg)
In patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 65% of patients. Sixteen percent had Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 22 days (range: 2 to 664). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 1.1% of patients.
Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg)
In patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 72% of patients. Fifty-one percent had Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 16 days (range: 4 to 187). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 4.8% 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 HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg)
In patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutant NSCLC treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, LVEF decrease was reported in 3.6% of patients, of which 0.4% were Grade 3.
Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer (6.4 mg/kg)
In patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, no clinical adverse events of heart failure were reported; however, on echocardiography, 8% were found to have asymptomatic Grade 2 decrease in LVEF.
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 HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg)
The pooled safety population reflects exposure to ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks in 984 patients in Study DS8201-A-J101 (NCT02564900), DESTINY-Breast01, DESTINY-Breast03, DESTINY-Breast04, and DESTINY-Lung02. Among these patients 65% were exposed for >6 months and 39% were exposed for >1 year. In this pooled safety population, the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (76%), decreased white blood cell count (71%), decreased hemoglobin (66%), decreased neutrophil count (65%), decreased lymphocyte count (55%), fatigue (54%), decreased platelet count (47%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (48%), vomiting (44%), increased alanine aminotransferase (42%), alopecia (39%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (39%), constipation (34%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), decreased appetite (32%), hypokalemia (28%), diarrhea (28%), and respiratory infection (24%).
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 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%), hypokalemia (35%), constipation (34%), musculoskeletal pain (31%), diarrhea (29%), decreased appetite (29%), respiratory infection (22%), headache (22%), abdominal pain (21%), increased blood bilirubin (20%), and stomatitis (20%).
HER2-Low Metastatic Breast Cancer
DESTINY-Breast04
The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 371 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who received ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks in DESTINY-Breast04. The median duration of treatment was 8 months (range: 0.2 to 33) for patients who received ENHERTU.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 28% of patients receiving ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients who received ENHERTU were ILD/pneumonitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, sepsis, anemia, febrile neutropenia, hypercalcemia, nausea, pyrexia, and vomiting. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 4% of patients including ILD/pneumonitis (3 patients); sepsis (2 patients); and ischemic colitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, dyspnea, febrile neutropenia, general physical health deterioration, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure (1 patient each).
ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 16% of patients, of which ILD/pneumonitis accounted for 8%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 39% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, fatigue, anemia, leukopenia, COVID-19, ILD/pneumonitis, increased transaminases, and hyperbilirubinemia. Dose reductions occurred in 23% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were fatigue, nausea, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia.
The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (76%), decreased white blood cell count (70%), decreased hemoglobin (64%), decreased neutrophil count (64%), decreased lymphocyte count (55%), fatigue (54%), decreased platelet count (44%), alopecia (40%), vomiting (40%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (38%), increased alanine aminotransferase (36%), constipation (34%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (34%), decreased appetite (32%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), diarrhea (27%), and hypokalemia (25%).
Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Mutant NSCLC (5.4 mg/kg)
DESTINY-Lung02 evaluated two dose levels (5.4 mg/kg [n=101] and 6.4 mg/kg [n=50]); however, only the results for the recommended dose of 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks are described below due to increased toxicity observed with the higher dose in patients with NSCLC, including ILD/pneumonitis.
The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 101 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-mutant NSCLC who received ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every three weeks in DESTINY‑Lung02.
Contacts
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