Warnings for Alunbrig
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Alunbrig
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis
Severe, life-threatening, and fatal pulmonary adverse reactions consistent with interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis have occurred with ALUNBRIG.
In Trial ALTA 1L, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 5.1% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG. ILD/pneumonitis occurred within 8 days of initiation of ALUNBRIG in 2.9% of patients, with Grade 3 to 4 reactions occurring in 2.2% of patients.
In Trial ALTA, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.7% of patients in the 90 mg group (90 mg once daily) and 9.1% of patients in the 90→180 mg group (180 mg once daily with 7-day lead-in at 90 mg once daily). Adverse reactions consistent with possible ILD/pneumonitis occurred within 9 days of initiation of ALUNBRIG (median onset was 2 days) in 6.4% of patients, with Grade 3 to 4 reactions occurring in 2.7%.
Monitor for new or worsening respiratory symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, cough, etc.), particularly during the first week of initiating ALUNBRIG. Withhold ALUNBRIG in any patient with new or worsening respiratory symptoms, and promptly evaluate for ILD/pneumonitis or other causes of respiratory symptoms (e.g., pulmonary embolism, tumor progression, and infectious pneumonia). For Grade 1 or 2 ILD/pneumonitis, either resume ALUNBRIG with dose reduction according to Table 1 after recovery to baseline or permanently discontinue ALUNBRIG. Permanently discontinue ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 ILD/pneumonitis or recurrence of Grade 1 or 2 ILD/pneumonitis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Hypertension
In ALTA 1L, hypertension was reported in 32% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG; Grade 3 hypertension occurred in 13% of patients.
In ALTA, hypertension was reported in 11% of patients in the 90 mg group who received ALUNBRIG and 21% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 hypertension occurred in 5.9% of patients overall.
Control blood pressure prior to treatment with ALUNBRIG. Monitor blood pressure after 2 weeks and at least monthly thereafter during treatment with ALUNBRIG. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 hypertension despite optimal antihypertensive therapy. Upon resolution or improvement to Grade 1, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose. Consider permanent discontinuation of treatment with ALUNBRIG for Grade 4 hypertension or recurrence of Grade 3 hypertension [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Use caution when administering ALUNBRIG in combination with antihypertensive agents that cause bradycardia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Bradycardia
In ALTA 1L, heart rates less than 50 beats per minute (bpm) occurred in 8.1% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG. Grade 3 bradycardia occurred in 1 patient (0.7%).
In ALTA, heart rates less than 50 beats per minute (bpm) occurred in 5.7% of patients in the 90 mg group and 7.6% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 2 bradycardia occurred in 1 (0.9%) patient in the 90 mg group.
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure during treatment with ALUNBRIG. Monitor patients more frequently if concomitant use of drug known to cause bradycardia cannot be avoided [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
For symptomatic bradycardia, withhold ALUNBRIG and review concomitant medications for those known to cause bradycardia. If a concomitant medication known to cause bradycardia is identified and discontinued or dose adjusted, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose following resolution of symptomatic bradycardia; otherwise, reduce the dose of ALUNBRIG following resolution of symptomatic bradycardia. Discontinue ALUNBRIG for life-threatening bradycardia if no contributing concomitant medication is identified [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Visual Disturbance
In ALTA 1L, Grade 1 or 2 adverse reactions leading to visual disturbance including blurred vision, photophobia, photopsia, and reduced visual acuity were reported in 7.4% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG.
In ALTA, adverse reactions leading to visual disturbance including blurred vision, diplopia, and reduced visual acuity, were reported in 7.3% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG in the 90 mg group and 10% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 macular edema and cataract occurred in 1 patient each in the 90→180 mg group.
Advise patients to report any visual symptoms. Withhold ALUNBRIG and obtain an ophthalmologic evaluation in patients with new or worsening visual symptoms of Grade 2 or greater severity. Upon recovery of Grade 2 or Grade 3 visual disturbances to Grade 1 severity or baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at a reduced dose. Permanently discontinue treatment with ALUNBRIG for Grade 4 visual disturbances [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation
In ALTA 1L, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation occurred in 81% of patients who received ALUNBRIG. The incidence of Grade 3 or 4 CPK elevation was 24%. Dose reduction for CPK elevation occurred in 15% of patients.
In ALTA, CPK elevation occurred in 27% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG in the 90 mg group and 48% of patients in the 90 mg→180 mg group. The incidence of Grade 3 to 4 CPK elevation was 2.8% in the 90 mg group and 12% in the 90→180 mg group.
Dose reduction for CPK elevation occurred in 1.8% of patients in the 90 mg group and 4.5% in the 90→180 mg group.
Advise patients to report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Monitor CPK levels during ALUNBRIG treatment. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 CPK elevation with Grade 2 or higher muscle pain or weakness. Upon resolution or recovery to Grade 1 CPK elevation or baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose or at a reduced dose as described in Table 2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Pancreatic Enzymes Elevation
In ALTA 1L, amylase elevation occurred in 52% of patients and Grade 3 or 4 amylase elevation occurred in 6.8% of patients. Lipase elevations occurred in 59% of patients and Grade 3 or 4 lipase elevation occurred in 17% of patients.
In ALTA, amylase elevation occurred in 27% of patients in the 90 mg group and 39% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Lipase elevations occurred in 21% of patients in the 90 mg group and 45% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 or 4 amylase elevation occurred in 3.7% of patients in the 90 mg group and 2.7% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 or 4 lipase elevation occurred in 4.6% of patients in the 90 mg group and 5.5% of patients in the 90→180 mg group.
Monitor lipase and amylase during treatment with ALUNBRIG. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 pancreatic enzyme elevation. Upon resolution or recovery to Grade 1 or baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose or at a reduced dose as described in Table 2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Hepatotoxicity
In ALTA 1L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevations occurred in 72% of patients and Grade 3 or 4 AST elevations occurred in 4.5% of patients. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations occurred in 52% of patients and Grade 3 or 4 ALT elevations occurred in 5.2% of patients. One patient (0.7%) had a serious adverse reaction of hepatocellular injury.
In ALTA, AST elevations occurred in 38% of patients in the 90 mg group and 65% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. ALT elevations occurred in 34% of patients in the 90 mg group and 40% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 or 4 AST elevations occurred in 0.9% of patients in the 90 mg group and did not occur in any patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 or 4 ALT elevations did not occur in any patients in the 90 mg group and in 2.7% of patients in the 90→180 mg group.
Monitor AST, ALT and total bilirubin during treatment with ALUNBRIG, especially during first 3 months. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 hepatic enzyme elevation with bilirubin less than or equal to 2 × ULN. Upon resolution or recovery to Grade 1 or less (less than or equal to 3 × ULN) or to baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at a next lower dose as described in Table 2. Permanently discontinue ALUNBRIG for Grade 2 to 4 hepatic enzyme elevation with concurrent total bilirubin elevation greater than 2 times the ULN in the absence of cholestasis or hemolysis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Hyperglycemia
In ALTA 1L, 56% of patients who received ALUNBRIG experienced new or worsening hyperglycemia. Grade 3 hyperglycemia, based on laboratory assessment of serum fasting glucose levels, occurred in 7.5% of patients.
In ALTA, 43% of patients who received ALUNBRIG experienced new or worsening hyperglycemia. Grade 3 hyperglycemia, based on laboratory assessment of serum fasting glucose levels, occurred in 3.7% of patients. Two of 20 (10%) patients with diabetes or glucose intolerance at baseline required initiation of insulin while receiving ALUNBRIG.
Assess fasting serum glucose prior to initiation of ALUNBRIG and monitor periodically thereafter. Initiate or optimize antihyperglycemic medications as needed. If adequate hyperglycemic control cannot be achieved with optimal medical management, withhold ALUNBRIG until adequate hyperglycemic control is achieved and consider reducing the dose of ALUNBRIG as described in Table 1 or permanently discontinuing ALUNBRIG [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Photosensitivity
In ALTA 1L, photosensitivity occurred in 3.7% of patients who received ALUNBRIG, with 0.7% Grade 3 to 4.
In ALTA, 0.9% of patients who received ALUNBRIG in the 90 mg group experienced photosensitivity and 0.9% of patients in the 90 mg→180 mg group. Grade 3 to 4 photosensitivity was not reported in patients in the 90 mg group or in the 90→180 mg group.
Advise patients to limit sun exposure while taking brigatinib, and for at least 5 days after discontinuation of treatment. Advise patients, when outdoors to wear a hat and protective clothing, and use a broad-spectrum Ultraviolet A (UVA)/ Ultraviolet B (UVB) sunscreen and lip balm (SPF ≥30) to help protect against sunburn. Based on the severity withhold ALUNBRIG, then resume at the same dose, or reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue as described in Table 2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, ALUNBRIG can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. There are no clinical data on the use of ALUNBRIG in pregnant women. Administration of brigatinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in dose-related skeletal anomalies at doses as low as 12.5 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure by AUC at 180 mg once daily), as well as increased post-implantation loss, malformations, and decreased fetal body weight at doses of 25 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.26 times the human exposure at 180 mg once daily) or higher.
Advise women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ALUNBRIG and for at least 4 months following the final dose.
Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of ALUNBRIG [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3), Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)].
NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with brigatinib.
Mutagenesis
Treatment with brigatinib resulted in chromosomal damage in an in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus in the rat, but was not mutagenic in the Ames or in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration tests.
Impairment of Fertility
Dedicated animal fertility studies were not conducted with brigatinib. Testicular toxicity was observed in repeat-dose animal studies at doses resulting in exposure as low as 0.2 times the exposure in patients at the 180 mg dose. In rats, findings included lower weight of testes, seminal vesicles and prostate gland, and testicular tubular degeneration; these effects were not reversible during the 2 month recovery period. In monkeys, findings included reduced size of testes along with microscopic evidence of hypospermatogenesis; these effects were reversible during the recovery period.