Introduction
Lotenib Capsule 100 mg is an orally administered tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) inhibitor with demonstrated antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, larotrectinib binds to Trk, thereby preventing neurotrophin-Trk interaction and Trk activation, which results in both the induction of cellular apoptosis and the inhibition of cell growth in tumors that overexpress Trk. Trk, a receptor tyrosine kinase activated by neurotrophins, is mutated in a variety of cancer cell types and plays an important role in tumor cell growth and survival.
Originally discovered by Array BioPharma, the agent was ultimately licensed to Loxo Oncology in 2013. Lotenib Capsule 100 mg is another example of innovative new cancer therapy medications that target key, specific genetic biomarker drivers of cancer rather than particular types of tumors .
Uses
Lotenib Capsule 100 mg is a kinase inhibitor used to treat solid tumors with neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase gene fusion, are metastatic, high risk for surgery, or have no alternative treatments.
Lotenib Capsule 100 mg is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is currently indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that either a) have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation, b) are metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and c) have no satisfactory alternative treatments or that have progressed following treatment .
At the moment, these uses of larotrectinib are only approved under the auspices of an accelerated approval by the US FDA based on overall response rate and duration of response and continuation of support for these indications may be contingent upon the verification and description of continued clinical benefit in confirmatory trials .
Associated Conditions
Pharmacodynamics
At doses that are nine-fold greater than the recommended adult dose, larotrectinib does not elicit any QTc interval prolongation that is clinically relevant .
Mechanism of Action
Tropomysoin Receptor Kinases (TRK) like TRKA, TRKB, and TRKC elicit activities that regulate the natural growth, differentiation, and survival of neurons when they interact with endogenous neutrotrophin ligands . TRKA, TRKB, and TRKC are themselves encoded by the NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes, respectively . It has been discovered that chromosomal rearrangements involving in-frame fusions of these genes with various partners, translocations in the TRK kinase domains, mutations in the TRK ligand-binding site, amplifications of NTRK, or the expression of TRK splice variants can result in constitutively-activated chimeric TRK fusion proteins that can act as oncogenic drivers that promote cell proliferation and survival in tumor cell lines .
Subsequently, larotrectinib functions as an inhibitor of TRKs including TRKA, B, and C . In in vitro and in vivo tumor models, larotrectinib demonstrated anti-tumor activity in cells with constitutive activation of TRK proteins resulting from gene fusions, deletion of a protein regulatory domain, or in cells with TRK protein overexpression . Lotenib Capsule 100 mg had minimal activity in cell lines with point mutations in the TRKA kinase domain, including the clinically identified acquired resistance mutation, G595R . Point mutations in the TRKC kinase domain with clinically identified acquired resistance to larotrectinib include G623R, G696A, and F617L .
Absorption
The mean absolute bioavailability of larotrectinib capsules has been recorded as 34%, from a range spanning 32% to 37% . In adult patients who received larotrectinib capsules 100 mg twice daily, peak plasma levels Cmax were achieved at about one hour after dosing and steady-state was reached within the time span of three days . The mean steady-state of these administered larotrectinib capsules was Cmax 788 ng/mL and the AUC(0-24hr) was 4351 ng*h/mL . Concurrently, in healthy subjects, the AUC of the administered larotrectinib oral solution formulation was similar to that of the capsules and the particular Cmax was 36% greater with the oral solution .
The AUC of larotrectinib was similar but the Cmax was reduced by 35% after oral administration of a single 100 mg capsule of larotrectinib to healthy subjects taken with a high-fat meal (approximately 900 calories, 58 grams carbohydrate, 56 grams fat and 43 grams protein) compared to the Cmax and AUC in the fasted state .
Volume of Distribution
The mean volume of distribution Vss of larotrectinib has been documented as being 48L following intravenous administration in healthy subjects .
Protein Binding
Lotenib Capsule 100 mg is approximately 70% bound to human plasma proteins in vitro and binding is independent of drug concentrations . The blood to plasma concentration ratio is 0.9 .
Route of Elimination
Following oral administration of a single [14C] radiolabeled 100 mg dose of larotrectinib to healthy subjects, 58% (5% unchanged) of the administered radioactivity was recovered in feces and 39% (20% unchanged) was recovered in urine .
Half Life
The half-life of larotrectinib has been determined to be 2.9 hours .
Clearance
The mean clearance CL/F of larotrectinib has been documented as 98 L/h .
Toxicity
Although there is no available data on larotrectinib use in pregnant women, based on literature reports in human subjects with congenital mutations leading to changes in TRK signaling, findings from animal studies, and the agent's mechanism of action it is believed that larotrectinib can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman . Published reports of individuals with congenital mutations in TRK pathway proteins suggest that decreases in TRK-mediated signaling are correlated with obesity, developmental delays, cognitive impairment, insensitivity to pain, and anhidrosis . Furthermore, animal studies data note that lacrotrectinib can cross the placenta in animals . Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus .
There are no data on the presence of larotrectinib or its metabolites in human milk and no data on its effects on the breastfed child or on milk production . Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with larotrectinib and for 1 week after the final dose .
Female patients of reproductive potential who are being treated with larotrectinib are advised to use effective contraception during larotrectinib treatment and for at least one week after the final dose . Males with female partners of reproductive potential are also advised to use effective contraception during larotrectinib therapy and for one week after the final dose .
Based on histopathological findings in the reproductive tracts of female rats in a 1-month repeated-dose study, larotrectinib use may reduce fertility in females .
The safety and effectiveness of larotrectinib in pediatric patients was established based upon data from clinical trials in adult or pediatric patients 28 days and older . The pharmacokinetics of larotrectinib in the pediatric population have also been determined to be similar to those seen in adults .
Clinical studies of larotrectinib did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects .
No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A). Lotenib Capsule 100 mg clearance was reduced in subjects with moderate (Child-Pugh B) to severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment .
No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with renal impairment of any severity .
Carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted with larotrectinib . Lotenib Capsule 100 mg was not mutagenic in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assays, with or without metabolic activation, or in the in vitro mammalian mutagenesis assays, with or without metabolic activation . In vivo, larotrectinib was negative in the mouse micronucleus test .
Fertility studies with larotrectinib have not been conducted. In a 3-month repeat-dose toxicity study in the rat, larotrectinib had no effects on spermatogenesis at 75 mg/kg/day (approximately 7 times the human exposure at the 100 mg twice daily dose) [FDA Label. Additionally, larotrectinib had no histological effects on the male reproductive tract in rats or monkeys at doses resulting in exposures up to 10 times the human exposure (AUC0-24hr) at the 100 mg twice daily clinical dose .
In a 1-month repeat-dose study in the rat, decreased uterine weight and uterine atrophy were seen at 200 mg/kg/day [approximately 45 times the human exposure (AUC) at the 100 mg twice daily dose] . Fewer corpora lutea and increased incidence of anestrus were also noted at doses ≥ 60 mg/kg/day (approximately 10 times the human exposure at the 100 mg twice daily dose] . There were no findings in female reproductive organs in repeat-dose studies in monkeys at exposures up to 22 times the human exposure at the 100 mg twice daily dose .
In a 1-month repeat-dose study in the rat, decreased uterine weight and uterine atrophy were seen at 200 mg/kg/day [approximately 45 times the human exposure (AUC) at the 100 mg twice daily dose] . Fewer corpora lutea and increased incidence of anestrus were also noted at doses ≥ 60 mg/kg/day (approximately 10 times the human exposure at the 100 mg twice daily dose) . Decreased fertility occurred in a juvenile animal study . There were no findings in female reproductive organs in repeat-dose studies in monkeys at exposures up to 22 times the human exposure at the 100 mg twice daily dose .
Food Interactions
- Avoid grapefruit products. Grapefruit inhibits CYP3A metabolism, which may increase the serum concentration of larotrectinib.
- Avoid St. John's Wort. This herb induces CYP3A metabolism and may reduce serum levels of larotrectinib.
- Take with or without food.
Dosage
Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients with Body Surface Area Less Than 1 m2: The recommended dosage of Lotenib Capsule 100 mg is 100 mg/m2 orally twice daily, with or without food, until disease progression or until unacceptable toxicity. Whole capsules should be swallowed with water and the capsules should not be chewed or crushed. A missed dose should not be made up within 6 hours of the next scheduled dose. If vomiting occurs after taking a dose of Lotenib Capsule 100 mg, the next dose should be taken at the scheduled time. Or, as directed by the registered physicians.