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FDA grants accelerated approval to fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki for HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer

*August 2022*

On August 11, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.) for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy. This is the first drug approved for HER2-mutant NSCLC.

FDA also approved the Life Technologies Corporation’s Oncomine™ Dx Target Test (tissue) and the Guardant Health, Inc.’s Guardant360® CDx (plasma) as companion diagnostics for Enhertu. If no mutation is detected in a plasma specimen, the tumor tissue should be tested.

Enhertu was evaluated at a 6.4 mg/kg dose (n=152) across multiple trials and at a 5.4 mg/kg dose (n=102) in a randomized dose-finding trial. Response rates were consistent across dose levels. Increased rates of interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis were observed at the higher dose. The efficacy results of the approved recommended dose of 5.4 mg/kg given intravenously every 3 weeks are described below.

Efficacy for accelerated approval was based on DESTINY-Lung02, a multicenter, multi-cohort, randomized, blinded, dose-optimization trial. Eligible patients were required to have unresectable or metastatic HER2-mutant non-squamous NSCLC with disease progression after prior systemic therapy. Patients were selected for treatment with Enhertu based on the presence of activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations in a tumor specimen. Patients received Enhertu 5.4 mg/kg by intravenous infusion, every 3 weeks until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Read more.