Erdafitinib – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions

Mechanism of Action

Urothelial cancer is statistically the fourth most common kind of cancer in the world. In general, such urothelial cancers originate in the urothelium – or the transitional epithelium – a membrane that covers the renal pelvis to the ureter, the bladder, and the proximal two-thirds of the urethra. While 90 to 95% of urothelial cancers are bladder cancers and the other 5 to 10% are upper tract urothelial cancers, bladder cancers can also be either superficial or invasive (either not having or having invaded the deeper layers of the bladder). Moreover, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) is a transmembrane protein that is expressed ubiquitously in normal tissues and is involved in various endogenous bio-physiological processes including the homeostasis of phosphate and vitamin D, cell proliferation, cell anti-apoptotic signaling, and cell migration in a variety of cell types. Concurrently, genetic mutations or changes like deregulation of FGFR pathways and FGFR aberrations such as gene amplification, point mutations, and chromosomal translocations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of urothelial cancer, including the possibility of such changes to all four FGFR genes (FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and FGFR4). Changes to the FGFR genes are consequently thought to promote cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and anti-apoptosis in many cancers including urothelial cancer. Erdafitinib is subsequently an oral selective pan-FGFR kinase inhibitor that binds to and inhibits the enzymatic activity of expressed FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and FGFR4 based on in vitro data. In particular, erdafitinib demonstrates inhibition of FGFR phosphorylation and signaling as well as decreased cell viability in cell lines expressing FGFR genetic alterations, including point mutations, amplifications, and fusions. Erdafitinib demonstrated antitumor activity in FGFR-expressing cell lines and xenograft models derived from tumor types, including bladder cancer.

Erdafitinib is an oral small molecule inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) 1 to 4 that is used in the therapy of locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Erdafitinib has been associated with a high rate of serum enzyme elevations during therapy but has not been linked to cases of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

Upon administration, it was observed that erdafitinib increased serum phosphate levels as a consequence of FGFR inhibition. Erdafitinib should be increased to the maximum recommended dose to achieve target serum phosphate levels of 5.5– 7.0 mg/dL in early cycles with continuous daily dosing. Subsequently, in afatinib clinical trials, the use of drugs that could increase serum phosphate levels, such as potassium phosphate supplements, vitamin D supplements, antacids, phosphate-containing enemas or laxatives, and medications known to have phosphate as an excipient were prohibited unless no alternatives existed. To manage phosphate elevation, phosphate binders were utilized. Additionally, the concomitant use of agents that can alter serum phosphate levels before the initial afatinib dose increase period based on serum phosphate levels was also avoided. Furthermore, based on the evaluation of QTc interval in an open-label, dose escalation, and dose expansion study in 187 patients with cancer, erdafitinib had no large effect (i.e., > 20 ms) on the QTc interval.

Indication

  • Erdafitinib is a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that has: i) susceptible FGFR3 or FGFR2 genetic alterations and has, ii) progressed during or following at least one line of prior platinum-containing chemotherapy including within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy. The selection of patients for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with erdafitinib should be based on the presence of susceptible FGFR genetic alterations in tumor specimens as detected by an FDA-approved companion diagnostic like the FDA-approved therascreen FGFR RGQ RT-PCR Kit as developed by QIAGEN. This above indication is approved under accelerated approval by the US FDA based on tumor response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
  • Treatment of urothelial carcinoma
  • Treatment of all conditions included in the category of malignant neoplasms (except urothelial carcinoma, hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue neoplasms)
  • Erdafitinib is a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that has: i) susceptible FGFR3 or FGFR2 genetic alterations and has ii) progressed during or following at least one line of prior platinum-containing chemotherapy including within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy
  • The selection of patients for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with erdafitinib should be based on the presence of susceptible FGFR genetic alterations in tumor specimens as detected by an FDA-approved companion diagnostic like the FDA-approved therascreen FGFR RGQ RT-PCR Kit as developed by QIAGEN.
  • This above indication is approved under accelerated approval by the US FDA based on the tumor response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials .

Use in Cancer

Erdafitinib is approved to treat:

  • Urothelial carcinoma (a type of bladder cancer) has spread or cannot be removed by surgery and has specific mutations in the FGFR3 gene or a fusion gene involving the FGFR3 gene or FGFR2 gene. It is used in adults whose cancer worsened during or after treatment with at least one type of platinum chemotherapy.

This use is approved under FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program. As a condition of approval, a confirmatory trial(s) must show that erdafitinib provides a clinical benefit in these patients.

Erdafitinib is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Contraindications

The following conditions are contraindicated with this drug. Check with your physician if you have any of the following:

  • high amount of phosphate in the blood
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • detachment of retinal pigment epithelium

Dosage

Strengths: 3 mg; 4 mg; 5 mg

Urothelial Carcinoma

  • 8 mg orally once daily; increase to 9 mg orally once daily based on serum phosphate levels and tolerability at 14 to 21 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Dose Adjustments

DOSE REDUCTION SCHEDULE FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS:
9 MG DOSE SCHEDULE:

  • First dose reduction: 8 mg
  • Second dose reduction: 6 mg
  • Third dose reduction: 5 mg
  • Fourth dose reduction: 4 mg
  • Fifth dose reduction: Stop

8 MG DOSE SCHEDULE:

  • First dose reduction: 6 mg
  • Second dose reduction: 5 mg
  • Third dose reduction: 4 mg
  • Fourth dose reduction: Stop

DOSE MODIFICATIONS FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS:
HYPERPHOSPHATEMIA (NOTE: Restrict phosphate intake in all patients to 600 to 800 mg daily; if serum phosphate is above 7 mg/dL consider adding an oral phosphate binder until serum phosphate level returns to less than 5.5 mg/dL):

  • Phosphate 5.6 to 6.9 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.3 mmol/L): Continue at current dose
  • Phosphate 7 to 9 mg/dL (2.3 to 2.9 mmol/L): Withhold therapy with weekly reassessments until the level returns to less than 5.5 mg/dL (or baseline); restart at the same dose level; dose may be reduced for hyperphosphatemia lasting longer than 1 week
  • Phosphate greater than 9 mg/dL (greater than 2.9 mmol/L): Withhold therapy with weekly reassessments until the level returns to less than 5.5 mg/dL or baseline; restart at 1 dose level lower
  • Phosphate greater than 10 mg/dL (greater than 3.2 mmol/L) or significant alteration in baseline renal function or Grade 3 hypercalcemia: Withhold therapy with weekly reassessments until level returns to less than 5.5 mg/dL or baseline; restart at 2 dose levels lower

CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY/RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL DETACHMENT (CSR/RPED):

  • Grade 1 (asymptomatic; clinical or diagnostic observations only): Withhold therapy until resolution; if resolves within 4 weeks, resume at the next lower dose level; then, if no recurrence for a month, consider re-escalation; if stable for 2 consecutive eye exams but not resolved, resume at the next lower dose level
  • Grade 2: Visual acuity 20/40 or better or less than or equal to 3 lines of decreased vision from baseline: Withhold therapy until resolution; if resolves within 4 weeks resume at the next lower dose level
  • Grade 3: Visual acuity worse than 20/40 or greater than 3 lines of decreased vision from baseline: Withhold therapy until resolution; if resolves within 4 weeks resume 2 dose levels lower; if recurs, consider permanent discontinuation of therapy
  • Grade 4: (visual acuity 20/200 or worse in the affected eye): Permanently discontinue therapy.

OTHER ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • Grade 3: Withhold therapy until resolves to Grade 1 or baseline; resume 1 dose level lower
  • Grade 4: Permanently discontinue therapy.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • sores on lips, mouth, or throat
  • dry mouth
  • changes in taste
  • abdominal pain
  • decreased appetite
  • weight loss
  • unusual hair thinning or hair loss
  • fever
  • muscle or joint pain
  • burning during urination
  • fatigue or tiredness
  • shortness of breath
  • blurred vision, loss of vision, or other visual changes
  • nail problems or changes
  • itchy, dry, painful, or cracked skin
  • rash
  • swelling, pain, redness, or peeling of skin on the palms and soles of the feet
  • muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling around the mouth

More Common

  • changed sense of taste
  • constipation
  • decreased appetite
  • diarrhea
  • discolored nails
  • dry eyes
  • dry mouth, nose, skin
  • fatigue
  • hair loss
  • infected skin around the nail
  • itchy skin rash
  • muscle pain
  • nausea
  • sore throat
  • stomach pain
  • vaginal dryness
  • vomiting
  • watery eyes
  • weakness
  • weight loss
  • vision problems, vision loss;
  • eye pain or redness;
  • painful or irritated eyelids;
  • feeling like something is in your eye;
  • watery eyes, your eyes may be more sensitive to light; or
  • problems with your fingernails or toenails–pain, bleeding, separation of the nails from the skin (nail bed), unusual breakage, changes in nail color or texture, cracks or infection in your cuticles.

Rare

  • blood in the urine
  • dry eyes
  • fever
  • mouth sores
  • signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
  • skin or nail problems (e.g., nail pain, cracked skin, very dry skin, bleeding under the nail, nail separation from the bed)
  • skin rash
  • swelling or peeling skin of the hands and feet
  • symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g., pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)
  • vision problems (e.g., blurred vision, vision loss, cloudy vision)

Drug Interaction

 

Pregnancy Category

Pregnancy category X 

Pregnancy

This medication should not be taken during pregnancy. Erdafitinib may cause severe harm to a developing baby if it is taken by the mother while she is pregnant. Female partners of men taking this medication should not become pregnant. Both females and males must use a reliable method of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pill) during treatment and for at least 3 months after treatment is finished. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding

This medication may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking erdafitinib, it may affect your baby. Due to the potential for serious harm to a baby, if they are exposed to this medication, breastfeeding mothers are advised not to use this medication.

How should this medicine be used?

Erdafitinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take erdafitinib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take erdafitinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

If you vomit after taking erdafitinib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.

Your doctor may decrease your dose or temporarily or permanently stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with erdafitinib. Do not stop taking erdafitinib without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking erdafitinib,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to erdafitinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in erdafitinib tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking erdafitinib. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have ever been told that you have high blood levels of phosphorus or if you have or have ever had eye or vision problems, or kidney or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan on fathering a child. If you are female, you will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 1 month after your final dose. If you are a male, you and your partner should use birth control during your treatment with erdafitinib and for 1 month after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking erdafitinib, call your doctor immediately. Erdafitinib may harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking erdafitinib and for 1 month after the final dose.
  • you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in women. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking erdafitinib.
  • you should know that this medication may cause dry eyes and other eye problems, which may be serious. Your doctor may tell you to use artificial tears or lubricant eye drops during your treatment with erdafitinib.

References

  1. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Erdafitinib
  2. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-177109/erdafitinib-oral/details/list-contraindications
  3. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB12147
  4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619031.html
  5. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/erdafitinib.html
  6. https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/balversa
  7. ChemIDplus Chemical Information Classification
  8. CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Chemical Lists
  9. N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-{2-[(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl}quinoxalin-6-amine
    N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-{2-[(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl}quinoxalin-6-amine
  10. Guide to Pharmacology Target Classification
  11. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  12. PubChem
  13. LICENSE
    Academic users may freely use the KEGG website. Non-academic use of KEGG generally requires a commercial license
    Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification
    Target-based classification of drugs
  14. LICENSE
    Data: CC-BY 4.0; Code (hosted by ECI, LCSB): Artistic-2.0
    NORMAN Suspect List Exchange Classification

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