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Dacomitinib – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Mechanism of Action

Dacomitinib is an irreversible small molecule inhibitor of the activity of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family (EGFR/HER1, HER2, and HER4) tyrosine kinases. It achieves irreversible inhibition via covalent bonding to the cysteine residues in the catalytic domains of the HER receptors. The affinity of dacomitinib has been shown to have an IC50 of 6 nmol/L. The ErbB or epidermal growth factor (EGF) family plays a role in tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance by activating downstream signal transduction pathways such as Ras-Raf-MAPK, PLCgamma-PKC-NFkB, and PI3K/AKT through the tyrosine kinase-driven phosphorylation at the carboxy-terminus. Around 40% of cases show amplification of the EGFR gene and 50% of the cases present the _EGFRvIII_ mutation which represents a deletion that produces a continuous activation of the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor.

Preclinical data suggested that dacomitinib increases the inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain as well as the activity in cell lines harboring resistance mutations such as T790M. This activity further produced a significant reduction of EGFR phosphorylation and cell viability. In these studies, non-small cell lymphoma cancer cell lines with L858R/T790M mutations were used and an IC50 of about 280 nmol/L was observed. In clinical trials with patients with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma who progressed after chemotherapy, there was an objective response rate of 5% with a progression-free survival of 2.8 months and overall survival of 9.5 months. As well, phase I/II studies showed positive dacomitinib activity despite prior failure with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Phase III clinical trials (ARCHER 1050), done in patients suffering from advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma with EGFR-activating mutations, reported a significant improvement in progression-free survival when compared with gefitinib.

Indications

  • Dacomitinib is indicated as the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations as verified by an FDA-approved test. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and NSCLC accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases. From the cases of NSCLC, approximately 75% of the patients present a late diagnosis with a metastatic and advanced disease which produces a survival rate of 5%. The presence of a mutation in EGFR accounts for more than 60% of the NSCLC cases and the overexpression of EGFR is associated with frequent lymph node metastasis and poor chemosensitivity.
  • Vizimpro, as monotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations.
  • Vizimpro, as monotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations.
  • For the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test
  • Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Use in Cancer

Dacomitinib is approved to treat:

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

Contraindications

  • diarrhea
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • lung tissue problem

Dosage

Strengths: 15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  • 45 mg orally once a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Tablets:

  • 45 mg: blue film-coated, immediate release, round biconvex tablet, debossed with “Pfizer” on one side and “DCB45” on the other side.
  • 30 mg: blue film-coated, immediate release, round biconvex tablet, debossed with “Pfizer” on one side and “DCB30” on the other side.

Renal Dose Adjustments

  • Mild (60 to less than 90 mL/min) and moderate (30 less than 60 mL/min) renal impairment: No adjustment recommended.
    Severe renal impairment (CrCl less than 30 mL/min): Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

  • Mild (total bilirubin less than or equal to the upper limit of normal [ULN] with AST greater than ULN or total bilirubin greater than 1 to 1.5 x ULN with any AST) or moderate (total bilirubin greater than 1.5 to 3 x ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment: No adjustment recommended.
  • Severe (total bilirubin greater than 3 to 10 x ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment: Data not available

Dose Adjustments

DOSE REDUCTIONS FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • First dose reduction: 30 mg orally once a day
  • Second dose reduction: 15 mg orally once a day

DOSE MODIFICATIONS FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS:
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE (ILD):

  • Any Grade: Permanently discontinue therapy.

DIARRHEA:

  • Grade 2: Withhold therapy until recovery to Grade 1 or less; resume at the same dose level. For recurrent Grade 2 diarrhea, withhold until recovery to Grade 1 or less; resume at a reduced dose.
  • Grade 3 or 4: Withhold therapy until recovery to Grade 1 or less; resume at a reduced dose.

DERMATOLOGIC ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • Grade 2: Withhold therapy until recovery to Grade 1 or less; resume at the same dose level. For recurrent persistent Grade 2 reactions, withhold until recovery to Grade 1 or less; resume at a reduced dose.
  • Grade 3 or 4: Withhold therapy until recovery to Grade 1 or less; resume at a reduced dose.

OTHER ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • Grade 3 or 4: Withhold therapy until recovery to Grade 2 or less; resume at a reduced dose.

DOSE MODIFICATIONS FOR ACID-REDUCING AGENTS:

  • Avoid concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with this drug.
  • Use locally acting antacids or if using a histamine 2 (H2)-receptor antagonist, administer this drug at least 6 hours before or 10 hours after.

Administration advice:

  • This drug may be taken with or without food.
  • Take this drug at the same time each day.
  • If the patient vomits or misses a dose, do not take an additional dose or make up a missed dose but continue with the next scheduled dose.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • mouth sores
  • infection of the skin around the fingernails or toenails
  • hair loss
  • cough
  • lack of energy
  • constipation
  • decreased appetite
  • decreased weight
  • discharge, excessive tearing
  • hair loss or thinning of hair
  • increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
  • lack or loss of strength
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • red or swollen eyes (“pink eye”)
  • taste changes
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • shortness of breath, cough, and fever
  • dry skin, redness, rash, acne, itchy skin, and peeling or blistering of your skin
  • chest pain

More common

  • Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
  • body aches or pain
  • chest pain
  • chills
  • cough
  • cracked lips
  • cracked, dry, or scaly skin
  • deep cracks, grooves, or lines in the skin
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • ear congestion
  • fever
  • headache
  • itching, skin rash
  • loosening of the fingernails
  • loss of voice
  • nasal congestion
  • redness or soreness around the fingernails
  • redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
  • runny nose
  • scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
  • sneezing
  • sore throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
  • swelling
  • tightness in the chest
  • tingling of the hands and feet
  • trouble breathing
  • ulceration of the skin
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

  • Confusion
  • decreased urination
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • fainting
  • fever
  • increase in heart rate
  • lightheadedness
  • loss of heat from the body
  • rapid breathing
  • sunken eyes
  • thirst
  • diarrhea, loss of appetite;
  • weight loss;
  • rash, itching, and dry skin;
  • eye redness, dryness, or itching;
  • hair loss;
  • problems with your nails;
  • mouth sores, mouth pain; or
  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat.
  • wrinkled skin

Drug Interaction

Pregnancy and Lactation

US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Pregnancy

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 17 days after the final dose. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus. Verify negative pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating therapy.

Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug can cause fetal harm or adversely affect reproductive capacity in humans.

Lactation

There is no information regarding the presence of dacomitinib or its metabolites in human milk or their effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from VIZIMPRO, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with VIZIMPRO and for at least 17 days after the last dose.

How should this medicine be used?

Dacomitinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with or without food. Take dacomitinib 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 dacomitinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

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

Your doctor may temporarily or permanently stop your treatment or decrease your dose if you experience certain side effects of dacomitinib. Tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment. Continue to take dacomitinib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking dacomitinib without talking to your doctor. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking dacomitinib,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dacomitinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in dacomitinib tablets. Ask your pharmacist 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. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants such as amitriptyline, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and venlafaxine (Effexor); antipsychotics such as aripiprazole (Abilify), haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), and thioridazine; atomoxetine (Strattera); beta blockers such as carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Dutoprol), and timolol; codeine; dextromethorphan (found in many cough medications; in Nuedexta); flecainide (Tambocar); mexiletine; ondansetron (Zofran, Zuplenz); oxycodone (Oxaydo, Xtampza ER); propafenone (Rythmol SR); proton-pump inhibitors such as dexlanspoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (AcipHex); tamoxifen (Soltamox); and tramadol (Conzip, Ultram). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • if you are taking a medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, in Duexis), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac), take dacomitinib at least 6 hours before or at least 10 hours after taking one of these medications.
  • tell your doctor if you have frequent diarrhea episodes, lung disease, breathing problems other than lung cancer, or liver or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You must take a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You should not become pregnant while you are taking dacomitinib. You should use a reliable method of birth control while taking dacomitinib and for at least 17 days after your final dose. If you become pregnant while taking dacomitinib, call your doctor immediately. Dacomitinib may harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking dacomitinib and for 17 days after your final dose.
  • plan to use a moisturizer, avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight, and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Dacomitinib may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

References

  1. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/211288s000lbl.pdf
  2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-approves-dacomitinib-metastatic-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-0
  3. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dacomitinib
  4. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dacomitinib-monohydrate
  5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/dacomitinib-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20444098?p=1
  6. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB11963
  7. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618055.html
  8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacomitinib
  9. https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/dacomitinib.html
  10. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-176172/dacomitinib-oral/details/list-contraindications
  11. ChemIDplus Chemical Information Classification
  12. CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Chemical Lists
  13. Guide to Pharmacology Target Classification
  14. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  15. PubChem
  16. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification
    Target-based classification of drugs
  17. NORMAN Suspect List Exchange Classification

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