Selpercatinib
Indications
Metastatic RET Fusion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Selpercatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
RET-Mutant Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Selpercatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
RET Fusion-Positive Thyroid Cancer: Selpercatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
RET-Mutant Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Selpercatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
RET Fusion-Positive Thyroid Cancer: Selpercatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
Pharmacology
Selpercatinib is a kinase inhibitor. Selpercatinib inhibited wild-type RET and multiple mutated RET isoforms as well as VEGFR1 and VEGFR3 with IC50 values ranging from 0.92 nM to 67.8 nM. In other enzyme assays, Selpercatinib also inhibited FGFR 1, 2, and 3 at higher concentrations that were still clinically achievable. In cellular assays, Selpercatinib inhibited RET at approximately 60-fold lower concentrations than FGFR1 and 2 and approximately 8-fold lower concentration than VEGFR3.
Dosage & Administration
The recommended dosage of Selpercatinib based on body weight is:
Dosage Modifications for Concomitant Use of Acid-Reducing Agents Avoid concomitant use of a PPI, a histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist, or a locally-acting antacid with Selpercatinib. If concomitant use cannot be avoided:
- Less than 50 kg: 120 mg
- 50 kg or greater: 160 mg
Dosage Modifications for Concomitant Use of Acid-Reducing Agents Avoid concomitant use of a PPI, a histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist, or a locally-acting antacid with Selpercatinib. If concomitant use cannot be avoided:
- Take Selpercatinib with food when co-administered with a PPI.
- Take Selpercatinib 2 hours before or 10 hours after administration of an H2 receptor antagonist.
- Take Selpercatinib 2 hours before or 2 hours after administration of a locally-acting antacid.
Interaction
Acid-Reducing Agents: Concomitant use of Selpercatinib with acid-reducing agents decreases Selpercatinib plasma concentrations, which may reduce Selpercatinib anti-tumor activity. Avoid concomitant use of PPIs, H2 receptor antagonists, and locally-acting antacids with Selpercatinib. If co-administration cannot be avoided, take Selpercatinib with food (with a PPI) or modify its administration time (with a H2 receptor antagonist or a locally-acting antacid).
Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors: Concomitant use of Selpercatinib with a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor increases Selpercatinib plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of Selpercatinib adverse reactions, including QTc interval prolongation. Avoid concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors with Selpercatinib. If concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the Selpercatinib dosage and monitor the QT interval with ECGs more frequently.
Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inducers: Concomitant use of Selpercatinib with a strong or moderate CYP3A inducer decreases Selpercatinib plasma concentrations, which may reduce Selpercatinib anti-tumor activity. Avoid co-administration of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers with Selpercatinib.
Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors: Concomitant use of Selpercatinib with a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor increases Selpercatinib plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of Selpercatinib adverse reactions, including QTc interval prolongation. Avoid concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors with Selpercatinib. If concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the Selpercatinib dosage and monitor the QT interval with ECGs more frequently.
Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inducers: Concomitant use of Selpercatinib with a strong or moderate CYP3A inducer decreases Selpercatinib plasma concentrations, which may reduce Selpercatinib anti-tumor activity. Avoid co-administration of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers with Selpercatinib.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Selpercatinib are:
- higher levels of liver enzymes
- higher blood sugar levels
- lower white blood cell count
- lower protein (albumin) levels in the blood
- lower calcium levels in the blood
- dry mouth
- diarrhea
- higher creatinine levels (this measures kidney function)
- high blood pressure
- tiredness
- swelling of your arms, legs, hands, and feet (peripheral edema)
- lower platelet count
- higher cholesterol levels
- rash
- lower salt (sodium) levels in the blood
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Based on findings from animal studies, and its mechanism of action, SELPERCATINIB can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on SELPERCATINIB use in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risk. Administration of Selpercatinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryolethality and malformations at maternal exposures that were approximately equal to the human exposure at the clinical dose of 160 mg twice daily. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
Lactation: There are no data on the presence of Selpercatinib or its metabolites in human milk or on their 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 SELPERCATINIB and for 1 week after the final dose.
Lactation: There are no data on the presence of Selpercatinib or its metabolites in human milk or on their 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 SELPERCATINIB and for 1 week after the final dose.
Precautions & Warnings
Hepatotoxicity: Serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 2.6% of patients treated with Selpercatinib. Monitor ALT and AST prior to initiating Selpercatinib, every 2 weeks during the first 3 months, then monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose or permanently discontinue Selpercatinib based on the severity.
Hypertension: Hypertension occurred in 35% of patients, including Grade 3 hypertension in 17% and Grade 4 in one (0.1%) patient. Overall, 4.6% had their dose interrupted and 1.3% had their dose reduced for hypertension. Treatment-emergent hypertension was most commonly managed with anti-hypertension medications. Do not initiate Selpercatinib in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Optimize blood pressure prior to initiating Selpercatinib. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, at least monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Initiate or adjust anti-hypertensive therapy as appropriate. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue Selpercatinib based on the severity.
QT Interval Prolongation: Selpercatinib can cause concentration-dependent QT interval prolongation. An increase in QTcF interval to >500 ms was measured in 6% of patients and an increase in the QTcF interval of at least 60 ms over baseline was measured in 15% of patients. Selpercatinib has not been studied in patients with clinically significant active cardiovascular disease or recent myocardial infarction. Monitor patients who are at significant risk of developing QTc prolongation, including patients with known long QT syndromes, clinically significant bradyarrhythmias, and severe or uncontrolled heart failure. Assess QT interval, electrolytes and TSH at baseline and periodically during treatment, adjusting frequency based upon risk factors including diarrhea. Correct hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia prior to initiating Selpercatinib and during treatment. Monitor the QT interval more frequently when Selpercatinib is concomitantly administered with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors or drugs known to prolong QTc interval. Withhold and dose reduce or permanently discontinue Selpercatinib based on the severity.
Hemorrhagic Events: Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with Selpercatinib. Grade >3 hemorrhagic events occurred in 2.3% of patients treated with Selpercatinib, including 3 (0.4%) patients with fatal hemorrhagic events, including one case each of cerebral hemorrhage, tracheostomy site hemorrhage, and hemoptysis. Permanently discontinue Selpercatinib in patients with severe or life-threatening hemorrhage.
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving Selpercatinib, including Grade 3 hypersensitivity in 1.6%. The median time to onset was 1.7 weeks (range: 6 days to 1.5 years). Signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity included fever, rash and arthralgias or myalgias with concurrent decreased platelets or transaminitis. If hypersensitivity occurs, withhold Selpercatinib and begin corticosteroids at a dose of 1 mg/kg prednisone (or equivalent). Upon resolution of the event, resume Selpercatinib at a reduced dose and increase the dose of Selpercatinib by 1 dose level each week as tolerated until reaching the dose taken prior to onset of hypersensitivity. Continue steroids until patient reaches target dose and then taper. Permanently discontinue Selpercatinib for recurrent hypersensitivity.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurred in 1% of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma receiving Selpercatinib. Patients may be at risk of TLS if they have rapidly growing tumors, a high tumor burden, renal dysfunction, or dehydration. Closely monitor patients at risk, consider appropriate prophylaxis including hydration, and treat as clinically indicated.
Hypertension: Hypertension occurred in 35% of patients, including Grade 3 hypertension in 17% and Grade 4 in one (0.1%) patient. Overall, 4.6% had their dose interrupted and 1.3% had their dose reduced for hypertension. Treatment-emergent hypertension was most commonly managed with anti-hypertension medications. Do not initiate Selpercatinib in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Optimize blood pressure prior to initiating Selpercatinib. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, at least monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Initiate or adjust anti-hypertensive therapy as appropriate. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue Selpercatinib based on the severity.
QT Interval Prolongation: Selpercatinib can cause concentration-dependent QT interval prolongation. An increase in QTcF interval to >500 ms was measured in 6% of patients and an increase in the QTcF interval of at least 60 ms over baseline was measured in 15% of patients. Selpercatinib has not been studied in patients with clinically significant active cardiovascular disease or recent myocardial infarction. Monitor patients who are at significant risk of developing QTc prolongation, including patients with known long QT syndromes, clinically significant bradyarrhythmias, and severe or uncontrolled heart failure. Assess QT interval, electrolytes and TSH at baseline and periodically during treatment, adjusting frequency based upon risk factors including diarrhea. Correct hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia prior to initiating Selpercatinib and during treatment. Monitor the QT interval more frequently when Selpercatinib is concomitantly administered with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors or drugs known to prolong QTc interval. Withhold and dose reduce or permanently discontinue Selpercatinib based on the severity.
Hemorrhagic Events: Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with Selpercatinib. Grade >3 hemorrhagic events occurred in 2.3% of patients treated with Selpercatinib, including 3 (0.4%) patients with fatal hemorrhagic events, including one case each of cerebral hemorrhage, tracheostomy site hemorrhage, and hemoptysis. Permanently discontinue Selpercatinib in patients with severe or life-threatening hemorrhage.
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving Selpercatinib, including Grade 3 hypersensitivity in 1.6%. The median time to onset was 1.7 weeks (range: 6 days to 1.5 years). Signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity included fever, rash and arthralgias or myalgias with concurrent decreased platelets or transaminitis. If hypersensitivity occurs, withhold Selpercatinib and begin corticosteroids at a dose of 1 mg/kg prednisone (or equivalent). Upon resolution of the event, resume Selpercatinib at a reduced dose and increase the dose of Selpercatinib by 1 dose level each week as tolerated until reaching the dose taken prior to onset of hypersensitivity. Continue steroids until patient reaches target dose and then taper. Permanently discontinue Selpercatinib for recurrent hypersensitivity.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurred in 1% of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma receiving Selpercatinib. Patients may be at risk of TLS if they have rapidly growing tumors, a high tumor burden, renal dysfunction, or dehydration. Closely monitor patients at risk, consider appropriate prophylaxis including hydration, and treat as clinically indicated.
Use in Special Populations
Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of Selpercatinib have been established in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy and for advanced RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). Use of Selpercatinib for these indications is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults with additional pharmacokinetic and safety data in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. The safety and effectiveness of Selpercatinib have not been established in these indications in patients less than 12 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of Selpercatinib have not been established in pediatric patients for other indications. Monitor growth plates in adolescent patients with open growth plates. Consider interrupting or discontinuing therapy based on the severity of any growth plate abnormalities and based on an individual risk-benefit assessment.
Geriatric Use: Of 702 patients who received Selpercatinib, 34% (239 patients) were > 65 years of age and 10% (67 patients) were > 75 years of age. No overall differences were observed in the safety or effectiveness of Selpercatinib between patients who were > 65 years of age and younger patients.
Renal Impairment: No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild to severe renal impairment [estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) >15 to 89 mL/min, estimated by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation]. The recommended dosage has not been established for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Hepatic Impairment: Reduce the dose when administering Selpercatinib to patients with severe [total bilirubin greater than 3 to 10 times upper limit of normal (ULN) and any AST] hepatic impairment. No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild (total bilirubin less than or equal to ULN with AST greater than ULN or total bilirubin greater than 1 to 1.5 times ULN with any AST) or moderate (total bilirubin greater than 1.5 to 3 times ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment. Monitor for Selpercatinib related adverse reactions in patients with hepatic impairment.
Geriatric Use: Of 702 patients who received Selpercatinib, 34% (239 patients) were > 65 years of age and 10% (67 patients) were > 75 years of age. No overall differences were observed in the safety or effectiveness of Selpercatinib between patients who were > 65 years of age and younger patients.
Renal Impairment: No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild to severe renal impairment [estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) >15 to 89 mL/min, estimated by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation]. The recommended dosage has not been established for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Hepatic Impairment: Reduce the dose when administering Selpercatinib to patients with severe [total bilirubin greater than 3 to 10 times upper limit of normal (ULN) and any AST] hepatic impairment. No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild (total bilirubin less than or equal to ULN with AST greater than ULN or total bilirubin greater than 1 to 1.5 times ULN with any AST) or moderate (total bilirubin greater than 1.5 to 3 times ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment. Monitor for Selpercatinib related adverse reactions in patients with hepatic impairment.
Therapeutic Class
Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
Storage Conditions
Store below 30°C, in a cool and dry place. Keep away from light. Keep out of the reach of children.