Zongertinib gains FDA approval for treating HER2-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), offering hope with fewer side effects and promising response rates in patients.
FDA today granted accelerated approval to zongertinib (Hernexeos; Boehringer Ingelheim), an HER2-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to treat adults with unresectable or metastatic nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients can receive zongertinib when an FDA-approved test shows their tumors have HER2 (ERBB2) tyrosine kinase domain (TKD)–activating mutations, and they previously have received systemic therapy.
The announcement was made in a statement from the FDA, which had previously granted zongertinib priority review and breakthrough designation.1
In addition, the FDA approved the Oncomine Dx Target Test (Life Technologies Corporation) as a companion diagnostic device to determine which patients with NSCLC have HER2 (ERBB2) TKD-activating mutations and may be eligible for treatment with zongertinib.1
John Heymach, MD, PhD | Image: MD Anderson
Zongertinib was evaluated in patients with unresectable or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC with HER2 TKD mutations who had received prior systemic therapy and received zongertinib in Beamion LUNG-1 (NCT04886804).2 In that trial, investigators evaluated the objective response rate (ORR) and the duration of response (DOR) as determined by blinded independent central review. Initial results were presented in September 2024 at the World Conference on Lung Cancer,3 and zongertinib took center stage in April at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR).4 Results reported by the FDA were as follows:1
In its statement, the FDA said prescribing information will include warnings and precautions for hepatotoxicity, left ventricular dysfunction, interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis, and embryo-fetal toxicity.
The FDA said that zongertinib dosing is based on body weight. The agency spelled out the following dosing schedule: for patients who weigh less than 90 kg, the dose is 120 mg by mouth once daily. For those who weigh 90 kg or more, the dose is 180 mg by mouth once daily. The drug may be taken with or without food. Treatment continues until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
John Heymach, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and lead investigator of the phase 1A/1B Beamion LUNG-1 trial, explained during his AACR presentation that existing oral small-molecule inhibitors of HER2 are less effective against HER2-mutated cancers and can cause side effects due to cross-targeting effects with EGFR.3
In an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®)during the AACR meeting,5 he said the patients eligible for zongertinib have historically had limited treatment options. And while the label does warn about ILD, the data presented at AACR showed no cases of ILD.
“Antibody-drug conjugates like trastuzumab deruxtecan often have ILD, or interstitial lung disease, as a side effect. For this reason, I think, in the earlier clinical studies, they're very careful about what patients were put on to make sure they didn't have any preexisting lung issues that could compound that,” Heymach said during the April interview with AJMC.5
“Patients with lung cancer have a lot of preexisting lung issues, so having an option that has no appreciable risk that we've seen so far of interstitial lung disease is an important thing for these patients.”
References
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