Larotrectinib (Monograph)

Brand name: Vitrakvi
Drug class: Antineoplastic Agents
- Tropomyosin Kinase Inhibitor
- TRK Inhibitor
- Kinase Inhibitors
- Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Chemical name: (3S)-N-{5-[(2R)-2-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-3-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carboxamide sulfate
Molecular formula: C₂₁H₂₂F₂N₆O₂•H₂O₄S
CAS number: 1223405-08-0

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 23, 2022. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Antineoplastic agent; a potent and selective inhibitor of tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) A, TRK-B, and TRK-C.

Uses for Larotrectinib

Solid Tumors with Neurotrophic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (NTRK) Gene Fusion

Treatment of solid tumors harboring an NTRK fusion (without a known acquired mutation for resistance) in patients who have metastatic disease or may experience severe morbidity following surgical resection and whose disease progressed following prior therapy or those who are not candidates for other treatment options (designated an orphan drug by FDA for these cancers).

Accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval may be contingent on verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory studies.

Confirmation of the presence of NTRK fusion using an FDA-approved diagnostic test is necessary prior to initiation of therapy.

International experts recommend considering treatment with a selective TRK inhibitor (e.g., entrectinib, larotrectinib) in adult patients with TRK fusion-positive cancers including radioactive iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma, colorectal cancer (if alternative treatments are not suitable, but also may be considered in the first-line setting), non-small cell lung cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, salivary gland carcinoma, and other TRK fusion-positive cancers without other effective or suitable treatment options.

International experts state that because NTRK gene fusions are pathognomonic in infantile fibrosarcoma, consider selective TRK inhibitor as first-line systemic therapy in patients with unresectable or metastatic infantile fibrosarcoma. May also consider in pediatric patients with other TRK fusion-positive cancers, including unresectable/metastatic non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (if standard therapy is not effective or suitable), unresectable/metastatic glioma, and other TRK fusion-positive cancers without other effective or suitable treatment options.

Related/similar drugs

methotrexate, Keytruda, pembrolizumab, Enhertu, dabrafenib

Larotrectinib Dosage and Administration

General

Pretreatment Screening

• Confirm presence of a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion using an FDA-approved test prior to initiation of therapy with larotrectinib. Information on FDA-approved tests are available at [Web].

• Verify pregnancy status prior to initiating larotrectinib therapy in females of reproductive potential.

Patient Monitoring

• Monitor liver function tests, including ALT and AST concentrations, every 2 weeks for the first month of therapy and then monthly thereafter or more frequently as clinically indicated.

• Promptly evaluate patients with signs or symptoms of potential fracture (e.g., pain, changes in mobility, deformity).

Administration

Oral Administration

Capsules

Administer orally twice daily without regard to meals.

Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water; do not chew or crush.

If a dose is missed, may be taken up to 6 hours prior to next dose; do not take within 6 hours of the next scheduled dose.

If vomiting occurs following administration, do not take a replacement dose. Administer next dose at regularly scheduled time.

Oral Solution

Administer orally twice daily without regard to meals.

Use an oral dosing syringe; follow the patient instructions provided by the manufacturer.

If a dose is missed, may be taken up to 6 hours prior to next dose; do not take within 6 hours of the next scheduled dose.

If vomiting occurs following administration, do not take a replacement dose. Administer next dose at regularly scheduled time.

Dosage

Available as larotrectinib sulfate; dosage expressed in terms of larotrectinib.

Oral solution and capsules may be interchanged at equal doses.

Pediatric Patients

Solid Tumors with NTRK Fusion

Oral

Body surface area (BSA) <1 m²: 100 mg/m² twice daily.

BSA ≥1 m²: 100 mg twice daily.

Continue therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

If concomitant use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers cannot be avoided, adjust dosage of larotrectinib.

Dosage Modification for Toxicity

If grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction occurs, interrupt therapy for up to 4 weeks. If resolution or improvement to grade 1 or baseline observed within 4 weeks, resume drug at reduced dosage (or discontinue) as described in Table 1. Permanently discontinue therapy if grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction does not improve within 4 weeks of treatment interruption.

If BSA increases to ≥1 m² in pediatric patients following dosage reduction to 25 mg/m², do not increase the dosage.

Adults

Solid Tumors with NTRK Fusion

Oral

100 mg twice daily. Continue therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

If concomitant use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers cannot be avoided, adjust dosage of larotrectinib. (See Interactions.)

Dosage Modification for Toxicity

Oral

If grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction occurs, interrupt therapy for up to 4 weeks. If resolution or improvement to grade 1 or baseline observed within 4 weeks, resume drug at reduced dosage (or discontinue) as described in Table 2. Permanently discontinue therapy if grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction does not improve within 4 weeks of treatment interruption.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B or C): Reduce initial dosage by 50% (e.g., dosage of 100 mg twice daily reduced to 50 mg twice daily; dosage of 100 mg/m² twice daily reduced to 50 mg/m² twice daily).

Mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A): No dosage adjustment required.

Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment required.

Geriatric Patients

No specific dosage recommendations.

Cautions for Larotrectinib

Contraindications

• Manufacturer states none known.

Warnings/Precautions

Neurologic Effects

Adverse neurologic effects (i.e., dizziness, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, sleep disturbances) reported in 42%; grade 3–4 in severity in 3.9% of patients. Median time to onset of cognitive impairment (reported in 11% of patients) was 5.6 months (range: 2 days to 41 months). Median time to onset of mood disorders (reported in 14% of patients) was 3.9 months (range: 1 day to 40.5 months).

If neurologic events occur, therapy interruption followed by dosage reduction or permanent discontinuance of drug may be necessary. Advise patients not to drive or operate machinery.

Skeletal Fractures

Skeletal fractures, mostly associated with minimal or moderate trauma, reported. Median time to onset of fracture was 11.6 months (range: 0.9–45.8 months). No data regarding effects of larotrectinib on fracture healing or risk of future fractures.

Promptly evaluate patients with signs or symptoms of potential fracture (e.g., pain, changes in mobility, deformity).

Hepatotoxicity

ALT or AST elevations reported. Median time to occurrence 2.1–2.3 months (range: 1 day to 4.3 years).

Monitor liver function tests, including ALT and AST concentrations, every 2 weeks for the first month of therapy and then monthly thereafter or more frequently as clinically indicated.

If hepatotoxicity occurs, therapy interruption followed by dosage reduction or permanent discontinuance of drug may be necessary.

Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

Based on its mechanism of action and animal findings, larotrectinib may cause fetal harm. Embryofetal toxicity and teratogenicity demonstrated in animals. Crosses placenta in animals.

Possible association between decreased TRK-mediated signaling and obesity, developmental delays, cognitive impairment, insensitivity to pain, and anhidrosis based on data from individuals with congenital mutations in the TRK pathway.

Perform pregnancy test prior to initiating larotrectinib therapy in females of reproductive potential. Avoid pregnancy during therapy and for ≥1 week after drug discontinuance. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception while receiving the drug and for ≥1 week after discontinuance of therapy. If used during pregnancy or if patient becomes pregnant, apprise patient of potential fetal hazard.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

May cause fetal harm.

Possible association between decreased TRK-mediated signaling and obesity, developmental delays, cognitive impairment, insensitivity to pain, and anhidrosis based on data from individuals with congenital mutations in the TRK pathway.

Lactation

Not known whether larotrectinib distributes into milk, affects milk production, or affects nursing infants.

Females should not breast-feed during therapy and for 1 week following drug discontinuance.

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Verify pregnancy status prior to initiating larotrectinib therapy in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with such female partners to use effective contraception while receiving the drug and for ≥1 week after discontinuance of therapy.

Results of animal studies suggest larotrectinib may impair female fertility.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients <28 days of age. Efficacy of larotrectinib for solid tumors harboring NTRK fusion in pediatric patients is supported by 3 noncomparative studies that included 12 patients ≥28 days of age. Based on limited safety data in 92 pediatric patients receiving the drug, adverse effects reported more frequently in pediatric patients compared with adults included pyrexia, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, otitis media, rhinitis, increased AST concentrations, neutropenia, leukopenia, hyperkalemia, and increased lymphocyte count.

No differences in pharmacokinetics observed between pediatric patients and adults.

Geriatric Use

In clinical trials evaluating larotrectinib, 19% of patients were ≥65 years of age and 5% were ≥75 years of age. Insufficient experience in patients ≥65 years of age to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients.

Hepatic Impairment

Systemic exposure increased in individuals with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B or C); dosage adjustment is necessary.

Systemic exposure not substantially altered in individuals with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A).

Renal Impairment

Systemic exposure not substantially altered in individuals with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis.

No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment of any severity.

Common Adverse Effects

Adverse effects (reported in >20% of patients): Increased AST concentrations, increased ALT concentrations, anemia, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, hypoalbuminemia, neutropenia, increased alkaline phosphatase concentrations, cough, leukopenia, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, hypocalcemia, nausea, vomiting, pyrexia, lymphopenia, abdominal pain.

Drug Interactions

Metabolized principally by CYP3A4.

Inhibits CYP3A4 in vitro. Does not inhibit or induce CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, or 2D6 at clinically relevant concentrations in vitro.

Substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), but not organic anion transporter (OAT) 1, OAT3, organic cation transporter (OCT) 1, OCT2, organic anion transport protein (OATP) 1B1, and OATP1B3 in vitro. Does not inhibit P-gp, BCRP, OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, OCT2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, bile salt export pump (BSEP), multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) transporter 1, and MATE2K at clinically relevant concentrations in vitro.

Drugs and Foods Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Potent inhibitors of CYP3A4: Potential pharmacokinetic interaction (increased systemic exposure to larotrectinib) and increased risk of toxicity. Avoid concomitant use. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce larotrectinib dosage by 50% (e.g., dosage of 100 mg twice daily reduced to 50 mg twice daily; dosage of 100 mg/m² twice daily reduced to 50 mg/m² twice daily). When concomitant use of the potent CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued, return larotrectinib dosage (after 3–5 elimination half-lives of the CYP3A4 inhibitor) to dosage used prior to initiation of the potent CYP3A4 inhibitor.

Potent inducers of CYP3A4: Potential pharmacokinetic interaction (decreased systemic exposure to larotrectinib) and reduced larotrectinib efficacy. Avoid concomitant use. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, double dosage of larotrectinib (e.g., dosage of 100 mg twice daily increased to 200 mg twice daily; dosage of 100 mg/m² twice daily increased to 200 mg/m² twice daily). When concomitant use of the potent CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, return larotrectinib dosage (after 3–5 elimination half-lives of the CYP3A4 inducer) to dosage used prior to initiation of the potent CYP3A4 inducer.

Drugs Metabolized by Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Substrates of CYP3A4: Potential pharmacokinetic interaction (increased systemic exposure to CYP3A4 substrate) and increased adverse effects. Avoid concomitant use with sensitive CYP3A4 substrates. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, monitor for CYP3A4 substrate-related toxicity.

Specific Drugs and Foods

Larotrectinib Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Systemic exposure increases in a dose-proportional manner over a dose range of 100–400 mg and in a slightly more than dose-proportional manner over a dose range of 600–900 mg.

Peak plasma concentrations achieved in approximately 1 hour following oral administration of larotrectinib capsules.

Steady-state concentrations are achieved within 3 days.

Mean absolute oral bioavailability is 34% following oral administration of larotrectinib capsules.

AUC of oral solution similar to that observed with larotrectinib capsules; however, peak plasma concentrations are 36% higher following administration of the oral solution.

Food

Administration with a high-fat meal decreased peak plasma concentrations by 35% and delayed time to peak plasma concentrations by 2 hours, but did not substantially affect the extent of absorption.

Special Populations

Mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B): AUC increased by 1.3- or 2-fold, respectively; peak plasma concentrations similar to those in individuals with normal hepatic function.

Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C): AUC and peak plasma concentrations increased by 3.2- and 1.5-fold, respectively.

End-stage renal disease requiring dialysis: AUC and peak plasma concentrations increased by 1.5- and 1.3-fold, respectively.

Moderate or severe renal impairment (Cl_cr ≤60 mL/minute): Pharmacokinetics not studied.

Age (28 days to 82 years), sex, or body weight (3.8–179 kg) does not affect pharmacokinetics of larotrectinib.

Distribution

Extent

Crosses placenta in animals.

Not known whether larotrectinib is distributed into milk.

Plasma Protein Binding

70% (independent of larotrectinib concentration).

Elimination

Metabolism

Principally metabolized by CYP3A4.

Elimination Route

Eliminated in feces (58% [5% as unchanged drug]) and urine (39% [20% as unchanged drug]).

Half-life

2.9 hours.

Stability

Storage

Oral

Capsules

20–25°C (excursions permitted between 15–30°C).

Solution

2–8°C. Do not freeze.

Opened bottles: 2–8°C. Discard after 90 days of first opening.

Actions

• Potent and selective inhibitor of TRK-A, TRK-B, and TRK-C.

• TRK-A, TRK-B, and TRK-C are encoded by NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 and are involved in the initiation of various cascades of intracellular signaling events (i.e., Ras/MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and PLCγ1/Pkc signal transduction pathways) that lead to cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and regulation of processes critical to neuron survival in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

• Chromosomal rearrangements of NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes result in formation of a constitutively active chimeric TRK oncogenic fusion protein and dysregulation of TRK signaling and subsequent tumorigenesis.

• Inhibits wild-type TRK-A, TRK-B, and TRK-C.

• Induces antitumor activity in cell lines with TRK expression from constitutive activation, deletion of a protein regulatory domain, or overexpression of wild-type TRK.

• Inhibits tyrosine kinase nonreceptor 2 (TNK2).

• Clinical resistance attributed to secondary point mutations of the NTRK kinase domain in 90% of cases. Demonstrates minimal activity in cell lines with point mutations in the TRK-A kinase domain, including the acquired resistance mutation G595R. Acquired resistance also identified in cells lines with G623R, G696A, and F617L point mutations in the TRK-C kinase domain.

Advice to Patients

• Importance of instructing patients to read the manufacturer's patient information.

• Importance of advising patients to take larotrectinib exactly as prescribed and to not alter the dosage or discontinue therapy unless advised to do so by their clinician. Importance of advising patients to swallow larotrectinib capsules whole and to not chew or crush the capsules.

• Importance of advising patients to take a missed dose as soon as it is remembered unless the dose was missed by more than 6 hours, in which case they should not take the missed dose. If a dose is vomited, importance of administering the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.

• Risk of adverse neurologic effects. Importance of informing clinician if new or worsening manifestations of neurologic events (e.g., confusion; dizziness; problems with concentration, attention, or memory; mood changes; sleep disturbance) occur. Necessity of advising patients to avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery if they experience neurologic events.

• Risk of skeletal fractures. Importance of informing clinician if signs or symptoms of skeletal fractures (e.g., pain, changes in mobility, deformity) occur.

• Risk of hepatotoxicity; importance of regular liver function test monitoring. Importance of immediately informing clinician if signs or symptoms of hepatotoxicity (e.g., loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain [especially right upper quadrant pain]) occur.

• Risk of fetal harm. Necessity of advising females of reproductive potential to avoid pregnancy and to use effective contraceptive methods while receiving larotrectinib and for ≥1 week following discontinuance of therapy. Importance of advising males who are partners of such females that they should use effective methods of contraception while receiving the drug and for ≥1 week after the drug is discontinued. Importance of females informing their clinicians if they become pregnant during therapy or think they may be pregnant. Advise males and females of reproductive potential of potential risk to the fetus.

• Importance of advising females to avoid breast-feeding while receiving larotrectinib and for 1 week after discontinuance of therapy.

• Risk of impaired female fertility.

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs and dietary or herbal supplements (e.g., St. John's wort [Hypericum perforatum], grapefruit, grapefruit juice), as well as any concomitant illnesses (e.g., hepatic impairment).

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Distribution of larotrectinib is restricted. Consult manufacturer's website for specific availability information.

Reload page with references included

Frequently asked questions

• What type of drug is Vitrakvi (larotrectinib)?

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