2.1     Recommended Dosing

HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: The recommended dose of lapatinib tablets is 1,250 mg given orally once daily on Days 1 to 21 continuously in combination with capecitabine 2,000 mg/m2/day (administered orally in 2 doses approximately 12 hours apart) on Days 1 to 14 in a repeating 21-day cycle. Lapatinib tablets should be taken at least one hour before or one hour after a meal. The dose of lapatinib tablets should be once daily (5 tablets administered all at once); dividing the daily dose is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Capecitabine should be taken with food or within 30 minutes after food. If a day’s dose is missed, the patient should not double the dose the next day. Treatment should be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: The recommended dose of lapatinib tablets is 1,500 mg given orally once daily continuously in combination with letrozole. When coadministered with lapatinib tablets, the recommended dose of letrozole is 2.5 mg once daily. Lapatinib tablets should be taken at least one hour before or one hour after a meal. The dose of lapatinib tablets should be once daily (6 tablets administered all at once); dividing the daily dose is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

2.2     Dose Modification Guidelines

Cardiac Events: Lapatinib tablets should be discontinued in patients with a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) that is Grade 2 or greater by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE v3.0), and in patients with an LVEF that drops below the institution’s lower limit of normal (LLN) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Lapatinib tablets in combination with capecitabine may be restarted at a reduced dose (1,000 mg/day) and in combination with letrozole may be restarted at a reduced dose of 1,250 mg/day after a minimum of 2 weeks if the LVEF recovers to normal and the patient is asymptomatic.

Hepatic Impairment: Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) should have their dose of lapatinib tablets reduced. A dose reduction from 1,250 mg/day to 750 mg/day (HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer indication) or from 1,500 mg/day to 1,000 mg/day (hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer indication) in patients with severe hepatic impairment is predicted to adjust the area under the curve (AUC) to the normal range and should be considered. However, there are no clinical data with this dose adjustment in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Diarrhea: Lapatinib tablets should be interrupted in patients with diarrhea which is NCI CTCAE Grade 3 or Grade 1 or 2 with complicating features (moderate to severe abdominal cramping, nausea or vomiting greater than or equal to NCI CTCAE Grade 2, decreased performance status, fever, sepsis, neutropenia, frank bleeding, or dehydration). Lapatinib tablets may be reintroduced at a lower dose (reduced from 1,250 mg/day to 1,000 mg/day or from 1,500 mg/day to 1,250 mg/day) when diarrhea resolves to Grade 1 or less. Lapatinib tablets should be permanently discontinued in patients with diarrhea, which is NCI CTCAE Grade 4 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Concomitant Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: The concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, atazanavir, indinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, voriconazole). Grapefruit may also increase plasma concentrations of lapatinib and should be avoided. If patients must be coadministered a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, based on pharmacokinetic studies, a dose reduction to 500 mg/day of lapatinib is predicted to adjust the lapatinib AUC to the range observed without inhibitors and should be considered. However, there are no clinical data with this dose adjustment in patients receiving strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. If the strong inhibitor is discontinued, a washout period of approximately 1 week should be allowed before the lapatinib tablets dose is adjusted upward to the indicated dose [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

Concomitant Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: The concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided (e.g., dexamethasone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort). If patients must be coadministered a strong CYP3A4 inducer, based on pharmacokinetic studies, the dose of lapatinib tablets should be titrated gradually from 1,250 mg/day up to 4,500 mg/day (HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer indication) or from 1,500 mg/day up to 5,500 mg/day (hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer indication) based on tolerability. This dose of lapatinib tablets is predicted to adjust the lapatinib AUC to the range observed without inducers and should be considered. However, there are no clinical data with this dose adjustment in patients receiving strong CYP3A4 inducers. If the strong inducer is discontinued, the lapatinib tablets dose should be reduced to the indicated dose [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

Other Toxicities: Discontinuation or interruption of dosing with lapatinib tablets may be considered when patients develop greater than or equal to Grade 2 NCI CTCAE toxicity, and can be restarted at the standard dose of 1,250 or 1,500 mg/day when the toxicity improves to Grade 1 or less. If the toxicity recurs, then lapatinib tablets in combination with capecitabine should be restarted at a lower dose (1,000 mg/day) and in combination with letrozole should be restarted at a lower dose of 1,250 mg/day.

See manufacturer’s prescribing information for the coadministered product dosage adjustment guidelines in the event of toxicity and other relevant safety information or contraindications.

5.1     Decreased Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Lapatinib has been reported to decrease LVEF [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In clinical trials, the majority (greater than 57%) of LVEF decreases occurred within the first 12 weeks of treatment; however, data on long-term exposure are limited. Caution should be taken if lapatinib is to be administered to patients with conditions that could impair left ventricular function. LVEF should be evaluated in all patients prior to initiation of treatment with lapatinib to ensure that the patient has a baseline LVEF that is within the institution’s normal limits. LVEF should continue to be evaluated during treatment with lapatinib to ensure that LVEF does not decline below the institution’s normal limits [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

5.2     Hepatotoxicity

Hepatotoxicity [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and total bilirubin greater than 2 times the ULN] has been observed in clinical trials (less than 1% of patients) and postmarketing experience. The hepatotoxicity may be severe and deaths have been reported. Causality of the deaths is uncertain. The hepatotoxicity may occur days to several months after initiation of treatment. Liver function tests (transaminases, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase) should be monitored before initiation of treatment, every 4 to 6 weeks during treatment, and as clinically indicated. If changes in liver function are severe, therapy with lapatinib should be discontinued and patients should not be retreated with lapatinib [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

5.3     Patients With Severe Hepatic Impairment

If lapatinib is to be administered to patients with severe preexisting hepatic impairment, dose reduction should be considered [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.7)]. In patients who develop severe hepatotoxicity while on therapy, lapatinib should be discontinued and patients should not be retreated with lapatinib  [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

5.4     Diarrhea

Diarrhea has been reported during treatment with lapatinib [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The diarrhea may be severe, and deaths have been reported. Diarrhea generally occurs early during treatment with lapatinib, with almost half of those patients with diarrhea first experiencing it within 6 days. This usually lasts 4 to 5 days. Lapatinib-induced diarrhea is usually low-grade, with severe diarrhea of NCI CTCAE Grades 3 and 4 occurring in less than 10% and less than 1% of patients, respectively. Early identification and intervention is critical for the optimal management of diarrhea. Patients should be instructed to report any change in bowel patterns immediately. Prompt treatment of diarrhea with antidiarrheal agents (such as loperamide) after the first unformed stool is recommended. Severe cases of diarrhea may require administration of oral or intravenous electrolytes and fluids, use of antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones (especially if diarrhea is persistent beyond 24 hours, there is fever, or Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia), and interruption or discontinuation of therapy with lapatinib [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

5.5     Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis

Lapatinib has been associated with interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis in monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapies [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients should be monitored for pulmonary symptoms indicative of interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. Lapatinib should be discontinued in patients who experience pulmonary symptoms indicative of interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, which are greater than or equal to Grade 3 (NCI CTCAE v3.0).

5.6     QT Prolongation

A concentration-dependent QT prolongation has been associated with lapatinib [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Monitor patients who have or may develop prolongation of QTc during treatment with lapatinib. These conditions include patients with hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, with congenital long QT syndrome, patients taking antiarrhythmic medicines or other medicinal products with known risk for QT prolongation/Torsades de Pointes (TdP), and cumulative high-dose anthracycline therapy. Correct hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia prior to lapatinib administration.

5.7     Severe Cutaneous Reactions

Severe cutaneous reactions have been reported with lapatinib. If life-threatening reactions, such as erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis (e.g., progressive skin rash often with blisters or mucosal lesions) are suspected, discontinue treatment with lapatinib.

5.8     Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animal studies, lapatinib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproductive studies, administration of lapatinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis and through lactation led to death of offspring within the first 4 days after birth at maternal exposures that were ≥ 3.3 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC following 1,250 mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine. When administered to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis, lapatinib caused fetal anomalies (rats) or abortions (rabbits) at maternally toxic doses (with maternal exposures approximately 6.4 and 0.2 times, respectively, the human clinical exposure based on AUC following 1,250 mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine). Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)]. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of lapatinib. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with lapatinib and for 1 week after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with lapatinib and for 1 week after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

6.1     Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: The safety of lapatinib has been evaluated in more than 12,000 patients in clinical trials. The efficacy and safety of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine in breast cancer was evaluated in 198 patients in a randomized, Phase 3 trial [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. Adverse reactions, which occurred in at least 10% of patients in either treatment arm and were higher in the combination arm, are shown in Table 1.

The most common adverse reactions (greater than 20%) during therapy with lapatinib plus capecitabine were gastrointestinal (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting), dermatologic (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia and rash), and fatigue. Diarrhea was the most common adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation of study medication.

The most common Grades 3 and 4 adverse reactions (NCI CTCAE v3.0) were diarrhea and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. Selected laboratory abnormalities are shown in Table 2.

Hormone Receptor-Positive, Metastatic Breast Cancer: In a randomized, Phase 3 clinical trial of patients (N = 1,286) with hormone receptor-positive, metastatic breast cancer, who had not received chemotherapy for their metastatic disease, patients received letrozole with or without lapatinib. In this trial, the safety profile of lapatinib was consistent with previously reported results from trials of lapatinib in the advanced or metastatic breast cancer population. Adverse reactions, which occurred in at least 10% of patients in either treatment arm and were higher in the combination arm are shown in Table 3. Selected laboratory abnormalities are shown in Table 4.

Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer: In another randomized, Phase 3 clinical trial of postmenopausal patients (N = 355) with hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) which had progressed after prior trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy and endocrine therapies, patients received lapatinib with trastuzumab and an aromatase inhibitor (AI) (letrozole, exemestane, or anastrozole), lapatinib with an AI, or trastuzumab with an AI. In this trial, the safety profile of the treatment groups was consistent with the known safety of these agents. The most frequent study treatment-related AEs (> 10%) in each of the lapatinib-containing treatment arms were diarrhea, rash, paronychia, nausea, stomatitis, dermatitis acneiform, and decreased appetite, which were infrequent to absent in the trastuzumab treatment arm. The frequency of cardiac AEs (mostly decrease in ejection fraction) was 7% in the lapatinib+trastuzumab+AI group, 2% in the lapatinib+AI group and 3% in the trastuzumab+AI group. Adverse reactions which occurred in at least 10% of patients in the treatment arms are shown in Table 5.

Decreases in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: Due to potential cardiac toxicity with HER2 (ErbB2) inhibitors, LVEF was monitored in clinical trials at approximately 8-week intervals. LVEF decreases were defined as signs or symptoms of deterioration in left ventricular cardiac function that are greater than or equal to Grade 3 (NCI CTCAE v3.0), or a greater than or equal to 20% decrease in left ventricular cardiac ejection fraction relative to baseline which is below the institution's lower limit of normal. Among 198 patients who received combination treatment with lapatinib/capecitabine, 3 experienced Grade 2 and one had Grade 3 LVEF adverse reactions (NCI CTCAE v3.0). Among 654 patients who received combination treatment with lapatinib/letrozole, 26 patients experienced Grade 1 or 2 and 6 patients had Grade 3 or 4 LVEF adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Hepatotoxicity: Lapatinib has been associated with hepatotoxicity [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis: Lapatinib has been associated with interstitial lung disease and pneumonitis in monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

6.2     Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of lapatinib. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis [see Contraindications (4)].

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Nail disorders, including paronychia. Severe cutaneous adverse reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), skin fissures.

Cardiac Disorders: Ventricular arrhythmias/Torsades de Pointes (TdP). Electrocardiogram (ECG) QT prolongation.

7.1     Effects of Lapatinib on Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes and Drug Transport Systems

Lapatinib inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations and is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4 in vivo. Caution should be exercised and dose reduction of the concomitant substrate drug should be considered when dosing lapatinib concurrently with medications with narrow therapeutic windows that are substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, or P-gp. Lapatinib did not significantly inhibit the following enzymes in human liver microsomes: CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 or UGT enzymes in vitro, however, the clinical significance is unknown.

Midazolam: Following coadministration of lapatinib and midazolam (CYP3A4 substrate), 24-hour systemic exposure (AUC) of orally administered midazolam increased 45%, while 24-hour AUC of intravenously administered midazolam increased 22%.

Paclitaxel: In cancer patients receiving lapatinib and paclitaxel (CYP2C8 and P-gp substrate), 24-hour systemic exposure (AUC) of paclitaxel was increased 23%. This increase in paclitaxel exposure may have been underestimated from the in vivo evaluation due to study design limitations.

Digoxin: Following coadministration of lapatinib and digoxin (P-gp substrate), systemic AUC of an oral digoxin dose increased approximately 2.8-fold. Serum digoxin concentrations should be monitored prior to initiation of lapatinib and throughout coadministration. If digoxin serum concentration is greater than 1.2 ng/mL, the digoxin dose should be reduced by half.

7.2     Drugs That Inhibit or Induce Cytochrome P450 3A4 Enzymes

Lapatinib undergoes extensive metabolism by CYP3A4, and concomitant administration of strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 alter lapatinib concentrations significantly (see Ketoconazole and Carbamazepine sections, below). Dose adjustment of lapatinib should be considered for patients who must receive concomitant strong inhibitors or concomitant strong inducers of CYP3A4 enzymes [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Ketoconazole: In healthy subjects receiving ketoconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, at 200 mg twice daily for 7 days, systemic exposure (AUC) to lapatinib was increased to approximately 3.6-fold of control and half-life increased to 1.7-fold of control.

Carbamazepine: In healthy subjects receiving the CYP3A4 inducer, carbamazepine, at 100 mg twice daily for 3 days and 200 mg twice daily for 17 days, systemic exposure (AUC) to lapatinib was decreased approximately 72%.

7.3     Drugs That Inhibit Drug Transport Systems

Lapatinib is a substrate of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1). If lapatinib is administered with drugs that inhibit P-gp, increased concentrations of lapatinib are likely, and caution should be exercised.

7.4     Acid-Reducing Agents

The aqueous solubility of lapatinib is pH dependent, with higher pH resulting in lower solubility. However, esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, administered at a dose of 40 mg once daily for 7 days, did not result in a clinically meaningful reduction in lapatinib steady-state exposure.

8.1     Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on findings in animal studies and its mechanism of action, lapatinib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)]. There are no available human data to inform of the drug-associated risks. In an animal reproduction study, administration of lapatinib to pregnant rats during organogenesis and through lactation led to death of offspring within the first 4 days after birth at maternal exposures that were ≥ 3.3 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC following 1,250 mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine. When administered to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis, lapatinib caused fetal anomalies (rats) or abortions (rabbits) at maternally toxic doses (see Data).

Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown; however, in the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.

Data

Animal Data

In embryo-fetal development studies in rats and rabbits, pregnant animals received oral doses of lapatinib at 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. Minor anomalies (left-sided umbilical artery, cervical rib, and precocious ossification) occurred in rats at the maternally toxic dose of 120 mg/kg/day (approximately 6.4 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC following 1,250 mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine). In rabbits, lapatinib was associated with maternal toxicity at 60 and 120 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.07 and 0.2 times the human clinical exposure, respectively, based on AUC following 1,250 mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine) and abortions at 120 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity was associated with decreased fetal body weights and minor skeletal variations.

In a pre- and post-natal development study, rats were given oral doses of 20, 60, and 120 mg/kg/day during gestation through lactation up to weaning. In rats, doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg/day (approximately 3.3 and 6.4 times the human clinical exposure, respectively, based on AUC following 1,250 mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine) led to decrease in F1 postnatal survival (91% and 34% of the pups died by the fourth day after birth, at 60 and 120 mg/kg/day, respectively).

8.2     Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of lapatinib in human milk, or its effects on the breastfed child, or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child from lapatinib, advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment with lapatinib and for 1 week after the last dose.

8.3     Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Pregnancy Testing

Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of lapatinib.

Contraception

Females

Based on findings in animal studies, lapatinib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with lapatinib and for 1 week after the last dose.

Males

Based on findings in animal reproduction studies, advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with lapatinib and for 1 week after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

8.4     Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of lapatinib in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5     Geriatric Use

Of the total number of metastatic breast cancer patients in clinical studies of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine (N = 198), 17% were 65 years of age and older, and 1% were 75 years of age and older. Of the total number of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients in clinical studies of lapatinib in combination with letrozole (N = 642), 44% were 65 years of age and older, and 12% were 75 years of age and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

8.6     Renal Impairment

Lapatinib pharmacokinetics have not been specifically studied in patients with renal impairment or in patients undergoing hemodialysis. There is no experience with lapatinib in patients with severe renal impairment. However, renal impairment is unlikely to affect the pharmacokinetics of lapatinib given that less than 2% (lapatinib and metabolites) of an administered dose is eliminated by the kidneys.

8.7     Hepatic Impairment

The pharmacokinetics of lapatinib were examined in subjects with preexisting moderate (n = 8) or severe (n = 4) hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B/C, respectively) and in 8 healthy control subjects. Systemic exposure (AUC) to lapatinib after a single oral 100-mg dose increased approximately 14% and 63% in subjects with moderate and severe preexisting hepatic impairment, respectively. Administration of lapatinib in patients with severe hepatic impairment should be undertaken with caution due to increased exposure to the drug. A dose reduction should be considered for patients with severe preexisting hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. In patients who develop severe hepatotoxicity while on therapy, lapatinib should be discontinued and patients should not be retreated with lapatinib [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

12.1     Mechanism of Action

Lapatinib is a 4-anilinoquinazoline kinase inhibitor of the intracellular tyrosine kinase domains of both Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR [ErbB1]) and of Human Epidermal Receptor Type 2 (HER2 [ErbB2]) receptors (estimated Kiapp values of 3nM and 13nM, respectively) with a dissociation half-life of greater than or equal to 300 minutes. Lapatinib inhibits ErbB-driven tumor cell growth in vitro and in various animal models.

An additive effect was demonstrated in an in vitro study when lapatinib and 5-FU (the active metabolite of capecitabine) were used in combination in the 4-tumor cell lines tested. The growth inhibitory effects of lapatinib were evaluated in trastuzumab-conditioned cell lines. Lapatinib retained significant activity against breast cancer cell lines selected for long-term growth in trastuzumab-containing medium in vitro. These in vitro findings suggest non-cross-resistance between these two agents.

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells (with ER [Estrogen Receptor] and/or PgR [Progesterone Receptor]) that coexpress the HER2 tend to be resistant to established endocrine therapies. Similarly, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells that initially lack EGFR or HER2 upregulate these receptor proteins as the tumor becomes resistant to endocrine therapy.

12.2     Pharmacodynamics

Cardiac Electrophysiology

The effect of lapatinib on the QT-interval was evaluated in a single-blind, placebo-controlled, single sequence (placebo and active treatment) crossover study in patients with advanced solid tumors (N = 58). During the 4- day treatment period, three doses of matching placebo were administered 12 hours apart in the morning and evening on Day 1 and in the morning on Day 2. This was followed by three doses of lapatinib 2,000 mg (1.3 to 1.6 times the recommended dosage) administered in the same way. Measurements, including ECGs and pharmacokinetic samples were done at baseline and at the same time points on Day 2 and Day 4. In the evaluable population of subjects who had complete dosing and ECG assessments (N = 37), the maximum mean ∆∆QTcF (90% CI) of 8.75 ms (4.08, 13.42) was observed 10 hours after ingestion of the third dose of lapatinib 2,000 mg. The ∆∆QTcF exceeded the 5 ms threshold and the upper bound 90% CIs exceeded the 10 ms threshold at multiple time points.

There was a concentration-dependent increase in QTcF effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

12.3     Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Absorption following oral administration of lapatinib is incomplete and variable. Serum concentrations appear after a median lag time of 0.25 hours (range 0 to 1.5 hours). Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of lapatinib are achieved approximately 4 hours after administration. Daily dosing of lapatinib results in achievement of steady state within 6 to 7 days, indicating an effective half-life of 24 hours.

At the dose of 1,250 mg daily, steady-state geometric mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] values of Cmax were 2.43 mcg/mL (1.57 to 3.77 mcg/mL) and AUC were 36.2 mcg.h/mL (23.4 to 56 mcg.h/mL).

Divided daily doses of lapatinib resulted in approximately 2-fold higher exposure at steady state (steady-state AUC) compared to the same total dose administered once daily.

Systemic exposure to lapatinib is increased when administered with food. Lapatinib AUC values were approximately 3- and 4-fold higher (Cmax approximately 2.5- and 3-fold higher) when administered with a low-fat (5% fat-500 calories) or with a high-fat (50% fat-1,000 calories) meal, respectively.

Distribution: Lapatinib is highly bound (greater than 99%) to albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. In vitro studies indicate that lapatinib is a substrate for the transporters breast cancer-resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1). Lapatinib has also been shown to inhibit P-gp, BCRP, and the hepatic uptake transporter OATP 1B1, in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations.

Metabolism: Lapatinib undergoes extensive metabolism, primarily by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, with minor contributions from CYP2C19 and CYP2C8 to a variety of oxidated metabolites, none of which accounts for more than 14% of the dose recovered in the feces or 10% of lapatinib concentration in plasma.

Elimination: At clinical doses, the terminal phase half-life following a single dose was 14.2 hours; accumulation with repeated dosing indicates an effective half-life of 24 hours.

Elimination of lapatinib is predominantly through metabolism by CYP3A4/5 with negligible (less than 2%) renal excretion. Recovery of parent lapatinib in feces accounts for a median of 27% (range 3% to 67%) of an oral dose.

Effects of Age, Gender, or Race: Studies of the effects of age, gender, or race on the pharmacokinetics of lapatinib have not been performed.

12.5     Pharmacogenomics

The HLA alleles DQA1*02:01 and DRB1*07:01 were associated with hepatotoxicity reactions in a genetic substudy of a monotherapy trial with lapatinib (n = 1,194). Severe liver injury (ALT greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal, NCI CTCAE Grade 3) occurred in 2% of patients overall; the incidence of severe liver injury among DQA1*02:01 or DRBI*07:01 allele carriers was 8% versus 0.5% in non-carriers. These HLA alleles are present in approximately 15% to 25% of Caucasian, Asian, African, and Hispanic populations and 1% in Japanese populations. Liver function should be monitored in all patients receiving therapy with lapatinib regardless of genotype.

13.1     Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

In carcinogenicity studies, lapatinib was administered orally for up to 104 weeks at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg/day in male mice and 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day in female mice (approximately 0.7 to 2 times the expected human clinical exposure based on AUC for a clinical dose of 1,250 mg/day plus capecitabine) and 60, 120, 240, and 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.6 to 2.3 times the expected human clinical exposure based on AUC) in male rats, and 20, 60, and 180 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.4 to 10 times the expected human clinical exposure based on AUC for a clinical dose of 1,250 mg/day plus capecitabine) in female rats. There was no evidence of carcinogenicity in mice. In male rats, there was an increased incidence of whole body combined hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas.

Lapatinib was not clastogenic or mutagenic in the Chinese hamster ovary chromosome aberration assay, microbial mutagenesis (Ames) assay, human peripheral lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay or the in vivo rat bone marrow chromosome aberration assay at single doses up to 2,000 mg/kg.

There were no effects on male or female rat mating or fertility at doses up to 120 mg/kg/day in females and 180 mg/kg/day in males (approximately 6.4 times and 2.6 times the expected human clinical exposure based on AUC following 1,250-mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine, respectively). The effect of lapatinib on human fertility is unknown. However, when female rats were given oral doses of lapatinib during breeding and through the first 6 days of gestation, a significant decrease in the number of live fetuses was seen at 120 mg/kg/day and in the fetal body weights at greater than or equal to 60 mg/kg/day (approximately 6.4 times and 3.3 times the expected human clinical exposure based on AUC following 1,250-mg dose of lapatinib plus capecitabine, respectively).

13.2     Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

In 104-week repeat-dose studies in rodents, severe skin lesions that led to lethality were seen at the highest doses tested (300 mg/kg/day) in male mice and female rats. There was also an increase in renal infarcts and papillary necrosis in female rats at greater than or equal to 60 mg/kg/day and greater than or equal to 180 mg/kg/day, respectively (approximately 7 and 10 times the expected human clinical exposure based on AUC, respectively). The relevance of these findings for humans is uncertain.

14.1     HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

The efficacy and safety of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine in breast cancer were evaluated in a randomized, Phase 3 trial. Patients eligible for enrollment had HER2 (ErbB2) overexpressing (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+ confirmed by FISH), locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, progressing after prior treatment that included anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab.

Patients were randomized to receive either lapatinib 1,250 mg once daily (continuously) plus capecitabine 2,000 mg/m2/day on Days 1 to 14 every 21 days, or to receive capecitabine alone at a dose of 2,500 mg/m2/day on Days 1 to 14 every 21 days. The endpoint was time to progression (TTP). TTP was defined as time from randomization to tumor progression or death related to breast cancer. Based on the results of a pre-specified interim analysis, further enrollment was discontinued. Three hundred and ninety-nine (399) patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 53 years and 14% were older than 65 years. Ninety-one percent (91%) were Caucasian. Ninety-seven percent (97%) had stage IV breast cancer, 48% were estrogen receptor+ (ER+) or progesterone receptor+ (PR+), and 95% were ErbB2 IHC 3+ or IHC 2+ with FISH confirmation.

Approximately 95% of patients had prior treatment with anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab.

Efficacy analyses 4 months after the interim analysis are presented in Table 6, Figure 1, and Figure 2.

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Estimates for Independent Review Panel-evaluated Time to Progression

Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier Estimates for Investigator Assessment Time to Progression

At the time of above efficacy analysis, the overall survival (OS) data were not mature (32% events). However, based on the TTP results, the study was unblinded and patients receiving capecitabine alone were allowed to cross over to treatment with lapatinib plus capecitabine. The survival data were followed for an additional 2 years to be mature and the analysis is summarized in Table 7.

Clinical Studies Describing Limitations of Use: In two randomized trials, lapatinib-based chemotherapy regimens have been shown to be less effective than trastuzumab-based chemotherapy regimens. The first randomized, open-label study compared the safety and efficacy of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine relative to trastuzumab in combination with capecitabine in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (N = 540). The study was stopped early based on the findings of a pre-planned interim analysis showing a low incidence of CNS events (primary endpoint) and superior efficacy of the trastuzumab plus capecitabine. The median progression-free survival was 6.6 months in the group receiving lapatinib in combination with capecitabine compared with 8.0 months in the group receiving the trastuzumab combination [HR = 1.30 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.64)]. Overall survival was analyzed when 26% of deaths occurred in the group receiving lapatinib in combination with capecitabine and 22% in the group receiving the trastuzumab combination [HR = 1.34 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.92)].

The second randomized, open-label study compared the safety and efficacy of taxane-based chemotherapy plus lapatinib to taxane-based chemotherapy plus trastuzumab as first-line therapy in women with HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer (N = 652). The study was stopped early based on findings from a pre-planned interim analysis. The median progression-free survival was 11.3 months in the trastuzumab combination treatment arm compared to 9.0 months in patients treated with lapatinib in the combination arm for the intent-to-treat population [HR = 1.37 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.65)].

14.2     Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

The efficacy and safety of lapatinib in combination with letrozole were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study. A total of 1,286 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (ER positive and/or PgR positive) metastatic breast cancer, who had not received prior therapy for metastatic disease, were randomly assigned to receive either lapatinib (1,500 mg once daily) plus letrozole (2.5 mg once daily) (n = 642) or letrozole (2.5 mg once daily) alone (n = 644). Of all patients randomized to treatment, 219 (17%) patients had tumors overexpressing the HER2 receptor, defined as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) greater than or equal to 2 or 3+ immunohistochemistry (IHC). There were 952 (74%) patients who were HER2-negative and 115 (9%) patients did not have their HER2 receptor status confirmed. The primary objective was to evaluate and compare progression-free survival (PFS) in the HER2-positive population. Progression-free survival was defined as the interval of time between date of randomization and the earlier date of first documented sign of disease progression or death due to any cause.

The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the two treatment arms. The median age was 63 years and 45% were 65 years of age or older. Eighty-four percent (84%) of the patients were white. Approximately 50% of the HER2-positive population had prior adjuvant/neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and 56% had prior hormonal therapy. Only 2 patients had prior trastuzumab.

In the HER2-positive subgroup (n = 219), the addition of lapatinib to letrozole resulted in an improvement in PFS. In the HER2-negative subgroup, there was no improvement in PFS of the combination of lapatinib plus letrozole compared to the letrozole plus placebo. Overall response rate (ORR) was also improved with the combination of lapatinib plus letrozole. The OS data were not mature. Efficacy analyses for the hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive and HER2-negative subgroups are presented in Table 8 and Figure 3.

Figure 3. Kaplan-Meier Estimates for Progression-Free Survival for the HER2-Positive Population

The efficacy and safety of lapatinib, in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI), were confirmed in another randomized Phase 3 trial. Patients enrolled were post-menopausal women who had hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer, which had progressed after prior trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy and endocrine therapies. A total of 355 patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to lapatinib 1,000 mg + trastuzumab + AI (N = 120), or trastuzumab + AI arm (N = 117), or lapatinib 1,500 mg + AI (N = 118). In the trastuzumab-containing arms, trastuzumab was administered with a loading dose of 8 mg/kg IV followed by the maintenance dose of 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks. In the AI-containing arms, the AIs were administered at doses of letrozole 2.5 mg once daily, or exemestane 25 mg once daily, or anastrozole 1 mg once daily.

The study was designed to evaluate a potential benefit in Progression Free Survival (PFS) when double versus single HER2 targeted therapy was administered in combination with an AI (letrozole, exemestane, or anastrozole). The major efficacy outcome measure was PFS based on local radiology/investigator’s assessment comparing lapatinib + trastuzumab + AI versus trastuzumab + AI.

The median age was 56 years (range 30 to 84). The majority of the patients treated on this trial (70%) were Caucasian.

Efficacy results are presented in Table 9 and Figure 4. The OS data were not mature (23% of patients had died).

Figure 4. Kaplan-Meier Estimates for Progression-Free Survival