Trastuzumab, in combination with carboplatin and docetaxel, does not prolong the QT interval of patients with HER2-positive metastatic or locally advanced inoperable solid tumors: results from a phase Ib study

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the potential effect of trastuzumab on the electrocardiogram (ECG) QT interval and assessed the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between trastuzumab and carboplatin. Here, we report the QT and safety results. METHODS: Patients with metastatic or inoperable HER2-positive solid tumors received docetaxel and carboplatin on Day 1 of each 3-week (q3w) cycle. Trastuzumab was administered intravenously, as an accelerated loading dose regimen, on Cycle 1, Day 2 and Cycle 1, Day 8, and then on Day 1 of each subsequent q3w cycle. ECG assessments were performed pre- and posttrastuzumab infusion in the first two cycles. Fridericia’s correction was applied to QT intervals (QTcF). Baseline-adjusted QTcF intervals (the change from baseline) and their 90 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The study enrolled 59 patients. At all time points, the 90 % CI upper bound for the mean baseline-adjusted QTcF was <10 ms. At steady-state serum trastuzumab concentrations, the mean baseline-adjusted QTcF interval was −8.4 ms (90 % CI −11.1, −5.7). No patient exhibited an absolute QTcF interval of >480 ms. No relationship was observed between trastuzumab concentration and baseline-adjusted QTcF interval. At data cutoff, 84.5 % of patients had experienced grade ≥3 adverse events, the most common of which were hematologic and as expected. Left ventricular ejection fraction remained ≥45 % in all patients during the study. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that trastuzumab had no clinically relevant effect on QTcF interval. The safety profile of trastuzumab in combination with carboplatin and docetaxel was consistent with the known safety profile of this combination. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00280-014-2603-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.