Impact of Dose Delays and Alternative Dosing Regimens on Pertuzumab Pharmacokinetics

PERJETA (pertuzumab), administered with Herceptin (trastuzumab), is used in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive breast cancer. Pertuzumab is currently approved with an initial loading dose of 840 mg, followed by a 420‐mg maintenance dose intravenously every 3 weeks. A reloading dose is required if there is a ≥6‐week delay in treatment. In response to the potential treatment disruption due to COVID‐19, the impact of dose delays and alternative dosing regimens on intravenous pertuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive breast cancer treatment is presented. Simulations were conducted by using the validated population pharmacokinetic model for pertuzumab, and included (1) 4‐, 6‐, and 9‐week dose delays of the 840 mg/420 mg every 3 weeks dosing regimen and (2) 840 mg/420 mg every 4 weeks and 840 mg every 6 weeks alternative dosing regimens. Simulations were compared with the currently approved pertuzumab dosing regimen. The simulations in 1000 virtual patients showed that a dose reload (840 mg) is required following a dose delay of ≥6 weeks to maintain comparable C(trough) (lowest concentration before the next dose is given) levels to clinical trials. The 840 mg/420 mg every 4 weeks and 840 mg every 6 weeks alternative dosing regimens decrease median steady‐state C(trough) by ≈40% compared with the approved regimen, and <90% of patients will be above the target C(trough). Thus, the alternative 840 mg/420 mg every 4 weeks and 840 mg every 6 weeks pertuzumab dosing regimens are not recommended. Flexibility for intravenous PERJETA‐based regimens is available with an alternative route of pertuzumab administration (subcutaneous vs intravenous).