Outpatient administration of naxitamab in combination with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor in patients with refractory and/or relapsed high‐risk neuroblastoma: Management of adverse events

BACKGROUND: Naxitamab is a humanized GD2‐binding monoclonal antibody that received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for refractory or relapsed high‐risk neuroblastoma limited to bone or bone marrow. Trial 201 (NCT03363373) is an ongoing global clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of naxitamab in combination with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor in this population. AIMS: Here, we review the safety profile and adverse event (AE) management associated with naxitamab administration in a pediatric population, based on Trial 201 protocol guidelines and clinical trial experience. METHODS AND RESULTS: At least 50% of patients experienced pain, hypotension, bronchospasm, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and tachycardia, with the following reported at grade ≥3 AEs for at least 10% of patients: pain, hypotension, urticaria, and bronchospasm. These AEs were generally manageable in the outpatient setting using premedications, supportive therapies, and appropriate monitoring post‐infusion. Algorithms were established for infusion‐related AEs, including hypotension and bronchospasm, to provide guidance to investigators for early recognition and timely intervention, including medication and infusion rate modification or interruption, or treatment discontinuation, based on AE severity. Educating patients and caregivers on what to expect regarding premedication at home, experience during the infusion cycle, and post‐infusion monitoring helps optimize naxitamab treatment and supportive therapies and may reduce treatment burden. CONCLUSION: This article highlights the protocol‐based recommendations for the management of acute AEs associated with outpatient naxitamab treatment in Trial 201. The authors recommend close monitoring and timely implementation of measures to ensure that patients can remain on treatment and obtain maximum clinical benefit from naxitamab therapy.