Drug Reference

Pralsetinib

Other protein kinase inhibitors

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Fact box

Therapeutic class
Other protein kinase inhibitors
Action class
Kinase Inhibitor
Mechanism
Rearranged during Transfection (RET) Inhibitors
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Gavreto

Available as

100 MG · Oral Capsule

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

⚠ Boxed warning
WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS, INCLUDING OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS GAVRETO may increase the risk for serious infections, including bacterial, fungal, viral and opportunistic infections, which can lead to hospitalization or death. Withhold, reduce the dose or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS, INCLUDING OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. GAVRETO may increase the risk for serious infections, including bacterial, fungal, viral and opportunistic infections, which can lead to hospitalization or death. Withhold, reduce the dose or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity. ( 2.3 , 5.1 )
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE GAVRETO is a kinase inhibitor indicated for treatment of: Adult patients with metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET ) fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer as detected by an FDA approved test (NSCLC). ( 1.1 ) Adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Metastatic RET Fusion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer GAVRETO is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as detected by an FDA approved test. 1.2 RET Fusion-Positive Thyroid Cancer GAVRETO is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Pralsetinib is a kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET and oncogenic RET fusions (CCDC6- RET ) and mutations ( RET V804L, RET V804M and RET M918T) with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC 50s ) less than 0.5 nM. In purified enzyme assays, pralsetinib inhibited DDR1, TRKC, FLT3, JAK1-2, TRKA, VEGFR2, PDGFRB, and FGFR1 at higher concentrations that were still clinically achievable at C max . In cellular assays, pralsetinib inhibited RET at approximately 14-, 40-, and 12-fold lower concentrations than VEGFR2, FGFR2, and JAK2, respectively. Certain RET fusion proteins and activating point mutations can drive tumorigenic potential through hyperactivation of downstream signaling pathways leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Pralsetinib exhibited anti-tumor activity in cultured cells and animal tumor implantation models harboring oncogenic RET fusions or mutations including KIF5B- RET , CCDC6- RET , RET M918T, RET C634W, RET V804E, RET V804L and RET V804M. In addition, pralsetinib prolonged survival in mice implanted intracranially with tumor models expressing KIF5B- RET or CCDC6- RET .
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Select patients for treatment with GAVRETO based on the presence of a RET gene fusion. ( 2.1 , 14 ) The recommended dosage in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older is 400 mg orally once daily on an empty stomach (no food intake for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking GAVRETO). ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Patient Selection Select patients for treatment with GAVRETO based on the presence of a RET gene fusion (NSCLC or thyroid cancer) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Information on FDA-approved tests for RET gene fusion (NSCLC) is available at http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics. An FDA-approved test for the detection of RET gene fusion (thyroid cancer) is not currently available. 2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of GAVRETO is 400 mg orally once daily on an empty stomach (no food intake for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking GAVRETO ) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Continue treatment until disease progression or until unacceptable toxicity. If a dose of GAVRETO is missed, it can be taken as soon as possible on the same day. Resume the regular daily dose schedule for GAVRETO the next day. Do not take an additional dose if vomiting occurs after GAVRETO but continue with the next dose as scheduled. 2.3 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions The recommended dose reductions and dosage modifications for adverse reactions are provided in Table 1 and Table 2 . Table 1: Recommended Dose Reductions for GAVRETO for Adverse Reactions Dose Reduction Recommended Dosage First 300 mg once daily Second 200 mg once daily Third 100 mg once daily Permanently discontinue GAVRETO in patients who are unable to tolerate 100 mg taken orally once daily. The recommended dosage modifications for adverse reactions are provided in Table 2 . Table 2: Recommended Dosage Modifications for GAVRETO for Adverse Reactions Adverse Reactions Severity Adverse reactions graded by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 4.03 Dosage Modification Serious Infections, Including Opportunistic Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Grade 2 or 3 Withhold GAVRETO until resolution. Resume at a reduced dose ( Table 1 ). Grade 4 Permanently discontinue GAVRETO. ILD/Pneumonitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Grade 1 or 2 Withhold GAVRETO until resolution. Resume by reducing the dose as shown in Table 1 . Permanently discontinue GAVRETO for recurrent ILD/pneumonitis. Grade 4 Permanently discontinue GAVRETO. Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Grade 3 Withhold GAVRETO for Grade 3 hypertension that persists despite optimal antihypertensive therapy. Resume at a reduced dose when hypertension is controlled. Grade 4 Discontinue GAVRETO. Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Grade 3 or 4 Withhold GAVRETO and monitor AST/ALT once weekly until resolution to Grade 1 or baseline. Resume at reduced dose ( Table 1 ). For recurrent events at Grade 3 or higher, discontinue GAVRETO. Hemorrhagic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Grade 3 or 4 Withhold GAVRETO until recovery to baseline or Grade 0 or 1. Discontinue GAVRETO for severe or life-threatening hemorrhagic events. Other Adverse Reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] Grade 3 or 4 Withhold GAVRETO until improvement to ≤ Grade 2. Resume at reduced dose ( Table 1 ). Permanently discontinue for recurrent Grade 4 adverse reactions. 2.4 Dose Modification for Use with CYP3A and/or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibitors Avoid coadministration of GAVRETO with any of the following: Strong CYP3A inhibitors Moderate CYP3A inhibitors P-gp inhibitors Combined P-gp and strong CYP3A inhibitors Combined P-gp and moderate CYP3A inhibitors If coadministration with any of the above inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the current dose of GAVRETO as recommended in Table 3 . After the inhibitor has been discontinued for 3 to 5 elimination half-lives, resume GAVRETO
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Serious Infections, Including Opportunistic Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hemorrhagic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Risk of Impaired Wound Healing [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥ 25%) were musculoskeletal pain, constipation, hypertension, diarrhea, fatigue, edema, pyrexia and cough. The most common Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities (≥ 2%) were decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased hemoglobin, decreased phosphate, decreased leukocytes, decreased sodium, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), decreased calcium (corrected), decreased platelets, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased potassium, decreased potassium and increased bilirubin. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-983-1329 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 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. The pooled safety population in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure to GAVRETO as a single agent at 400 mg orally once daily in 540 patients in ARROW [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Among 540 patients who received GAVRETO, 71% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 57% were exposed for greater than one year. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 25%) were musculoskeletal pain, constipation, hypertension, diarrhea, fatigue, edema, pyrexia, and cough. The most common Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities (≥ 2%) were decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased hemoglobin, decreased phosphate, decreased leukocytes, decreased sodium, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), decreased calcium (corrected), decreased platelets, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased potassium, decreased potassium and increased bilirubin. In addition to the 540 patients, certain subsections in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS describe adverse reactions observed with exposure to GAVRETO as a single agent in a randomized, open-label study, AcceleRET-Lung (NCT04222972), which enrolled 223 patients with RET-fusion positive locally advanced unresectable or metastatic NSCLC. RET Fusion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer The safety of GAVRETO was evaluated as a single agent at 400 mg orally once daily in 281 patients with metastatic rearranged during transfection ( RET fusion-positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in ARROW [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Among the 281 patients who received GAVRETO, 72% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 56% were exposed for ≥1 year. The median age was 60 years (range: 26 to 87 years); 54% were female, 46% were White, 46% were Asian, and 4% were Hispanic/Latino. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 65% of patients who received GAVRETO. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (in ≥ 2% of patients) were pneumonia, anemia, pneumonitis, pyrexia, sepsis, urinary tract infection, coronavirus infection, pleural effusion, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, pulmonary embolism, and seizure. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7% of patients; fatal adverse reactions which occurred in > 1 patient included pneumonia (n=8), sepsis (n=3) and COVID (n=3). Permanent discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 20% of patients who received GAVRE

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, GAVRETO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ]. There are no available data on GAVRETO use in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risk. Oral administration of pralsetinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in malformations and embryolethality at maternal exposures below the human exposure at the clinical dose of 400 mg once daily (see Data ). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study, once daily oral administration of pralsetinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in 100% post-implantation loss at dose levels ≥ 20 mg/kg (approximately 1.8 times the human exposure based on area under the curve [AUC] at the clinical dose of 400 mg). Post-implantation loss also occurred at the 10 mg/kg dose level (approximately 0.6 times the human exposure based on AUC at the clinical dose of 400 mg). Once daily oral administration of pralsetinib at dose levels ≥ 5 mg/kg (approximately 0.2 times the human AUC at the clinical dose of 400 mg) resulted in an increase in visceral malformations and variations (absent or small kidney and ureter, absent uterine horn, malpositioned kidney or testis, retroesophageal aortic arch) and skeletal malformations and variations (vertebral and rib anomalies and reduced ossification).
BreastfeedingCaution
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation : Advise not to breastfeed.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyCaution
…increase in visceral malformations and variations (absent or small kidney and ureter, absent uterine horn, malpositioned kidney or testis, retroesophageal aortic arch) and skeletal malformations and variations (vertebral and rib anomalies and reduced…
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Serious Infections, Including Opportunistic Infections: Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection and treat appropriately. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity. ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Withhold GAVRETO for Grade 1 or 2 reactions until resolution and then resume at a reduced dose. Permanently discontinue for recurrent ILD/pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 reactions. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) Hypertension : Do not initiate GAVRETO in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Optimize blood pressure (BP) prior to initiating GAVRETO. Monitor BP after 1 week, at least monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity. ( 2.3 , 5.3 ) Hepatotoxicity : Monitor ALT and AST prior to initiating GAVRETO, every 2 weeks during the first 3 months, then monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity. ( 2.3 , 5.4 ) Hemorrhagic Events : Permanently discontinue GAVRETO in patients with severe or life-threatening hemorrhage. ( 2.3 , 5.5 ) Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Closely monitor patients at risk and treat as clinically indicated. ( 2.3 , 5.6 ) Risk of Impaired Wound Healing: Withhold GAVRETO for at least 5 days prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of GAVRETO after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established. ( 5.7 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective non-hormonal contraception. ( 5.8 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Serious Infections, Including Opportunistic Infections GAVRETO may increase the risk for serious infections, including fatal and opportunistic infections. In the AcceleRET-Lung trial [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , infections occurred in 72% of patients who received GAVRETO, including 18% with Grade 3, 3.7% with Grade 4, and 7% with fatal outcomes. Among the patients who received chemotherapy/immunotherapy, infections occurred in 52%, including 10% with Grade 3. Infections in the GAVRETO arm included pneumonia, urinary tract infection, opportunistic infections (such as pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, and fungal infections) and others. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection and treat appropriately. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 5.2 Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis Severe, life-threatening, and fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD) / pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with GAVRETO. Pneumonitis occurred in 12% of patients who received GAVRETO, including 3.3% with Grade 3-4, and 0.2% with fatal reactions. Monitor for pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis. Withhold GAVRETO and promptly investigate for ILD in any patient who presents with acute or worsening of respiratory symptoms which may be indicative of ILD (e.g., dyspnea, cough, and fever). Withhold, reduce dose or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on severity of confirmed ILD [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 5.3 Hypertension Hypertension occurred in 35% of patients, including Grade 3 hypertension in 18% of patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Overall, 8% had their dose interrupted and 4.8% had their dose reduced for hypertension. Treatment-emergent hypertension was most commonly managed with anti-hypertension medications. Do not initiate GAVRETO in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Optimize blood pressure prior to initiating GAVRETO. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, at least monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Initiate or adjust anti-hypertensive therapy as appropriate. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue GAVRETO based on the
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of GAVRETO have been established in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older for RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. Use of GAVRETO in this age group is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled study of GAVRETO in adults with additional population pharmacokinetic data demonstrating that age and body weight had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of pralsetinib, that the exposure of pralsetinib is expected to be similar between adults and pediatric patients age 12 years and older, and that the course of RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer is sufficiently similar in adults and pediatric patients to allow extrapolation of data in adults to pediatric patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , and Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. The safety and effectiveness of GAVRETO have not been established in pediatric patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC or in pediatric patients younger than 12 years old with RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. Animal Toxicity Data In a 4-week repeat-dose toxicology study in non-human primates, physeal dysplasia in the femur occurred at doses resulting in exposures similar to the human exposure (AUC) at the clinical dose of 400 mg. In rats there were findings of increased physeal thickness in the femur and sternum as well as tooth (incisor) abnormalities (fractures, dentin matrix alteration, ameloblast/odontoblast degeneration, necrosis) in both 4- and 13-week studies at doses resulting in exposures similar to the human exposure (AUC) at the clinical dose of 400 mg. Recovery was not assessed in the 13-week toxicology study, but increased physeal thickness in the femur and incisor degeneration did not show evidence of complete recovery in the 28-day rat study. Monitor growth plates in adolescent patients with open growth plates. Consider interrupting or discontinuing therapy based on the severity of any growth plate abnormalities and based on an individual risk-benefit assessment.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors and/or P-gp inhibitors : Avoid coadministration. If coadministration cannot be avoided, reduce the dose of GAVRETO. ( 2.4 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) Strong or moderate CYP3A inducers : Avoid coadministration. If coadministration cannot be avoided, increase the dose of GAVRETO. ( 2.5 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on GAVRETO Strong or Moderate CYP3A and/or P-gp Inhibitors Concomitant use with a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor and/or a P-gp inhibitor increases pralsetinib exposure [ Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may increase the risk of adverse reactions related to GAVRETO. Avoid coadministration of GAVRETO with a strong or moderate CYP3A and/or P-gp inhibitor. If coadministration with any of the above inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the GAVRETO dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ]. Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inducers Concomitant use with a strong CYP3A inducer decreases pralsetinib exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ], which may decrease efficacy of GAVRETO. Avoid concomitant use of GAVRETO with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. If coadministration of GAVRETO with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers cannot be avoided, increase the GAVRETO dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ]
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

2 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.