▼

Kisplyx 4 mg hard capsules

Kisplyx 10 mg hard capsules

Kisplyx 4 mg hard capsules

Each hard capsule contains 4 mg of lenvatinib (as mesylate).

Kisplyx 10 mg hard capsules

Each hard capsule contains 10 mg of lenvatinib (as mesylate).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Hard capsule.

Kisplyx 4 mg hard capsules

A yellowish-red body and yellowish-red cap, approximately 14.3 mm in length, marked in black ink with “Є” on the cap, and “LENV 4 mg” on the body.

Kisplyx 10 mg hard capsules

A yellow body and yellowish-red cap, approximately 14.3 mm in length, marked in black ink with “Є” on the cap, and “LENV 10 mg” on the body.

Kisplyx is indicated in combination with everolimus for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy.

Kisplyx treatment should be initiated and supervised by a health care professional experienced in the use of anticancer therapies.

Posology

The recommended daily dose of lenvatinib is 18 mg (one 10 mg capsule and two 4 mg capsules) once daily in combination with 5 mg of everolimus once daily. The daily doses of lenvatinib and, if necessary, everolimus are to be modified as needed according to the dose/toxicity management plan.

If a patient misses a dose, and it cannot be taken within 12 hours, then that dose should be skipped and the next dose should be taken at the usual time of administration.

Treatment should continue as long as there is clinical benefit or until unacceptable toxicity occurs.

Optimal medical management (i.e. treatment or therapy) for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea should be initiated prior to any lenvatinib therapy interruption or dose reduction; however, gastrointestinal toxicity should be actively treated in order to reduce the risk of development of renal impairment or renal failure (see section 4.4 Renal failure and impairment).

Dose adjustment

Management of adverse reactions may require dose interruption, adjustment, or discontinuation of the combination therapy (see section 4.4). Mild to moderate adverse reactions (e.g., Grade 1 or 2) generally do not warrant interruption of the combination, unless intolerable to the patient despite optimal management.Severe (e.g., Grade 3) or intolerable adverse reactions require interruption of the combination of medicines until improvement of the reaction to Grade 0-1 or baseline.

For toxicities thought to be related to lenvatinib (see Table 1), upon resolution/improvement of an adverse reaction to Grade 0-1 or baseline, treatment should be resumed at a reduced dose of lenvatinib as suggested in Table 2.

For toxicities thought to be related to everolimus, treatment should be interrupted, reduced to alternate day dosing, or discontinued (see the everolimus SmPC for advice on specific adverse reactions).

For toxicities thought to be related to both lenvatinib and everolimus, lenvatinib should be reduced (see Table 2) prior to reducing everolimus.

Treatment should be discontinued in case of life-threatening reactions (e.g., Grade 4) with the exception of laboratory abnormalities judged to be non-life-threatening, in which case they should be managed as severe reactions (e.g., Grade 3).

Grades are based on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).

Table 2

Dose modifications from recommended lenvatinib daily dose ^a

Special populations

No data with the combination are available for most of the special populations. The following information is derived from the clinical experience on single agent lenvatinib in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC; see Lenvima SmPC).

All patients other than those with severe hepatic or renal impairment (see below) should initiate treatment at the recommended dose of 18 mg of lenvatinib with 5 mg of everolimus taken once daily, following which the dose should be further adjusted on the basis of individual tolerability.

Patients with hypertension

Blood pressure should be well controlled prior to treatment with lenvatinib, and should be regularly monitored during treatment (see section 4.4). Refer also to section 4.8, Other special populations.

Patients with hepatic impairment

No data with the combination is available in patients with hepatic impairment. No adjustment of starting dose of the combination is required on the basis of hepatic function in patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment. In patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment, the recommended starting dose of lenvatinib is 10 mg taken once daily in combination with the dose of everolimus recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment in the everolimus SmPC. Further dose adjustments may be necessary on the basis of individual tolerability. The combination should be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment only if the anticipated benefit exceeds the risk. Refer also to section 4.8, Other special populations.

Patients with renal impairment

No adjustment of starting dose is required on the basis of renal function in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. In patients with severe renal impairment, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg of lenvatinib with 5 mg of everolimus taken once daily. Further dose adjustments may be necessary based on individual tolerability. Patients with end-stage renal disease were not studied, therefore the use of lenvatinib in these patients is not recommended. Refer also to section 4.8, Other special populations.

Elderly population

No adjustment of starting dose is required on the basis of age. Limited data are available on use in patients aged ≥75 years (see also section 4.8, Other special populations).

Paediatric population

Lenvatinib should not be used in children younger than 2 years of age because of safety concerns identified in animal studies (see section 5.3). The safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in children aged 2 to <18 years have not yet been established (see section 5.1). No data are available.

Race

No adjustment of starting dose is required on the basis of race (see section 5.2). Limited data are available on use in patients from ethnic origins other than Caucasian or Asian (see also section 4.8, Other special populations).

Body weight below 60 kg

No adjustment of starting dose is required on the basis of body weight. Limited data are available on patients with a body weight below 60 kg with RCC (see also section 4.8, Other special populations).

Patients with high ECOG performance status

Patients with an ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status of 2 or higher were excluded from the RCC study (see section 5.1). Benefit-risk in these patients has not been evaluated.

Method of administration

Lenvatinib is for oral use. The capsules should be taken at about the same time each day, with or without food (see section 5.2). The capsules can be swallowed whole with water. Caregivers should not open the capsule, in order to avoid repeated exposure to the contents of the capsule.

Alternatively, the lenvatinib capsules may be added without breaking or crushing them to a tablespoon of water or apple juice in a small glass to produce a suspension. The capsules must be left in the liquid for at least 10 minutes and stirred for at least 3 minutes to dissolve the capsule shells. The suspension is to be swallowed. After drinking, the same amount of water or apple juice (one tablespoon) must be added to the glass and swirled a few times. The additional liquid must be swallowed.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Breast-feeding (see section 4.6).

Hypertension

Hypertension has been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib, usually occurring early in the course of treatment (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Blood pressure (BP) should be well controlled prior to treatment with lenvatinib and, if patients are known to be hypertensive, they should be on a stable dose of antihypertensive therapy for at least 1 week prior to treatment with lenvatinib. Serious complications of poorly controlled hypertension, including aortic dissection, have been reported. The early detection and effective management of hypertension are important to minimise the need for lenvatinib dose interruptions and reductions. Antihypertensive agents should be started as soon as elevated BP is confirmed. BP should be monitored after 1 week of treatment with lenvatinib, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and monthly thereafter. The choice of antihypertensive treatment should be individualised to the patient's clinical circumstances and follow standard medical practice. For previously normotensive subjects, monotherapy with one of the classes of antihypertensive should be started when elevated BP is observed. For those patients already on antihypertensive medication, the dose of the current agent may be increased, if appropriate, or one or more agents of a different class of antihypertensive should be added. When necessary, manage hypertension as recommended in Table 3.

Table 3

Recommended management of hypertension

Aneurysms and artery dissections

The use of VEGF pathway inhibitors in patients with or without hypertension may promote the formation of aneurysms and/or artery dissections. Before initiating lenvatinib, this risk should be carefully considered in patients with risk factors such as hypertension or history of aneurysm.

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential must use highly effective contraception while taking lenvatinib and for one month after stopping treatment (see section 4.6). It is currently unknown if lenvatinib increases the risk of thromboembolic events when combined with oral contraceptives.

Proteinuria

Proteinuria has been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib, usually occurring early in the course of treatment (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Urine protein should be monitored regularly. If urine dipstick proteinuria ≥2+ is detected, dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be necessary (see section 4.2). Cases of nephrotic syndrome have been reported in patients using lenvatinib. Lenvatinib should be discontinued in the event of nephrotic syndrome.

Renal failure and impairment

Renal impairment and renal failure have been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). The primary risk factor identified was dehydration and/or hypovolemia due to gastrointestinal toxicity. Gastrointestinal toxicity should be actively managed in order to reduce the risk of development of renal impairment or renal failure. Caution should be taken in patients receiving agents acting on the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system given a potentially higher risk for acute renal failure with the combination treatment. Dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be necessary (see section 4.2).

If patients have severe renal impairment, the initial dose of lenvatinib should be adjusted (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Cardiac dysfunction

Cardiac failure (<1%) and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction have been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Patients should be monitored for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac decompensation, as dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be necessary (see section 4.2).

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) / Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)

PRES, also known as RPLS, has been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib (<1%; see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). PRES is a neurological disorder which can present with headache, seizure, lethargy, confusion, altered mental function, blindness, and other visual or neurological disturbances. Mild to severe hypertension may be present. Magnetic resonance imaging is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of PRES. Appropriate measures should be taken to control blood pressure (see section 4.4, Hypertension). In patients with signs or symptoms of PRES, dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be necessary (see section 4.2).

Hepatotoxicity

Liver-related adverse reactions most commonly reported in patients treated with lenvatinib included increases in alanine aminotransferase, increases in aspartate aminotransferase, and increases in blood bilirubin. Hepatic failure and acute hepatitis (<1%; see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions) have been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib. The hepatic failure cases were generally reported in patients with progressive liver metastases. Liver function tests should be monitored before initiation of treatment, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months and monthly thereafter during treatment. In the case of hepatotoxicity, dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be necessary (see section 4.2).

If patients have severe hepatic impairment, the initial dose of lenvatinib should be adjusted (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Arterial thromboembolisms

Arterial thromboembolisms (cerebrovascular accident, transient ischaemic attack, and myocardial infarction) have been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Lenvatinib has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolism within the previous 6 months, and therefore should be used with caution in such patients. A treatment decision should be made based upon an assessment of the individual patient's benefit/risk. Lenvatinib should be discontinued following an arterial thrombotic event.

Haemorrhage

Serious tumour related bleeds, including fatal haemorrhagic events have occurred in clinical trials and have been reported in post-marketing experience (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). In post-marketing surveillance, serious and fatal carotid artery haemorrhages were seen more frequently in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) than in DTC or other tumour types. The degree of tumour invasion/infiltration of major blood vessels (e.g. carotid artery) should be considered because of the potential risk of severe haemorrhage associated with tumour shrinkage/necrosis following lenvatinib therapy. Some cases of bleeding have occurred secondarily to tumour shrinkage and fistula formation, e.g. tracheo-oesophageal fistulae. Cases of fatal intracranial haemorrhage have been reported in some patients with or without brain metastases. Bleeding in sites other than the brain (e.g. trachea, intra-abdominal, lung) has also been reported.

In the case of bleeding, dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be required (see Section 4.2, Table 2).

Gastrointestinal perforation and fistula formation

Gastrointestinal perforation or fistulae have been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib (see section 4.8). In most cases, gastrointestinal perforation and fistulae occurred in patients with risk factors such as prior surgery or radiotherapy. In the case of a gastrointestinal perforation or fistula, dose interruptions, adjustments, or discontinuation may be necessary (see section 4.2).

Non-Gastrointestinal fistula

Patients may be at increased risk for the development of fistulae when treated with lenvatinib. Cases of fistula formation or enlargement that involve other areas of the body than stomach or intestines were observed in clinical trials and in post-marketing experience (e.g. tracheal, tracheo-oesophageal, oesophageal, cutaneous, female genital tract fistulae). In addition, pneumothorax has been reported with and without clear evidence of a bronchopleural fistula. Some reports of fistula and pneumothorax occurred in association with tumour regression or necrosis. Prior surgery and radiotherapy may be contributing risk factors. Lung metastases may also increase the risk of pneumothorax. Lenvatinib should not be started in patients with fistulae to avoid worsening and lenvatinib should be permanently discontinued in patients with oesophageal or tracheobronchial tract involvement and any Grade 4 fistula (see section 4.2); limited information is available on the use of dose interruption or reduction in management of other events, but worsening was observed in some cases and caution should be taken. Lenvatinib may adversely affect the wound healing process as do other agents of the same class.

QT interval prolongation

QT/QTc interval prolongation has been reported at a higher incidence in patients treated with lenvatinib than in patients treated with placebo (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Electrocardiograms should be monitored in all patients with a special attention for those with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmics, and those taking medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Lenvatinib should be withheld in the event of development of QT interval prolongation greater than 500 ms. Lenvatinib should be resumed at a reduced dose when QTc prolongation is resolved to < 480 ms or baseline.

Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia, or hypomagnesaemia increase the risk of QT prolongation; therefore electrolyte abnormalities should be monitored and corrected in all patients before starting treatment. Periodic monitoring of ECG and electrolytes (magnesium, potassium and calcium) should be considered during treatment. Blood calcium levels should be monitored at least monthly and calcium should be replaced as necessary during lenvatinib treatment. Lenvatinib dose should be interrupted or dose adjusted as necessary depending on severity, presence of ECG changes, and persistence of hypocalcaemia.

Impairment of thyroid stimulating hormone suppression / Thyroid dysfunction

Hypothyroidism has been reported in patients treated with lenvatinib (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Thyroid function should be monitored before initiation of, and periodically throughout, treatment with lenvatinib. Hypothyroidism should be treated according to standard medical practice to maintain euthyroid state.

Lenvatinib impairs exogenous thyroid suppression (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels should be monitored on a regular basis and thyroid hormone administration should be adjusted to reach appropriate TSH levels, according to the patient's therapeutic target.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea has been reported frequently in patients treated with lenvatinib, usually occurring early in the course of treatment (see section 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions). Prompt medical management of diarrhoea should be instituted in order to prevent dehydration. Lenvatinib should be discontinued in the event of persistence of Grade 4 diarrhoea despite medical management.

Wound Healing Complications

No formal studies of the effect of lenvatinib on wound healing have been conducted. Impaired wound healing has been reported in patients receiving lenvatinib. Temporary interruption of lenvatinib should be considered in patients undergoing major surgical procedures. There is limited clinical experience regarding the timing of reinitiation of lenvatinib following a major surgical procedure. Therefore, the decision to resume lenvatinib following a major surgical procedure should be based on clinical judgment of adequate wound healing.

Special populations

Limited data are available for patients of ethnic origin other than Caucasian or Asian, and in patients aged ≥75 years. Lenvatinib should be used with caution in such patients, given the reduced tolerability of lenvatinib in Asian and elderly patients (see section 4.8, Other special populations).

There are no data on the use of lenvatinib immediately following sorafenib or other anticancer treatments and there may be a potential risk for additive toxicities unless there is an adequate washout period between treatments. The minimal washout period in clinical trials was of 4 weeks.

Effect of other medicinal products on lenvatinib

Chemotherapeutic agents

Concomitant administration of lenvatinib, carboplatin, and paclitaxel has no significant impact on the pharmacokinetics of any of these 3 substances. Additionally, in patients with RCC the pharmacokinetics of lenvatinib was not significantly affected by concomitant everolimus

Effect of lenvatinib on other medicinal products

CYP3A4 substrates

A clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) study in cancer patients showed that plasma concentrations of midazolam (a sensitive CYP3A and Pgp substrate) were not altered in the presence of lenvatinib. Additionally, in patients with RCC the pharmacokinetics of everolimus was not significantly affected by concomitant lenvatinib. No significant drug-drug interaction is therefore expected between lenvatinib and other CYP3A4/Pgp substrates.

Oral contraceptives

It is currently unknown whether lenvatinib may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, and therefore women using oral hormonal contraceptives should add a barrier method (see section 4.6).

Women of childbearing potential/ Contraception in females

Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant and use highly effective contraception while on treatment with lenvatinib and for at least one month after finishing treatment. It is currently unknown whether lenvatinib may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, and therefore women using oral hormonal contraceptives should add a barrier method.

Pregnancy

There are no data on the use of lenvatinib in pregnant women. Lenvatinib was embryotoxic and teratogenic when administered to rats and rabbits (see section 5.3).

Lenvatinib should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary and after a careful consideration of the needs of the mother and the risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether lenvatinib is excreted in human milk. Lenvatinib and its metabolites are excreted in rat milk (see section 5.3).

A risk to newborns or infants cannot be excluded and, therefore, lenvatinib is contraindicated during breast-feeding (see section 4.3).

Fertility

Effects in humans are unknown. However, testicular and ovarian toxicity has been observed in rats, dogs, and monkeys (see section 5.3).

Lenvatinib has a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines, due to undesirable effects such as fatigue and dizziness. Patients who experience these symptoms should use caution when driving or operating machines.

Summary of the safety profile

The safety profile of lenvatinib in combination with everolimus is based on data from 62 subjects, allowing characterisation only of common adverse drug reactions in RCC patients. The adverse reactions presented in this section are based on the combined safety data of 62 RCC patients (see section 5.1) and 458 DTC patients (see Lenvima SmPC).

The most frequently reported adverse reactions in the RCC and DTC patient populations (occurring in ≥30% of patients) were diarrhoea (80.6%), hypertension (70.1%)*, fatigue (59.7%), decreased appetite (53.7%), weight decreased (52.6%)*, vomiting (48.4%), nausea (45.2%), proteinuria (38.9%)*, stomatitis (36.9%)*, headache (35.8%)*, dysphonia (35.6%)*, palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (PPE) (34.1%)*, peripheral oedema (33.9%), and hypercholesterolemia (30.6%). Hypertension and proteinuria tend to occur early during lenvatinib treatment (see sections 4.4 and 4.8, Description of selected adverse reactions; the asterisked frequencies are from the DTC patient population).

The most important serious adverse reactions were renal failure and impairment (11.3%), arterial thromboembolisms (3.9%)*, cardiac failure (1.6%), cerebral haemorrhage (1.6%), intracranial tumour haemorrhage (0.7%)*, PRES / RPLS (0.2%)*, and hepatic failure (0.2%)* (the asterisked frequencies are from the DTC patient population).

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), adverse reactions led to dose reductions in 67.7% of patients and 18 (29.0%) patients discontinued the treatment. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reductions in the lenvatinib plus everolimus treated group were diarrhoea (21.0%), thrombocytopenia (6.5%), and vomiting (6.5%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions for RCC and DTC studies

Similar adverse reactions were observed in clinical trials in RCC and DTC. Adverse reactions that occur more frequently with combination therapy compared to lenvatinib monotherapy are hypothyroidism, (including increased blood thyroid stimulating hormone), hypercholesterolaemia, and severe diarrhoea.

Adverse reactions observed in clinical trials and reported from post-marketing use of lenvatinib are listed in Table 4..

Frequencies are defined as:

Within each frequency category, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 4 Adverse reactions reported in patients treated with lenvatinib

*: Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) version 17.1. Preferred terms have been reassigned to the SOC most relevant to the target organ.

**: These adverse reactions occur more frequently with combination therapy compared to lenvatinib monotherapy.

*.**.Identified from post-marketing use of lenvatinib

†

: Includes cases with a fatal outcome.

‡: See section 4.8 Description of selected adverse reactions for further characterisation.

The following terms have been combined:

a: Thrombocytopenia includes thrombocytopenia and decreased platelet count. Lymphopenia includes lymphopenia and decreased lymphocyte count.

b: Hypomagnesaemia includes hypomagnesaemia and decreased blood magnesium. Hypercholesterolaemia includes hypercholesterolaemia and increased blood cholesterol.

c: Myocardial infarction includes myocardial infarction and acute myocardial infarction.

d: Haemorrhage includes: epistaxis, haemoptysis, haematuria, contusion, haematochezia, gingival bleeding, petechiae, pulmonary haemorrhage, rectal haemorrhage, blood urine present, haematoma, vaginal haemorrhage, conjunctival haemorrhage, haemorrhoidal haemorrhage, intracranial tumour haemorrhage, laryngeal haemorrhage, ecchymosis, increased tendency to bruise, post procedural haemorrhage, purpura, skin haemorrhage, aneurysm ruptured, arterial haemorrhage, eye haemorrhage, gastric haemorrhage, gastroduodenitis haemorrhagic, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, haematemesis, haemorrhage, haemorrhagic stroke, melaena, metrorrhagia, nail bed bleeding, haemothorax, postmenopausal haemorrhage, proctitis haemorrhagic, renal haematoma, splenic haemorrhage, splinter haemorrhages, subarachnoid haemorrhage, tracheal haemorrhage, tumour haemorrhage.

e: Hypertension includes: hypertension, hypertensive crisis, increased blood pressure diastolic, and increased blood pressure.

f: Gastrointestinal and abdominal pain includes: abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, epigastric discomfort, and gastrointestinal pain.

g: Oral inflammation includes: aphthous ulcer, stomatitis, glossitis, mouth ulceration, and mucosal inflammation.

h: Oral pain includes: oral pain, glossodynia, and oropharyngeal pain.

i: Hepatocellular damage and hepatitis includes: drug-induced liver injury, hepatic steatosis, and cholestatic liver injury.

j: Renal failure includes: acute prerenal failure, renal failure, acute kidney injury, and renal tubular necrosis.

k: Non-gastrointestinal fistula includes cases of fistula occurring outside of the stomach and intestines such as tracheal, tracheo-oesophageal, oesophageal, female genital tract fistula, and cutaneous fistula.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Hypertension (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), hypertension was reported in 41.9% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group (the incidence of Grade 3 or Grade 4 hypertension was 12.9%) and 10.0% of patients in the everolimus-treated group (the incidence of Grade 3 or Grade 4 hypertension was 2.0%). The median time to onset was 4.9 weeks (any grade) and 6.9 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), hypertension (including hypertension, hypertensive crisis, blood pressure diastolic increased, and blood pressure increased) was reported in 72.8% of lenvatinib-treated patients and 16.0% of patients in the placebo-treated group. The median time to onset in lenvatinib-treated patients was 16 days. Reactions of Grade 3 or higher (including 1 reaction of Grade 4) occurred in 44.4% of lenvatinib-treated patients compared with 3.8% of placebo-treated patients. The majority of cases recovered or resolved following dose interruption or reduction, which occurred in 13.0% and 13.4% of patients, respectively. In 1.1% of patients, hypertension led to permanent treatment discontinuation.

Proteinuria (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), proteinuria was reported in 30.6% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group (8.1% were Grade ≥ 3) and 14.0% of patients in the everolimus-treated group (2.0% were Grade ≥3). The median time to onset of proteinuria was 6.1 weeks (any grade) and 20.1 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. Proteinuria led to permanent treatment discontinuation in 4.8% of patients.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), proteinuria was reported in 33.7% of lenvatinib-treated patients and 3.1% of patients in the placebo-treated group. The median time to onset was 6.7 weeks. Grade 3 reactions occurred in 10.7% of lenvatinib-treated patients and none in placebo-treated patients. The majority of cases had an outcome of recovered or resolved following dose interruption or reduction, which occurred in 16.9% and 10.7% of patients, respectively. Proteinuria led to permanent treatment discontinuation in 0.8% of patients.

Renal failure and impairment (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), 8.1% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus treated group developed renal failure and 3.2% developed renal impairment, (9.7% of patients had a Grade 3 event of renal failure or impairment). In the everolimus monotherapy group 2.0% of patients developed renal failure (2.0% were Grade 3).

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), 5.0% of patients developed renal failure and 1.9% developed renal impairment, (3.1% of patients had a Grade ≥ 3 event of renal failure or impairment). In the placebo group 0.8% of patients developed renal failure or impairment (0.8% were Grade ≥ 3).

Cardiac dysfunction (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), decreased ejection fraction/cardiac failure was reported in 4.8% of patients (3.2% were Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus treated group, and 4.0% in the everolimus group (2.0% were Grade ≥ 3). The median time to onset of decreased ejection fraction and cardiac failure was 15.7 weeks (any grade) and 32.8 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), decreased ejection fraction/cardiac failure was reported in 6.5% of patients (1.5% were Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib treated group, and 2.3% in the placebo group (none were Grade ≥ 3).

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) / Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), there was 1 event of PRES (Grade 3) in the lenvatinib-treated group, occurring after 18.4 weeks of treatment. There were no reports in the lenvatinib plus everolimus or everolimus monotherapy groups.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), there was 1 event of PRES (Grade 2) in the lenvatinib-treated group and no reports in the placebo group.

Amongst 1,166 patients treated with lenvatinib, there were 4 cases (0.3%) of PRES (0.3% were Grade 3 or 4), all of which resolved after treatment and/or dose interruption, or permanent discontinuation.

Hepatotoxicity (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), the most commonly reported liver-related adverse reactions in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group were elevations of liver enzyme levels, including increases in alanine aminotransferase (9.7%), aspartate aminotransferase (4.8%), alkaline phosphatase (4.8%), and blood bilirubin (3.2%). The median time to onset of liver events was 6.7 weeks (any grade) and 14.2 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. Grade 3 liver-related reactions occurred in 3.2% of lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated patients. Liver-related reactions led to dose interruptions and reductions in 1.6% and 1.6% of patients, respectively, and to permanent discontinuation in 3.2% of patients.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), the most commonly reported liver-related adverse reactions were hypoalbuminaemia (9.6% lenvatinib vs. 1.5% placebo) and elevations of liver enzyme levels, including increases in alanine aminotransferase (7.7% lenvatinib vs. 0 placebo), aspartate aminotransferase (6.9% lenvatinib vs. 1.5% placebo), and blood bilirubin (1.9% lenvatinib vs. 0 placebo). The median time to onset of liver reactions in lenvatinib-treated patients was 12.1 weeks. Liver-related reactions of Grade 3 or higher (including 1 Grade 5 case of hepatic failure) occurred in 5.4% of lenvatinib-treated patients compared with 0.8% in placebo-treated patients. Liver-related reactions led to dose interruptions and reductions in 4.6% and 2.7% of patients, respectively, and to permanent discontinuation in 0.4%.

Amongst 1,166 patients treated with lenvatinib, there were 3 cases (0.3%) of hepatic failure, all with a fatal outcome. One occurred in a patient with no liver metastases. There was also a case of acute hepatitis in a patient without liver metastases.

Arterial thromboembolisms (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), 1.6% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group reported arterial thromboembolic events. The time to onset was 69.6 weeks. In the everolimus group, 6.0% of patients reported an arterial thromboembolism (4.0% were Grade ≥ 3). In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), arterial thromboembolic events were reported in 5.4% of lenvatinib-treated patients and 2.3% of patients in the placebo group.

Amongst 1,166 patients treated with lenvatinib, there were 5 cases (0.4%) of arterial thromboembolisms (3 cases of myocardial infarction and 2 cases of cerebrovascular accident) with a fatal outcome.

Haemorrhage (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), haemorrhage was reported in 38.7% (8.1% were Grade ≥ 3) of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. Reactions that occurred at an incidence of ≥2.0% were: epistaxis (22.6%), haematuria (4.8%), haematoma (3.2%), and gastric haemorrhage (3.2%). The median time to first onset of was 10.2 weeks (any grade) and 7.6 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. The incidence of serious haemorrhage was 4.8% (cerebral haemorrhage, gastric haemorrhage and haemarthrosis). Discontinuation due to haemorrhagic events occurred in 3.2% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. There was one case of fatal cerebral haemorrhage in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group and one case of fatal intracranial haemorrhage in the lenvatinib-treated group.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), haemorrhage was reported in 34.9% (1.9% were Grade ≥ 3) of lenvatinib-treated patients versus 18.3% (3.1% were Grade ≥ 3) of placebo-treated patients. Reactions that occurred at an incidence of ≥0.75% above placebo were: epistaxis (11.9%), haematuria (6.5%), contusion (4.6%), gingival bleeding (2.3%), haematochezia (2.3%), rectal haemorrhage (1.5%), haematoma (1.1%), haemorrhoidal haemorrhage (1.1%), laryngeal haemorrhage (1.1%), petechiae (1.1%), and intracranial tumour haemorrhage (0.8%). In this trial, there was 1 case of fatal intracranial haemorrhage among 16 patients who received lenvatinib and had CNS metastases at baseline.

The median time to first onset in lenvatinib-treated patients was 10.1 weeks. No differences between lenvatinib- and placebo-treated patients were observed in the incidences of serious reactions (3.4% vs. 3.8%), reactions leading to premature discontinuation (1.1% vs. 1.5%), or reactions leading to dose interruption (3.4% vs. 3.8%) or reduction (0.4% vs. 0).

Amongst 1,166 patients treated with lenvatinib, Grade 3 or greater haemorrhage was reported in 2% of patients, 3 patients (0.3%) had a Grade 4 haemorrhage and 5 patients (0.4%) had a Grade 5 reaction including arterial haemorrhage, haemorrhagic stroke, intracranial tumour haemorrhage, haemoptysis and tumour haemorrhage.

Hypocalcaemia (see section 4.4, QT interval prolongation)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), hypocalcaemia was reported in 8.1% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group (3.2% were Grade ≥ 3) and 4.0% of patients in the everolimus-treated group (none were Grade ≥ 3). The median time to onset of hypocalcaemia was 28.3 weeks (any grade) and 45.9 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. There was one Grade 4 TEAE. No events of hypocalcaemia required dose reduction or interruption, and no patients discontinued treatment due to hypocalcaemia.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), hypocalcaemia was reported in 12.6% of lenvatinib-treated patients vs. no cases in the placebo arm. The median time to first onset in lenvatinib-treated patients was 11.1 weeks. Reactions of Grade 3 or 4 severity occurred in 5.0% of lenvatinib-treated vs 0 placebo-treated patients. Most reactions resolved following supportive treatment, without dose interruption or reduction, which occurred in 1.5% and 1.1% of patients, respectively; 1 patient with Grade 4 hypocalcaemia discontinued treatment permanently.

Gastrointestinal perforation and fistula formation (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), 1.6% of cases of perforated appendicitis (of Grade 3) occurred in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group; there were no reports in the lenvatinib or everolimus groups.

In the DTC study, events of gastrointestinal perforation or fistula were reported in 1.9% of lenvatinib-treated patients and 0.8% of patients in the placebo group.

Non-Gastrointestinal fistulae (see section 4.4)

Lenvatinib use has been associated with cases of fistulae including reactions resulting in death. Reports of fistulae that involve areas of the body other than stomach or intestines were observed across various indications. Reactions were reported at various time points during treatment ranging from two weeks to greater than 1 year from initiation of lenvatinib, with a median latency of about 3 months.

QT interval prolongation (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), QTc interval increases greater than 60 ms were reported in 11% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. The incidence of QTc interval greater than 500 ms was 6% in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. No reports of QTc interval prolongation greater than 500 ms or increases greater than 60 ms occurred in the everolimus-treated group.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), QT/QTc interval prolongation was reported in 8.8% of lenvatinib-treated patients and 1.5% of patients in the placebo group. The incidence of QT interval prolongation of greater than 500 ms was 2% in the lenvatinib-treated patients compared to no reports in the placebo group.

Blood thyroid stimulating hormone increased (see section 4.4 Impairment of thyroid stimulating hormone suppression / Thyroid dysfunction) (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), hypothyroidism occurred in 24% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group and 2% of patients in the everolimus-treated group. All events of hypothyroidism in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group were of Grade 1 or 2. In patients with a normal TSH at baseline, an elevation of TSH level was observed post baseline in 60.5% of lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated patients as compared with none in patients receiving everolimus alone.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), 88% of all patients had a baseline TSH level less than or equal to 0.5 mU/L. In those patients with a normal TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH level above 0.5 mU/L was observed post baseline in 57% of lenvatinib-treated patients as compared with 14% of placebo-treated patients.

Diarrhoea (see section 4.4)

In the RCC study (see section 5.1), diarrhoea was reported in 80.6% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group (21.0% were Grade ≥ 3) and in 34.0% of patients in the everolimus-treated group (2.0% were Grade ≥ 3). The median time to onset was 4.1 weeks (any grade) and 8.1 weeks (Grade ≥ 3) in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treated group. Diarrhoea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction and recurred despite dose reduction. Diarrhoea resulted in discontinuation in one patient.

In the DTC study (see Lenvima SmPC), diarrhoea was reported in 67.4% of patients in the lenvatinib-treated group (9.2% were Grade ≥ 3) and in 16.8% of patients in the placebo group (none were Grade ≥ 3).

Paediatric population

See section 4.2 for information on paediatric use.

Other special populations

Elderly

There are limited data on patients of age ≥75 years with RCC. However, in DTC, patients of age ≥75 years were more likely to experience Grade 3 or 4 hypertension, proteinuria, decreased appetite, and dehydration.

Gender

In patients with DTC, females had a higher incidence of hypertension (including Grade 3 or 4 hypertension), proteinuria, and PPE, while males had a higher incidence of decreased ejection fraction and gastrointestinal perforation and fistula formation.

Ethnic origin

There are limited data on Asian patients with RCC. However, in DTC Asian patients had a higher incidence than Caucasian patients of peripheral oedema, hypertension, fatigue, PPE, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, and blood thyroid stimulating hormone increased.

Baseline hypertension

In DTC, patients with baseline hypertension had a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 hypertension, proteinuria, diarrhoea, and dehydration, and experienced more serious cases of dehydration, hypotension, pulmonary embolism, malignant pleural effusion, atrial fibrillation, and GI symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting). In RCC, patients with baseline hypertension had a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 dehydration, fatigue, and hypertension.

Baseline diabetes

In RCC, patients with baseline diabetes had a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and acute renal failure.

Hepatic impairment

There are limited data on patients with hepatic impairment in RCC. However in DTC, patients with baseline hepatic impairment had a higher incidence of hypertension and PPE, and a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 hypertension, asthenia, fatigue, and hypocalcaemia compared with patients with normal hepatic function.

Renal impairment

In DTC, patients with baseline renal impairment had a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 hypertension, proteinuria, fatigue, stomatitis, oedema peripheral, thrombocytopenia, dehydration, prolonged electrocardiogram QT, hypothyroidism, hyponatraemia, blood thyroid stimulating hormone increased, pneumonia compared with subjects with normal renal function. These patients also had a higher incidence of renal reactions and a trend towards a higher incidence of liver reactions. In RCC, patients with baseline renal impairment had a higher incidence of Grade 3 fatigue.

Patients with body weight <60 kg

There are limited data on patients with body weight <60 kg in RCC. However in DTC patients with low body weight (<60 kg) had a higher incidence of PPE, proteinuria, of Grade 3 or 4 hypocalcaemia and hyponatraemia, and a trend towards a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 decreased appetite.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

The highest doses of lenvatinib studied clinically were 32 mg and 40 mg per day. Accidental medication errors resulting in single doses of 40 to 48 mg have also occurred in clinical trials. The most frequently observed adverse drug reactions at these doses were hypertension, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, stomatitis, proteinuria, headache, and aggravation of PPE. There have also been reports of overdose with lenvatinib involving single administrations of 6 to 10 times the recommended daily dose. These cases were associated with adverse reactions consistent with the known safety profile of lenvatinib (i.e., renal and cardiac failure), or were without adverse reactions.

There is no specific antidote for overdose with lenvatinib. In case of suspected overdose, lenvatinib should be withheld and appropriate supportive care given as required.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: antineoplastic agents, protein kinase inhibitors, ATC code: L01EX08

Mechanism of action

Lenvatinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that selectively inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4), in addition to other proangiogenic and oncogenic pathway-related RTKs including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4, the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor PDGFRα, KIT, and RET. The combination of lenvatinib and everolimus showed increased antiangiogenic and antitumour activity as demonstrated by decreased human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signalling in vitro and tumour volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than each drug alone.

Although not studied directly with lenvatinib, the mechanism of action (MOA) for hypertension is postulated to be mediated by the inhibition of VEGFR2 in vascular endothelial cells. Similarly, although not studied directly, the MOA for proteinuria is postulated to be mediated by downregulation of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in the podocytes of the glomerulus.

The mechanism of action for hypothyroidism is not fully elucidated.

The mechanism of action for the worsening of hypercholesterolemia with the combination has not been studied directly and is not fully elucidated.

Although not studied directly, the MOA for the worsening of diarrhoea with the combination is postulated to be mediated by the impairment of intestinal function related to the MOAs for the individual agents – VEGF/VEGFR and c-KIT inhibition by lenvatinib coupled with mTOR/NHE3 inhibition by everolimus.

Clinical efficacy and safety

A multicentre, randomised, open-label, trial was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib administered alone or in combination with everolimus in subjects with unresectable advanced or metastatic RCC. The study consisted of a Phase 1b dose finding and a Phase 2 portion. The Phase 1b portion included 11 patients who received the combination of 18 mg of lenvatinib plus 5 mg of everolimus. The Phase 2 portion enrolled a total of 153 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic RCC following 1 prior VEGF-targeted treatment. A total of 62 patients received the combination of lenvatinib and everolimus at the recommended dose. Patients were required, among others, to have histological confirmation of predominant clear cell RCC, radiographic evidence of disease progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), one prior VEGF-targeted therapy and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) of 0 or 1.

Patients were randomly allocated to one of 3 arms: 18 mg of lenvatinib plus 5 mg of everolimus, 24 mg of lenvatinib or 10 mg of everolimus using a 1:1:1 ratio. Patients were stratified by haemoglobin level (≤13 g/dL vs. >13 g/dL for males and ≤11.5 g/dL vs >11.5 g/dL for females) and corrected serum calcium (≥10 mg/dL vs. <10 mg/dL). The median of average daily dose in the combination arm per subject was 13.5 mg of lenvatinib (75.0% of the intended dose of 18 mg) and 4.7 mg of everolimus (93.6% of the intended dose of 5 mg). The final dose level in the combination arm was 18 mg for 29% of patients, 14 mg for 31% of patients, 10 mg for 23% of patients, 8 mg for 16% of patients and 4 mg for 2% of patients.

Of the 153 patients randomly allocated, 73% were male, the median age was 61 years, 37% were 65 years or older, 7% were 75 years or older, and 97% were Caucasian. Metastases were present in 95% of the patients and unresectable advanced disease was present in 5%. All patients had a baseline ECOG PS of either 0 (55%) or 1 (45%) with similar distribution across the 3 treatment arms. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) poor risk was observed in 39% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus arm, 44% in the lenvatinib arm and 38% in the everolimus arm. International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) poor risk was observed in 20% of patients in the lenvatinib plus everolimus arm, 23% in the lenvatinib arm, and 24% in the everolimus arm. The median time from diagnosis to first dose was 32 months in the lenvatinib plus everolimus-treatment arm, 33 months in the lenvatinib arm and 26 months in the everolimus arm. All patients had been treated with 1 prior VEGF-inhibitor; 65% with sunitinib, 23% with pazopanib, 4% with tivozanib, 3% with bevacizumab, and 2% each with sorafenib or axitinib.

The primary efficacy outcome measure, based on investigator assessed tumour response, was progression-free survival (PFS) of the lenvatinib plus everolimus arm vs the everolimus arm and of the lenvatinib arm vs the everolimus arm. Other efficacy outcome measures included overall survival (OS) and investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR). Tumour assessments were evaluated according to RECIST 1.1.

The lenvatinib plus everolimus arm showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with the everolimus arm (see Table 5 and Figure 1). Based on the results of a post-hoc exploratory analysis in a limited number of patients per subgroup, the positive effect on PFS was seen regardless of which prior VEGF-targeted therapy was used: sunitinib (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.356 [95% CI: 0.188, 0.674] or other therapies (HR = 0.350 [95% CI: 0.148, 0.828]). The lenvatinib arm also showed an improvement in PFS compared with the everolimus arm. Overall survival was longer in the lenvatinib plus everolimus arm (see Table 5 and Figure 2). The study was not powered for the OS analysis.

The treatment effect of the combination on PFS and ORR was also supported by a post-hoc retrospective independent blinded review of scans. The lenvatinib plus everolimus arm showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with the everolimus arm. Results for ORR were consistent with that of the investigators' assessments, 35.3% in the lenvatinib plus everolimus arm, with one complete response and 17 partial responses; no subject had an objective response in the everolimus arm (P < 0.0001) in favour of the lenvatinib plus everolimus arm.

Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier Plot of Progression-Free Survival

(Investigator Assessment)

Figure 2: Kaplan-Meier Plot of Overall Survival

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with lenvatinib in all subsets of the paediatric population in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC).

Pharmacokinetic parameters of lenvatinib have been studied in healthy adult subjects, adult subjects with hepatic impairment, renal impairment, and solid tumours.

Absorption

Lenvatinib is rapidly absorbed after oral administration with t_max typically observed from 1 to 4 hours postdose. Food does not affect the extent of absorption, but slows the rate of absorption. When administered with food to healthy subjects, peak plasma concentrations are delayed by 2 hours. Absolute bioavailability has not been determined in humans; however, data from a mass-balance study suggests that it is in the order of 85%.

Distribution

In vitro binding of lenvatinib to human plasma proteins is high and ranged from 98% to 99% (0.3 - 30 μg/mL, mesylate). This binding was mainly to albumin with minor binding to α1-acid glycoprotein and γ-globulin.

In vitro, the lenvatinib blood-to-plasma concentration ratio ranged from 0.589 to 0.608 (0.1 – 10 μg/mL, mesylate).

In vitro studies indicate that lenvatinib is a substrate for P-gp and BCRP. Lenvatinib shows minimal or no inhibitory activities toward P-gp mediated and BCRP mediated transport activities. Similarly, no induction of P-gp mRNA expression was observed. Lenvatinib is not a substrate for OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1, OCT2, or the BSEP. In human liver cytosol, lenvatinib did not inhibit aldehyde oxidase activity.

In patients, the median apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) of the first dose ranged from 50.5 L to 92 L and was generally consistent across the dose groups from 3.2 mg to 32 mg. The analogous median apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vz/Fss) was also generally consistent and ranged from 43.2 L to 121 L.

Biotransformation

In vitro, cytochrome P450 3A4 was demonstrated as the predominant (>80%) isoform involved in the P450-mediated metabolism of lenvatinib. However, in vivo data indicated that non-P450-mediated pathways contributed to a significant portion of the overall metabolism of lenvatinib. Consequently, in vivo, inducers and inhibitors of CYP 3A4 had a minimal effect on lenvatinib exposure (see section 4.5).

In human liver microsomes, the demethylated form of lenvatinib (M2) was identified as the main metabolite. M2' and M3', the major metabolites in human faeces, were formed from M2 and lenvatinib, respectively, by aldehyde oxidase.

In plasma samples collected up to 24 hours after administration, lenvatinib constituted 97% of the radioactivity in plasma radiochromatograms while the M2 metabolite accounted for an additional 2.5%. Based on AUC_{(0 – inf)}, lenvatinib accounted for 60% and 64% of the total radioactivity in plasma and blood, respectively.

Data from a human mass balance/excretion study indicate lenvatinib is extensively metabolised in humans. The main metabolic pathways in humans were identified as oxidation by aldehyde oxidase, demethylation via CYP3A4, glutathione conjugation with elimination of the O-aryl group (chlorophenyl moiety), and combinations of these pathways followed by further biotransformations (e.g., glucuronidation, hydrolysis of the glutathione moiety, degradation of the cysteine moiety, and intramolecular rearrangement of the cysteinylglycine and cysteine conjugates with subsequent dimerisation). These in vivo metabolic routes align with the data provided in the in vitro studies using human biomaterials.

In vitro transporter studies

Please see distribution section.

Elimination

Plasma concentrations decline bi-exponentially following C_max. The mean terminal exponential half-life of lenvatinib is approximately 28 hours.

Following administration of radiolabelled lenvatinib to 6 patients with solid tumours, approximately two-thirds and one-fourth of the radiolabel were eliminated in the faeces and urine, respectively. The M3 metabolite was the predominant analyte in excreta (~17% of the dose), followed by M2' (~11% of the dose) and M2 (~4.4 of the dose).

Linearity/non-linearity

Dose proportionality and accumulation

In patients with solid tumours administered single and multiple doses of lenvatinib once daily, exposure to lenvatinib (C_max and AUC) increased in direct proportion to the administered dose over the range of 3.2 to 32 mg once-daily.

Lenvatinib displays minimimal accumulation at steady state. Over this range, the median accumulation index (Rac) ranged from 0.96 (20 mg) to 1.54 (6.4 mg).

Special populations

Hepatic impairment

The pharmacokinetics of lenvatinib following a single 10-mg dose were evaluated in 6 subjects each with mild and moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B, respectively). A 5-mg dose was evaluated in 6 subjects with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Eight healthy, demographically matched subjects served as controls and received a 10-mg dose. The median half-life was comparable in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment as well as those with normal hepatic function and ranged from 26 hours to 31 hours. The percentage of the dose of lenvatinib excreted in urine was low in all cohorts (<2.16% across treatment cohorts).

Lenvatinib exposure, based on dose-adjusted AUC0-t and AUC0-inf data, was 119%, 107%, and 180% of normal for subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment, respectively. It has been determined that plasma protein binding in plasma from hepatically impaired subjects was similar to the respective matched healthy subjects and no concentration dependency was observed. See section 4.2 for dosing recommendation.

Renal impairment

The pharmacokinetics of lenvatinib following a single 24-mg dose were evaluated in 6 subjects each with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, and compared with 8 healthy, demographically matched subjects. Subjects with end-stage renal disease were not studied.

Lenvatinib exposure, based on AUC0-inf data, was 101%, 90%, and 122% of normal for subjects with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, respectively. It has been determined that plasma protein binding in plasma from renally impaired subjects was similar to the respective matched healthy subjects and no concentration dependency was observed. See section 4.2 for dosing recommendation.

Age, sex, weight, race

Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis of patients receiving up to 24 mg lenvatinib once daily, age, sex, weight, and race (Japanese vs. other, Caucasian vs. other) had no significant effects on clearance (see section 4.2).

Paediatric population

Paediatric patients have not been studied.

In the repeated-dose toxicity studies (up to 39 weeks), lenvatinib caused toxicologic changes in various organs and tissues related to the expected pharmacologic effects of lenvatinib including glomerulopathy, testicular hypocellularity, ovarian follicular atresia, gastrointestinal changes, bone changes, changes to the adrenals (rats and dogs), and arterial (arterial fibrinoid necrosis, medial degeneration, or haemorrhage) lesions in rats, dogs, and cynomolgus monkeys. Elevated transaminase levels asociated with signs of hepatotoxicity, were also observed in rats, dogs and monkeys. Reversibility of the toxicologic changes was observed at the end of a 4-week recovery period in all animal species investigated.

Genotoxicity

Lenvatinib was not genotoxic.

Carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted with lenvatinib.

Reproductive and developmental toxicity

No specific studies with lenvatinib have been conducted in animals to evaluate the effect on fertility. However, testicular (hypocellularity of the seminiferous epithelium) and ovarian changes (follicular atresia) were observed in repeated-dose toxicity studies in animals at exposures 11 to 15 times (rat) or 0.6 to 7 times (monkey) the anticipated clinical exposure (based on AUC) at the maximum tolerated human dose. These findings were reversible at the end of a 4-week recovery period.

Administration of lenvatinib during organogenesis resulted in embryolethality and teratogenicity in rats (foetal external and skeletal anomalies) at exposures below the clinical exposure (based on AUC) at the maximum tolerated human dose, and rabbits (foetal external, visceral or skeletal anomalies) based on body surface area; mg/m² at the maximum tolerated human dose. These findings indicate that lenvatinib has a teratogenic potential, likely related to the pharmacologic activity of lenvatinib as an antiangiogenic agent.

Lenvatinib and its metabolites are excreted in rat milk.

Juvenile animal toxicity studies

Mortality was the dose-limiting toxicity in juvenile rats in which dosing was initiated on postnatal day (PND) 7 or PND21 and was observed at exposures that were respectively 125- or 12-fold lower compared with the exposure at which mortality was observed in adult rats, suggesting an increasing sensitivity to toxicity with decreasing age. Therefore mortality may be attributed to complications related to primary duodenal lesions with possible contribution from additional toxicities in immature target organs.

The toxicity of lenvatinib was more prominent in younger rats (dosing initiated on PND7) compared with those with dosing initiated on PND21 and mortality and some toxicities were observed earlier in the juvenile rats at 10 mg/kg compared with adult rats administered the same dose level. Growth retardation, secondary delay of physical development, and lesions attributable to pharmacologic effects (incisors, femur [epiphyseal growth plate], kidneys, adrenals, and duodenum) were also observed in juvenile rats.

Capsule contents

Calcium carbonate

Mannitol

Microcrystalline cellulose

Hydroxypropylcellulose

Low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose

Talc

Capsule shell

Hypromellose

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Yellow iron oxide (E172)

Red iron oxide (E172)

Printing ink

Shellac

Black iron oxide (E172)

Potassium hydroxide

Propylene glycol

Not applicable.

4 years.

Do not store above 25°C.

Store in the original blister in order to protect from moisture.

Polyamide/Aluminium/PVC/Aluminium blisters containing 10 capsules. Each carton contains 30, 60, or 90hard capsules.Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Caregivers should not open the capsule, in order to avoid repeated exposure to the contents of the capsule.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Eisai GmbH

Edmund-Rumpler-Straße 3

60549 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

E-mail: medinfo_de@eisai.net

Kisplyx 4 mg hard capsules

EU/1/16/1128/001

EU/1/16/1128/003

EU/1/16/1128/004

Kisplyx 10 mg hard capsules

EU/1/16/1128/002

EU/1/16/1128/005

EU/1/16/1128/006

Date of first authorisation: 25 August 2016

03/2021

KISP/0036/2021