Abstract
Amivantamab (amivantamab-vmjw; Rybrevant™), a bispecific monoclonal antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET), is being developed by Janssen Biotech for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). On 21 May 2021, amivantamab received its first approval in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC harbouring EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutations whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Amivantamab is in preregistration for NSCLC in the EU, Australia, Japan, Canada, Switzerland and China. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of amivantamab leading to this first approval for NSCLC.
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A bispecific EGFR and MET antibody being developed by Janssen Biotech for the treatment of NSCLC. |
Received its first approval on 21 May 2021 in the USA. |
Approved for use in adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC harbouring EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutations whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. |
1 Introduction
Amivantamab (amivantamab-vmjw; Rybrevant™) is a fully human bispecific monoclonal antibody directed against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) [1]. It is being developed by Janssen Biotech, using Genmab’s DuoBody® technology, for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Activating EGFR mutations acquire resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) through multiple mechanisms, including secondary EGFR mutation and activation of the c-MET pathway [2, 3]. Amivantamab concurrently binds to the extracellular domains of both EGFR and MET, thereby blocks their interactions with the cognate ligands, resulting in the disruption of these signalling pathways [2, 3].
Intravenous amivantamab received its first approval on 21 May 2021 in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC harbouring EGFR Exon 20 insertion (Ex20ins) mutations, as detected by a US FDA-approved test (Sect. 2.6), whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy [4, 5]. This was an accelerated approval based on the overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) seen in the phase I CHRYSALIS study. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefits in confirmatory trials. The recommended dosage of amivantamab is 1050 mg and 1400 mg in patients weighing < 80 kg and ≥ 80 kg, respectively, weekly for every 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The first dose should be split into two and administered on days 1 and 2 [4].
Amivantamab has been filed for approval for the treatment of NSCLC in the EU, Australia, Japan, Canada, Switzerland and China, under the US FDA’s Project Orbis. The agent is also undergoing phase III development for NSCLC worldwide. In addition to the intravenous formulation, Janssen Biotech is developing a human hyaluronidase-based subcutaneous formulation of amivantamab, using Halozyme Therapeutics' ENHANZE™ technology; this formulation is under phase I development in the UK, the USA and South Korea.
1.1 Company Agreements
In July 2020, Guardant Health signed an agreement with Janssen Biotech to pursue regulatory approval and commercialisation of Guardant360® CDx as a companion diagnostic for amivantamab in the treatment of NSCLC in Europe, USA, Canada and Japan [6].
In December 2014, Halozyme Therapeutics entered into a global collaboration and license agreement with Janssen Biotec to develop and commercialize subcutaneous therapeutics, combining Janssen’s proprietary compounds with Halozyme's ENHANZE™ technology [7]. ENHANZE is based on a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme that temporarily modifies hyaluronan to facilitate dispersion and absorption of injected drugs. In December 2019, Janssen elected EGFR and MET targets on an exclusive basis as part of amivantamab development [8].
In July 2012, Genmab entered into a research and development collaboration with Janssen Biotech for up to 10 bispecific antibody programmes targeting multiple diseases, using Genmab’s DuoBody® technology [9]. The agreement was expanded in December 2013 to include up to 10 additional programmes [10]. Genmab is entitled to upfront, milestone and royalty payments [9, 10].
2 Scientific Summary
2.1 Pharmacodynamics
Amivantamab was produced from engineered Chinese hamster ovary cell lines with low levels of fucosylation, resulting in enhanced binding to FcγRIIIa on immune cells and enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) [2, 3]. Amivantamab exhibits multiple mechanism of action, including Fc-independent (blockade of EGFR and MET signalling via ligand binding and receptor inactivation) and Fc-mediated (ADCC) mechanisms, with the latter being essential for maximal tumour inhibition [2, 3]. Interaction of the amivantamab Fc domain with Fcγ receptors on natural killer cells leads to ADCC and with Fcγ receptors on monocytes and macrophages leads to cytokine production and trogocytosis [11]. Trogocytosis, which downmodulates EGFR and MET receptors and their downstream signalling, is considered a dominant mechanism of action of amivantamab [11].
In Ba/F3 and/or patient-derived cells harbouring various EGFR Ex20ins mutations, treatment with amivantamab led to EGFR and MET internalization, inhibition of EGFR- and MET-mediated downstream signalling cascades, induction of ADCC and apoptosis, and subsequent inhibition of tumour cell proliferation [12]. Consistent with these findings, amivantamab decreased tumour volume in a patient-derived xenograft mice model harbouring an EGFR Ex20ins mutation [12]. Amivantamab also exhibited potent antitumor activity in patient-derived cell and xenograft models of acquired resistance to first-, second- and third-generation TKIs [13].
2.2 Pharmacokinetics
Following intravenous administration, amivantamab exposure increased proportionally over a dose range of 350–1750 mg [4]. Steady state was achieved by the ninth infusion, with an accumulation ratio of 2.4. The mean volume of distribution of amivantamab is 5.13 L, mean clearance is 360 mL/day and the terminal half-life is 11.3 days [4].
Features and properties of amivantamab
Alternative names | Ami-LC-MD; Amivantamab admixed with rHuPH20; Amivantamab-vmjw; Bispecific EGFR-cMet antibody; CNTO4424; EGFR-MET bispecific antibody; EGFRxcMET bispecific antibody; JNJ 372; JNJ-61186372; JNJ-6372; RYBREVANT |
Class | Antineoplastics; bispecific antibodies; immunotherapies |
Mechanism of action | Dual blockade of EGFR and MET signalling; antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) |
Route of administration | Intravenous; subcutaneous |
Pharmacodynamics | Induces EGFR and MET internalization; inhibits EGFR- and MET-mediated downstream signalling; induces ADCC and apoptosis; inhibits tumour cell proliferation |
Pharmacokinetics | Dose proportional exposure; mean volume of distribution 5.13 L; mean clearance 360 mL/day; terminal half-life 11.3 days; volume of distribution and clearance increased with increasing bodyweight |
Most frequent adverse events | Rash, infusion-related reactions, paronychia, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnoea, nausea, fatigue, oedema, stomatitis, cough, constipation, and vomiting |
ATC codes | |
WHO ATC code | L01 (Antineoplastic Agents) |
EphMRA ATC code | L1 (Antineoplastics) |
CAS number (Unique Ingredient Identifier) | 2171511-58-1 (0JSR7Z0NB6) |
Amivantamab volume of distribution and clearance increased with increasing bodyweight [4]. At the same dose, exposures were 30–40% lower in patients weighing ≥ 80 kg than in those weighing < 80 kg. A 1400 mg dose in patients weighing ≥ 80 kg and a 1050 mg dose in those weighing < 80 kg produced a similar level of exposure. Age (32–87 years), sex, creatinine clearance (CLCR; 29–276 mL/min) or mild hepatic impairment [total bilirubin ≤ upper limit of the normal (ULN) and AST > ULN or total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × ULN] had no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of amivantamab. The effect of severe kidney function impairment (CLCR15–29 mL/min) or moderate (total bilirubin 1.5–3 × ULN) to severe (total bilirubin > 3 × ULN) hepatic impairment has not been evaluated [4].
2.3 Therapeutic Trials
The efficacy of amivantamab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and EGFR Ex20ins mutations was demonstrated in an open-label, multicentre, multi-cohort, phase I trial (CHRYSALIS; NCT02609776) [4, 14]. Eligible patients had progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy [4]. Patients with untreated brain metastases and those with a history of interstitial lung disease (ILD) requiring prolonged treatment with steroids or other immunosuppressive agents were among those excluded. Patients received the recommended phase II dose of amivantamab 1050 mg (if bodyweight was < 80 kg) or 1400 mg (if bodyweight was ≥ 80 kg) once weekly for 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The ORR (based on the RECIST v1.1 criteria) was the main efficacy endpoint and the DOR was an additional endpoint, both evaluated by a blinded independent central review. In the efficacy population (n = 81), the median age was 62 years, 59% of patients were female, 49% were Asian, 37% were White, 2.5% were Black, 67% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1, 95% had adenocarcinoma and 46% had received prior immunotherapy. All patients had metastatic disease, with 22% having previously treated brain metastases. Patients had received a median two prior therapies. The ORR was 40% (95% CI 29–51%) [complete response 3.7%, partial response 36%]. The median DOR was 11.1 months (95% CI 6.9 to not estimable); 63% of patients had a DOR of ≥ 6 months [4]. Median progression-free and overall survival were 8.3 and 22.8 months, respectively [14].
Key clinical trials of amivantamab (Janssen Biotech)
Drug(s) | Indication | Phase | Status | Location(s) | Identifier |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amivantamab, lazertinib, osimertinib | NSCLC | III | Recruiting | Multinational | MARIPOSA, NCT04487080, EudraCT2020-000743-31, CR108856, 73841937NSC3003 |
Amivantamab, carboplatin, pemetrexed | NSCLC | III | Recruiting | Multinational | PAPILLON, NCT04538664, EudraCT2020-000633-40, CR108850, 61186372NSC3001 |
Amivantamab, lazertinib, carboplatin, pemetrexed | NSCLC | I | Recruiting | Multinational | CHRYSALIS, NCT02609776, EudraCT2018-003908-38, JapicCTI184169, CR108064, 61186372EDI1001 |
Amivantamab, carboplatin, lazertinib, pemetrexed | NSCLC | I | Recruiting | Multinational | CHRYSALIS-2, NCT04077463, EudraCT2020-000747-31, CR108656, 73841937NSC1001 |
Amivantamab (SC), hyaluronidase | Solid tumours | I | Recruiting | Multinational | NCT04606381, EudraCT2020-003225-36, CR108891, 61186372NSC1003 |
Amivantamab | NSCLC | EAP | Recruiting | USA | NCT04599712, CR108905, 61186372LUC4001 |
In part 1 of CHRYSALIS, amivantamab in combination with lazertinib (a third generation EGFR TKI) showed encouraging preliminary activity, including in patients who had progressed on osimertinib (also a third generation EGFR TKI) [15].
2.4 Adverse Events
In 302 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who received amivantamab monotherapy at the approved dosage, the most common (incidence ≥ 20%) adverse reactions were rash, infusion-related reaction, paronychia, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnoea, nausea, oedema, cough, fatigue, stomatitis, constipation, vomiting and pruritus [4].
In 129 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR Ex20ins mutations who had progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and treated with amivantamab, the most common (incidence ≥ 2%) grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions were rash (3.9%), diarrhoea (3.1%), paronychia (3.1%), fatigue (2.3%) and dyspnoea (2.3%) [4]. The most common (incidence ≥ 2%) grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities were decreased lymphocytes, decreased albumin, decreased phosphate, decreased potassium, increased glucose, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase and decreased sodium. Adverse reactions led to amivantamab dose interruption in 78% of patients, dose reduction in 15% and permanent treatment discontinuation in 11% of patients; pneumonia, infusion-related reaction, pneumonitis/ILD, dyspnoea, pleural effusion and rash each led to the discontinuation in ≥ 1% of patients. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients, with each of the following reactions reported in ≥ 2% of patients: pulmonary embolism, pneumonitis/ILD, dyspnoea, musculoskeletal pain, pneumonia and muscular weakness. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in two patients, one due to pneumonia and another due to sudden death. Clinically relevant adverse reactions occurring in < 10% of amivantamab recipients included ocular toxicity, pneumonitis/ILD and toxic epidermal necrolysis [4].
2.5 Immunogenicity
In CHRYSALIS, 3 of 286 (1%) evaluable amivantamab recipients had treatment-emergent anti-drug antibodies (ADA) with titers of ≤ 1:40 [4]. Available data are insufficient to determine the effect of ADA on the pharmacokinetics, safety or efficacy of amivantamab.
2.6 Companion Diagnostic
The US FDA has approved Guardant360® CDx, a next generation sequencing-based liquid biopsy test, as the companion diagnostic for amivantamab for detecting EGFR Ex20ins mutations in patients with advanced NSCLC [5].
2.7 Ongoing Clinical Trials
An open-label, randomized, multinational, phase III trial (PAPILLON) is comparing the efficacy of amivantamab plus chemotherapy (carboplatin plus pemetrexed) versus chemotherapy alone as a first-line therapy in patients with NSCLC and EGFR Ex20ins mutations [16]. Another open-label, randomized, multinational phase III trial (MARIPOSA) is comparing the efficacy of amivantamab plus lazertinib versus osimertinib alone and versus lazertinib alone as a first-line therapy in patients with advanced, EGFR-mutant NSCLC [17]. The CHRYSALIS trial is ongoing; furthermore, a phase I/Ib trial (CHRYSALIS -2) is evaluating amivantamab plus lazertinib in Japanese patients with advanced, EGFR-mutant NSCLC [18]. A phase I trial (NCT04606381) is evaluating subcutaneous amivantamab in patients with solid tumours.
3 Current Status
Amivantamab received its first approval on 21 May 2021 in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC harbouring EGFR Ex20ins mutations, as detected by an US FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy [19].
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During the peer review process the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from any comments received were made by the authors on the basis of scientific completeness and accuracy. Yahiya. Y. Syed is a salaried employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, and declares no relevant conflicts of interest. All authors contributed to the review and are responsible for the article content.
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Syed, Y.Y. Amivantamab: First Approval. Drugs 81, 1349–1353 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-021-01561-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-021-01561-7