Dr Lee on Safety Considerations for Enfortumab Vedotin in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

John K. Lee, MD, PhD, assistant professor, medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); director, Bladder Cancer Program, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses safety considerations for enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (Padcev), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer.

Enfortumab vedotin targets NECTIN-4, a protein expressed in tumor cells that is also expressed in normal tissues, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, esophagus, and skin, which contributes to its unique adverse effect (AE) profile.

Lee explains that one of the most concerning AEs associated with enfortumab vedotin is the risk of severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. These toxicities require prompt identification and management, as they can be life-threatening if not addressed early, he says, noting that dermatologic monitoring is crucial throughout the treatment course to mitigate potential severe skin toxicities.

NECTIN-4 expression in the GI tract can also lead to AEs such as diarrhea, nausea, and mucositis, Lee continues. These symptoms can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and may require supportive care measures, including antiemetics and hydration.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common and progressive toxicity associated with enfortumab vedotin, often related to its chemotherapeutic component. The development of neuropathy can be debilitating and affect patients' daily activities and overall quality of life, Lee explains. Vigilance in monitoring for early signs of neuropathy is essential, and dose modifications or discontinuation may be required based on the severity of symptoms.

Since enfortumab vedotin is approved in the frontline setting in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), the use of the antibody-drug conjugate with an immune checkpoint inhibitor adds another layer of safety considerations. Immune-related AEs (irAEs), which can range from mild to severe, are also something to monitor with this combination, Lee says. These irAEs also necessitate close monitoring and a proactive management approach, including the use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents when appropriate.

Lee concludes that the safety profile of enfortumab vedotin necessitates careful monitoring for these specific AEs to optimize patient outcomes and minimize treatment-related toxicities.

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John K. Lee, MD, PhD, discusses safety considerations for enfortumab vedotin in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. 

Dr Lee on Treatment Considerations for Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab in Urothelial Cancer

John K. Lee, MD, PhD, assistant professor, medicine, University of California, San Francisco; director, Bladder Cancer Program, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses key considerations that may inform the use of enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (Padcev) plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in metastatic urothelial cancer.

On December 15, 2023, the FDA approved enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab as frontline therapy for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer. The regulatory decision was based on results from the phase 3 EV-302 trial (NCT04223856), which demonstrated a survival benefit with the combination compared with standard chemotherapy.

Lee begins by emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment decisions for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer, as well as factoring in potential treatment-related toxicities. Although the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab has shown superior clinical efficacy, it also presents specific challenges, he notes. For example, the higher risk of developing hyperglycemia, especially in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, highlights the need for careful patient selection when considering the selection of this combination.

Notably, the median follow-up for EV-302 was approximately 17.2 months, which generates questions about the long-term durability of the combination, Lee explains. This is a key consideration when juxtaposed with the well-established efficacy of cisplatin-based chemotherapy plus immunotherapy, which support its use in patients with lymph node-only disease.

Moreover, the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab may not be suitable for patients with a history of solid organ transplants or autoimmune disorders, Lee adds. For these patients, upfront cisplatin-based chemotherapy alone may be a safer and more appropriate choice, he suggests.

Although the combination of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab offers a highly effective new treatment option for patients with metastatic bladder cancer, it is essential to tailor therapy based on individual patient characteristics, comorbidities, and potential contraindications to immunotherapy, Lee concludes.

John K. Lee, MD, PhD, discusses treatment considerations for the use of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab in metastatic urothelial cancer.

John K. Lee, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr Lee on Safety Considerations for Enfortumab Vedotin in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

Dr Lee on Treatment Considerations for Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab in Urothelial Cancer