Risk Summary 

Limited available data with AKYNZEO use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug- associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. In animal reproduction studies with netupitant, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed following daily oral administration in pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 3.7 times the human AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve) at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy. However, a dose-dependent increase in adverse effects on embryo-fetal development was observed following daily oral administration of netupitant in pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis with doses at least 0.2 times the human AUC at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy. Daily oral administration of netupitant in rats up to 3.7 times the human AUC at the recommended dose during organogenesis through lactation produced no adverse effects in the offspring (see Data).

In animal reproduction studies with fosnetupitant, delayed ossification of pubis occurred after intravenous administration in rats during the period of organogenesis at a dose 3 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy. In pregnant rabbits, an increase in resorptions was observed with daily intravenous administration of fosnetupitant during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 9 times the human AUC for fosnetupitant and 0.4 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy. Daily intravenous administration of fosnetupitant (3 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) in rats during organogenesis through lactation produced lower bodyweight in offspring at birth through maturation, and delayed physical development (see Data).

In animal reproduction studies with palonosetron, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed following oral administration during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 921 and 1841 times the recommended oral dose in rats and rabbits, respectively (see Data).  
Based on animal data from netupitant studies, advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Netupitant

Daily oral administration of up to 30 mg/kg netupitant in rats (3.7 times the human AUC at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis produced no effects on embryo-fetal development. However, an increased incidence of external and skeletal abnormalities in rabbit fetuses was observed following daily oral administration of netupitant in rabbits at 10 mg/kg/day and higher (0.2 times the human AUC at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis. These abnormalities included positional abnormalities in the limbs and paws, and fused sternebrae. Reduction in fetal rabbit weight occurred at 30 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity in rabbits (i.e., loss of bodyweight during the treatment period) was also observed at 30 mg/kg/day. Daily oral administration of up to 30 mg/kg netupitant (3.7 times the human AUC at the recommended dose) in rats during organogenesis through lactation produced no adverse effects in the offspring.

Fosnetupitant

Daily intravenous administration of 39 mg/kg/day fosnetupitant in rats (3 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis produced delayed ossification of pubis. No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed with daily administration of up to 13 mg/kg fosnetupitant in rats (2 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy). Due to the limited systemic exposure to fosnetupitant in pregnant rats, it is not possible to provide an AUC-based comparison of fosnetupitant exposure in rats and humans. An increase in resorptions was observed with daily intravenous administration of fosnetupitant at 6 mg/kg/day and higher in rabbits (9 times the human AUC for fosnetupitant and 0.4 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during the period of organogenesis. No effects were observed in rabbits at 3 mg/kg/day (5.4 times the human AUC for fosnetupitant and 0.4 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy). Daily intravenous administration of 39 mg/kg fosnetupitant in rats (3 times the AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy) during organogenesis through lactation produced lower bodyweight in offspring at birth through maturation, and delayed physical development (pinna detachment, eye opening, and preputial separation). These effects were associated with maternal toxicity (reduced weight gain and food consumption). No effects occurred in offspring or dams at 13 mg/kg/day (2 times the human AUC for netupitant at the recommended single dose to be given with each cycle of chemotherapy).

Palonosetron

In animal reproduction studies with palonosetron, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in pregnant rats given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (921 times the recommended oral dose based on body surface area) or pregnant rabbits given oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (1841 times the recommended oral dose based on body surface area) during the period of organogenesis.