A real-world pharmacovigilance study of FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) events for osimertinib

Yanchao Yin1, Yamin Shu1, Junru Zhu2

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.

Scientific Reports
|November 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study analyzed FDA data to identify adverse events (AEs) associated with osimertinib, an EGFR-TKI for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It revealed new safety signals, aiding clinical monitoring and risk management for this important cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Oncology
  • Drug Safety

Background:

  • Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) approved for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Understanding its adverse event (AE) profile is crucial for safe clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and analyze adverse event signals associated with osimertinib using data mining.
  • To provide a reference for clinical safety monitoring and risk identification.

Main Methods:

  • Data mining of the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from Q1 2016 to Q4 2021.
  • Disproportionality analyses, including Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), were used to detect AE signals.
  • Analysis utilized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) for system organ classes (SOCs) and preferred terms (PTs).

Main Results:

  • Over 9.7 million reports were analyzed, with 10,804 identified as primary suspected AEs for osimertinib.
  • Osimertinib was associated with AEs across 27 organ systems, with 68 significant disproportionality PTs identified.
  • Unexpected AEs included scrotal volvulus, abnormal hepatic function, and venous thromboembolisms. Most AEs occurred within 30 days of initiation.

Conclusions:

  • This study identified significant new adverse event signals for osimertinib.
  • Findings support enhanced clinical monitoring and risk management strategies for patients receiving osimertinib.
  • The data mining approach provides valuable insights into the real-world safety of EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC treatment.

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