ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Recombinant human HER2 monoclonal antibody for injection (AK-HER2) is a potential biosimilar of trastuzumab (Herceptin®). This phase â study aimed to demonstrate the pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalence between AK-HER2 and trastuzumab in healthy volunteers. Besides, safety and immunogenicity were investigated. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind phase â trial in 96 healthy adults who received a single intravenous infusion of AK-HER2 or trastuzumab at 6 mg/kg. The primary PK endpoints were area under the serum concentration curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last time point (AUC0-t) and peak concentration in serum (Cmax). The PK bioequivalence was confirmed using the standard equivalence margins of 80%-125%. RESULTS: The PK profiles of AK-HER2 and trastuzumab displayed high similarity. The geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) of primary PK endpoints were within 80%-125%. The C max and AUC 0-t of female subjects in the AK-HER2 group were greater than those of male subjects (P <0.05). No infusion-related reactions (IRRs) or anti-drug antibody-positivity was observed after dosing. CONCLUSIONS: AK-HER2 was demonstrated to have highly similar PK to trastuzumab in healthy Chinese adults. Both drugs showed comparable safety and immunogenicity using dexamethasone as premedication to prevent IRRs..