Clinical pharmacokinetics of afatinib: A systematic review.
Curr Opin PharmacolJul 8, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchOncology (Medical)
Tehreem Ikram, Ammara Zamir, Abdul Majeed et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the clinical pharmacokinetics of afatinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and solid tumors. It found that afatinib exposure is influenced by factors such as dose, renal impairment, and drug interactions. Notably, the AUC 0-24 of afatinib is 2.61 times higher after multiple doses in solid tumor patients.
Key findings
- Afatinib C max increases by 38.5% with ritonavir and decreases by 34.3% with rifampicin.
- The AUC 0-24 of afatinib is 2.61 times higher after multiple oral doses in solid tumor patients.
- Afatinib exposure is 22.1% higher in renal impaired patients compared to healthy controls.
- In grade 2 diarrhea, the AUC 0-24 of afatinib is 83.93% higher than in grade 0-1 diarrhea.
Why it matters
Understanding the pharmacokinetics of afatinib is crucial for optimizing treatment in NSCLC and solid tumor patients. Individualized dosing based on renal function and drug interactions can enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize toxicity.