What labs to monitor with Osimertinib (osimertinib) therapy?

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Last updated: February 10, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Osimertinib therapy requires monitoring of QTc interval and cardiac function.

Key Monitoring Parameters

  • QTc interval: due to the dose-dependent increase in QTc interval associated with osimertinib therapy 1
  • Cardiac function: particularly in patients with baseline cardiac compromise, as they may be at increased risk of cardiac adverse events 1

Rationale

Osimertinib's effect on the QTc interval is a significant concern, and patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions may be more susceptible to cardiac adverse events 1. As such, regular cardiac monitoring is recommended, especially in metastatic patients.

Clinical Considerations

In patients with baseline cardiac compromise, the benefits of osimertinib therapy should be carefully weighed against the potential risks, and additional safety monitoring may be necessary 1. This may involve adjusting concurrent medications that could exacerbate QTc interval prolongation.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Laboratory Monitoring for Osimertinib Therapy

To monitor patients on osimertinib therapy, several laboratory tests can be considered:

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) to monitor for potential hematologic adverse effects such as anemia, neutrophil count decrease, and thrombocytopenia 2
  • Electrolyte panel to monitor for hyponatremia 2
  • Liver function tests (LFTs) to monitor for increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 2
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor for QT interval prolongation 2
  • Plasma concentrations of osimertinib and its metabolites to ensure adequate drug levels and to adjust dosing as needed 3, 4, 5

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

TDM can be used to monitor osimertinib levels in patients, which can help optimize dosing and minimize adverse effects:

  • Osimertinib concentrations can be measured in plasma or dried blood spots (DBS) 4
  • A validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay or ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method can be used to quantify osimertinib and its metabolites in human plasma 4, 5
  • TDM can help identify patients who may require dose adjustments due to variability in drug metabolism or other factors 4

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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