Sex-Related Safety Signals of Sotorasib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World, Pharmacovigilance Study from the EudraVigilance Database
<b>Background</b>: Sotorasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor, is approved for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has shown a distinct safety profile in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). However, post-marketing pharmacovigilance is crucial to identify real-world safety signals including sex-specific differences that may not be evident in controlled trial settings. <b>Methods</b>: This analysis reviewed 845 individual case safety reports (ICSRs) from the EudraVigilance (EV) database between 1 January 2021, and 8 April 2025, involving NSCLC patients treated with sotorasib. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were assessed by sex, seriousness, outcome, and system organ class (SOC). Disproportionality analyses were conducted to detect sex-specific safety signals, and results were compared with data from the CodeBreaK200 RCT by using a two-proportion z-test. <b>Results</b>: Among the ICSRs, 49.2% involved male and 40.1% female patients. Serious ADRs accounted for 47.5% of cases, with females at higher risk (relative risk [RR] = 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.40; <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The most frequently reported SOCs were neoplasms (15.8%), gastrointestinal disorders (15.3%), and hepatobiliary disorders (11.5%). Four sex-specific safety signals were identified: women had a significantly increased risk of cholestasis (RR = 3.37) and hepatotoxicity (RR = 3.01), while men were less likely to report decreased appetite (RR = 0.20) and rash (RR = 0.14). Real-world data showed lower reporting of diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, and liver enzyme elevations (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Real-world pharmacovigilance supports the RCT findings and highlights sex-specific risks, thus emphasizing the importance of sex-aware monitoring and personalized toxicity management.
Authors
- Vincenzo Cianci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1274-3514)
- Natasha Irrera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1134-7080)
- Desirèe Speranza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5108-1052)
- Marco Calabrò (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2082-9855)
- Nicola Silvestris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7814-7318)
- Calogera Claudia Spagnolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3352-2441)
- Fausto Omero
- Mariacarmela Santarpia
- Mariapia Marafioti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8807-6163)
- Martina Musarra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4728-7569)
Institutions
- University of Messina (IT)
- Istituto Tumori Bari (IT)
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pharmaceuticals
- Published
- 2025-10-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18101574
- Primary Topic
- Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00