Reducing Infusion Reactions with Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is helping make intravenous RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw) safer to receive. In an open-label Phase 2 study called SKIPPirr, giving dexamethasone before infusion cut the rate of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) to 22.5 percent. Historically, IRRs with standard management have occurred in 67.4 percent of patients. That gap matters: fewer reactions can mean fewer disruptions, less anxiety around the first dose, and a smoother start to treatment.
Inside the SKIPPirr Study
The SKIPPirr study enrolled 40 people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on those with common EGFR mutations—exon 19 deletions and L858R substitutions. Participants received a premedication plan of dexamethasone at 8 mg daily for two days before the first infusion. The team’s main goal was straightforward: measure how many patients experienced an IRR on Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1).
What the Data Showed
Results presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) meeting confirmed the study met its primary endpoint. The lower IRR rate signals that a simple adjustment—targeted premedication with dexamethasone—can meaningfully improve the experience of starting infusion therapy.
Why Dexamethasone Matters in the Protocol
Dr. Gilberto Lopes of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center noted, “The results from this study offer critical insights aimed at improving the quality of life for patients receiving intravenous amivantamab treatment.” He emphasized that using a higher dose of dexamethasone can substantially reduce IRRs. In practical terms, that’s progress for patients and care teams alike.
Safety and Day?to?Day Treatment
Patients followed an at?home dexamethasone routine: 8 mg by mouth twice daily for two days, plus another dose one hour before IV RYBREVANT on infusion day. Side effects observed in the study were mainly mild (Grade 1–2). No hospitalizations were required.
Ongoing Work and Next Steps
Johnson & Johnson continues to study ways to lower the risk of IRRs with RYBREVANT. Additional research is underway to test preventive strategies that could further decrease reactions during IV treatment. The aim is steady: safer infusions and more dependable treatment delivery for people with lung cancer.
Monitoring for Adverse Reactions
Even with these encouraging findings, vigilant monitoring remains central to care. Current safety profiles for RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE™—a novel combination treatment—support confidence in managing side effects without a notable rise in adverse events. Together, these data reinforce the therapy’s viability in clinical practice.
Conclusion
Dexamethasone is playing a clear role in reducing infusion-related reactions for patients starting RYBREVANT. The SKIPPirr study’s results point to a practical way to make treatment safer and more tolerable. Continued work from Johnson & Johnson keeps that momentum going, with patient care at the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does dexamethasone help with RYBREVANT infusions?
Premedicating with dexamethasone lowers the chance of infusion-related reactions, helping patients start RYBREVANT more comfortably and with fewer interruptions.
2. What did the SKIPPirr study measure as its main outcome?
The primary outcome was the rate of infusion-related reactions on Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1) in patients receiving intravenous RYBREVANT with dexamethasone premedication.
3. Who took part in the study?
Forty patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) took part, focusing on those with EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R substitutions.
4. What side effects were seen with the dexamethasone premedication plan?
Side effects were mostly mild (Grade 1–2), and no hospitalizations were reported during the study.
5. What research is happening next?
Johnson & Johnson is running additional studies to test further preventive approaches that may keep IRR rates low and support consistent, safer IV RYBREVANT treatment.
