U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-Approved Indications

Compendial Uses

Eribulin mesylate, a non-taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor, is isolated from the sea sponge

. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is believed that eribulin’s anti-mitotic activity works via inhibition of the growth phase of microtubule dynamics, without affecting the shortening phase, thus sequestering tubulin into non-productive aggregates. Eribulin mesylate inhibits the growth phase of microtubules without affecting the shortening phase and sequesters tubulin into nonproductive aggregates. Antineoplastic effects are exerted via a tubulin-based antimitotic mechanism leading to G2/M cell‐cycle block, disruption of mitotic spindles and ultimately, apoptotic cell death after prolonged mitotic blockage.

According to the prescribing information, Halaven carries the following warnings and precautions:

Per the prescribing information, the most common adverse reactions (≥25%) are as follows:

Per the prescribing information, the most common (≥5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities in liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma were neutropenia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia.

Refer to full prescribing information for Halaven for drug interactions and use in specific populations.

Advanced Solid Tumors

In an open-label, phase-I clinical trial, Udagawa et al (2022) examined the safety and effectiveness of liposomal formulation of eribulin in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. This study enrolled Japanese adult patients to receive liposomal formulation of eribulin for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. Treatment with liposomal formulation of eribulin (2.0 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, previously determined maximum tolerated dose [MTD]) was tested for the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, or small lung cell cancer in the expansion part of this study. Secondary endpoints included safety, ORR, best overall response (BOR), and PFS. As of October 16, 2020, a total of 43 patients were enrolled (adenoid cystic carcinoma, n = 12; gastric cancer, n = 10; esophageal cancer, n = 11; small cell lung cancer, n = 10); 33 patients experienced a grade-3 or higher treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse event (AE), most commonly neutropenia (53.5 %). Furthermore, the incidence of hypersensitivity did not appear to change with a reduced number of infusion steps (2 versus 4) and patients who were administered prophylactic pegylated granulocyte-colony stimulating factor had a noticeably lower incidence of grade-3 to grade-4 neutropenia (although this did not have a proper control). The overall ORR was 11.6 % (95 % CI: 3.9 to 25.1), corresponding to 2 PRs in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma, 2 PRs in gastric cancer, and 1 PR in esophageal cancer. Median PFS was longer in the adenoid cystic carcinoma population (16.6 months) than in others. The authors concluded that liposomal formulation of eribulin (2.0 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) was well-tolerated for the treatment of several different tumor types, and larger studies in these populations are needed.

The authors stated that one drawback of this study was its small sample size, especially per cohort. Although a total of 43 patients were enrolled, approximately 10 were enrolled per tumor type cohort, which limited the efficacy conclusions that can be drawn. Another drawback was that, to ensure data from this phase-I clinical trial were available to support further clinical development of liposomal formulation of eribulin, analyses were carried out before database lock.

Breast Cancer

Eribulin mesylate is used in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have previously been treated with at least 2 chemotherapeutic regimens, including an anthracycline and a taxane. In in-vitro studies, eribulin displayed anti-proliferative activity against human breast cancer cell lines. Regression and elimination of breast tumors were observed in human tumor xenograft models. In the randomized, open-label, multi-national, phase III EMBRACE trial in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in patients who received intravenous (i.v.) eribulin (n = 508) [13.1 months] compared with that in patients who received a treatment of physician's choice (n = 254) [10.6 months; hazard ratio 0.81; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.66, 0.99; p = 0.041]. Prior to enrolment, subjects had received between 2 and 5 chemotherapeutic regimens, including an anthracycline and a taxane. Consistent with the findings of earlier phase I and II clinical trials, eribulin was reported to have a manageable tolerability profile in the EMBRACE trial. Peripheral neuropathy (incidence 5 %) was the most common adverse event resulting in the discontinuation of eribulin treatment. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events in the eribulin group were neutropenia, leukopenia and asthenia or fatigue (Perry, 2011).

In a single-arm, multi-center open-label, phase II trial, Aogi et al (2011) evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of eribulin in Japanese patients with heavily pre-treated metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients pre-treated with an anthracycline and a taxane received 1.4 mg/m(2) eribulin mesylate (2- to 5-min i.v. infusion on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle). The primary efficacy end point was overall response rate (ORR) by independent review. Patients (n = 80) had received a median of 3 prior chemotherapeutic regimens (range of 1 to 5). ORR was 21.3 % [95 % CI: 12.9 to 31.8; all partial responses (PRs)], stable disease (SD) occurred in 30 patients (37.5 %) and the clinical benefit rate (complete response + PR + SD greater than or equal to 6 months) was 27.5 % (95 % CI: 18.1 to 38.6). Median duration of response was 3.9 months (95 % CI: 2.8 to 4.9), progression-free survival (PFS)was 3.7 months (95 % CI: 2.0 to 4.4) and OS was 11.1 months (95 % CI: 7.9 to 15.8). The most frequent treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (95.1 %), leukopenia (74.1 %) and febrile neutropenia (13.6 %). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 3.7 % of patients (no grade 4). The authors concluded that eribulin exhibited effectiveness and tolerability in Japanese patients with heavily pre-treated MBC.

In a phase III open-label, randomized trial, Cortes et al (2011) compared OS of heavily pre-treated patients receiving eribulin versus currently available treatments. Women with locally recurrent or MBC were randomly allocated (2:1) to eribulin mesylate (1.4 mg/m(2) administered intravenously during 2 to 5 mins on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle) or treatment of physician's choice (TPC). Patients had received between 2 and 5 previous chemotherapeutic regimens (2 or more for advanced disease), including an anthracycline and a taxane, unless contraindicated. Randomization was stratified by geographical region, previous capecitabine treatment, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was OS in the intention-to-treat population. A total of 762 women were randomly allocated to treatment groups (eribulin, n = 508; TPC, n = 254). Overall survival was significantly improved in women assigned to eribulin (median 13.1 months, 95 % CI: 11.8 to 14.3) compared with TPC (10.6 months, 9.3 to 12.5; hazard ratio 0•81, 95 % CI: 0.66 to 0.99; p = 0.041). The most common adverse events in both groups were asthenia or fatigue (270 [54 %] of 503 patients on eribulin and 98 [40 %] of 247 patients on TPC at all grades) and neutropenia (260 [52 %] patients receiving eribulin and 73 [30 %] of those on TPC at all grades). Peripheral neuropathy was the most common adverse event leading to discontinuation from eribulin, occurring in 24 (5 %) of 503 patients. The authors concluded that eribulin showed a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS compared with TPC in women with heavily pre-treated MBC.

Matsuoka et al (2013) described the case of a 57-year old Japanese woman who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer that metastasized to multiple organs including liver and lung. After receiving 3 regimens, the patient showed evidence of brain metastases, and whole brain radiation therapy was performed. Lapatinib and capecitabine was then administered as 4th-line chemotherapy, but the patient was hospitalized due to the exacerbation of interstitial pneumonitis and progression of brain and liver metastases. To control the systemic disease, eribulin was commenced as 5th-line chemotherapy. One month later, a significant response of brain metastases had been achieved, and this response persisted for the last 4 months. These researchers noted anti-tumor effect of eribulin against brain metastases from breast cancer. They stated that this case was the first report that indicated potential treatment of brain metastases using this medication. The authors concluded that the findings of this report suggested that eribulin treatment may be beneficial for breast cancer patients with brain metastases progressing after whole brain radiation therapy. However, they stated that further clinical studies are needed to determine the clinical effect of eribulin in brain metastases.

Salgia et al (2014) presented a patient with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from breast cancer treated with intrathecal topotecan and intravenous eribulin. The regimen was well-tolerated and provided clinical stability in a patient with progression on a prior intrathecal chemotherapy regimen. The findings of this case study need to be validated by well-designed studies.

Shetty and Gupta (2014) stated that eribulin is an anti-cancer drug approved for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This drug is a synthetic derivative from Japanese marine sponge Halichondria okadai. It acts by interfering with the microtubular growth ultimately leading to apoptosis after prolonged mitotic blockage. In patients with metastatic breast cancer refractory to anthracyclines and taxanes, eribulin is one of the life-saving options. Neutropenia, neuropathy and QT prolongation are the most frequent adverse events associated with this drug. The authors also noted that phase I/II trials are also underway in refractory lung, ovarian, pancreatic, bladder, and soft tissue tumors; and larger prospective studies are needed to define the role of this drug in a wide variety of tumors.

Chang and Ying (2015) noted that brain metastases are common in patients with advanced BC, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Eribulin is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor approved for treating certain patients with metastatic BC, previously treated with an anthracycline and a taxane. In a phase III clinical trial (Study 301) in 1,102 women with advanced BC, eribulin and capecitabine treatments did not differ for co-primary end-points (OS: 15.9 versus 14.5 months, p = 0.056; PFS: 4.1 versus 4.2 months, p = 0.30). These investigators reported outcomes for 6 patients (eribulin, n = 3; capecitabine, n = 3) who had received treatment for brain metastases from BC (BCBM) at baseline. All eribulin-treated patients experienced brain lesion shrinkage at some point during treatment, compared with 1 capecitabine-treated patient. Fewer patients in Study 301 developed new BCBM with eribulin (13/544, 2.4 %) compared with capecitabine (25/546, 4.6 %). Eribulin does not cross the healthy blood-brain barrier (BBB), but could have the potential to do so after cranial radiation therapy. Capecitabine may cross the BBB and has demonstrated activity in BCBM. The authors concluded that data from these patients and previous cases suggested that further investigation of eribulin for BCBM may be warranted.

On November 15, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved eribulin mesylate (Halaven) for the treatment of patients with MBC who have received at least 2 prior chemotherapeutic regimens for late-stage disease. Before receiving Halaven, patients should have received prior anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy for early- or late-stage breast cancer. The most common side effects reported by women treated with Halaven include alopecia (hair loss), anemia, asthenia (weakness), constipation, fatigue, leukopenia (a decrease in the number of white blood cells), nausea, neutropenia (a decrease in infection-fighting white blood cells), and peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage).

Glioblastoma

Miki and colleagues (2018) noted that glioblastoma is the most common and devastating type of malignant brain tumor. These researchers recently found that eribulin suppresses glioma growth in-vitro and in-vivo and that eribulin is efficiently transferred into mouse brain tumors at a high concentration. Eribulin is a non-taxane microtubule inhibitor approved for breast cancer and liposarcoma. Cells arrested in M-phase by chemotherapeutic agents such as microtubule inhibitors are highly sensitive to radiation-induced DNA damage. Several recent case reports have demonstrated the clinical benefits of eribulin combined with radiation therapy for metastatic brain tumors. In this study, these investigators examined the efficacy of a combined eribulin and radiation treatment on human glioblastoma cells. The glioblastoma cell lines U87MG, U251MG and U118MG, and SJ28 cells, a patient-derived sphere culture cell line, were used to determine the radio-sensitizing effect of eribulin using Western blotting, flow cytometry and clonogenic assay. Subcutaneous and intra-cerebral glioma xenografts were generated in mice to assess the efficacy of the combined treatment. The combination of eribulin and radiation enhanced DNA damage in-vitro. The clonogenic assay of U87MG demonstrated the radio-sensitizing effect of eribulin. The concomitant eribulin and radiation treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice harboring intra-cerebral glioma xenografts compared with eribulin or radiation alone (p < 0.0001). In addition, maintenance administration of eribulin after the concomitant treatment further controlled brain tumor growth. Aberrant microvasculature was decreased in these tumors. The authors concluded that concomitant treatment with eribulin and radiation followed by maintenance administration of eribulin may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for glioblastomas. They stated that It is hoped that the new strategy will be effective even for glioblastoma cases that are resistant to temozolomide or bevacizumab; a clinical trial to test the efficacy of the combined treatment is needed.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hu and colleagues (2021) noted that hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and deadly malignancies worldwide. Although there have been extensive studies on the molecular mechanisms of its carcinogenesis, FDA-approved drugs for HCC are rare. Side effects, development time, and cost of these drugs are the major bottlenecks, which can be partially overcome by drug re-positioning. These researchers developed a computational framework to examine the mechanisms of HCC carcinogenesis, in which drug perturbation-induced gene expression signatures were used for re-positioning of potential drugs. Specifically, these investigators first carried out differential expression analysis and co-expression network module analysis on the HCC dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Differential gene expression analysis identified 1,337 differentially expressed genes between HCC and adjacent normal tissues, which were significantly enriched in functions related to various pathways, including alpha-adrenergic receptor activity pathway and epinephrine binding pathway. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) suggested that the number of co-expression modules was higher in HCC tissues than in normal tissues. Finally, by correlating differentially expressed genes with drug perturbation-related signatures, these researchers prioritized a few potential drugs, including nutlin and eribulin, for the treatment of HCC. The drugs have been reported by a few experimental studies to be effective in killing cancer cells.

Leiomyosarcoma and Liposarcoma

Findings from a randomized phase III study indicated that eribulin may be a potential therapeutic option for patients with advanced liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma. Compared with dacarbazine, a conventional chemotherapy, eribulin extended patients' OS by 2 months (No authors listed, 2015).

On January 28, 2016, the FDA approved eribulin mesylate for the treatment of individuals with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who received prior chemotherapy that contained an anthracycline drug. The safety and effectiveness of eribulin mesylate were evaluated in 143 subjects with advanced liposarcoma that was unresectable or had spread to nearby lymph nodes (locally advanced) or other parts of the body (metastatic), and who had been treated with chemotherapy. Subjects were treated with either eribulin mesylate or dacarbazine until their disease spread or until they were no longer able to tolerate the side effects of treatment. The study was designed to measure the length of time from the start of treatment until a patient's death (OS). The median OS for patients with liposarcoma receiving eribulin mesylate was 15.6 months compared to 8.4 months for those who received dacarbazine.

Chen et al (2022) noted that satisfactory therapeutic options for advanced leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma are limited. In a multi-center, phase-Ib/II study (the LEADER Trial), these investigators examined the safety and effectiveness of lenvatinib plus eribulin for the treatment of advanced leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma . The phase-Ib part enrolled 6 patients to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and recommended phase-II dose (RP2D) with the starting dose of lenvatinib 18 mg/day and eribulin 1.1 mg/m2 D1, D8 every 21 days. The primary endpoint of the phase-II part was ORR based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, with phase-Ib patients pre-planned to be included in the effectiveness analysis. Translational analyses were based on the transcriptomic data obtained from the NanoString nCounter platform. A total of 30 patients were enrolled (leiomyosarcoma, n = 21; liposarcoma, n = 9); the median age was 59 years. One patient had to temporarily stop lenvatinib due to grade-2 arthritis in the 1st cycle, meeting DLT criteria; 4 of 6 patients had to decrease the dose of lenvatinib to 14 mg between cycles 2 and 3. RP2D was determined at lenvatinib 14 mg/day and eribulin 1.1 mg/m2. The confirmed ORR was 20 %, and the ORR was not significantly different between phase-Ib/II cohorts (p = 0.23). The median PFS was 8.56 months (95 % CI: 4.40 to not reached). Translational studies suggested increased dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) following treatment. The authors concluded that lenvatinib plus eribulin had a manageable safety profile and exhibited promising effectiveness for the treatment of advanced leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma.

In a subgroup analysis of a phase 3 study, Blay et al (2019) compared outcomes for eribulin versus dacarbazine in patients with leiomyosarcoma. Patients ≥18 years old with advanced liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma, ECOG PS ≤2, and ≥2 prior treatment regimens were randomly assigned (1:1) to eribulin mesylate (1.4 mg/m² intravenously on day 1 and day 8) or dacarbazine (either 850, 1000, or 1200 mg/m² intravenously) every 21 days until disease progression. The primary end point was OS; additional end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR). Three hundred and nine patients with leiomyosarcoma were included (eribulin, n = 157; dacarbazine, n = 152). Median age was 57 years; 42% of patients had uterine disease and 57% had nonuterine disease. Median OS was 12.7 versus 13.0 months for eribulin versus dacarbazine, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93 [95% CI 0.71-1.20]; P = 0.57). Median PFS (2.2 vs 2.6 months, HR = 1.07 [95% CI 0.84-1.38]; P = 0.58) and ORR (5% vs 7%) were similar between eribulin- and dacarbazine-treated patients. Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 69% of patients receiving eribulin and 59% of patients receiving dacarbazine. The authors concluded that the efficacy of eribulin in patients with leiomyosarcoma was comparable to that of dacarbazine. Both agents had manageable safety profiles.

Meningioma

Nakano and colleagues (2022) stated that meningioma is the most common intra-cranial tumor, with generally favorable patient prognosis; however, patients with malignant meningioma often experience recurrence, undergo multiple surgical resections, and ultimately have a poor prognosis. Currently, effective chemotherapy for malignant meningiomas has not been established. These researchers recently reported the effectiveness of eribulin for the treatment of glioblastoma with a telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation. These investigators examined the anti-tumor effect of eribulin against TERT promoter mutation-harboring human malignant meningioma cell lines in-vitro and in-vivo. Two meningioma cell lines, IOMM-Lee and HKBMM, were employed in this study. The strong inhibition of cell proliferation by eribulin via cell cycle arrest was demonstrated via viability assay and flow cytometry. Apoptotic cell death in malignant meningioma cell lines was determined via vital dye assay and immunoblotting. Moreover, a wound healing assay revealed the suppression of tumor cell migration after eribulin exposure. Intra-peritoneal administration of eribulin significantly prolonged the survival of orthotopic xenograft mouse models of both malignant meningioma cell lines implanted in the subdural space (p < 0.0001). Immunohistochemistry confirmed apoptosis in brain tumor tissue treated with eribulin. The authors concluded that the findings of this study suggested that eribulin is a potential therapeutic agent for malignant meningiomas.

Other Cancers

Eribulin mesylate is also being investigated in the treatment of other solid tumors including head and neck cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. Its use for these malignancies is undergoing various phases of clinical trial.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Gadducci and Guerrieri (2015) stated that pharmacological treatment plays a major role in the management of advanced, persistent or recurrent uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS), whereas its usefulness in the adjuvant setting is still debated. A thorough literature search was undertaken using the PubMed databases. Systematic reviews and controlled trials on medical treatment of uterine LMS were collected and critically analyzed. Other study types were secondarily considered when pertinent. Doxorubicin (DOX), ifosfamide and dacarbazine have been long used in the treatment of this malignancy. Novel active agents are represented by gemcitabine, docetaxel, trabectedin, pazopanib and aromatase inhibitors, whereas the role of eribulin, bevacizumab, aflibercept and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors is still investigational. The authors concluded that DOX alone, gemcitabine alone, DOX + dacarbazine and gemcitabine + docetaxel may be treatment options for first-line and second-line therapies. However, the clinical benefit of the combination chemotherapy versus single-agent chemotherapy is still debated. Trabectedin is a promising agent for recurrent uterine LMS, able to obtain a prolonged disease control, with 3-month and 6-month PFS rates exceeding 50 % and 30%, respectively, and with sometimes unexpectedly durable responses. Pazopanib is the only approved targeted therapy. Hormone therapy with aromatase inhibitors may be a therapeutic option in heavily treated patients with slowly progressive, steroid receptor-positive tumors. Whenever possible, women with recurrent uterine LMS should be encouraged to enter well-designed clinical trials aimed to detect novel active agents.

Fujimoto et al (2018) stated uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of malignant gynecological tumor and has a poor prognosis; therefore, this tumor is often difficult to treat. Some new drugs have been approved during the past several years in Japan and are expected to be efficacious. Eribulin, one of these drugs, is a natural product of halichondrin B, which is isolated from a marine sponge. A recent clinical trial comparing eribulin with dacarbazine to target liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma indicated that overall survival (OS) was prolonged by treatment with eribulin. The authors report a case of uterine progressive leiomyosarcoma that responded to eribulin. A 57-year-old woman was suspected of having leiomyosarcoma based on an endometrial biopsy and imaging examinations. Although the tumor grew toward the uterine artery on the right side of the uterine cervix, the authors performed a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to obtain an outcome of no gross residual disease. However, the margin of the right side of the uterine cervix was histologically positive, so leiomyosarcoma stage IIB (pT2bcN0cM0, FIGO2008) was diagnosed. Gemcitabine and docetaxel therapy was administered postoperatively. However, after three cycles, the residual tumor progressed. Other anticancer drugs were administered but were ineffective. The authors administered eribulin (1.4 mg/m2) as a fourth-line regimen, and the mass decreased by 32% after four cycles. However, the residual tumor continued to grow after eight cycles. The only adverse event associated with eribulin treatment was mild, grade 2 neutropenia. The authors concluded that for this patient, eribulin was effective for her recurrent leiomyosarcoma. In selecting chemotherapy, there are currently no fixed guidelines; one should consider the characteristics and adverse events associated with each drug and patient performance status and comorbidities. In this patient, eribulin was associated with few adverse events, an easy route of administration and a good quality of life. Therefore, eribulin is expected to be efficacious for the treatment of gynecologic sarcoma.

Benson et al (2017) stated uterine sarcomas comprise a group of rare tumors with differing tumor biology, natural history and response to treatment. Diagnosis is often made following surgery for presumed benign disease. Currently, preoperative imaging does not reliably distinguish between benign leiomyomas and other malignant pathology. Uterine leiomyosarcoma is the most common sarcoma, but other subtypes include endometrial stromal sarcoma (low grade and high grade), undifferentiated uterine sarcoma and adenosarcoma. Clinical trials have shown no definite survival benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy and have been hampered by the rarity and heterogeneity of these disease types. There is a role of adjuvant treatment in carefully selected cases following multidisciplinary discussion at sarcoma reference centers. In patients with metastatic disease, systemic chemotherapy can then be considered. There is activity of a number of agents, including doxorubicin, trabectedin, gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, eribulin and pazopanib. Patients should be considered for clinical trial entry where possible. Close international collaboration is important to allow progress in this group of diseases.

Azumi et al (2022) stated that uterine leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive soft tissue tumor. Stathmin, a phosphoprotein that modulates microtubule dynamics, is highly expressed in many malignancies including leiomyosarcoma. The microtubule-depolymerizing agent eribulin has been recently approved for treating malignant soft tissue tumors. Although eribulin inhibits microtubule polymerization, little is known regarding the relationship between eribulin treatment and stathmin dynamics. These researchers examined the role of stathmin expression in the action of eribulin in leiomyosarcoma cells. Eribulin induced phosphorylation of stathmin and reduced expression of subunits A and C of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in a leiomyosarcoma cell line. The PP2A activator FTY720 reduced levels of phosphorylated stathmin. Eribulin decreased stathmin protein levels without affecting stathmin mRNA expression. In addition, stathmin knockdown attenuated the inhibitory effects of eribulin on cell viability, whereas stathmin over-expression enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of eribulin. Eribulin-resistant leiomyosarcoma cell lines had enhanced expression of the classⅠβ-tubulin TUBB1, multi-drug resistance 1 protein MDR1 and breast cancer-resistance protein BCRP, and decreased expression of stathmin. The authors concluded that the findings of this study suggested that stathmin expression modulated the pharmacological efficacy of eribulin in uterine leiomyosarcoma cells.

Criteria for Initial Approval

Aetna considers eribulin mesylate (Halaven) medically necessary for the following indications:

Breast Cancer

For treatment of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer or breast cancer with no response to preoperative systemic therapy when

of the following criteria is met:

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

For treatment of

of the following types of soft tissue sarcoma, as single-agent therapy:

Aetna considers all other indications as experimental and investigational (for additional information, see Experimental and Investigational and Background sections).

Continuation of Therapy

Aetna considers continuation of eribulin mesylate (Halaven) therapy medically necessary in members with an indication listed in Section I when there is no evidence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression while on the current regimen.

Dosage and Administration

Eribulin mesylate is available as Halaven 1 mg per 2 mL vials for intravenous use.

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Liposarcoma

Refer to full prescribing information for Halaven for preparation and administration instructions and dosage modifications.

Source: Eisai, 2021

Experimental and Investigational

Aetna considers eribulin mesylate (Halaven) experimental and investigational for all other indications including the following because its effectiveness for these indications has not been established (not an all-inclusive list):