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Special Article

For US HCPs Only

Datopotamab Deruxtecan-dlnk in Metastatic HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

05/13/2026

For patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are emerging therapeutic options designed to target specific cell surface antigens on cancer cells to deliver a cytotoxic payload upon undergoing intracellular linker cleavage. DATROWAY® (datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk), also referred to as Dato-DXd, is a trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2)-directed ADC that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2025 for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HR+/HER2- (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 0, 1+, or 2+/in situ hybridization [ISH]-) breast cancer who have received prior endocrine-based therapy and chemotherapy for unresectable or metastatic disease.¹ Dato-DXd links a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody directed against TROP2 to deruxtecan, a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor, via a cleavable tetrapeptide linker. It is dosed once every 3 weeks.¹

See the Important Safety Information included on this webpage and full Prescribing Information for more details.

Efficacy

The phase 3 TROPION-Breast01 trial evaluated Dato-DXd versus the investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (ICC) in adult patients with inoperable or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+, or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who had previously received one or two lines of chemotherapy in this setting. Patients enrolled in the trial had experienced progression on endocrine therapy and were unsuitable for further endocrine therapy. Patients were

randomized 1:1 to receive Dato-DXd (n=365) or ICC (n=367). Patients in the treatment arm received Dato-DXd 6 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Patients in the ICC arm received single-agent chemotherapy, which was determined before randomization from one of the following choices: eribulin (60%), capecitabine (21%), vinorelbine (10%), or gemcitabine (9%).¹

The dual primary endpoints of the study were progression-free survival (PFS) as determined by blinded independent central review and overall survival (OS). Dato-DXd demonstrated a statistically significant and superior median PFS of 6.9 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7, 7.4) compared to 4.9 months (95% CI: 4.2, 5.5) with ICC, corresponding to a 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; 95% CI, 0.52, 0.76; P < 0.0001). The median OS was 18.6 months (95% CI: 17.3, 20.1) for Dato-DXd and 18.3 months (95% CI: 17.3, 20.5) for the ICC arm (HR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.83, 1.22; P > 0.05), and the P-value was not significant.¹

Safety

The US Prescribing Information for Dato-DXd includes warnings and precautions that prescribing physicians should be aware of:

  • ILD/pneumonitis: Dato-DXd can cause severe and fatal cases of ILD/pneumonitis. Monitor for new or worsening signs and symptoms of ILD/pneumonitis. If ILD/pneumonitis is suspected, withhold Dato-DXd and initiate corticosteroids. Permanently discontinue Dato-DXd in patients with confirmed Grade 2 or higher ILD/pneumonitis.
  • Ocular adverse reactions: Dato-DXd can cause ocular adverse reactions, including dry eye, keratitis, blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, increased lacrimation, conjunctivitis, and blurred vision. Monitor patients for ocular adverse reactions during treatment with Dato-DXd. Advise patients to use preservative-free lubricating eye drops and to avoid using contact lenses during treatment with Dato-DXd. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue Dato-DXd based on the severity of ocular adverse reactions. Refer patients to an eye care professional for any new or worsening ocular signs and symptoms.
  • Stomatitis/oral mucositis: Dato-DXd can cause stomatitis, including mouth ulcers and oral mucositis. Advise patients to use a steroid-containing mouthwash when starting treatment and to hold ice chips or ice water in the mouth during the infusion of Dato-DXd. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue Dato-DXd based on the severity of the adverse reaction.
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity: Dato-DXd can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception.

In the TROPION-Breast01 study, the safety of Dato-DXd was evaluated in 360 patients with inoperable or metastatic HR+/HER2− breast cancer who received at least one dose of Dato-DXd 6 mg/kg. Serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 15% of patients overall. The most common serious AEs (>0.5%) included urinary tract infection (1.9%), COVID-19 infection (1.7%), interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis (1.1%), acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, vomiting, diarrhea, hemiparesis, and anemia (0.6% each). Death occurred in one patient and was due to ILD/pneumonitis.¹

In TROPION-Breast01, dose interruptions due to AEs occurred in 22% of patients, dose reductions in 23%, and permanent discontinuation in 3.1%.¹

The most common AEs (≥20%), including laboratory abnormalities, were stomatitis, nausea, fatigue, decreased leukocytes, decreased calcium, alopecia, decreased lymphocytes, decreased hemoglobin, constipation, decreased neutrophils, dry eye, vomiting, increased alanine aminotransferase, keratitis, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased alkaline phosphatase.¹

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dato-DXd is an approved ADC therapy that demonstrated efficacy and safety and is administered once every 3 weeks for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+, or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received prior endocrine therapy and chemotherapy for unresectable or metastatic disease.¹

Please see Indication and additional Important Safety Information included on this webpage.

Reference:

  1. Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk). Package insert. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; June 2025. 

DATROWAY® is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.

© 2026 Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and AstraZeneca. PP-US-DTB-0508 03/26

INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

DATROWAY® is a Trop-2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH−) breast cancer who have received prior endocrine-based therapy and chemotherapy for unresectable or metastatic disease.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis

DATROWAY can cause severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis. 

 

Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer

In the pooled safety population of 443 patients with breast cancer from TROPION-Breast01 and TROPION-PanTumor01, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.6% of patients treated with DATROWAY, including 0.7% of patients with Grade 3. There was one fatal case (0.2%). The median time to onset for ILD was 2.8 months (range: 1.1 months to 10.8 months).  Four patients (0.9%) had DATROWAY withheld and 7 patients (1.6%) permanently discontinued DATROWAY due to ILD/pneumonitis. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 60% (9/15) of patients with ILD/pneumonitis. ILD/pneumonitis resolved in 40% of patients.

 

Patients were excluded from clinical studies for a history of ILD/pneumonitis requiring treatment with steroids or for ongoing ILD/pneumonitis.

 

Monitor patients for new or worsening respiratory symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, fever) during treatment with DATROWAY. For asymptomatic (Grade 1) ILD/pneumonitis, consider corticosteroid treatment (e.g., ≥0.5 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent). For symptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 2 or greater), promptly initiate systemic corticosteroid treatment (e.g., ≥1 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent) and continue for at least 14 days followed by gradual taper for at least 4 weeks.

 

Withhold DATROWAY in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue DATROWAY if ≥Grade 2 ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed.

               

Ocular Adverse Reactions

DATROWAY can cause ocular adverse reactions including dry eye, keratitis, blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, increased lacrimation, conjunctivitis, and blurred vision. 

 

Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors

In patients with unresectable or metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors, ocular adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients treated with DATROWAY. Twenty patients (2.2%) experienced Grade 3 ocular adverse reactions, which included keratitis, dry eye, and blurred vision, and one patient experienced a Grade 4 ocular adverse reaction of conjunctival hemorrhage. The most common (≥5%) ocular adverse reactions were dry eye (17%), keratitis (14%), and increased lacrimation (7%). The median time to onset for ocular adverse reactions was 2.3 months (range: 0.03 months to 23.2 months). Of the patients who experienced ocular adverse reactions, 39% had complete resolution, and 10% had partial improvement (defined as a decrease in severity by one or more grades from the worst grade at last follow up). Ocular adverse reactions led to dosage interruption in 3.6% of patients, dosage reductions in 2.5% of patients, and permanent discontinuation of DATROWAY in 1% of patients.

 

Patients with clinically significant corneal disease were excluded from clinical studies.

Advise patients to use preservative-free lubricant eye drops several times daily for prophylaxis. Advise patients to avoid use of contact lenses unless directed by an eye care professional. 

 

Refer patients to an eye care professional for an ophthalmic exam including visual acuity testing, slit lamp examination (with fluorescein staining), intraocular pressure, and fundoscopy at treatment initiation, annually while on treatment, at end of treatment, and as clinically indicated.

 

Promptly refer patients to an eye care professional for any new or worsening ocular adverse reactions. Monitor patients for ocular adverse reactions during treatment with DATROWAY, and if diagnosis is confirmed, withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue DATROWAY based on severity.

 

Stomatitis

DATROWAY can cause stomatitis, including mouth ulcers and oral mucositis.

 

Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors

In patients with unresectable or metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors, stomatitis occurred in 63% of patients treated with DATROWAY, including 8% of patients with Grade 3 events and one patient with a Grade 4 reaction. The median time to first onset of stomatitis was 0.5 months (range: 0.03 months to 18.6 months). Stomatitis led to dosage interruption in 6% of patients, dosage reductions in 11% of patients, and permanent discontinuation of DATROWAY in 0.5% of patients.

 

In patients who received DATROWAY in TROPION-Breast01, 39% used a mouthwash containing corticosteroid for management or prophylaxis of stomatitis/oral mucositis at any time during the treatment.

 

Advise patients to use a steroid-containing mouthwash for prophylaxis and treatment of stomatitis. Instruct the patient to hold ice chips or ice water in the mouth throughout the infusion of DATROWAY.

 

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of stomatitis. If stomatitis occurs, increase the frequency of mouthwash and administer other topical treatments as clinically indicated. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue DATROWAY.

 

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action, DATROWAY can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman because the topoisomerase inhibitor component of DATROWAY, DXd, is genotoxic and affects actively dividing cells.

 

Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DATROWAY and for 7 months after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DATROWAY and for 4 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors

The pooled safety population described in WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflects exposure to DATROWAY as a single agent at 6 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion once every 3 weeks (21-day cycle) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in 927 patients in TROPION-Breast01 and other clinical trials. Among these patients who received DATROWAY, 45% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 19% were exposed for greater than one year. In this pooled safety population, the most common (≥ 20%) adverse reactions were stomatitis (63%), nausea (52%), fatigue (45%), alopecia (38%), constipation (28%), decreased appetite (23%), rash (23%), vomiting (22%), and musculoskeletal pain (20%). In this pooled safety population, the most common (≥2%) Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities were decreased lymphocytes (9%) and decreased hemoglobin (3.5%). 

 

 

Unresectable or Metastatic, HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

 

TROPION-Breast01

 

The safety of DATROWAY was evaluated in 360 patients with unresectable or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative (IHC 0, IHC1+ or IHC2+/ISH-) breast cancer who received at least one dose of DATROWAY 6 mg/kg in TROPION-Breast01. DATROWAY was administered by intravenous infusion once every three weeks. The median duration of treatment was 6.7 months (range: 0.7 months to 16.1 months) for patients who received DATROWAY.

 

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 15% of patients who received DATROWAY. Serious adverse reactions in >0.5% of patients who received DATROWAY were urinary tract infection (1.9%), COVID-19 infection (1.7%), ILD/pneumonitis (1.1%), acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, vomiting, diarrhea, hemiparesis, and anemia (0.6% each). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 0.3% of patients who received DATROWAY and were due to ILD/pneumonitis.

 

Permanent discontinuation of DATROWAY due to an adverse reaction occurred in 3.1% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of DATROWAY in >0.5% of patients included ILD/pneumonitis (1.7%) and fatigue (0.6%).

 

Dosage interruptions of DATROWAY due to an adverse reaction occurred in 22% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption in >1% of patients included COVID-19 (3.3%), infusion-related reaction (1.4%), ILD/pneumonitis (1.9%), stomatitis (1.9%), fatigue (1.7%), keratitis (1.4%), acute kidney injury (1.1%), and pneumonia (1.1%).

 

Dose reductions of DATROWAY due to an adverse reaction occurred in 23% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dose reduction in >1% of patients included stomatitis (13%), fatigue (3.1%), nausea (2.5%), and weight decrease (1.9%).

 

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were stomatitis (59%), nausea (56%), fatigue (44%), decreased leukocytes (41%), decreased calcium (39%), alopecia (38%), decreased lymphocytes (36%), decreased hemoglobin (35%), constipation (34%), decreased neutrophils (30%), dry eye (27%), vomiting (24%), increased ALT (24%), keratitis (24%), increased AST (23%), and increased alkaline phosphatase (23%).

 

Clinically relevant adverse reactions occurring in <10% of patients who received DATROWAY included infusion-related reactions (including bronchospasm), ILD/pneumonitis, headache, pruritus, dry skin, dry mouth, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, blurred vision, increased lacrimation, photophobia, visual impairment, skin hyperpigmentation, and madarosis.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

  • Pregnancy: Based on its mechanism of action, DATROWAY can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman because the topoisomerase inhibitor component of DATROWAY, DXd, is genotoxic and affects actively dividing cells. There are no available data on the use of DATROWAY in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus.
  • Lactation: There are no data regarding the presence of datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with DATROWAY and for 1 month after the last dose.
  • Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Pregnancy Testing: Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of DATROWAY. Contraception: Females: Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DATROWAY and for 7 months after the last dose. Males: Because of the potential for genotoxicity, advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DATROWAY and for 4 months after the last dose. Infertility: Based on findings in animal toxicity studies, DATROWAY may impair male and female reproductive function and fertility. The effects on reproductive organs in animals were irreversible.
  • Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of DATROWAY have not been established in pediatric patients.
  • Geriatric Use: Of the 365 patients in TROPION-Breast01 treated with DATROWAY 6 mg/kg, 25% were ≥65 years of age and 5% were ≥75 years of age. Grade ≥3 and serious adverse reactions were more common in patients ≥65 years (42% and 25%, respectively) compared to patients <65 years (33% and 15%, respectively). In TROPION-Breast01, no other meaningful differences in safety or efficacy were observed between patients ≥65 years of age versus younger patients.
  • Renal Impairment: A higher incidence of ILD/pneumonitis has been observed in patients with mild and moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CLcr] 30 to <90 mL/min). Monitor patients with renal impairment for increased adverse reactions, including respiratory reactions. No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. The effect of severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min) on the pharmacokinetics of datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk or DXd is unknown.
  • Hepatic Impairment: No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin ≤ULN and any AST >ULN or total bilirubin >1 to 1.5 times ULN and any AST). Limited data are available in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >1.5 to 3 times ULN and any AST). Monitor patients with moderate hepatic impairment for increased adverse reactions. The recommended dosage of DATROWAY has not been established for patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >3 times ULN and any AST).

 

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. at 1-877-437-7763 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or fda.gov/medwatch

 

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and click here for Medication Guide.

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