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Alemtuzumab

Also sold as: Lemtrada, Campath

CD52-directed Antibody InteractionsPrescription OnlyGeneric Available

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Drug Information

Mechanism of Action

12.1 Mechanism of Action CAMPATH binds to CD52, an antigen present on the surface of B and T lymphocytes, a majority of monocytes, macrophages, NK cells, and a subpopulation of granulocytes. A proportion of bone marrow cells, including some CD34+ cells, express variable levels of CD52. The proposed mechanism of action is antibody-dependent cellular-mediated lysis following cell surface binding of CAMPATH to the leukemic cells.

Indications & Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE CAMPATH is indicated as a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). CAMPATH is a CD52-directed cytolytic antibody indicated as a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Administer as an intravenous infusion over 2 hours. ( 2.1 ) Escalate to recommended dose of 30 mg/day three times per week for 12 weeks. ( 2.1 ) Premedicate with oral antihistamine and acetaminophen. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing Schedule and Administration Administer as an intravenous infusion over 2 hours. Do not administer as intravenous push or bolus. Recommended Dosing Regimen Gradually escalate to the maximum recommended single dose of 30 mg. Escalation is required at initiation of dosing or if dosing is held ≥7 days during treatment. Escalation to 30 mg ordinarily can be accomplished in 3 to 7 days. Escalation Strategy: – Administer 3 mg daily until infusion-related reactions are ≤ Grade 2 [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . – Then administer 10 mg daily until infusion-related reactions are ≤ Grade 2. – Then administer 30 mg/day three times per week on alternate days (e.g., Mon-Wed-Fri). The total duration of therapy, including dose escalation, is 12 weeks. Single doses of greater than 30 mg or cumulative doses greater than 90 mg per week increase the incidence of pancytopenia. 2.2 Recommended Concomitant Medications Premedicate with diphenhydramine (50 mg) and acetaminophen (500–1000 mg) 30 minutes prior to first infusion and each dose escalation. Institute appropriate medical management (e.g., glucocorticoids, epinephrine, meperidine) for infusion-related reactions as needed [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Administer trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole double strength (DS) twice daily 3 times per week (or equivalent) as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis. Administer famciclovir 250 mg BID or equivalent as herpetic prophylaxis. Continue PCP and herpes viral prophylaxis for a minimum of 2 months after completion of CAMPATH or until the CD4+ count is ≥200 cells/µL, whichever occurs later [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . 2.3 Dosage Modification Withhold CAMPATH during serious infection or other serious adverse reactions until resolution. Discontinue CAMPATH for autoimmune anemia or autoimmune thrombocytopenia. There are no dose modifications recommended for lymphopenia. Dose Modification for Neutropenia or Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hematologic Values Dosage Modification If the delay between dosing is ≥7 days, initiate therapy at CAMPATH 3 mg and escalate to 10 mg and then to 30 mg as tolerated [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . ANC <250/μL and/or platelet count ≤25,000/μL For first occurrence: Withhold CAMPATH therapy. Resume CAMPATH at 30 mg when ANC ≥500/μL and platelet count ≥50,000/μL. For second occurrence: Withhold CAMPATH therapy. Resume CAMPATH at 10 mg when ANC ≥500/μL and platelet count ≥50,000/μL. For third occurrence: Discontinue CAMPATH therapy. ≥50% decrease from baseline in patients initiating therapy with a baseline ANC ≤250/μL and/or a baseline platelet count ≤25,000/μL For first occurrence: Withhold CAMPATH therapy. Resume CAMPATH at 30 mg upon return to baseline value(s). For second occurrence: Withhold CAMPATH therapy. Resume CAMPATH at 10 mg upon return to baseline value(s). For third occurrence: Discontinue CAMPATH therapy. 2.4 Preparation and Administration Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. If particulate matter is present or the solution is discolored, discard the vial. DO NOT SHAKE VIAL . Use aseptic technique during the preparation and administration of CAMPATH. Withdraw the necessary amount of CAMPATH from the vial into a syringe. To prepare the 3 mg dose, withdraw 0.1 mL into a 1 mL syringe calibrated in increments of 0.01 mL. To prepare the 10 mg dose, withdraw 0.33 mL into a 1 mL syringe calibrated in increments of 0.01 mL. To prepare the 30 mg dose, withdraw 1 mL in either a 1 mL or 3 mL syringe calibrated in 0.1 mL increments. Inject syringe contents into 100 mL sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride USP or 5% Dextrose in Water USP. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution . Discard syringe. The vial contains no preservatives and is intended for single use only. DISCARD VIAL including any unused portion after withdrawal of dose. Use within 8 hours after dilution. Store diluted CAMPATH at room temperature between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) or refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Protect from light. 2.5 Incompatibilities CAMPATH is compatible with polyvinylchloride (PVC) bags and PVC or polyethylene-lined PVC administration sets. Do not add or simultaneously infuse other drug substances through the same intravenous line.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Cytopenias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Immunosuppression/Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥10%): cytopenias, infusion-related reactions, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other infections, nausea, emesis, diarrhea, and insomnia. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genzyme Corporation at 1-877-4-CAMPATH (1-877-422-6728) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data below reflect exposure to CAMPATH in 296 patients with CLL of whom 147 were previously untreated and 149 received at least 2 prior chemotherapy regimens. The median duration of exposure was 11.7 weeks for previously untreated patients and 8 weeks for previously treated patients. The most common adverse reactions with CAMPATH are: infusion-related reactions (pyrexia, chills, hypotension, urticaria, nausea, rash, tachycardia, dyspnea), cytopenias (neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), infections (CMV viremia, CMV infection, other infections), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, emesis, abdominal pain), and neurological symptoms (insomnia, anxiety). The most common serious adverse reactions are cytopenias, infusion-related reactions, and immunosuppression/infections. Lymphopenia Severe lymphopenia and a rapid and sustained decrease in lymphocyte subsets occurred in previously untreated and previously treated patients following administration of CAMPATH. In previously untreated patients, the median CD4+ was 0 cells/μL at one month after treatment and 238 cells/μL [25%–75% interquartile range 115 to 418 cells/μL at 6 months post treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Neutropenia In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 42% with a median time to onset of 31 days and a median duration of 37 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 64% with a median duration of 28 days. Ten percent of previously untreated patients and 17% of previously treated patients received granulocyte colony stimulating factors. Anemia In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anemia was 12% with a median time to onset of 31 days and a median duration of 8 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anemia was 38%. Seventeen percent of previously untreated patients and 66% of previously treated patients received either erythropoiesis stimulating agents, transfusions or both. Thrombocytopenia In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was 14% with a median time to onset of 9 days and a median duration of 14 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was 52% with a median duration of 21 days. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia was reported in 2% of previously treated patients with one fatality. Infusion-Related Reactions Infusion-related reactions, which included pyrexia, chills, hypotension, urticaria, and dyspnea, were common. Grade 3 and 4 pyrexia and/or chills occurred in approximately 10% of previously untreated patients and in approximately 35% of previously treated patients. The occurrence of infusion-related reactions was greatest during the initial week of treatment and decreased with subsequent doses of CAMPATH. All patients were pretreated with antipyretics and antihistamines; additionally, 43% of previously untreated patients received glucocorticoid pre-treatment. Infections In the study of previously untreated patients, patients were tested weekly for CMV using a PCR assay from initiation through completion of therapy, and every 2 weeks for the first 2 months following therapy. CMV infection occurred in 16% (23/147) of previously untreated patients; approximately one-third of these infections were serious or life threatening. In studies of previously treated patients in which routine CMV surveillance was not required, CMV infection was documented in 6% (9/149) of patients; nearly all of these infections were serious or life threatening. Other infections were reported in approximately 50% of patients across all studies. Grade 3 to 5 sepsis ranged from 3% to 10% across studies and was higher in previously treated patients. Grade 3 to 4 febrile neutropenia ranged from 5% to 10% across studies and was higher in previously treated patients. Infection-related fatalities occurred in 2% of previously untreated patients and 16% of previously treated patients. There were 198 episodes of other i

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with CAMPATH.

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )

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