Isatuximab
Also sold as: Sarclisa
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Antibodies, Monoclonal (source: RxClass/NLM)
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- daratumumabCD38-directed Cytolytic AntibodySame Class
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Isatuximab-irfc is an IgG1-derived monoclonal antibody that binds to CD38 expressed on the surface of hematopoietic and tumor cells, including multiple myeloma cells. Isatuximab-irfc induces apoptosis of tumor cells and activation of immune effector mechanisms including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Isatuximab-irfc inhibits the ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity of CD38. Isatuximab-irfc can activate natural killer (NK) cells in the absence of CD38-positive target tumor cells and suppresses CD38-positive T-regulatory cells. The combination of isatuximab-irfc and pomalidomide enhanced ADCC activity and direct tumor cell killing compared to that of isatuximab-irfc alone in vitro , and enhanced antitumor activity compared to the activity of isatuximab-irfc or pomalidomide alone in a human multiple myeloma xenograft model.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE SARCLISA is indicated: in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior therapies including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received 1 to 3 prior lines of therapy. in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). SARCLISA is a CD38-directed cytolytic antibody indicated: in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior therapies including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received 1 to 3 prior lines of therapy. in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Premedicate with dexamethasone, acetaminophen, H2 antagonists, and diphenhydramine. ( 2.2 ) The recommended dosage of SARCLISA is 10 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion. See full prescribing information for SARCLISA schedules of administration and drugs used in combination. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Administer pre-infusion medications [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . SARCLISA should be administered by a healthcare professional, with immediate access to emergency equipment and appropriate medical support to manage infusion-related reactions if they occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The recommended dose of SARCLISA is 10 mg/kg actual body weight administered as an intravenous infusion in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone or in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone, or in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. SARCLISA dosing schedules are provided in Tables 1 and 2 [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Table 1: SARCLISA Dosing Schedule in Combination with Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone or in Combination with Carfilzomib and Dexamethasone Cycles Dosing schedules Cycle 1 (28-day cycle) Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 (weekly) Cycle 2 and beyond (28-day cycles) Days 1, 15 (every 2 weeks) Table 2: SARCLISA Dosing Schedule in Combination with Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Cycles Dosing schedules Cycle 1 (42-day cycle) Days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 Cycles 2 to 4 (42-day cycles) Days 1, 15, and 29 (every 2 weeks) Cycles 5 to 17 (28-day cycles) Days 1 and 15 (every 2 weeks) Cycles 18 and beyond (28-day cycles) Day 1 (every 4 weeks) Treatment is repeated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. SARCLISA is used in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone or in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone or in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. For dosing instructions of combination agents administered with SARCLISA, see Clinical Studies (14) and manufacturer's prescribing information. Missed SARCLISA Doses If a planned dose of SARCLISA is missed, administer the dose as soon as possible and adjust the treatment schedule accordingly, maintaining the treatment interval. 2.2 Recommended Premedications and Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Recommended Premedications Administer the following premedications prior to SARCLISA infusion to reduce the risk and severity of infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] : When administered in combination with SARCLISA and pomalidomide: Dexamethasone 40 mg orally or intravenously (or 20 mg orally or intravenously for patients ≥75 years of age). When administered in combination with SARCLISA and carfilzomib: Dexamethasone 20 mg (intravenously on the days of SARCLISA and/or carfilzomib infusions, orally on day 22 in cycle 2 and beyond, and orally on day 23 in all cycles). When administered in combination with SARCLISA, bortezomib, and lenalidomide: Dexamethasone 20 mg (intravenously on the days of SARCLISA infusions, orally on the other days). Acetaminophen 650 mg to 1,000 mg orally (or equivalent). H2 antagonist Diphenhydramine 25 mg to 50 mg orally or intravenously (or equivalent). The intravenous route is preferred for at least the first 4 infusions. The above recommended dose of dexamethasone (orally or intravenously) corresponds to the dose to be administered before infusion as part of the premedication and part of the backbone treatment. Administer dexamethasone before SARCLISA and pomalidomide, before SARCLISA and carfilzomib, and before SARCLISA, bortezomib, and lenalidomide administration. Administer the recommended premedication agents 15 to 60 minutes prior to starting a SARCLISA infusion. Recommended Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Initiate antibacterial and antiviral prophylaxis (such as herpes zoster prophylaxis) if needed based on standard guidelines [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 2.3 Dosage Modifications No dose reduction of SARCLISA is recommended. Dose delay may be required to allow recovery of blood counts in the event of hematological toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3 , 5.5) ] . For information concerning drugs given in combination with SARCLISA, see manufacturer's prescribing information. 2.4 Preparation Prepare the solution for infusion using aseptic technique as follows: Calculate the dose (mg) of required SARCLISA based on actual patient weight (measured prior to each cycle to have the administered dose adjusted accordingly) [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . More than one SARCLISA vial may be necessary to obtain the required dose for the patient. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Remove the volume of diluent from the 250 mL Sodium Chloride Injection, or 5% Dextrose Injection, diluent bag that is equal to the required volume of SARCLISA injection. Withdraw the necessary vol
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions from SARCLISA are also described in other sections of the labeling: Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Second Primary Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] In combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone : The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are upper respiratory tract infection, infusion-related reactions, pneumonia, and diarrhea. The most common hematology laboratory abnormalities (≥80%) are decreased hemoglobin, decreased neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes, and decreased platelets. ( 6.1 ) In combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone : The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are upper respiratory tract infection, infusion-related reactions, fatigue, hypertension, diarrhea, pneumonia, dyspnea, insomnia, bronchitis, cough, and back pain. The most common hematology laboratory abnormalities (≥80%) are decreased hemoglobin, decreased lymphocytes, and decreased platelets. ( 6.1 ) In combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone : The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, fatigue, peripheral sensory neuropathy, pneumonia, musculoskeletal pain, cataract, constipation, peripheral edema, rash, infusion-related reaction, insomnia, and COVID-19. The most common hematologic laboratory abnormalities (≥80%) are decreased hemoglobin, decreased leukocytes, decreased lymphocytes, decreased platelets, and decreased neutrophils. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 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. Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma Combination treatment with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Isa-Pd) The safety of SARCLISA was evaluated in ICARIA-MM, a randomized, open-label clinical trial in patients with previously treated multiple myeloma. Patients received SARCLISA 10 mg/kg intravenously, weekly in the first cycle and every two weeks thereafter, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Isa-Pd) (n=152) or pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) (n=149) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Among patients receiving Isa-Pd, 66% were exposed to SARCLISA for 6 months or longer and 24% were exposed for greater than 12 months or longer. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients receiving Isa-Pd. Serious adverse reactions in >5% of patients who received Isa-Pd included pneumonia (26%), upper respiratory tract infections (7%), and febrile neutropenia (7%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 11% of patients (those that occurred in more than 1% of patients were pneumonia and other infections [3%]). Permanent treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction (grades 1–4) occurred in 7% of patients who received Isa-Pd. The most frequent adverse reactions requiring permanent discontinuation in patients who received Isa-Pd were infections (2.6%). SARCLISA alone was discontinued in 3% of patients due to infusion-related reactions. Dosage interruptions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 31% of patients who received SARCLISA. The most frequent adverse reaction requiring dosage interruption was infusion-related reaction (28%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were upper respiratory tract infection, infusion-related reactions, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Table 4 summarizes the adverse reactions in ICARIA-MM. Table 4: Adverse Reactions (≥10%) in Patients Receiving SARCLISA, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone with a Difference Between Arms of ≥5% Compared to Control Arm in ICARIA-MM Trial Adverse Reactions SARCLISA + Pomalidomide + Dexamethasone (Isa-Pd) Pomalidomide + Dexamethasone (Pd) (N=152) (N=149) All Grades (%) Grade 3 (%) Grade 4 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 (%) Grade 4 (%) CTCAE version 4.03 General disorders and administration site conditions Infusion-related reaction Infusion-related reaction includes infusion-related reaction, cytokine release syndrome, and drug hypersensitivity. 38 1.3 1.3 0 0 0 Infections Upper respiratory tract infection Upper respiratory tract infection includes bronchiolitis, bronchitis, bronchitis viral, chronic sinusitis, fungal pharyngitis, influenza-like illness, laryngitis, nasopharyngitis, parainfluenzae virus infection, pharyngitis, respiratory tract infection, respiratory tract infection viral, rhinitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and upper respiratory tract infection bacterial. 57 9 0 42 3.4 0 Pneumonia Pneumonia includes atypical pneumonia, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, pneumonia, pneumo
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Laboratory Test Interference Interference with Serological Testing SARCLISA, an anti-CD38 antibody, may interfere with blood bank serologic tests with false positive reactions in indirect antiglobulin tests (indirect Coombs tests), antibody detection (screening) tests, antibody identification panels, and antihuman globulin crossmatches in patients treated with SARCLISA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Interference with Serum Protein Electrophoresis and Immunofixation Tests SARCLISA may be incidentally detected by serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation assays used for the monitoring of M-protein and may interfere with accurate response classification based on International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . In patients with persistent very good partial response, where interference is suspected, consider using an FDA-cleared isatuximab-irfc-specific IFE assay to distinguish isatuximab from any remaining endogenous M protein in the patient's serum to facilitate determination of a complete response.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS SARCLISA is contraindicated in patients with severe hypersensitivity to isatuximab-irfc or to any of its excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Patients with severe hypersensitivity to isatuximab-irfc or to any of its excipients. ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.