Friday, September 16, 2016

Folotyn





Dosage Form: injection
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

Indications and Usage for Folotyn


Folotyn is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). This indication is based on overall response rate. Clinical benefit such as improvement in progression-free survival or overall survival has not been demonstrated.



Folotyn Dosage and Administration


Folotyn should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic agents. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.



Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma


The recommended dose of Folotyn is 30 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous (IV) push over 3-5 minutes via the side port of a free-flowing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP IV line once weekly for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.



Vitamin Supplementation


Patients should take low-dose (1.0-1.25 mg) oral folic acid on a daily basis. Folic acid should be initiated during the 10-day period preceding the first dose of Folotyn, and dosing should continue during the full course of therapy and for 30 days after the last dose of Folotyn. Patients should also receive a vitamin B12 (1 mg) intramuscular injection no more than 10 weeks prior to the first dose of Folotyn and every 8-10 weeks thereafter. Subsequent vitamin B12 injections may be given the same day as treatment with Folotyn [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].



Preparation and Administration Precautions


Folotyn is a cytotoxic anticancer agent. Caution should be exercised in handling, preparing, and administering of the solution. The use of gloves and other protective clothing is recommended. If Folotyn comes in contact with the skin, immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water. If Folotyn comes in contact with mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water.


Several published guidelines for handling and disposal of anticancer agents are available [see References (15)].



Preparation for Intravenous Push Administration


  1. Folotyn vials should be refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F) until use.

  2. Folotyn vials should be stored in original carton to protect from light until use.

  3. Folotyn is a clear, yellow solution. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use any vials exhibiting particulate matter or discoloration.

  4. The calculated dose of Folotyn should be aseptically withdrawn into a syringe for immediate use.

  5. Do not dilute Folotyn.

  6. Folotyn vials contain no preservatives and are intended for single use only. After withdrawal of dose, discard vial including any unused portion.

  7. Unopened vial(s) of Folotyn are stable if stored in the original carton at room temperature for 72 hours. Any vials left at room temperature for greater than 72 hours should be discarded.


Monitoring and Dose Modifications


Management of severe or intolerable adverse reactions may require dose omission, reduction, or interruption of Folotyn therapy.



Monitoring


Complete blood cell counts and severity of mucositis should be monitored weekly. Serum chemistry tests, including renal and hepatic function, should be performed prior to the start of the first and fourth dose of a given cycle.



Dose Modification Recommendations


Prior to administering any dose of Folotyn:


  • Mucositis should be ≤ Grade 1.

  • Platelet count should be ≥ 100,000/μL for first dose and ≥ 50,000/μL for all subsequent doses.

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) should be ≥ 1,000/μL.

Doses may be omitted or reduced based on patient tolerance. Omitted doses will not be made up at the end of the cycle; once a dose reduction occurs for toxicity, do not re-escalate. For dose modifications and omissions, use the guidelines in Tables 1, 2, and 3.




















Table 1 Folotyn Dose Modifications for Mucositis
Mucositis Gradea on Day of TreatmentActionDose upon Recovery to ≤ Grade 1

a Per National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE, Version 3.0)


Grade 2Omit doseContinue prior dose
Grade 2 recurrenceOmit dose20 mg/m2
Grade 3Omit dose20 mg/m2
Grade 4Stop therapy


































Table 2 Folotyn Dose Modifications for Hematologic Toxicities
Blood Count on Day of TreatmentDuration of ToxicityActionDose upon Restart
Platelet < 50,000/μL1 weekOmit doseContinue prior dose
2 weeksOmit dose20 mg/m2 
3 weeksStop therapy 
ANC 500-1,000/μL and no fever1 weekOmit doseContinue prior dose
ANC 500-1,000/μL with fever

or

ANC < 500/μL
1 weekOmit dose, give G‑CSF or GM‑CSF supportContinue prior dose with G‑CSF or GM‑CSF support
2 weeks or recurrenceOmit dose, give G‑CSF or GM‑CSF support20 mg/m2 with G‑CSF or GM‑CSF support 
3 weeks or 2nd recurrenceStop therapy 












Table 3 Folotyn Dose Modifications for All Other Treatment-related Toxicities
Toxicity Grade a on Day of TreatmentActionDose upon Recovery to ≤ Grade 2

a Per National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE, Version 3.0)


Grade 3Omit dose20 mg/m2
Grade 4Stop therapy

Dosage Forms and Strengths


Folotyn is available in sterile, single-use vials containing pralatrexate at a concentration of 20 mg/mL in the following presentations:


20 mg of pralatrexate in 1 mL solution in a vial (20 mg / 1 mL)


40 mg of pralatrexate in 2 mL solution in a vial (40 mg / 2 mL)



Contraindications


None.



Warnings and Precautions



Bone Marrow Suppression


Folotyn can suppress bone marrow function, manifested by thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. Dose modifications are based on ANC and platelet count prior to each dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Adverse Reactions (6)].



Mucositis


Treatment with Folotyn may cause mucositis. If ≥ Grade 2 mucositis is observed, omit dose and follow guidelines in Section 2.5, Table 1 [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].



Dermatologic Reactions


Folotyn has been associated with severe dermatologic reactions, which may result in death. These dermatologic reactions have been reported in clinical studies (14/663 patients [2.1%]) and post marketing experience, and have included skin exfoliation, ulceration, and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These reactions may be progressive and increase in severity with further treatment, and may involve skin and subcutaneous sites of known lymphoma. Patients with dermatologic reactions should be monitored closely, and if severe, Folotyn should be withheld or discontinued.



Tumor Lysis Syndrome


Tumor lysis syndrome has been reported in patients with lymphoma receiving Folotyn. Patients receiving Folotyn should be monitored closely and treated for complications.



Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Supplementation


Patients should be instructed to take folic acid and receive vitamin B12 to potentially reduce treatment-related hematological toxicity and mucositis [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].



Pregnancy Category D


Folotyn can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Folotyn was embryotoxic and fetotoxic in rats and rabbits. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].



Decreased Renal Function


Although Folotyn has not been formally tested in patients with renal impairment, caution is advised when administering Folotyn to patients with moderate to severe impairment. Monitor patients for renal function and systemic toxicity due to increased drug exposure. No data are available to safely guide the use of Folotyn in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing dialysis and therefore its use in these patients is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].



Elevated Liver Enzymes


Liver function test abnormalities have been observed after Folotyn administration. Persistent liver function test abnormalities may be indicators of liver toxicity and require dose modification. Monitor patients for liver function [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].



Adverse Reactions


The most common adverse reactions observed in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) treated with Folotyn were mucositis, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fatigue.



Clinical Trials Experience


Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.


The safety of Folotyn was evaluated in 111 PTCL patients in a single-arm clinical study in which patients received a starting dose of 30 mg/m2 once weekly for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles. The median duration of treatment was 70 days (range 1-540 days).



Most Frequent Adverse Reactions


Table 4 summarizes the most frequent adverse reactions, regardless of causality, using the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE, version 3.0).






























































































































































































































Table 4 Adverse Reactions Occurring in PTCL Patients (Incidence ≥ 10% of patients)
N=111
TotalGrade 3Grade 4
Preferred TermN%N%N%

aStomatitis or mucosal inflammation of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.



bFive patients with platelets < 10,000/μL



cAlanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and transaminases increased


Any Adverse Event11110048433431
    Mucositisa7870191744
    Thrombocytopeniab454115142119b
    Nausea44404400
    Fatigue40365522
    Anemia3834171522
    Constipation37330000
    Pyrexia36321111
    Edema33301100
    Cough31281100
    Epistaxis29260000
    Vomiting28252200
    Neutropenia2724141387
    Diarrhea23212200
    Dyspnea21198700
    Anorexia17153300
    Hypokalemia17154411
    Rash17150000
    Pruritus16142200
    Pharyngolaryngeal pain15141100
    Liver function test abnormalc14136500
    Abdominal pain13124400
    Pain in extremity13120000
    Back pain12113300
    Leukopenia12113344
    Night sweats12110000
    Asthenia11101100
    Tachycardia11100000
    Upper respiratory tract infection11101100

Serious Adverse Events


Forty-four percent of patients (n = 49) experienced a serious adverse event while on study or within 30 days after their last dose of Folotyn. The most common serious adverse events (> 3%), regardless of causality, were pyrexia, mucositis, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, dehydration, dyspnea, and thrombocytopenia. One death from cardiopulmonary arrest in a patient with mucositis and febrile neutropenia was reported in this trial. Deaths from mucositis, febrile neutropenia, sepsis, and pancytopenia occurred in 1.2% of patients treated on all Folotyn trials at doses ranging from 30 to 325 mg/m2.



Discontinuations


Twenty-three percent of patients (n = 25) discontinued treatment with Folotyn due to adverse reactions. The adverse reactions reported most frequently as the reason for discontinuation of treatment were mucositis (6%, n = 7) and thrombocytopenia (5%, n = 5).



Dose Modifications


The target dose of Folotyn was 30 mg/m2 once weekly for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles. The majority of patients (69%, n = 77) remained at the target dose for the duration of treatment. Overall, 85% of scheduled doses were administered.



Post Marketing Experience


Toxic epidermal necrolysis has been identified during post approval use of Folotyn. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].



Drug Interactions


In vitro studies indicated that pralatrexate is not a substrate, inhibitor, or inducer of CYP450 isoenzymes and has low potential for drug-drug interactions at CYP450 isoenzymes [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. In vitro transporter studies indicated that pralatrexate is not a significant substrate for P-gp,  OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3, is a low to moderate substrate for BCRP, OATP1B1, MRP2, and MRP3, and is a substrate for OATP1B3.  Pralatrexate does not significantly inhibit P-gp, BCRP, OCT2, OAT1, OAT3, and OATP1B3, is a weak inhibitor of OATP1B1 and MRP2, and is a potent inhibitor of MRP3 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].  MRP3 is a liver transporter implicated in the transport of etoposide, teniposide, and methotrexate.


No formal clinical assessments of pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions between Folotyn and other drugs have been conducted. The effect of co-administration of the uricosuric drug probenecid on pralatrexate pharmacokinetics was investigated in a Phase 1 clinical study. Co-administration of increasing doses of probenecid resulted in delayed clearance of pralatrexate and a commensurate increase in exposure.


Due to the contribution of renal excretion (approximately 34%) to the overall clearance of pralatrexate, concomitant administration of drugs that are subject to substantial renal clearance (eg, NSAIDs, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) may result in delayed clearance of pralatrexate.



USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS



Pregnancy


Pregnancy Category D [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].


Folotyn can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Pralatrexate was embryotoxic and fetotoxic in rats at IV doses of 0.06 mg/kg/day (0.36 mg/m2/day or about 1.2% of the clinical dose on a mg/m2 basis) given on gestation days 7 through 20. Treatment with pralatrexate caused a dose-dependent decrease in fetal viability manifested as an increase in late, early, and total resorptions. There was also a dose-dependent increase in post-implantation loss. In rabbits, IV doses of 0.03 mg/kg/day (0.36 mg/m2/day) or greater given on gestation days 8 through 21 also caused abortion and fetal lethality. This toxicity manifested as early and total resorptions, post-implantation loss, and a decrease in the total number of live fetuses. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.



Nursing Mothers


It is not known whether pralatrexate is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from this drug, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue Folotyn, taking into account the importance of Folotyn to the mother.



Pediatric Use


Pediatric patients were not included in clinical studies with Folotyn. The safety and effectiveness of Folotyn in pediatric patients have not been established.



Geriatric Use


In the PTCL efficacy study, 36% of patients (n = 40) were 65 years of age and over. No overall differences in efficacy and safety were observed in patients based on age (< 65 years compared with ≥ 65 years).


No dosage adjustment is required in elderly patients with normal renal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]



Hepatic Impairment


Formal studies have not been performed with Folotyn in patients with hepatic impairment. Patients with the following laboratory values were excluded from the pralatrexate lymphoma clinical trials: total bilirubin > 1.5 mg/dL; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN); and AST or ALT > 5 × ULN if documented hepatic involvement with lymphoma.



Renal Impairment


[see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].



Overdosage


No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage of Folotyn. If an overdose occurs, general supportive measures should be instituted as deemed necessary by the treating physician. Based on Folotyn'S mechanism of action the prompt administration of leucovorin should be considered.



Folotyn Description


Folotyn (pralatrexate injection) contains pralatrexate, which is an antineoplastic folate analog. Pralatrexate has the chemical name (2S)-2-[[4-[(1RS)-1-[(2, 4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl]but-3-ynyl]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid. The structural formula is as follows:



Pralatrexate is a 1:1 racemic mixture of S- and R- diastereomers at the C10 position (indicated with *).


The molecular formula is C23H23N7O5 and the molecular weight is 477.48 g/mol.


Pralatrexate is an off-white to yellow solid. It is soluble in aqueous solutions at pH 6.5 or higher. Pralatrexate is practically insoluble in chloroform and ethanol. The pKa values are 3.25, 4.76, and 6.17.


Folotyn is supplied as a preservative-free, sterile, isotonic, non-pyrogenic clear yellow aqueous parenteral solution contained in a single-use clear glass vial (Type I) for intravenous administration. Each 1 mL of solution contains 20 mg of pralatrexate, sufficient sodium chloride to achieve an isotonic (280-300 mOsm) solution, and sufficient sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid if needed, to adjust and maintain the pH at 7.5-8.5. Folotyn is supplied as either 20 mg (1 mL) or 40 mg (2 mL) single-use vials at a concentration of 20 mg/mL.



Folotyn - Clinical Pharmacology



Mechanism of Action


Pralatrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor that competitively inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. It is also a competitive inhibitor for polyglutamylation by the enzyme folylpolyglutamyl synthetase. This inhibition results in the depletion of thymidine and other biological molecules the synthesis of which depends on single carbon transfer.



Pharmacokinetics



Absorption


The pharmacokinetics of pralatrexate administered as a single agent at a dose of 30 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous push over 3-5 minutes once weekly for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles have been evaluated in 10 patients with PTCL. The total systemic clearance of pralatrexate diastereomers was 417 mL/min (S-diastereomer) and 191 mL/min (R-diastereomer). The terminal elimination half-life of pralatrexate was 12-18 hours (coefficient of variance [CV] = 62-120%). Pralatrexate total systemic exposure (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) increased proportionally with dose (dose range 30-325 mg/m2, including pharmacokinetics data from high-dose solid tumor clinical studies). The pharmacokinetics of pralatrexate did not change significantly over multiple treatment cycles, and no accumulation of pralatrexate was observed.



Distribution


Pralatrexate diastereomers showed a steady-state volume of distribution of 105 L (S-diastereomer) and 37 L (R-diastereomer). In vitro studies indicated that pralatrexate is approximately 67% bound to plasma proteins. In in vitro transporter studies, pralatrexate was a low to moderate substrate for BCRP, OATP1B1, MRP2, and MRP3 and a substrate for OATP1B3. Pralatrexate was not a significant substrate for P-gp, OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3. Pralatrexate did not significantly inhibit P-gp, BCRP, OCT2, OAT1, OAT3 and OATP1B3. Pralatrexate was a weak inhibitor of OATP1B1 (35% inhibition at 100 μM) and MRP2 (IC50 = 43.5 μM) and a potent inhibitor of MRP3 (IC50 < 0.3 μM).



Metabolism


In vitro studies using human hepatocytes, liver microsomes and S9 fractions, and recombinant human CYP450 isozymes showed that pralatrexate is not significantly metabolized by the phase I hepatic CYP450 isozymes or phase II hepatic glucuronidases. In vitro studies indicated that pralatrexate has low potential to induce or inhibit the activity of CYP450 isozymes.



Excretion


A mass balance study has not been performed. The mean fraction of unchanged pralatrexate diastereomers excreted in urine following a pralatrexate dose of 30 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous push over 3-5 minutes was 31% (S-diastereomer) (CV = 47%) and 38% (R-diastereomer) (CV = 45%), respectively.



Patients with Renal Impairment


Approximately 34% of pralatrexate was excreted unchanged into urine following a single dose of 30 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous push over 3-5 minutes. In a population pharmacokinetic analysis drug clearance decreased with decreasing creatinine clearance [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].



Patients with Hepatic Impairment


Pralatrexate has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.



Effects of Age and Gender


Due to the contribution of renal excretion to overall clearance of pralatrexate, age-related decline in renal function may lead to a reduction in clearance and a commensurate increase in plasma exposure. There was no significant effect of gender on pharmacokinetics.



Nonclinical Toxicology



Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility



Carcinogenesis


Carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with pralatrexate.



Mutagenesis


Pralatrexate did not cause mutations in the Ames test or the Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosome aberration assay. Nevertheless, these tests do not reliably predict genotoxicity for this class of compounds. Pralatrexate did not cause mutations in the mouse micronucleus assay.



Impairment of Fertility


No fertility studies have been performed.



Clinical Studies



Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma (PTCL)


The safety and efficacy of Folotyn was evaluated in an open-label, single-arm, multi-center, international trial that enrolled 115 patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL. One hundred and eleven patients were treated with Folotyn at 30 mg/m2 once weekly by IV push over 3-5 minutes for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Of the 111 patients treated, 109 patients were evaluable for efficacy. Evaluable patients had histologically confirmed PTCL by independent central review using the Revised European American Lymphoma (REAL) World Health Organization (WHO) disease classification, and relapsed or refractory disease after at least one prior treatment.


The primary efficacy endpoint was overall response rate (complete response, complete response unconfirmed, and partial response) as assessed by International Workshop Criteria (IWC). The key secondary efficacy endpoint was duration of response. Response assessments were scheduled at the end of cycle 1 and then every other cycle (every 14 weeks). Duration of response was measured from the first day of documented response to disease progression or death. Response and disease progression were evaluated by independent central review using the IWC.


The median age of treated patients was 59.0 years (range 21-85); 68% were male and 32% were female. Most patients were White (72%) and other racial origins included: Black (13%), Hispanic (8%), Asian (5%), other and unknown (<1% each). Patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status at study entry of 0 (39%), 1 (44%), or 2 (17%). The median time from initial diagnosis to study entry was 15.6 months (range 0.8 – 322.3).


The median number of prior systemic therapies was 3 (range 1-12). Approximately one-fourth of patients (24%, n = 27) did not have evidence of response to any previous therapy. Approximately two-thirds of patients (63%, n = 70) did not have evidence of response to their most recent prior therapy before entering the study.


In all evaluable patients (n = 109) treated with Folotyn, the response rate, as determined by independent central review by IWC, was 27% (n = 29) (Table 5).














































Table 5 Response Analysis per Independent Central Review (IWC)
Evaluable Patients

(N=109)

Fourteen patients went off treatment in cycle 1; 2 patients were unevaluable for response by IWC due to insufficient materials provided to central review.



CR = Complete Response, CRu = Complete Response unconfirmed, PR = Partial Response


N (%)95% CIMedian Duration of ResponseRange of Duration of Response
Overall Response
CR+CRu+PR29 (27)19, 36287 days

(9.4 months)
1-503 days
CR/CRu9 (8)
PR20 (18)
Responses ≥ 14 weeks
CR+CRu+PR13 (12)7, 20Not Reached98-503 days
CR/CRu7 (6)
PR6 (6)

The initial response assessment was scheduled at the end of cycle 1. Of the responders, 66% responded within cycle 1. The median time to first response was 45 days (range 37-349 days).



REFERENCES


  1. Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings. NIOSH Alert 2004-165.

  2. OSHA Technical Manual, TED 1-0.15A, Section VI: Chapter 2. Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs. OSHA, 1999. http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/o tm/otm_vi/otm_vi_2.html

  3. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ASHP guidelines on handling hazardous drugs. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2006;63:1172-1193.

  4. Polovich, M., White, J. M., & Kelleher, L. O. (eds.) 2005. Chemotherapy and biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (2nd. ed.) Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.


How Supplied/Storage and Handling


Folotyn is available in single-use clear glass vials containing pralatrexate at a concentration of 20 mg/mL as a preservative-free, sterile, clear yellow solution individually packaged for intravenous use in the following presentations:


NDC 48818-001-01: 20 mg of pralatrexate in 1 mL solution in a vial (20 mg / 1 mL)


NDC 48818

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