Summary of medicine characteristics - LENALIDOMIDE MYLAN 5 MG CAPSULES
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Lenalidomide Mylan 5 mg hard capsules
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each capsule contains 5 mg of lenalidomide
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Hard capsule (capsule).
White capsules, size 2, 18 mm, marked “MYLAN/LL 5”
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Multiple myeloma
Lenalidomide Mylan as monotherapy is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who have undergone autologous stem cell transplantation.
Lenalidomide Mylan as combination therapy with dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, or melphalan and prednisone (see section 4.2) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are not eligible for transplant.
Lenalidomide Mylan in combination with dexamethasone is indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma in adult patients who have received at least one prior therapy.
Follicular lymphoma
Lenalidomide Mylan in combination with rituximab (anti-CD20 antibody) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma (Grade 1 – 3 a).
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Lenalidomide Mylan treatment should be supervised by a physician experienced in the use of anti-cancer therapies.
For all indications described below:
Dose is modified based upon clinical and laboratory findings (see section 4.4).
Dose adjustments, during treatment and restart of treatment, are recommended to manage grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, or other grade 3 or 4 toxicity judged to be related to lenalidomide.
In case of neutropenia, the use of growth factors in patient management should be considered.
If less than 12 hours has elapsed since missing a dose, the patient can take the dose. If more than 12 hours has elapsed since missing a dose at the normal time, the patient should not take the dose, but take the next dose at the normal time on the following day.
4.3 Contraindications
Posology
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM)
Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until disease progression in patients who are not eligible for transplant
Lenalidomide treatment must not be started if the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is < 1.0 × 109/L, and/or platelet counts are < 50 × 109/L.
Recommended dose
The recommended starting dose of lenalidomide is 25 mg orally once daily on days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles.
The recommended dose of dexamethasone is 40 mg orally once daily on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of repeated 28-day cycles. Patients may continue lenalidomide and dexamethasone therapy until disease progression or intolerance.
Dose reduction steps
Lenalidomidea | Dexamethasonea | |
Starting dose | 25 mg | 40 mg |
Dose level –1 | 20 mg | 20 mg |
Dose level –2 | 15 mg | 12 mg |
Dose level –3 | 10 mg | 8 mg |
Dose level- 4 | 5 mg | 4 mg |
Dose level –5 | 2.5 mg | Not applicable |
a Dose reduction for both products can be managed independently
Thrombocytopenia
_____________When platelets___________________________Recommended course__________
Fall to < 25 × 109/L Stop lenalidomide dosing for remainder of cyclea
Return to > 50 × 109/L Decrease by one dose level when dosing resumed
at next cycle
aIf Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) occurs on > day15 of a cycle, lenalidomide dosing will be interrupted for at least the remainder of the current 28-day cycle.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) neutropenia
When ANC Recommended coursea
First fall to < 0.5 × 109/L Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
Return to > 1 × 109/L when neutropenia is the Resume lenalidomide at starting dose once
only observed toxicity daily
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L when dose-dependent Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once
haematological toxicities other than daily
neutropenia are observed
For each subsequent drop below < 0.5 x Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
109/L Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L level once daily.
a At the physician’s discretion, if neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and maintain the dose level of lenalidomide.
For hematologic toxicity the dose of lenalidomide may be re-introduced to the next higher dose level (up to the starting dose) upon improvement in bone marrow function (no hematologic toxicity for at least 2 consecutive cycles: ANC >1.5 × 109/L with a platelet count > 100 × 109/L at the beginning of a new cycle).
Lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone followed by lenalidomide and dexamethasone until disease , progression in , patients who are not eligible for transplant
Initial treatment: Lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone
Lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone must not be started if the ANC is < 1.0 × 109/L, and/or platelet counts are < 50 × 109/L.
The recommended starting dose is lenalidomide 25 mg orally once daily days 1–14 of each 21-day cycle in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. Bortezomib should be administered via subcutaneous injection (1.3 mg/m2 body surface area) twice weekly on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 of each 21-day. For additional information on the dose, schedule and dose adjustments of medicinal products administered with lenalidomide, see Section 5.1 and the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics.
Up to eight 21-day treatment cycles (24 weeks of initial treatment) are recommended.
Continued treatment: Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until progression
Continue lenalidomide 25 mg orally once daily on days 1–21 of repeated 28-day cycles in combination with dexamethasone. Treatment should be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Dose reduction steps
Lenalidomidea
Starting dose Dose level –1 Dose level –2 Dose level –3 Dose level –4 Dose level –5 a Dose reduction for all products can | 25 mg 20 mg 15 mg 10 mg 5 mg 2.5 mg be managed independently | |
Thrombocytopenia When platelets | Recommended course | |
Fall to < 30 × 109/L Return to > 50 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once daily | |
For each subsequent drop below 30 x Return to > 50 × 109/L | 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level once daily |
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) – neutropenia
When ANC First fall to < 0.5 × 109/L Return to > 1 × 109/L when neutropenia is the only observed toxicity | Recommended coursea Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at starting dose once daily |
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L when dose-dependent haematological toxicities other than neutropenia are observed | Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once daily |
For each subsequent drop below < 0.5 × 109/L Return to > 0.5 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level once daily. |
a At the physician’s discretion, if neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and maintain the dose level of lenalidomide
Lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone followed by lenalidomide maintenance in patients who are not eligible _ for transplant Lenalidomide treatment must not be started if the ANC is < 1.5 × 109/L, and/or platelet counts are < 75 × 109/L.
Recommended dose
The recommended starting dose is lenalidomide 10 mg orally once daily on days 1 to 21 of repeated
28-day cycles for up to 9 cycles, melphalan 0.18 mg/kg orally on days 1 to 4 of repeated 28-day cycles, prednisone 2 mg/kg orally on days 1 to 4 of repeated 28-day cycles. Patients who complete 9 cycles or who are unable to complete the combination therapy due to intolerance are treated with lenalidomide monotherapy as follows: 10 mg orally once daily on days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles given until disease progression.
Dose reduction steps
Lenalidomide | Melphalan | Prednisone | |
Starting dose | 10 mga | 0.18 mg/kg | 2 mg/kg |
Dose level –1 | 7.5 mg | 0.14 mg/kg | 1 mg/kg |
Dose level –2 | 5 mg | 0.10 mg/kg | 0.5 mg/kg |
Dose level –3 | 2.5 mg | Not applicable | 0.25 mg/kg |
a If neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and maintain the dose level of lenalidomide
Thrombocytopenia | |
When platelets | Recommended coursea |
First fall to < 25 × 109/L Return to > 25 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide and melphalan at dose level –1 |
For each subsequent drop below 30 × 109/L Return to > 30 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level (dose level –2 or –3) once daily. |
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)-neutropenia | |
When ANC | Recommended coursea |
First fall to < 0.5 × 109/L Return to > 0.5 × 109/L when neutropenia is the only observed toxicity | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at starting dose once daily |
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L when dose-dependent haematological toxicities other than neutropenia are observed | Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once daily |
For each subsequent drop below < 0.5 x109/L Return to > 0.5 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose |
level once daily.
a At the physician’s discretion, if neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and maintain the dose level of
lenalidomide.
Lenalidomide maintenance in , patients who have undergone autologous stem cell transplantation
(ASCT)
Lenalidomide maintenance should be initiated after adequate haematologic recovery following ASCT in patients without evidence of progression. Lenalidomide must not be started if the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is < 1.0 × 109/L, and/or platelet counts are < 75 × 109/L.
Recommended dose
The recommended starting dose is lenalidomide 10 mg orally once daily continuously (on days 1 to 28 of repeated 28-day cycles) given until disease progression or intolerance.
After 3 cycles of lenalidomide maintenance, the dose can be increased to 15 mg orally once daily if tolerated.
Dose reduction steps
Starting dose (10 mg) | If dose increased (15 mg)a | |
Dose level –1 | 5 mg | 10 mg |
Dose level –2 | 5 mg (days 1–21 every 28 days) | 5 mg |
Dose level –3 | Not applicable | 5 mg (days 1–21 every 28 days) |
Do not dose below 5 mg (days 1–21 every 28 days) |
aAfter 3 cycles of lenalidomide maintenance, the dose can be increased to 15mg orally once daily if tolerated.
__________Thrombocytopenia__________________________________________________
____________When platelets_________________________Recommended course________
Fall to < 30 × 109/L Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
Return to > 30 × 109/L Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once
_____________________________________________________________________daily___________________ For each subsequent drop below 30 × 109/L Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
Return to > 30 × 109/L Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose
level once daily.
Absolute neutrophile count (ANC) -neutropenia When ANC
Recommended coursea Interrupt lenalidomide treatment Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once daily
Fall to < 0.5 × 109/L
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L
For each subsequent drop below < 0.5 × 109/L Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose
level once daily.
aAt the physician’s discretion, if neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and maintain the dose level of lenalidomide
Multiple myeloma with at least one prior therapy
Lenalidomide treatment must not be started if the ANC < 1.0 × 109/L, and/or platelet counts < 75 × 109/L or, dependent on bone marrow infiltration by plasma cells, platelet counts < 30 × 109/L.
Recommended dose
The recommended starting dose of lenalidomide is 25 mg orally once daily on days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles. The recommended dose of dexamethasone is 40 mg orally once daily on days 1 to 4, 9 to 12, and 17 to 20 of each 28-day cycle for the first 4 cycles of therapy and then 40 mg once daily on days 1 to 4 every 28 days.
Prescribing physicians should carefully evaluate which dose of dexamethasone to use, taking into account the condition and disease status of the patient.
Dose reduction steps | |
Starting dose Dose level –1 Dose level –2 | 25 mg 15 mg 10 mg |
Dose level –3 | 5 mg |
Thrombocytopenia | |
When platelets | Recommended course |
First fall to < 30 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment |
Return to > 30 × 109/L | Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 |
For each subsequent drop below 30 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment |
Return to > 30 × 109/L | Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level (dose level –2 or –3) once daily. Do not dose below 5 mg once daily. |
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) – neutropenia | |
When ANC | Recommended coursea |
First fall to < 0.5 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment |
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L when neutropenia is | Resume lenalidomide at starting dose once |
the only observed toxicity | daily |
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L when dose-dependent | Resume lenalidomide at dose level –1 once |
haematological toxicities other than | daily |
neutropenia are observed | |
For each subsequent drop below < 0.5 x | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment |
109/L | Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose |
Return to > 0.5 × 109/L | level (dose level –1, –2 or –3) once daily. Do not dose below 5 mg once daily. |
aAt the physician’s discretion, if neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and maintain the dose level of lenalidomide.
Follicular lymphoma (FL)
Lenalidomide treatment must not be started if the ANC is < 1 × 109/L, and/or platelet count < 50 × 109/L, unless secondary to lymphoma infiltration of bone
marrow.
Recommended dose
The recommended starting dose of lenalidomide is 20 mg, orally once daily on days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles for up to 12 cycles of treatment. The recommended starting dose of rituximab is 375 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) every week in Cycle 1 (days 1, 8, 15, and 22) and day 1 of every 28-day cycle for cycles 2 through 5.
Dose reduction steps Starting dose | 20 mg once daily on days 1–21, every 28 days |
Dose Level –1 | 15 mg once daily on days 1–21, every 28 days |
Dose Level –2 | 10 mg once daily on days 1–21, every 28 days |
Dose Level –3 | 5 mg once daily on days 1–21, every 28 days |
For dose adjustments due to toxicity with rituximab, refer to the corresponding summary of product characteristics.
Thrombocytopenia
______________When platelets____________________________Recommended course___________
Falls to < 50 × 109/L Interrupt lenalidomide treatment and conduct
CBC at least every 7 days
____________Returns to > 50 × 109/L_______________Resume at next lower dose level (dose level –1) For each subsequent drop below50 × 109/L Interrupt lenalidomide treatment and conduct
CBC at least every 7 days
Returns to > 50 × 109/L Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level
(dose level –2, –3). Do not dose below dose level –3.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) – neutropenia
When ANC | Recommended course a |
Falls < 1.0 × 109/L for at least 7 days or Falls to < 1.0 × 109/L with associated fever (body temperature > 38.5°C) or Falls to < 0.5 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment and conduct CBC at least every 7 days |
Returns to > 1.0 × 109/L | Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level (dose level –1) |
For each subsequent drop below 1.0 × 109/L | Interrupt lenalidomide treatment and conduct |
for at least 7 days or drop to < 1.0 × 109/L with associated fever (body temperature > 38.5°C) or drop to < 0.5 × 109/L
CBC at least every 7 days
Returns to >1.0 × 109/L Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose
level
(dose level –2, –3). Do not dose below dose level
______________________________________________________________________3______________________ a At the physician’s discretion, if neutropenia is the only toxicity at any dose level, add G-CSF
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS)
All patients should receive TLS prophylaxis (allopurinol, rasburicase or equivalent as per institutional guidelines) and be well hydrated (orally) during the first week of the first cycle or for a longer period if clinically indicated. To monitor for TLS, patients should have a chemistry panel drawn weekly during the first cycle and as clinically indicated.
Lenalidomide may be continued (maintain dose) in patients with laboratory TLS or Grade 1 clinical TLS, or at the physician’s discretion, reduce dose by one level and continue lenalidomide. Vigorous intravenous hydration should be provided and appropriate medical management according to the local standard of care, until correction of electrolyte abnormalities. Rasburicase therapy may be needed to reduce hyperuricaemia.
Hospitalisation of the patient will be at physician’s discretion.
In patients with Grade 2 to 4 clinical TLS, interrupt lenalidomide and obtain a chemistry panel weekly or as clinically indicated. Vigorous intravenous hydration should be provided and appropriate medical management according to the local standard of care, until correction of electrolyte abnormalities. Rasburicase therapy and hospitalisation will be at physician’s discretion. When the TLS resolves to Grade 0, restart lenalidomide at next lower dose per physician’s discretion (see section 4.4).
Tumour flare reaction
At the physician’s discretion, lenalidomide may be continued in patients with Grade 1 or 2 tumour flare reaction (TFR) without interruption or modification. At the physician’s discretion, therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), limited duration corticosteroids, and/or narcotic analgesics may be administered. In patients with Grade 3 or 4 TFR, withhold treatment with lenalidomide and initiate therapy with NSAIDs, corticosteroids and/or narcotic analgesics. When TFR resolves to < Grade 1, restart lenalidomide treatment at the same dose level for the rest of the cycle. Patients may be treated for management of symptoms per the guidance for treatment of Grade 1 and 2 TFR (see section 4.4).
All indications
For other Grade 3 or 4 toxicities judged to be related to lenalidomide, treatment should be stopped and only restarted at next lower dose level when toxicity has resolved to < grade 2 depending on the physician’s discretion.
Lenalidomide interruption or discontinuation should be considered for Grade 2 or 3 skin rash. Lenalidomide must be discontinued for angioedema, anaphylactic reaction, Grade 4 rash, exfoliative or bullous rash, or if Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is suspected and should not be resumed following discontinuation from these reactions.
Special populations
Paediatric population
Lenalidomide Mylan should not be used in children and adolescents from birth to less than 18 years because of safety concerns (see section 5.1).
Elderly
Currently available pharmacokinetic data are described in section 5.2. Lenalidomide has been used in clinical trials in multiple myeloma patients up to 91 years of age (see section 5.1).
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection and it would be prudent to monitor renal function.
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: , patients who are not eligible for transplant
Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged 75 years and older should be carefully assessed before treatment is considered (see section 4.4).
For patients older than 75 years of age treated with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone, the starting dose of dexamethasone is 20 mg once daily on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of each 28-day treatment cycle.
No dose adjustment is proposed for patients older than 75 years who are treated with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone.
In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged 75 years and older who received lenalidomide, there was a higher incidence of serious adverse reactions and adverse reactions that led to treatment discontinuation.
Lenalidomide combined therapy was less tolerated in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients older than 75 years of age compared to the younger population. These patients discontinued at a higher rate due to intolerance (Grade 3 or 4 adverse events and serious adverse events), when compared to patients < 75 years.
Multiple myeloma: , patients with at least one , prior therapy
The percentage of multiple myeloma patients aged 65 or over was not significantly different between the lenalidomide/dexamethasone and placebo/dexamethasone groups. No overall difference in safety or efficacy was observed between these patients and younger patients, but greater predisposition of older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Follicular lymphoma
For follicular lymphoma patients treated with lenalidomide in combination with rituximab, the overall rate of adverse events is similar for patients aged 65 years or over compared with patients under 65 years of age. No overall difference in efficacy was observed between the two age groups.
Patients with renal impairment
Lenalidomide is primarily excreted by the kidney; patients with greater degrees of renal impairment can have impaired treatment tolerance (see section 4.4). Care should be taken in dose selection and monitoring of renal function is advised.
No dose adjustments are required for patients with mild renal impairment and multiple myeloma or follicular lymphoma.
The following dose adjustments are recommended at the start of therapy and throughout treatment for patients with moderate or severe impaired renal function or end stage renal disease.
There are no phase 3 trial experiences with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (CLcr < 30 mL/min, requiring dialysis).
Multiple myeloma
Renal function (CLcr) | Dose adjustment |
Moderate renal impairment (30 < CLcr < 50 mL/min) | 10 mg once daily1 |
Severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min, not requiring dialysis) | 7.5 mg once daily2 15 mg every other day |
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (CLcr < 30 mL/min, requiring dialysis) | 5 mg once daily. On dialysis days, the dose should be administered following dialysis. |
1 The dose may be escalated to 15 mg once daily after 2 cycles if patient is not responding to treatment and is tolerating the treatment.
2 In countries where the 7.5 mg capsule is available.
Follicular lymphoma
Renal function (CLcr)
Dose adjustment (days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles) 10 mg once daily1, 2
No data available3
No data available3
Moderate renal impairment (30 < CLcr < 60 mL/min) Severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min, not requiring dialysis)
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (CLcr < 30 mL/min, requiring dialysis)
1 The dose may be escalated to 15 mg once daily after 2 cycles if the patient has tolerated therapy.
2
2 For patients on a starting dose of 10 mg, in case of dose reduction to manage Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, or other Grade 3 or 4.
Toxicity judged to be related to lenalidomide do not dose below 5 mg every other day or 2.5 mg once daily.
3 Patients with severe renal impairment or ESRD were excluded from study.
After initiation of lenalidomide therapy, subsequent lenalidomide dose modification in renally impaired patients should be based on individual patient treatment tolerance, as described above.
Patients with hepatic impairment
Lenalidomide has not formally been studied in patients with impaired hepatic function and there are no specific dose recommendations.
Method of administration
Oral use.
Lenalidomide Mylan capsules should be taken orally at about the same time on the scheduled days. The capsules should not be opened, broken or chewed.
The capsules should be swallowed whole, preferably with water, either with or without food.
It is recommended to press only on one end of the capsule to remove it from the blister thereby reducing the risk of capsule deformation or breakage.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
When lenalidomide is given in combination with other medicinal products, the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics must be consulted prior to initiation of treatment.
Pregnancy warning
Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide. Thalidomide is a known human teratogenic active substance that causes severe life-threatening birth defects. Lenalidomide induced in monkeys’ malformations similar to those described with thalidomide (see sections 4.6 and 5.3). If lenalidomide is taken during pregnancy, a teratogenic effect of lenalidomide in humans is expected.
The conditions of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme must be fulfilled for all patients unless there is reliable evidence that the patient does not have childbearing potential.
Criteria for women of non-childbearing potential
A female patient or a female partner of a male patient is considered to have childbearing potential unless she meets at least one of the following criteria:
Age > 50 years and naturally amenorrhoeic for > 1 year (Amenorrhoea following cancer therapy or during breast-feeding does not rule out childbearing potential).
Premature ovarian failure confirmed by a specialist gynaecologist
Previous bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or hysterectomy
XY genotype, Turner syndrome, uterine agenesis.
Counselling
For women of childbearing potential, lenalidomide is contraindicated unless
all of the following are met:
She understands the expected teratogenic risk to the unborn child
She understands the need for effective contraception, without interruption, at least 4 weeks before starting treatment, throughout the entire duration of treatment, and at least 4 weeks after the end of treatment
Even if a woman of childbearing potential has amenorrhea she must follow all the advice on effective contraception
She should be capable of complying with effective contraceptive measures
She is informed and understands the potential consequences of pregnancy and the need to rapidly consult if there is a risk of pregnancy
She understands the need to commence the treatment as soon as lenalidomide is dispensed following a negative pregnancy test
She understands the need and accepts to undergo pregnancy testing at least every 4 weeks except in case of confirmed tubal sterilisation
She acknowledges that she understands the hazards and necessary precautions associated with the use of lenalidomide.
For male patients taking lenalidomide, pharmacokinetic data has demonstrated that lenalidomide is present in human semen at extremely low levels during treatment and is undetectable in human semen 3 days after stopping the substance in the healthy subject (see section 5.2). As a precaution and taking into account special populations with prolonged elimination time such as renal impairment, all male patients taking lenalidomide must meet the following conditions:
Understand the expected teratogenic risk if engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman or a woman of childbearing potential
Understand the need for the use of a condom if engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman or a woman of childbearing potential not using effective contraception (even if the man has had a vasectomy), during treatment and for at least 7 days after dose interruptions and/or cessation of treatment.
Understand that if his female partner becomes pregnant whilst he is taking Lenalidomide Mylan or shortly after he has stopped taking Lenalidomide Mylan, he should inform his treating physician immediately and that it is recommended to refer the female partner to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for evaluation and advice.
The prescriber must ensure that for women of childbearing potential:
The patient complies with the conditions of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme, including confirmation that she has an adequate level of understanding
The patient has acknowledged the aforementioned conditions.
Contraception
Women of childbearing potential must use at least one effective method of contraception for at least 4 weeks before therapy, during therapy, and until at least 4 weeks after lenalidomide therapy and even in case of dose interruption unless the patient commits to absolute and continuous abstinence confirmed on a monthly basis.
If not established on effective contraception, the patient must be referred to an appropriately trained health care professional for contraceptive advice in order that contraception can be initiated.
The following can be considered to be examples of suitable methods of contraception:
Implant
Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS)
Medroxyprogesterone acetate depot
Tubal sterilisation
Sexual intercourse with a vasectomised male partner only; vasectomy
must be confirmed by two negative semen analyses
Ovulation inhibitory progesterone-only pills (i.e. desogestrel)
Because of the increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with multiple myeloma taking lenalidomide in combination therapy, and to a lesser extent in patients with multiple myeloma, taking lenalidomide monotherapy, combined oral contraceptive pills are not recommended (see also section 4.5). If a patient is currently using combined oral contraception the patient should switch to one of the effective methods listed above. The risk of venous thromboembolism continues for 4–6 weeks after discontinuing combined oral contraception. The efficacy of contraceptive steroids may be reduced during co-treatment with dexamethasone (see section 4.5).
Implants and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems are associated with an increased risk of infection at the time of insertion and irregular vaginal bleeding. Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered particularly in patients with neutropenia.
Copper-releasing intrauterine devices are generally not recommended due to the potential risks of infection at the time of insertion and menstrual blood loss which may compromise patients with neutropenia or thrombocytopenia.
Pregnancy testing
According to local practice, medically supervised pregnancy tests with a minimum sensitivity of 25 mIU/mL must be performed for women of childbearing potential as outlined below. This requirement includes women of childbearing potential who practice absolute and continuous abstinence. Ideally, pregnancy testing, issuing a prescription and dispensing should occur on the same day. Dispensing of lenalidomide to women of childbearing potential should occur within 7 days of the prescription.
Prior to starting treatment
A medically supervised pregnancy test should be performed during the consultation, when lenalidomide is prescribed, or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber once the patient had been using effective contraception for at least 4 weeks. The test should ensure the patient is not pregnant when she starts treatment with lenalidomide.
Follow-up and end of treatment
A medically supervised pregnancy test should be repeated at least every 4 weeks, including at least 4 weeks after the end of treatment, except in the case of confirmed tubal sterilisation. These pregnancy tests should be performed on the day of the prescribing visit or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber.
Additional precautions
Patients should be instructed never to give this medicinal product to another person and to return any unused capsules to their pharmacist at the end of treatment for safe disposal.
Patients should not donate blood during therapy or for at least 7 days following discontinuation of lenalidomide.
Healthcare professionals and caregivers should wear disposable gloves when handling the blister or capsule. Women who are pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant should not handle the blister or capsule (see section 6.6).
Educational materials, prescribing and dispensing restrictions
In order to assist patients in avoiding foetal exposure to lenalidomide, the marketing authorisation holder will provide educational material to health care professionals to reinforce the warnings about the expected teratogenicity of lenalidomide, to provide advice on contraception before therapy is started, and to provide guidance on the need for pregnancy testing. The prescriber must inform male and female patients about the expected teratogenic risk and the strict pregnancy prevention measures as specified in the Pregnancy Prevention Programme and provide patients with appropriate patient educational brochure, patient card and/or equivalent tool in accordance to the national implemented patient card system. A national controlled distribution system has been implemented in collaboration with each National Competent Authority. The controlled distribution system includes the use of a patient card and/or equivalent tool for prescribing and/or dispensing controls, and the collecting of detailed data relating to the indication in order to monitor closely the off-label use within the national territory. Ideally, pregnancy testing, issuing a prescription and dispensing should occur on the same day. Dispensing of lenalidomide to women of childbearing potential should occur within 7 days of the prescription and following a medically supervised negative pregnancy test result. Prescriptions for women of childbearing potential can be for a maximum duration of treatment of 4 weeks, according to the approved indications dosing regimens (see section 4.2) and prescriptions for all other patients can be for a maximum duration of treatment of 12 weeks.
Other special warnings and precautions for use
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction has been reported in patients receiving lenalidomide, particularly in those with known risk factors and within the first 12 months when used in combination with dexamethasone. Patients with known risk factors – including prior thrombosis – should be closely monitored, and action should be taken to try to minimize all modifiable risk factors (e.g. smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia).
Pulmonary hypertension
Cases of pulmonary hypertension, some fatal, have been reported in patients treated with lenalidomide. Patients should be evaluated for signs and symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary disease prior to initiating and during lenalidomide therapy.
Venous and arterial thromboembolic events
In patients with multiple myeloma, the combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (predominantly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). The risk of venous thromboembolism was seen to a lesser extent with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone.
In patients with multiple myeloma, treatment with lenalidomide monotherapy was associated with a lower risk of venous thromboembolism (predominantly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) than in patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide in combination therapy (see sections 4.5 and 4.8).
In patients with multiple myeloma, the combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone is associated with an increased risk of arterial thromboembolism (predominantly myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular event) and was seen to a lesser extent with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone. The risk of arterial thromboembolism is lower in patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide monotherapy than in patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide in combination therapy.
Consequently, patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism -including prior thrombosis – should be closely monitored. Action should be taken to try to minimize all modifiable risk factors (e.g. smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia). Concomitant administration of erythropoietic agents or previous history of thromboembolic events may also increase thrombotic risk in these patients. Therefore, erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as hormone replacement therapy, should be used with caution in multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide with dexamethasone. A haemoglobin concentration above 12 g/dl should lead to discontinuation of erythropoietic agents.
Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism.
Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, arm or leg swelling. Prophylactic antithrombotic medicines should be recommended, especially in patients with additional thrombotic risk factors. The decision to take antithrombotic prophylactic measures should be made after careful assessment of an individual patient’s underlying risk factors.
If the patient experiences any thromboembolic events, treatment must be discontinued and standard anticoagulation therapy started. Once the patient has been stabilised on the anticoagulation treatment and any complications of the thromboembolic event have been managed, the lenalidomide treatment may be restarted at the original dose dependent upon a benefit risk assessment. The patient should continue anticoagulation therapy during the course of lenalidomide treatment.
Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
The major dose limiting toxicities of lenalidomide include neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. A complete blood cell count, including white blood cell count with differential count, platelet count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit should be performed at baseline, every week for the first 8 weeks of lenalidomide treatment and monthly thereafter to monitor for cytopenias. In follicular lymphoma, the monitoring scheme should be weekly for the first 3 weeks of cycle 1 (28 days), every 2 weeks during cycles 2 through 4, and then at the start of each cycle thereafter. A dose interruption and/or a dose reduction may be required (see section 4.2).
In case of neutropenia, the physician should consider the use of growth factors in patient management. Patients should be advised to promptly report febrile episodes. Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for signs and symptoms of bleeding, including petechiae and epistaxis, especially in patients receiving concomitant medicinal products susceptible to induce bleeding (see section 4.8, Haemorrhagic disorders).
Co-administration of lenalidomide with other myelosuppressive agents should be undertaken with caution.
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: , patients who have undergone ASCT treated with lenalidomide maintenance
The adverse reactions from CALGB 100104 included events reported posthigh dose melphalan and ASCT (HDM/ASCT) as well as events from the maintenance treatment period. A second analysis identified events that occurred after the start of maintenance treatment. In IFM 2005–02, the adverse reactions were from the maintenance treatment period only.
Overall, Grade 4 neutropenia was observed at a higher frequency in the lenalidomide maintenance arms compared to the placebo maintenance arms in the 2 studies evaluating lenalidomide maintenance in NDMM patients who have undergone ASCT (32.1% vs 26.7% [16.1% vs 1.8% after the start of maintenance treatment] in CALGB 100104 and 16.4% vs 0.7% in IFM 200502, respectively). Treatment-emergent AEs of neutropenia leading to lenalidomide discontinuation were reported in 2.2% of patients in CALGB 100104 and 2.4% of patients in IFM 2005–02, respectively. Grade 4 febrile neutropenia was reported at similar frequencies in the lenalidomide maintenance arms compared to placebo maintenance arms in both studies (0.4% vs 0.5% [0.4% vs 0.5% after the start of maintenance treatment] in CALGB 100104 and 0.3% vs 0% in IFM 2005–02, respectively).
Patients should be advised to promptly report febrile episodes, a treatment interruption and/or dose reduction may be required (see section 4.2).
Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was observed at a higher frequency in the lenalidomide maintenance arms compared to the placebo maintenance arms in studies evaluating lenalidomide maintenance in NDMM patients who have undergone ASCT (37.5% vs 30.3% [17.9% vs 4.1% after the start of maintenance treatment] in CALGB 100104 and 13.0% vs 2.9% in IFM 200502, respectively). Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for signs and symptoms of bleeding, including petechiae and epistaxes, especially in patients receiving concomitant medicinal products susceptible to induce bleeding (see section 4.8, Haemorrhagic disorders).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone
Grade 4 neutropenia was observed at a lower frequency in the lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd) arm compared to the Rd comparator arm (2.7% vs 5.9%) in the SWOG S0777 study. Grade 4 febrile neutropenia was reported at similar frequencies in the RVd arm and Rd arm (0.0% vs 0.4%). Patients should be advised to promptly report febrile episodes; a treatment interruption and/or dose reduction may be required (see section 4.2).
Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was observed at a higher frequency in the RVd arm compared to the Rd comparator arm (17.2 % vs 9.4%).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: , patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with low dose dexamethasone
Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in the lenalidomide arms in combination with dexamethasone to a lesser extent than in the comparator arm (8.5% in the Rd [continuous treatment] and Rd18 [treatment for 18 four -week cycles] compared with 15% in the melphalan/prednisone/thalidomide arm, see section 4.8). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia episodes were consistent with the comparator arm (0.6 % in the Rd and Rd18 lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared with 0.7% in the melphalan/prednisone/thalidomide arm, see section 4.8).
Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was observed to a lesser extent in the Rd and Rd18 arms than in the comparator arm (8.1% vs 11.1%, respectively).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone
The combination of lenalidomide with melphalan and prednisone in clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 4 neutropenia (34.1% in melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide arm followed by lenalidomide [MPR+R] and melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide followed by placebo [MPR+p] treated patients compared with 7.8% in MPp+p-treated patients; see section 4.8). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia episodes were observed infrequently (1.7% in MPR+R/MPR+p treated patients compared to 0.0% in MPp+p treated patients; see section 4.8).
The combination of lenalidomide with melphalan and prednisone in multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (40.4% in MPR+R/MPR+p treated patients, compared with 13.7% in MPp+p-treated patients; see section 4.8).
Multiple myeloma: patients with at least one prior therapy
The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients with at least one prior therapy is associated with a higher incidence of grade 4 neutropenia (5.1% in lenalidomide/dexamethasone treated patients compared with 0.6% in placebo/dexamethasone-treated patients; see section 4.8). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia episodes were observed infrequently (0.6% in lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared to 0.0% in placebo/dexamethasone treated patients; see section 4.8).
The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (9.9% and 1.4%, respectively, in lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared to 2.3% and 0.0% in placebo/dexamethasone-treated patients; see section 4.8).
Follicular lymphoma
The combination of lenalidomide with rituximab in follicular lymphoma patients is associated with a higher incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia compared with patients on the placebo/rituximab arm. Febrile neutropenia and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia were more commonly observed in the lenalidomide/ rituximab arm (see section 4.8).
Thyroid disorders
Cases of hypothyroidism and cases of hyperthyroidism have been reported. Optimal control of co-morbid conditions influencing thyroid function is recommended before start of treatment. Baseline and ongoing monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.
Peripheral neuropathy
Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide, which is known to induce severe peripheral neuropathy. There was no increase in peripheral neuropathy observed with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone or melphalan and prednisone or lenalidomide monotherapy or with long term use of lenalidomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
The combination of lenalidomide with intravenous bortezomib and dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher frequency of peripheral neuropathy. The frequency was lower when bortezomib was administered subcutaneously. For additional information, see Section 4.8 and the SmPC for bortezomib.
Tumour flare reaction and tumour lysis syndrome
Because lenalidomide has anti-neoplastic activity the complications of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) may occur. Cases of TLS and tumour flare reaction (TFR), including fatal cases, have been reported (see section 4.8). The patients at risk of TLS and TFR are those with high tumour burden prior to treatment. Caution should be practiced when introducing these patients to lenalidomide. These patients should be monitored closely, especially during the first cycle or dose-escalation, and appropriate precautions taken.
Follicular lymphoma
Careful monitoring and evaluation for TFR is recommended. Tumour flare may mimic PD. Patients who experienced Grade 1 and 2 TFR were treated with corticosteroids, NSAIDs and/or narcotic analgesics for management of TFR symptoms. The decision to take therapeutic measures for TFR should be made after careful clinical assessment of the individual patient (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
Careful monitoring and evaluation for TLS is recommended. Patients should be well hydrated and receive TLS prophylaxis, in addition to weekly chemistry panels during the first cycle or longer, as clinically indicated (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
Allergic reactions and severe skin reactions
Cases of allergic reactions including angioedema, anaphylactic reaction and severe cutaneous reactions including SJS, TEN and DRESS have been reported in patients treated with lenalidomide (see section 4.8). Patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms of these reactions by their prescribers and should be told to seek medical attention immediately if they develop these symptoms. Lenalidomide must be discontinued for angioedema, anaphylactic reaction, exfoliative or bullous rash, or if SJS, TEN or DRESS is suspected, and should not be resumed following discontinuation for these reactions. Interruption or discontinuation of lenalidomide_should be considered for other forms of skin reaction depending on severity. Patients who had previous allergic reactions while treated with thalidomide should be monitored closely, as a possible cross-reaction between lenalidomide and thalidomide has been reported in the literature. Patients with a history of severe rash associated with thalidomide treatment should not receive lenalidomide.
Second, primary malignancies
An increase of second primary malignancies (SPM) has been observed in clinical trials in previously treated myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide/dexamethasone (3.98 per 100 person-years) compared to controls (1.38 per 100 person-years). Non-invasive SPM comprise basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers. Most of the invasive SPMs were solid tumour malignancies.
In clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients not eligible for transplant, a 4.9-fold increase in incidence rate of hematologic SPM (cases of AML, MDS) has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone until progression (1.75 per 100 person-years) compared with melphalan in combination with prednisone (0.36 per 100 person-years).
A 2.12-fold increase in incidence rate of solid tumour SPM has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide (9 cycles) in combination with melphalan and prednisone (1.57 per 100 person-years) compared with melphalan in combination with prednisone (0.74 per 100 person-years).
In patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until progression or for 18 months, the hematologic SPM incidence rate (0.16 per 100 person-years) was not increased as compared to thalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone (0.79 per 100 person-years).
A 1.3-fold increase in incidence rate of solid tumour SPM has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until progression or for 18 months (1.58 per 100 person years) compared to thalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone (1.19 per 100 person-years).
In newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, the hematologic SPM incidence rate was 0.00 – 0.16 per 100 person-years and the incidence rate of solid tumour SPM was 0.21 – 1.04 per 100 person-years.
The increased risk of secondary primary malignancies associated with lenalidomide is relevant also in the context of NDMM after stem cell transplantation. Though this risk is not yet fully characterized, it should be kept in mind when considering and using Lenalidomide Mylan in this setting.
The incidence rate of hematologic malignancies, most notably AML, MDS and B-cell malignancies (including Hodgkin’s lymphoma), was 1.31 per 100 person-years for the lenalidomide arms and 0.58 per 100 person-years for the placebo arms (1.02 per 100 person-years for patients exposed to lenalidomide after ASCT and 0.60 per 100 person-years for patients not-exposed to
lenalidomide after ASCT). The incidence rate of solid tumour SPMs was 1.36 per 100 person-years for the lenalidomide arms and 1.05 per 100 person years for the placebo arms (1.26 per 100 person-years for patients exposed to lenalidomide after ASCT and 0.60 per 100 person-years for patients notexposed to lenalidomide after ASCT).
The risk of occurrence of hematologic SPM must be taken into account before initiating treatment with lenalidomide either in combination with melphalan or immediately following high-dose melphalan and ASCT. Physicians should carefully evaluate patients before and during treatment using standard cancer screening for occurrence of SPM and institute treatment as indicated.
Second, primary malignancies in follicular lymphoma
In a relapsed/refractory iNHL study which included follicular lymphoma patients, no increased risk of SPMs in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm, compared to the placebo/rituximab arm, was observed. Hematologic SPM of AML occurred in 0.29 per 100 person-years in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm compared with 0.29 per 100 person-years in patients receiving placebo/rituximab. The incidence rate of hematologic plus solid tumour SPMs (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) was 0.87 per 100 person-years in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm, compared to 1.17 per 100 person-years in patients receiving placebo/rituximab with a median follow-up of 30.59 months (range 0.6 to 50.9 months).
Non-melanoma skin cancers are identified risks and comprise squamous cell carcinomas of skin or basal cell carcinomas.
Physicians should monitor patients for the development of SPMs. Both the potential benefit of lenalidomide and the risk of SPMs should be considered when considering treatment with lenalidomide.
Hepatic disorders
Hepatic failure, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients treated with lenalidomide in combination therapy: acute hepatic failure, toxic hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis, cholestatic hepatitis, and mixed cytolytic/cholestatic hepatitis have been reported. The mechanisms of severe drug-induced hepatotoxicity remain unknown although, in some cases, pre-existing viral liver disease, elevated baseline liver enzymes, and possibly treatment with antibiotics might be risk factors.
Abnormal liver function tests were commonly reported and were generally asymptomatic and reversible upon dosing interruption. Once parameters have returned to baseline, treatment at a lower dose may be considered.
Lenalidomide is excreted by the kidneys. It is important to dose adjust patients with renal impairment in order to avoid plasma levels which may increase the risk for higher haematological adverse reactions or hepatotoxicity. Monitoring of liver function is recommended, particularly when there is a history of or concurrent viral liver infection or when lenalidomide is combined with medicinal products known to be associated with liver dysfunction.
Infection with or without neutropenia
Patients with multiple myeloma are prone to develop infections including pneumonia. A higher rate of infections was observed with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone than with MPT in patients with NDMM who are not eligible for transplant, and with lenalidomide maintenance compared to placebo in patients with NDMM who had undergone ASCT. Grade > 3 infections occurred within the context of neutropenia in less than one-third of the patients. Patients with known risk factors for infections should be closely monitored. All patients should be advised to seek medical attention promptly at the first sign of infection (e.g. cough, fever, etc) thereby allowing for early management to reduce severity.
Viral reactivation
Cases of viral reactivation have been reported in patients receiving lenalidomide, including serious cases of herpes zoster or hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation.
Some of the cases of viral reactivation had a fatal outcome.
Some of the cases of herpes zoster reactivation resulted in disseminated herpes zoster, meningitis herpes zoster or ophthalmic herpes zoster requiring a temporary hold or permanent discontinuation of the treatment with lenalidomide and adequate antiviral treatment.
Reactivation of hepatitis B has been reported rarely in patients receiving lenalidomide who have previously been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Some of these cases have progressed to acute hepatic failure resulting in discontinuation of lenalidomide and adequate antiviral treatment.
Hepatitis B virus status should be established before initiating treatment with lenalidomide. For patients who test positive for HBV infection, consultation with a physician with expertise in the treatment of hepatitis B is recommended. Caution should be exercised when lenalidomide is used in patients previously infected with HBV, including patients who are anti-HBc positive but HBsAg negative. These patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection throughout therapy.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal cases, have been reported with lenalidomide. PML was reported several months to several years after starting the treatment with lenalidomide. Cases have generally been reported in patients taking concomitant dexamethasone or prior treatment with other immunosuppressive chemotherapy. Physicians should monitor patients at regular intervals and should consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or worsening neurological symptoms, cognitive or behavioural signs or symptoms. Patients should also be advised to inform their partner or caregivers about their treatment, since they may notice symptoms that the patient is not aware of.
The evaluation for PML should be based on neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis for JC virus (JCV) DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or a brain biopsy with testing for JCV. A negative JCV PCR does not exclude PML. Additional follow-up and evaluation may be warranted if no alternative diagnosis can be established.
If PML is suspected, further dosing must be suspended until PML has been excluded. If PML is confirmed, lenalidomide must be permanently discontinued.
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
There was a higher rate of intolerance (grade 3 or 4 adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuation) in patients with age > 75 years, ISS stage III, ECOG PS>2 or CLcr<60 mL/min when lenalidomide is given in combination. Patients should be carefully assessed for their ability to tolerate lenalidomide in combination, with consideration to age, ISS stage III, ECOG PS>2 or CLcr<60 mL/min (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
Cataract
Cataract has been reported with a higher frequency in patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone particularly when used for a prolonged time. Regular monitoring of visual ability is recommended.
Sodium contents
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as hormone replacement therapy, should be used with caution in multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide with dexamethasone (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Oral contraceptives
No interaction study has been performed with oral contraceptives.
Lenalidomide is not an enzyme inducer. In an in vitro study with human hepatocytes, lenalidomide, at various concentrations tested did not induce CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4/5. Therefore, induction leading to reduced efficacy of medicinal products, including hormonal contraceptives, is not expected if lenalidomide is administered alone.
However, dexamethasone is known to be a weak to moderate inducer of CYP3A4 and is likely to also affect other enzymes as well as transporters. It may not be excluded that the efficacy of oral contraceptives may be reduced during treatment. Effective measures to avoid pregnancy must be taken (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).
Warfarin
Co-administration of multiple 10 mg doses of lenalidomide had no effect on the single dose pharmacokinetics of R- and S- warfarin. Co-administration of a single 25 mg dose of warfarin had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide. However, it is not known whether there is an interaction during clinical use (concomitant treatment with dexamethasone). Dexamethasone is a weak to moderate enzyme inducer and its effect on warfarin is unknown.
Close monitoring of warfarin concentration is advised during the treatment.
Digoxin
Concomitant administration with lenalidomide 10 mg once daily increased the plasma exposure of digoxin (0.5 mg, single dose) by 14% with a 90% CI (confidence interval) [0.52%-28.2%]. It is not known whether the effect will be different in the clinical use (higher lenalidomide doses and concomitant treatment with dexamethasone). Therefore, monitoring of the digoxin concentration is advised during lenalidomide treatment.
Statins
There is an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis when statins are administered with lenalidomide, which may be simply additive. Enhanced clinical and laboratory monitoring is warranted notably during the first weeks of treatment.
Dexamethasone
Co-administration of single or multiple doses of dexamethasone (40 mg once daily) has no clinically relevant effect on the multiple dose pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide (25 mg once daily).
Interactions with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors
In vitro, lenalidomide is a substrate of P-gp, but is not a P-gp inhibitor. Coadministration of multiple doses of the strong P-gp inhibitor quinidine (600 mg, twice daily) or the moderate P-gp inhibitor/substrate temsirolimus (25 mg) has no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide (25 mg). Co-administration of lenalidomide does not alter the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus.
4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation
Due to the teratogenic potential, lenalidomide must be prescribed under a Pregnancy Prevention Programme (see section 4.4) unless there is reliable evidence that the patient does not have childbearing potential.
Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females
Women of childbearing potential should use effective method of contraception. If pregnancy occurs in a woman treated with lenalidomide, treatment must be stopped and the patient should be referred to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for evaluation and advice. If pregnancy occurs in a partner of a male patient taking lenalidomide, it is recommended to refer the female partner to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for evaluation and advice.
Lenalidomide is present in human semen at extremely low levels during treatment and is undetectable in human semen 3 days after stopping the substance in the healthy subject (see section 5.2). As a precaution and taking into account special populations with prolonged elimination time such as renal impairment, all male patients taking lenalidomide should use condoms throughout treatment duration, during dose interruption and for 1 week after cessation of treatment if their partner is pregnant or of childbearing potential and has no contraception.
Pregnancy
Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide. Thalidomide is a known human teratogenic active substance that causes severe life-threatening birth defects.
Lenalidomide induced malformation in monkeys similar to those described with thalidomide (see section 5.3). Therefore, a teratogenic effect of lenalidomide is expected and lenalidomide is contraindicated during pregnancy (see section 4.3).
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether lenalidomide is excreted in breast milk. Therefore, breast-feeding should be discontinued during therapy with lenalidomide.
Fertility
A fertility study in rats with lenalidomide doses up to 500 mg/kg (approximately 200 to 500 times the human doses of 25 mg and 10 mg, respectively, based on body surface area) produced no adverse effects on fertility and no parental toxicity.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Lenalidomide has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Fatigue, dizziness, somnolence, vertigo and blurred vision have been reported with the use of lenalidomide. Therefore, caution is recommended when driving or operating machines.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: patients who have undergone ASCT treated with lenalidomide maintenance
A conservative approach was applied to determine the adverse reactions from CALGB 100104. The adverse reactions described in Table 1 included events reported post-HDM/ASCT as well as events from the maintenance treatment period. A second analysis that identified events that occurred after the start of maintenance treatment suggests that the frequencies described in Table 1 may be higher than actually observed during the maintenance treatment period. In IFM 2005–02, the adverse reactions were from the maintenance treatment period only.
The serious adverse reactions observed more frequently (>5%) with lenalidomide maintenance than placebo were:
Pneumonia (10.6%; combined term) from IFM 2005–02
Lung infection (9.4% [9.4% after the start of maintenance treatment]) from CALGB 100104
In the IFM 2005–02 study, the adverse reactions observed more frequently with lenalidomide maintenance than placebo were neutropenia (60.8%), bronchitis (47.4%), diarrhoea (38.9%), nasopharyngitis (34.8%), muscle spasms (33.4%), leucopenia (31.7%), asthenia (29.7%), cough (27.3%), thrombocytopenia (23.5%), gastroenteritis (22.5%) and pyrexia (20.5%).
In the CALGB 100104 study, the adverse reactions observed more frequently with lenalidomide maintenance than placebo were neutropenia (79.0% [71.9% after the start of maintenance treatment]), thrombocytopenia (72.3% [61.6%]), diarrhoea (54.5% [46.4%]), rash (31.7% [25.0%]), upper respiratory tract infection (26.8% [26.8%]), fatigue (22.8% [17.9%]), leucopenia (22.8% [18.8%]) and anaemia (21.0% [13.8%]).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are not eligible for transplant receiving lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone
In the SWOG S0777 study, the serious adverse reactions observed more frequently (> 5%) with lenalidomide in combination with intravenous bortezomib and dexamethasone than with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone were:
Hypotension (6.5%), lung infection (5.7%), dehydration (5.0%)
The adverse reactions observed more frequently with lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone than with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone were: Fatigue (73.7%), peripheral neuropathy (71.8%), thrombocytopenia (57.6%), constipation (56.1%), hypocalcaemia (50.0%).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with low dose dexamethasone
The serious adverse reactions observed more frequently (>5%) with lenalidomide in combination with low dose dexamethasone (Rd and Rd18) than with melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide (MPT) were:
Pneumonia (9.8%)
Renal failure (including acute) (6.3%)
The adverse reactions observed more frequently with Rd or Rd18 than MPT were: diarrhoea (45.5%), fatigue (32.8%), back pain (32.0%), asthenia (28.2%), insomnia (27.6%), rash (24.3%), decreased appetite (23.1%), cough (22.7%), pyrexia (21.4%), and muscle spasms (20.5%).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone
The serious adverse reactions observed more frequently (>5%) with melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR+R) or melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide followed by placebo (MPR+p) than melphalan, prednisone and placebo followed by placebo (MPp+p) were:
Febrile neutropenia (6.0%)
Anaemia (5.3%)
The adverse reactions observed more frequently with MPR+R or MPR+p than MPp+p were: neutropenia (83.3%), anaemia (70.7%), thrombocytopenia (70.0%), leukopenia (38.8%), constipation (34.0%), diarrhoea (33.3%), rash (28.9%), pyrexia (27.0%), peripheral oedema (25.0%), cough (24.0%), decreased appetite (23.7%), and asthenia (22.0%).
Multiple myeloma: patients with at least one prior therapy In two phase 3 placebo-controlled studies, 353 patients with multiple myeloma were exposed to the lenalidomide/dexamethasone combination and 351 to the placebo/dexamethasone combination.
The most serious adverse reactions observed more frequently in lenalidomide/dexamethasone than placebo/dexamethasone combination were:
Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) (see section 4.4)
Grade 4 neutropenia (see section 4.4).
The observed adverse reactions which occurred more frequently with lenalidomide and dexamethasone than placebo and dexamethasone in pooled multiple myeloma clinical trials (MM-009 and MM-010) were fatigue (43.9%), neutropenia (42.2%), constipation (40.5%), diarrhoea (38.5%), muscle cramp (33.4%), anaemia (31.4%), thrombocytopenia (21.5%), and rash (21.2%).
Follicular lymphoma
The overall safety profile of lenalidomide in combination with rituximab in patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma is based on data from 294 patients from a Phase 3 randomised, controlled study NHL-007. Additionally, adverse drug reactions from supportive study NHL-008 have been included in Table 3.
The serious adverse reactions observed most frequently (with a difference of at least 1 percentage point) in study NHL-007 in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm compared with the placebo/rituximab arm were:
Febrile neutropenia (2.7%)
Pulmonary embolism (2.7%)
Pneumonia (2.7%)
In the NHL-007 study the adverse reactions observed more frequently in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm compared with the placebo/rituximab arm (with at least 2% higher frequency between arms) were neutropenia (58.2%), diarrhoea (30.8%), leucopenia (28.8%), constipation (21.9%), cough (21.9%) and fatigue (21.9%).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The adverse reactions observed in patients treated with lenalidomide are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. Frequencies are defined as: very common (> 1/10); common (> 1/100 to < 1/10);
uncommon (> 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (> 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Adverse reactions have been included under the appropriate category in the table below according to the highest frequency observed in any of the main clinical trials.
Tabulated summary for monotherapy in MM
The following table is derived from data gathered during NDMM studies in patients who have undergone ASCT treated with lenalidomide maintenance. The data were not adjusted according to the longer duration of treatment in the lenalidomide-containing arms continued until disease progression versus the placebo arms in the pivotal multiple myeloma studies (see section 5.1).
Table 1. ADRs reported in clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide maintenance therapy
System Organ Class/Preferred Term | All ADRs/Frequency | Grade 3–4 ADRs/Frequency |
Infections and Infestations | Very Common Pneumonia°,a, Upper respiratory tract infection, Neutropenic infection, Bronchitis0, Influenza0, Gastroenteritis0, Sinusitis, Nasopharyngitis, Rhinitis Common Infection0, Urinary tract infection0,, Lower respiratory tract infection, Lung infection0 | Very Common Pneumonia°,a, Neutropenic infection Common Sepsis°,b, Bacteraemia, Lung infection0, Lower respiratory tract infection bacterial, Bronchitis0, Influenza0, Gastroenteritis0, Herpes zoster0, Infection0 |
Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Common Myelodysplastic syndrome0, | |
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | Very Common NeutropeniaA,°, Febrile neutropeniaA,°, Thrombocytop eniaA,0, Anaemia , Leucopenia0, Lymphopenia | Very Common NeutropeniaA,0, Febrile neutropeniaA,0, Thrombocytop eniaA,0, Anaemia, Leucopenia0, Lymphopenia Common Pancytopenia0 |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | Very Common Hypokalaemia | Common Hypokalaemia, Dehydration |
Nervous System Disorders | Very Common Paraesthesia Common Peripheral neuropathyc | Common Headache |
Vascular Disorders | Common Pulmonary embolism0, | Common Deep vein thrombosisA,0,d |
Respiratory, Thoracic and | Very Common | Common |
Mediastinal Disorders | Cough Common Dyspnoea0, Rhinorrhoea | Dyspnoea^ |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | Very Common Diarrhoea, Constipation, Abdominal pain, Nausea Common Vomiting, Abdominal pain upper | Common Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Nausea |
Hepatobiliary Disorders | Very Common Abnormal liver function tests | Common Abnormal liver function tests |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | Very Common Rash, Dry skin | Common Rash, Pruritus |
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | Very Common Muscle spasms Common Myalgia, Musculoskeletal pain | |
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | Very Common Fatigue, Asthenia, Pyrexia | Common Fatigue, Asthenia |
a Adverse reactions reported as serious in clinical trials in patients with NDMM who had undergoneASCT
Applies to serious adverse drug reactions only
A See section 4.8 description of selected adverse reactions
a “Pneumonia” combined AE term includes the following PTs: Bronchopneumonia, Lobar pneumonia, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Pneumonia, Pneumonia klebsiella, Pneumonia legionella, Pneumonia mycoplasmal, Pneumonia pneumococcal, Pneumonia streptococcal, Pneumonia viral, Lung disorder, Pneumonitis
b “Sepsis” combined AE term includes the following PTs: Bacterial sepsis, Pneumococcal sepsis, Septic shock, Staphylococcal sepsis
c “Peripheral neuropathy” combined AE term includes the following preferred terms (PTs): Neuropathy peripheral, Peripheral sensory neuropathy, Polyneuropathy
d “Deep vein thrombosis” combined AE term includes the following PTs: Deep vein thrombosis, Thrombosis, Venous thrombosis
Tabulated summary for combination therapy in MM
The following table is derived from data gathered during the multiple myeloma studies with combination therapy. The data were not adjusted according to the longer duration of treatment in the lenalidomide-containing arms continued until disease progression versus the comparator arms in the pivotal multiple myeloma studies (see section 5.1).
Table 2. ADRs reported in clinical studies in patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, dexamethasone, or melphalan and prednisone
System Organ Class / Preferred Term | All ADRs/Frequency | Grade 3–4 ADRs/Frequency |
Infections and Infestations | Very Common Pneumonia0’00, Upper respiratory tract infection0, Bacterial, viral and fungal infections (including opportunistic infections)0, Nasopharyngitis, Pharyngitis, Bronchitis0, Rhinitis Common Sepsis0, °°, Lung infection°°,Urinary tract infection00, Sinusitis0 | Common Pneumonia0,00 Bacterial, viral and fungal infections (including opportunistic infections)0, Cellulitis0, Sepsis0,00 , Lung infection00, Bronchitis0, Respiratory tract infection00 ,Urinary tract infection00 , Enterocolitis infectious |
Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Uncommon Basal cell carcinomaA’°, Squamous skin cancerA’0’ | Common Acute myeloid leukaemia0, Myelodysplastic syndrome0, Squamous cell carcinoma of skinA,^, Uncommon T-cell type acute leukaemia0, Basal cell carcinomaA,0, Tumour lysis syndrome |
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | Very Common NeutropeniaA’0,00, ThrombocytopeniaA’0,00’, Anaemia °, Haemorrhagic disorderA, Leucopenia, Lymphopenia Common Febrile neutropenia0, Pancytopenia0 Uncommon Haemolysis, Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Haemolytic anaemia | Very Common NeutropeniaA,0, °° Thrombocytop eniaA,0,°° Anaemia0, Leucopenia, Lymphopenia Common Febrile neutropenia0, Pancytopenia0, Haemolytic anaemia Uncommon Hypercoagulation, Coagulopathy |
Immune System Disorders | Uncommon HypersensitivityA |
Endocrine Disorders | Common Hypothyroidism | |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | Very Common Hypokal aemi a0,00 Hyperglycaemia, Hypoglycaemia, Hypocalcaemia0, Hyponatraemia0, Dehydration00, Decreased appetite00, Weight decreased Common Hypomagnesaemia, Hyperuricaemia, Hypercalcaemia+ | Common Hypokal aemi a0,00, Hyperglycaemia, Hypocalcaemia0, Diabetes mellitus0, Hypophosphataemia, Hyponatraemia0, Hyperuricaemia, Gout, Dehydration00, Decreased appetite00, Weight decreased |
Psychiatric Disorders | Very Common Depression, Insomnia Uncommon Loss of libido | Common Depression, Insomnia |
Nervous System Disorders | Very Common Peripheral neuropathies00, Paraesthesia, Dizziness00, Tremor, Dysgeusia, Headache Common Ataxia, Balance impaired, Syncope00, Neuralgia, Dysaesthesia | Very Common Peripheral neuropathies00 Common Cerebrovascular accident0, Dizziness00, Syncope00 Neuralgia Uncommon Intracranial haemorrhageA, Transient ischaemic attack, Cerebral ischemia |
Eye Disorders | Very Common Cataracts, Blurred vision Common Reduced visual acuity | Common Cataract Uncommon Blindness |
Ear and Labyrinth Disorders | Common Deafness (Including Hypoacusis), Tinnitus | |
Cardiac Disorders | Common Atrial fibrillation0,00 Bradycardia Uncommon Arrhythmia, QT prolongation, Atrial flutter, Ventricular extrasystoles | Common Myocardial infarction (including acute)-'-, , Atrial fibrillation0,00,, Congestive cardiac failure0, Tachycardia, Cardiac failure0,00 Myocardial ischemia0 |
Vascular Disorders | Very Common Venous thromboembolic | Very Common Venous thromboembolic |
events”, predominantly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism”’0,00 , Hypotension00 Common Hypertension, Ecchymosis” | events”, predominantly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism”,0,00 Common Vasculitis, Hypotension00, Hypertension Uncommon Ischemia, Peripheral ischemia, Intracranial venous sinus thrombosis | |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders | Very Common Dyspnoea0,00, Epistaxis”, Cough Common Dysphonia | Common Respiratory distress0, Dyspnoea0,00, Pleuritic 00 pain , Hypoxia00 |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | Very Common Diarrhoea0, °°, Constipation0, Abdominal pain00, Nausea, Vomiting00, Dyspepsia, Dry mouth, Stomatitis Common Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (including rectal haemorrhage, haemorrhoidal haemorrhage, peptic ulcer haemorrhage and gingival bleeding)”00, Dysphagia Uncommon Colitis, Caecitis | Common Gastrointestinal haemorrhage”0,00, Small intestinal obstruction00, Diarrhoea00, Constipation0, Abdominal pain00, Nausea, Vomiting00 |
Hepatobiliary Disorders | Very Common Alanine aminotransferase increased, Aspartate aminotransferase increased Common Hepatocellular injury00 , Abnormal liver function tests0, Hyperbilirubinaemia Uncommon Hepatic failure” | Common Cholestasis0, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatocellular injury00 , Alanine aminotransferase increased, Abnormal liver function tests Uncommon Hepatic failure” |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | Very Common Rashes00, Pruritus Common Urticaria, Hyperhidrosis, Dry | Common Rashes00 Uncommon Drug rash with eosinophilia |
skin, Skin hyperpigmentation, Eczema, Erythema Uncommon Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms00, Skin discolouration, Photosensitivity reaction | and svstemic_svmptoms | |
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | Very Common Muscular weakness00, Muscle spasms, Bone pain0, Musculoskeletal and connective tissue pain and discomfort (including back pain0,00), Pain in extremity, Myalgia, Arthralgia0 Common Joint swelling | Common Muscular weakness00, Bone pain0, Musculoskeletal and connective tissue pain and discomfort (including back pain0,00) Uncommon Joint swelling |
Renal and Urinary Disorders | Very Common Renal failure (including acute)0,00 Common HaematuriaA, Urinary retention, Urinary incontinence Uncommon Acquired Fanconi syndrome | Uncommon Renal tubular necrosis |
Reproductive System and Breast Disorders | Common Erectile dysfunction | |
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | Very Common Fatigue0,00, Oedema (including peripheral oedema), Pyrexia0,00, Asthenia, Influenza like illness syndrome (including pyrexia, cough, myalgia, musculoskeletal pain, headache and rigors) Common Chest pain0,00, Lethargy | Very Common Fatigue0,00 Common Oedema peripheral, Pyrexia0,00, Asthenia |
Investigations | Very Common Blood alkaline phosphatase increased Common C-reactive protein increased | |
Injury, Poisoning and Procedural Complications | Common Fall, ContusionA |
a Adverse reactions reported as serious in clinical trials in patients with NDMM who had received lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone
ASee section 4.8 description of selected adverse reactions
A Adverse reactions reported as serious in clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone or with melphalan and prednisone
+ Applies to serious adverse drug reactions only
* Squamous skin cancer was reported in clinical trials in previously treated myeloma patients with lenalidomide/dexamethasone compared to controls ** Squamous cell carcinoma of skin was reported in a clinical trial in newly diagnosed myeloma patients with lenalidomide/dexamethasone compared to controls
Tabulated summary for combination therapy in FL
The following table is derived from data gathered during the main studies (NHL-007 and NHL-008) using lenalidomide in combination with rituximab for patients with follicular lymphoma.
Table 3: ADRs reported in clinical trials in patients with follicular lymphoma treated with
lenalidomide in combination with rituximab
System Organ Class / Preferred Term | All ADRs/Frequency | Grade 3–4 ADRs/Frequency |
Infections and Infestations | Very Common Upper respiratory tract infection Common Pneumonia , Influenza, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Urinary tract infection | Common Pneumonia , Sepsis , Lung infection, Bronchitis, Gastroenteritis, Sinusitis, Urinary tract infection, Cellulitis0 |
Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Very Common Tumour flareA Common Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin,A,+ | Common Basal cell carcinoma7', |
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | Very Common NeutropeniaA,‚, Anaemia‘, ThrombocytopeniaA, Leucopenia Lymphopenia | Very Common NeutropeniaA,‚7 Common Anaemia‘, ThrombocytopeniaA, Febrile neutropenia , Pancytopenia, Leucopenia, Lymphopenia |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | Very Common Decreased appetite, Hypokalaemia | Common Dehydration, HypercalcaemiaO, |
Common Hypophosphataemia, Dehydration | Hypokalaemia, Hypophosphataemia, Hyperuricaemia | |
Psychiatric Disorders | Common Depression, Insomnia | |
Nervous System Disorders | Very Common Headache, Dizziness Common Peripheral sensory neuropathy, Dysgeusia | Common Syncope |
Cardiac Disorders | Uncommon Arrhythmia | |
Vascular Disorders | Common Hypotension | Common Pulmonary embolismA, , Hypotension |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders | Very Common Dyspnoea , Cough, Common Oropharyngeal pain, Dysphonia | Common Dyspnoea |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | Very Common Abdominal painO, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Dyspepsia Common Upper abdominal pain, Stomatitis, Dry mouth | Common Abdominal pain , Diarrhoea, Constipation, Stomatitis |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | Very Common Rash*, Pruritus Common Dry skin, Night sweats, Erythema | Common Rash*, Pruritus |
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | Very Common Muscle spasms, Back pain, Arthralgia Common Pain in extremity, Muscular weakness, Musculoskeletal pain, Myalgia, Neck pain | Common Muscular weakness, Neck pain |
Renal and Urinary Disorders | Common Acute kidney injury'' | |
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | Very Common Pyrexia, Fatigue, Asthenia, Peripheral oedema Common | Common Fatigue, Asthenia |
Malaise, Chills | ||
Investigations | Very Common Alanine aminotransferase increased Common Weight decreased, Blood Bilirubin increased |
2see section 4.8 description of selected adverse reactions
Algorithm applied for follicular lymphoma:
Controlled- Phase 3 trial:
NHL-007 ADRs- All treatment-emergent AEs with > 5.0% of subjects in
lenalidomide/rituximab arm and at least 2.0% higher frequency (%) in Len arm compared to control arm – (Safety population)
NHL-007 Gr 3/4 ADRs- All Grades 3 or Grade 4 treatment-emergent AEs with
at least 1.0% subjects in lenalidomide/rituximab arm and at least 1.0% higher frequency in lenalidomide arm compared to control arm – (safety population)
NHL-007 Serious ADRs- All serious treatment-emergent AEs with at least
1.0% subjects in lenalidomide/rituximab arm and at least 1.0% higher frequency in lenalidomide/rituximab arm compared to control arm – (safety population)
FL single arm – phase 3 trial:
NHL-008 ADRs- All treatment-emergent adverse events with > 5.0% of
subjects
NHL-008 Gr 3/4 ADRs- All Grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events
reported in > 1.0% of subjects
NHL-008 Serious ADRs- All serious treatment-emergent adverse events
reported in > 1.0% of subjects
Adverse events reported as serious in follicular lymphoma clinical trials
+ Applies to serious adverse drug reactions only
Rash includes PT of rash and rash maculo-papular
Leucopenia includes PT leucopenia and white blood cell count decreased
Lymphopenia includes PT lymphopenia and lymphocyte count decreased
Tabulated summary of post-marketing adverse reactions
In addition to the above adverse reactions identified from the pivotal clinical trials, the following table is derived from data gathered from post-marketing data.
Table 4. ADRs reported in post-marketing use in patients treated with lenalidomide
System Organ Class / Preferred Term | All ADRs/Frequency | Grade 3–4 ADRs/Frequency |
Infections and Infestations | Very Common Upper respiratory tract infection Common Pneumonia , Influenza, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Urinary tract infection | Common Pneumonia , Sepsis , Lung infection, Bronchitis, Gastroenteritis, Sinusitis, Urinary tract infection, Cellulitis0 |
Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Very Common Tumour flareA Common Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin,A,+ | Common Basal cell carcinomaA,' |
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | Very Common NeutropeniaA,‚, Anaemia‘, ThrombocytopeniaA, Leucopenia** Lymphopenia | Very Common NeutropeniaA,'' Common Anaemia', ThrombocytopeniaA, Febrile neutropenia , Pancytopenia, Leucopenia**, Lymphopenia*** |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | Very Common Decreased appetite, Hypokalaemia Common Hypophosphataemia, Dehydration | Common Dehydration, HypercalcaemiaO, Hypokalaemia, Hypophosphataemia, Hyperuricaemia |
Psychiatric Disorders | Common Depression, Insomnia | |
Nervous System Disorders | Very Common Headache, Dizziness Common Peripheral sensory neuropathy, Dysgeusia | Common Syncope |
Cardiac Disorders | Uncommon Arrhythmia | |
Vascular Disorders | Common Hypotension | Common Pulmonary embolismA,', Hypotension |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders | Very Common Dyspnoea , Cough, Common Oropharyngeal pain, Dysphonia | Common Dyspnoea |
Gastrointestinal | Very Common | Common |
Disorders | Abdominal painO, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Dyspepsia Common Upper abdominal pain, Stomatitis, Dry mouth | Abdominal pain , Diarrhoea, Constipation, Stomatitis |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | Very Common Rash, Pruritus Common Dry skin, Night sweats, Erythema | Common Rash*, Pruritus |
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | Very Common Muscle spasms, Back pain, Arthralgia Common Pain in extremity, Muscular weakness, Musculoskeletal pain, Myalgia, Neck pain | Common Muscular weakness, Neck pain |
Renal and Urinary Disorders | Common Acute kidney injury'' | |
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | Very Common Pyrexia, Fatigue, Asthenia, Peripheral oedema Common Malaise, Chills | Common Fatigue, Asthenia |
Investigations | Very Common Alanine aminotransferase increased Common Weight decreased, Blood Bilirubin increased |
Asee section 4.8 description of selected adverse reactions
Description of selected adverse reactions
Teratogenicity
Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide. Thalidomide is a known human teratogenic active substance that causes severe life-threatening birth defects. Lenalidomide induced in monkeys malformations similar to those described with thalidomide (see sections 4.6 and 5.3). If lenalidomide is taken during pregnancy, a teratogenic effect of lenalidomide in humans is expected.
Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: patients who have undergone ASCT treated with lenalidomide maintenance
Lenalidomide maintenance after ASCT is associated with a higher frequency of grade 4 neutropenia compared to placebo maintenance (32.1% vs 26.7% [16.1% vs 1.8% after the start of maintenance treatment] in CALGB 100104 and 16.4% vs 0.7% in IFM 2005–02, respectively). Treatment-emergent AEs of neutropenia leading to lenalidomide discontinuation were reported in 2.2% of patients in CALGB 100104 and 2.4% of patients in IFM 2005–02, respectively. Grade 4 febrile neutropenia was reported at similar frequencies in the lenalidomide maintenance arms compared to placebo maintenance arms in both studies (0.4% vs 0.5% [0.4% vs 0.5% after the start of maintenance treatment] in CALGB 100104 and 0.3% vs 0% in IFM 2005–02, respectively).
Lenalidomide maintenance after ASCT is associated with a higher frequency of grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia compared to placebo maintenance (37.5% vs 30.3% [17.9% vs 4.1% after the start of maintenance treatment] in CALGB 100104 and 13.0% vs 2.9% in IFM 2005–02, respectively).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are not eligible for transplant receiving lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone
Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in the RVd arm to a lesser extent than in the Rd comparator arm (2.7% vs 5.9%) in the SWOG S0777 study. Grade 4 febrile neutropenia was reported at similar frequencies in the RVd arm compared to the Rd arm (0.0% vs 0.4%).
Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was observed in the RVd arm to a greater extent than in the Rd comparator arm (17.2 % vs 9.4%).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: , patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is associated with a lower frequency of grade 4 neutropenia (8.5% in Rd and Rd18, compared with MPT (15%). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia was observed infrequently (0.6% in Rd and Rd18 compared with 0.7% in MPT).
The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is associated with a lower frequency of grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia (8.1% in Rd and Rd18) compared with MPT (11.1%).
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: , patients who are not eligible for transplant treated with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone
The combination of lenalidomide with melphalan and prednisone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher frequency of grade 4 neutropenia (34.1% in MPR+R/MPR+p) compared with MPp+p (7.8%). There was a higher frequency of grade 4 febrile neutropenia observed (1.7% in MPR+R/MPR+p compared to 0.0% in MPp+p).
The combination of lenalidomide with melphalan and prednisone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher frequency of grade 3 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (40.4% in MPR+R/MPR+p) compared with MPp+p (13.7%).
Multiple myeloma: , patients with at least one , prior therapy
The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 4 neutropenia (5.1% in lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared with 0.6% in placebo/dexamethasone-treated patients). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia episodes were observed infrequently (0.6% in lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared to 0.0% in placebo/dexamethasone treated patients).
The combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (9.9% and 1.4%, respectively, in lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared to 2.3% and 0.0% in placebo/dexamethasone-treated patients).
Follicular lymphoma , patients
The combination of lenalidomide with rituximab in follicular lymphoma is associated with a higher rate of grade 3 or grade 4 neutropenia (50.7% in lenalidomide/rituximab treated patients compared with 12.2% in placebo/rituximab treated patients). All grade 3 or 4 neutropenia were reversible through dose interruption, reduction and/or supportive care with growth factors. Additionally, febrile neutropenia was observed infrequently (2.7% in lenalidomide/rituximab treated patients compared with 0.7% in placebo/rituximab treated patients).
Lenalidomide in combination with rituximab is also associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (1.4% in lenalidomide/rituximab treated patients compared to 0% in placebo/rituximab patients).
Venous thromboembolism
An increased risk of DVT and PE is associated with the use of the combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma, and to a lesser extent in patients treated with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone or in patients with multiple myeloma, treated with lenalidomide monotherapy (see section 4.5).
Concomitant administration of erythropoietic agents or previous history of DVT may also increase thrombotic risk in these patients.
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction has been reported in patients receiving lenalidomide, particularly in those with known risk factors.
Haemorrhagic disorders
Haemorrhagic disorders are listed under several system organ classes: Blood and lymphatic system disorders; nervous system disorders (intracranial
haemorrhage); respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders (epistaxis); gastrointestinal disorders (gingival bleeding, haemorrhoidal haemorrhage, rectal haemorrhage); renal and urinary disorders (haematuria); injury, poisoning and procedural complications (contusion) and vascular disorders (ecchymosis).
Allergic reactions and severe skin reactions
Cases of allergic reactions including angioedema, anaphylactic reaction and severe cutaneous reactions including SJS, TEN and DRESS have been reported with the use of lenalidomide. A possible cross-reaction between lenalidomide and thalidomide has been reported in the literature. Patients with a history of severe rash associated with thalidomide treatment should not receive lenalidomide (see section 4.4).
Second primary malignancies
In clinical trials in previously treated myeloma patients with lenalidomide/dexamethasone compared to controls, mainly comprising of basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers.
Acute myeloid leukaemia
Multiple myeloma
Cases of AML have been observed in clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients taking lenalidomide treatment in combination with melphalan or immediately following HDM/ASCT (see section 4.4). This increase was not observed in clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients taking lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone compared to thalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone.
Hepatic disorders
The following post-marketing adverse reactions have been reported (frequency unknown): acute hepatic failure and cholestasis (both potentially fatal), toxic hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis, mixed cytolytic/cholestatic hepatitis.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis have been observed, some of them when lenalidomide is administered with a statin.
Thyroid disorders
Cases of hypothyroidism and cases of hyperthyroidism have been reported (see section 4.4 Thyroid disorders).
Tumour flare reaction and tumour lysis syndrome
In study NHL-007, TFR was reported in 19/146 (13.0%) of patients in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm versus 1/148 (0.7%) patients in the placebo/rituximab arm. Most TFRs (18 out of 19) reported in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm occurred during first two cycles of treatment. One FL patient in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm experienced a Grade 3 TFR event versus no patients in the placebo/rituximab arm. In study NHL-008, 7/177 (4.0%) of FL patients experienced TFR; (3 reports were Grade 1 and 4 reports were Grade 2 severity); while 1 report was considered serious. In study NHL-007, TLS occurred in 2 FL patients (1.4%) in the lenalidomide/rituximab arm and no FL patients in the placebo/rituximab arm; neither patient had a Grade 3 or 4 event. TLS occurred in 1 FL patient (0.6%) in study NHL-008. This single event was identified as a serious, Grade 3 adverse reaction. For study NHL-007 no patients had to discontinue lenalidomide/rituximab therapy due to TFR or TLS.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported during treatment with lenalidomide. Gastrointestinal perforations may lead to septic complications and may be associated with fatal outcome.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9 Overdose
4.9 OverdoseThere is no specific experience in the management of lenalidomide overdose in patients, although in dose-ranging studies some patients were exposed to up to 150 mg, and in single-dose studies, some patients were exposed to up to 400 mg. The dose limiting toxicity in these studies was essentially haematological. In the event of overdose, supportive care is advised.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Immunosuppressants, Other immunosuppressants, ATC code: L04AX04.
Mechanism of action
Lenalidomide binds directly to cereblon, a component of a cullin ring E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme complex that includes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage-binding protein 1(DDB1), cullin 4 (CUL4), and regulator of cullins 1
(Roc1). In haematopoietic cells, lenalidomide binding to cereblon recruits substrate proteins Aiolos and Ikaros, lymphoid transcriptional factors, leading to their ubiquitination and subsequent degradation resulting in direct cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects. Specifically, lenalidomide inhibits proliferation and enhances apoptosis of certain haematopoietic tumour cells (including MM plasma tumour cells, follicular lymphoma tumour cells and those with deletions of chromosome 5), enhances T cell- and Natural Killer (NK) cell-mediated immunity and increases the number of NK T cells. The combination of lenalidomide and rituximab increases ADCC and direct tumor apoptosis in follicular lymphoma cells.
The lenalidomide mechanism of action also includes additional activities such as anti-angiogenic and pro-erythropoietic properties. Lenalidomide inhibits angiogenesis by blocking the migration and adhesion of endothelial cells and the formation of microvessels, augments foetal haemoglobin production by CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells, and inhibits production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-a and IL-6) by monocytes.
Clinical efficacy and safety
Lenalidomide efficacy and safety have been evaluated in five phase 3 studies in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, two phase 3 studies in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, one phase 3 and one phase 3b study in iNHL as described below.
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Lenalidomide maintenance in patients who have undergone ASCT The efficacy and safety of lenalidomide maintenance was assessed in two phase 3 multicentre, randomised, double-blind 2-arm, parallel group, placebo-controlled studies: CALGB 100104 and IFM 2005–02
CALGB 100104
Patients between 18 and 70 years of age with active MM requiring treatment and without prior progression after initial treatment were eligible.
Patients were randomised 1:1 within 90–100 days after ASCT to receive either lenalidomide or placebo maintenance. The maintenance dose was 10 mg once daily on days 1–28 of repeated 28-day cycles (increased up to 15 mg once daily after 3 months in the absence of dose-limiting toxicity), and treatment was continued until disease progression.
The primary efficacy endpoint in the study was progression free survival (PFS) from randomisation to the date of progression or death, whichever occurred first; the study was not powered for the overall survival endpoint. In total 460 patients were randomised: 231 patients to lenalidomide and 229 patients to placebo. The demographic and disease-related characteristics were balanced across both arms.
The study was unblinded upon the recommendations of the data monitoring committee after surpassing the threshold for a preplanned interim analysis of PFS. After unblinding, patients in the placebo arm were allowed to cross over to receive lenalidomide before disease progression.
The results of PFS at unblinding, following a preplanned interim analysis, using a cut-off of 17 December 2009 (15.5 months follow up) showed a 62% reduction in risk of disease progression or death favouring lenalidomide (HR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.27, 0.54; p <0.001). The median overall PFS was 33.9 months (95% CI NE, NE) in the lenalidomide arm versus 19.0 months (95% CI 16.2, 25.6) in the placebo arm.
The PFS benefit was observed both in the subgroup of patients with CR and in the subgroup of patients who had not achieved a CR.
The results for the study, using a cut-off of 1 February 2016, are presented in Table 5
Table 5: Summary of overall efficacy data
Lenalidomide (N = 231) | Placebo (N = 229) | |
Investigator-assessed PFS | ||
Mediana PFS time, months (95% CI)b | 56.9 (41.9, 71.7) | 29,4 (20.7, 35.5) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | 0.61 (0.48, 0.76); <0.001 | |
PFS2e | ||
Mediana PFS2 time, months (95% CI) b | 80.2 (63.3, 101.8) | 52.8 (41.3, 64.0) |
HR [95% CI]c ; p-valued | 0.61 (0.48, 0.78); <0.001 | |
Overall survival | ||
Mediana OS time, months (95% CI)b | 111.0 (101.8, NE) | 84.2 (71.0, 102.7) |
8-year survival rate, % (SE) | 60.9 (3.78) | 44.6 (3.98) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | 0.61 (0.46, 0.81); <0.001 | |
Follow-up | ||
Medianf (min, max), months: all surviving patients | 81.9 (0.0, 119.8) | 81.0 (4.1, 119.5) |
CI = confidence interval; HR = hazard ratio; max = maximum; min = minimum; NE = not estimable; OS = overall survival; PFS = progression-free survival;
a The median is based on the Kaplan-Meier estimate.
b The 95% CI about the median.
c Based on Cox proportional hazards model comparing the hazard functions associated with the indicated treatment arms.
d The p-value is based on the unstratified log-rank test of Kaplan-Meier curve differences between the indicated treatment arms.
e Exploratory endpoint (PFS2). Lenalidomide received by subjects in the placebo arm who crossed over prior to PD upon study unblinding was not considered as a second-line therapy.
f
f Median follow-up post-ASCT for all surviving subjects.
Data cut-off dates: 17 Dec 2009 and 01 Feb 2016
IFM 2005–02
Patients aged < 65 years at diagnosis who had undergone ASCT and had achieved at least a stable disease response at the time of hematologic recovery were eligible. Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either lenalidomide or placebo maintenance (10 mg once daily on days 1–28 of repeated 28 day cycles increased up to 15 mg once daily after 3 months in the absence of doselimiting toxicity) following 2 courses of lenalidomide consolidation
(25 mg/day, days 1–21 of a 28-day cycle). Treatment was to be continued until disease progression.
The primary endpoint was PFS defined from randomisation to the date of progression or death, whichever occurred first; the study was not powered for the overall survival endpoint. In total 614 patients were randomised: 307 patients to lenalidomide and 307 patients to placebo.
The study was unblinded upon the recommendations of the data monitoring committee after surpassing the threshold for a preplanned interim analysis of PFS. After unblinding, patients receiving placebo were not crossed over to lenalidomide therapy prior to progressive disease. The lenalidomide arm was discontinued, as a proactive safety measure, after observing an imbalance of SPMs (see Section 4.4).
The results of PFS at unblinding, following a preplanned interim analysis, using a cut-off of 7 July 2010 (31.4 months follow up) showed a 48% reduction in risk of disease progression or death favouring lenalidomide (HR = 0.52; 95% CI 0.41, 0.66; p <0.001). The median overall PFS was 40.1 months (95% CI 35.7, 42.4) in the lenalidomide arm versus 22.8 months (95% CI 20.7, 27.4) in the placebo arm.
The PFS benefit was less in the subgroup of patients with CR than in the subgroup of patients who had not achieved a CR.
The updated PFS, using a cut-off of 1 February 2016 (96.7 months follow up) continues to show a PFS advantage: HR = 0.57 (95% CI 0.47, 0.68; p < 0.001). The median overall PFS was 44.4 months (39.6, 52.0) in the lenalidomide arm versus 23.8 months (95% CI 21.2, 27.3) in the placebo arm. For PFS2, the observed HR was 0.80 (95% CI 0.66, 0.98; p = 0.026) for lenalidomide versus placebo. The median overall PFS2 was 69.9 months (95% CI 58.1, 80.0) in the lenalidomide arm versus 58.4 months (95% CI 51.1, 65.0) in the placebo arm. For OS, the observed HR was 0.90: (95% CI 0.72, 1.13; p = 0.355) for lenalidomide versus placebo. The median overall survival time was 105.9 months (95% CI 88.8, NE) in the lenalidomide arm versus 88.1 months (95% CI 80.7, 108.4) in the placebo arm.
Lenalidomide in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation
The SWOG S0777 study evaluated the addition of bortezomib to a foundation of lenalidomide and dexamethasone, as initial treatment, followed by continued Rd until disease progression, in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are either ineligible for transplant or eligible for transplant with no plan to undertake immediate transplant.
Patients in the lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd) arm received lenalidomide 25 mg/day orally on days 1–14, intravenous bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, and dexamethasone 20 mg/day orally on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 of repeated 21-day cycles for up to eight 21-day cycles (24 weeks). Patients in the lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) arm received lenalidomide 25 mg/day orally on days 1–21, and dexamethasone 40 mg/day orally on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of repeated 28-day cycles for up to six 28-day cycles (24 weeks). Patients in both arms took continued Rd: lenalidomide 25 mg/day orally on days 1–21 and dexamethasone 40 mg/day orally on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of repeated 28-day cycles.
Treatment was to be continued until disease progression.
The primary efficacy endpoint in the study was progression free survival (PFS). In total 523 patients were enrolled into the study, with 263 patients randomised to RVd and 260 patients randomised to Rd. The demographics and disease-related baseline characteristics of the patients were well balanced between arms.
The results of PFS, as assessed by IRAC, at the time of the primary analysis, using a cut-off of 05 November 2015 (50.6 months follow up) showed a 24% reduction in risk of disease progression or death favouring RVd (HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.61, 0.94; p = 0.010). The median overall PFS was 42.5 months (95% CI 34.0, 54.8) in the RVd arm versus 29.9 months (95% CI 25.6, 38.2) in the Rd arm. The benefit was observed regardless of eligibility for stem cell transplant.
The results for the study, using a cut-off of 01 December 2016, where the median follow-up time for all surviving subjects was 69.0 months, are presented in Table 6. The benefit favouring RVd was observed regardless of eligibility for stem cell transplant.
Table 6. Summary of overall efficacy data
Initial treatment | ||
RVd (3-week cycles x 8) (N = 263) | Rd (4-week cycles x 6) (N = 260) | |
IRAC-assessed PFS (months) | ||
Mediana PFS time, months (95% CI) b | 41.7 (33.1, 51.5) | 29.7 (24.2, 37.8) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | 0.76 (0.62, 0.94); 0.010 | |
Overall survival (months) | ||
Mediana OS time, months (95% CI)b | 89.1 (76.1, NE) | 67.2 (58.4, 90.8) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | 0.72 (0.56, 0.94); 0.013 | |
Response – n (%) | ||
Overall response: CR, VGPR, or PR | 199 (75.7) | 170 (65.4) |
> VGPR | 153 (58.2) | 83 (31.9) |
Follow-up (months) | ||
Mediane (min, max): all patients | 61.6 (0.2, 99.4) | 59.4 (0.4, 99.1) |
CI = confidence interval; HR = hazard ratio; max = maximum; min = minimum; NE = not estimable; OS = overall survival; PFS = progression-free survival; Median follow-up was calculated from the date of randomization. a The median is based on Kaplan-Meier estimate.
b Two-sided 95% CI about the median time.
c Based on unstratified Cox proportional hazards model comparing hazard functions associated with treatment arms (RVd:Rd).
d The p-value is based on unstratified log-rank test.
e Median follow-up was calculated from the date of randomization Updated OS results, using a cut-off of 01 May 2018 (84.2 months median follow-up for surviving subjects) continue to show an OS advantage favouring RVd: HR = 0.73 (95% CI 0.57, 0.94; p=0.014). The proportion of subjects alive after 7 years was 54.7% in the RVd arm versus 44.7% in the Rd arm.
Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone in, patients who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation
The safety and efficacy of lenalidomide was assessed in a phase 3, multicenter, randomised, open-label, 3-arm study (MM-020) of patients who were at least 65 years of age or older or, if younger than 65 years of age, were not candidates for stem cell transplantation because they declined to undergo stem cell transplantation or stem cell transplantation is not available to the patient due to cost or other reason. The study (MM-020) compared lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) given for 2 different durations of time (i.e., until progressive disease [Arm Rd] or for up to eighteen 28-day cycles [72 weeks, Arm Rd18]) to melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide (MPT) for a maximum of twelve 42-day cycles (72 weeks). Patients were randomised (1:1:1) to 1 of 3 treatment arms. Patients were stratified at randomisation by age (<75 versus >75 years), stage (ISS Stages I and II versus Stage III), and country.
Patients in the Rd and Rd18 arms took lenalidomide 25 mg once daily on days 1 to 21 of 28-day cycles according to protocol arm. Dexamethasone 40 mg was dosed once daily on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each 28-day cycle. Initial dose and regimen for Rd and Rd18 were adjusted according to age and renal function (see section 4.2). Patients >75 years received a dexamethasone dose of 20 mg once daily on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each 28-day cycle. All patients received prophylactic anticoagulation (low molecular weight heparin, warfarin, heparin, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid) during the study.
The primary efficacy endpoint in the study was progression free survival (PFS). In total 1623 patients were enrolled into the study, with 535 patients randomised to Rd, 541 patients randomised to Rd18 and 547 patients randomised to MPT. The demographics and disease-related baseline characteristics of the patients were well balanced in all 3 arms. In general, study subjects had advanced-stage disease: of the total study population, 41% had ISS stage III, 9% had severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance [CLcr] < 30 mL/min). The median age was 73 in the 3 arms.
In an updated analysis of PFS, PFS2 and OS using a cut off of 3 March 2014 where the median follow-up time for all surviving subjects was 45.5 months, the results of the study are presented in Table 7.
Table 7: Summary of overall efficacy data
Rd (N = 535) | Rd18 (N = 541) | MPT (N = 547) | |
Investigator-assessed PFS -(months) | |||
Mediana PFS time, months (95% CI)b | 26.0 (20.7, 29.7) | 21.0 (19.7, 22.4) | 21.9 (19.8, 23.9) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | |||
Rd vs MPT | 0.69 (0.59, 0.80); <0.001 | ||
Rd vs Rd18 | 0.71 (0.61, 0.83); <0.001 | ||
Rd18 vs MPT | 0.99 (0.86, 1.14); 0.866 | ||
PFS2e – (months) | |||
Mediana PFS2 time, months (95% CI)b | 42.9 (38.1, 47.4) | 40.0 (36.2, 44.2) | 35.0 (30.4, 37.8) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | |||
Rd vs MPT | 0.74 (0.63, 0.86); <0.001 | ||
Rd vs Rd18 | 0.92 (0.78, 1.08); 0.316 | ||
Rd18 vs MPT | 0.80 (0.69, 0.93); 0.004 | ||
Overall survival (months) | |||
Mediana OS time, months (95% CI)b | 58.9 (56.0, NE) | 56.7 (50.1, NE) | 48.5 (44.2, 52.0) |
HR [95% CI]c; p-valued | |||
Rd vs MPT | 0.75 (0.62, 0.90); 0.002 | ||
Rd vs Rd18 | 0.91 (0.75, 1.09); 0.305 | ||
Rd18 vs MPT | 0.83 (0.69, 0.99); 0.034 | ||
Follow-up (months) | |||
Medianf (min, max): all patients | 40.8 (0.0, 65.9) | 40.1 (0.4, 65.7) | 38.7 (0.0, 64.2) |
Myeloma response8 n (%) | |||
CR | 81 (15.1) | 77 (14.2) | 51 (9.3) |
VGPR | 152 (28.4) | 154 (28.5) | 103 (18.8) |
PR | 169 (31.6) | 166 (30.7) | 187 (34.2) |
Overall response: CR, VGPR, or PR | 402 (75.1) | 397 (73.4) | 341 (62.3) |
Duration of response – (months)h |
Mediana (95% CI)b | 35.0 (27.9, 43.4) | 22.1 (20.3, 24.0) | 22.3 (20.2, 24.9) |
AMT = antimyeloma therapy; CI = confidence interval; CR = complete response; d = low-dose dexamethasone; HR = hazard ratio; IMWG = International Myeloma Working Group; IRAC = Independent Response Adjudication Committee; M = melphalan; max = maximum; min = minimum; NE = not estimable; OS = overall survival; P = prednisone; PFS = progression-free survival; PR = partial response; R = lenalidomide; Rd = Rd given until documentation of progressive disease; Rd18 = Rd given for 18 cycles; SE = standard error; T = thalidomide; VGPR = very good partial response; vs = versus.
a The median is based on the Kaplan-Meier estimate. b The 95% CI about the median.
c Based on Cox proportional hazards model comparing the hazard functions associated with the indicated treatment arms.
d The p-value is based on the unstratified log-rank test of Kaplan-Meier curve differences between the indicated treatment arms. e Exploratory endpoint (PFS2)
f The median is the univariate statistic without adjusting for censoring.
g Best assessment of adjudicated response during the treatment phase of the study (for definitions of each response category, Data cut-off date = 24 May 2013).
h data cut 24 May 2013
Lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone followed by maintenance therapy in. patients who are not eligible for transplant
The safety and efficacy of lenalidomide was assessed in a phase 3 multicenter, randomised double blind 3 arm study (MM-015) of patients who were 65 years or older and had a serum creatinine < 2.5 mg/dL. The study compared lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone (MPR) with or without lenalidomide maintenance therapy until disease progression, to that of melphalan and prednisone for a maximum of 9 cycles. Patients were randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of 3 treatment arms. Patients were stratified at randomisation by age (< 75 vs. > 75 years) and stage (ISS; Stages I and II vs. stage III).
This study investigated the use of combination therapy of MPR (melphalan 0.18 mg/kg orally on days 1 to 4 of repeated 28-day cycles; prednisone 2 mg/kg orally on days 1 to 4 of repeated 28-day cycles; and lenalidomide 10 mg/day orally on days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles) for induction therapy, up to 9 cycles. Patients who completed 9 cycles or who were unable to complete 9 cycles due to intolerance proceeded to maintenance therapy starting with lenalidomide 10 mg orally on days 1 to 21 of repeated 28-day cycles until disease progression.
The primary efficacy endpoint in the study was progression free survival (PFS). In total 459 patients were enrolled into the study, with 152 patients randomised to MPR+R, 153 patients randomised to MPR+p and 154 patients randomised to MPp+p. The demographics and disease-related baseline
characteristics of the patients were well balanced in all 3 arms; notably, approximately 50% of the patients enrolled in each arm had the following characteristics; ISS Stage III, and creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min. The median age was 71 in the MPR+R and MPR+p arms and 72 in the MPp+p arm.
In an analysis of PFS, PFS2, OS using a cut-off of April 2013 where the median follow up time for all surviving subjects was 62.4 months, the results of the study are presented in Table 8:
Table 8. Summary of overall efficacy data
MPR+R (N = 152) | MPR+p (N = 153) | MPp +p (N = 154) | |
Investigator-assessed PFS -(months) | |||
Mediana PFS time, months (95% CI) | 27.4 (21.3, 35.0) | 14.3 (13.2, 15.7) | 13.1 (12.0, 14.8) |
HR [95% CI]; p-value | |||
MPR+R vs MPp+p | 0.37 (0.27, 0.50); <0.001 | ||
MPR+R vs MPR+p | 0.47 (0.35, 0.65); <0.001 | ||
MPR+p vs MPp +p | 0.78 (0.60, 1.01); 0.059 | ||
PFS2 – (months) ° | |||
Mediana PFS2 time, months (95% CI) | 39.7 (29.2, 48.4) | 27.8 (23.1, 33.1) | 28.8 (24.3, 33.8) |
HR [95% CI]; p-value | |||
MPR+R vs MPp+p | 0.70 (0.54, 0.92); 0.009 | ||
MPR+R vs MPR+p | 0.77 (0.59, 1.02); 0.065 | ||
MPR+p vs MPp +p | 0.92 (0.71, 1.19); 0.051 | ||
Overall survival (months) | |||
Mediana OS time, months (95% CI) | 55.9 (49.1, 67.5) | 51.9 (43.1, 60.6) | 53.9 (47.3, 64.2) |
HR [95% CI]; p-value | |||
MPR+R vs MPp+p | 0.95 (0.70, 1.29); 0.736 | ||
MPR+R vs MPR+p | 0.88 (0.65, 1.20); 0.43 | ||
MPR+p vs MPp +p | 1.07 (0.79, 1.45); 0.67 | ||
Follow-up (months) | |||
Median (min, max): all patients | 48.4 (0.8, 73.8) | 46.3 (0.5, 71.9) | 50.4 (0.5, 73.3) |
Investigator-assessed Myeloma response n (%) | |||
CR | 30 (19.7) | 17 (11.1) | 9 (5.8) |
PR | 90 (59.2) | 99 (64.7) | 75 (48.7) |
Stable Disease (SD) | 24 (15.8) | 31 (20.3) | 63 (40.9) |
Response Not Evaluable (NE) | 8 (5.3) | 4 (2.6) | 7 (4.5) |
Investigator-assessed Duration of response (CR+PR) – (months) | |||
Mediana (95% CI) | 26.5 (19.4, 35.8) | 12.4 (11.2, 13.9) | 12.0 (9.4, 14.5) |
Endpoint | len/dex (N=353) | placebo/dex(N=351) | |
Time to event | HR [95% CI], p-valuea | ||
Time to progression Median [95% CI], weeks | 60.1 [44.3, 73.1] | 20.1 [17.7, 20.3] | 0.350 [0.287, 0.426], p < 0.001 |
Progression free survival Median [95% CI], weeks | 48.1 [36.4, 62.1] | 20.0 [16.1, 20.1] | 0.393 [0.326, 0.473], p < 0.001 |
Overall survival Median [95% CI], weeks 1-year Overall survival rate | 164.3 [145.1, 192.6] 82% | 136.4 [113.1, 161.7] 75% | 0.833 [0.687, 1.009], p = 0.045 |
Response rate | Odds ratio [95% CI], p-value b | ||
Overall response [n, %] Complete response [n, %] | 212 (60.1) 58 (16.4) | 75 (21.4) 11 (3.1) | 5.53 [3.97, 7.71], p < 0.001 6.08 [3.13, 11.80], p < 0.001 |
a: Two-tailed log rank test comparing survival curves | between treatment |
groups.
b: Two-tailed continuity-corrected chi-square test.
Follicular lymphoma
AUGMENT – CC-5013-NHL-007
The efficacy and safety of lenalidomide in combination with rituximab versus rituximab plus placebo was evaluated in patients with relapsed/refractory iNHL including FL in a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double- blind controlled study (CC-5013-NHL-007 [AUGMENT]).
A total of 358 patients who were at least 18 years of age with histologically confirmed MZL or Grade 1, 2 or 3a FL (CD20+ by flow cytometry or histochemistry) as assessed by the investigator or local pathologist were randomised in a 1:1 ratio. Subjects had been previously treated with at least one prior systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy.
Lenalidomide was administered orally 20 mg once daily for the first 21 days of repeating 28-day cycles for 12 cycles or until unacceptable toxicity. The dose of rituximab was 375 mg/m2 every week in Cycle 1 (days 1, 8, 15, and 22) and on day 1 of every 28-day cycle from cycles 2 through 5. All dosage calculations for rituximab were based on the patient’s body surface area (BSA), using actual patient weight.
The demographic and disease-related baseline characteristics were similar across the 2 treatment groups.
The primary objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of lenalidomide in combination with rituximab to rituximab plus placebo in subjects with relapsed/refractory FL Grade 1, 2 or 3a or MZL. Efficacy determination was based upon PFS as the primary endpoint, as assessed by the IRC using the 2007 International Working Group (IWG) criteria but without positron emission tomography (PET).
The secondary objectives of the study were to compare the safety of lenalidomide in combination with rituximab versus rituximab plus placebo. Further secondary objectives were to compare the efficacy of rituximab plus lenalidomide versus rituximab plus placebo using the following other parameters of efficacy: Overall response rate (ORR), CR rate, and duration of response (DoR) by IWG 2007 without PET and OS.
Results from the overall population including FL and MZL showed that at a median follow up of 28.3°months, the study met its primary endpoint of PFS with a hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.45 (0.33,0.61) p-value < 0.0001. The efficacy results from the follicular lymphoma population are presented in Table 10.
Table 10: Summary of follicular lymphoma efficacy data- Study CC-5013-NHL-007
FL (N = 295) | ||
Lenalidomide and Rituximab (N = 147) | Placebo and Rituximab (N = 148) | |
Progression-free survival (P | FS) (EMA Censoring Rules) | |
Median PFS a(95% CI) (months) | 39.4 (25.1, NE) | 13.8 (11.2, 16.0) |
HR [95% CI] | 0.40 (0.29, 0.55)b | |
p-value | < 0.0001c | |
Objective responsed (CR +PR), n (%) (IRC, 2007 IWGRC) 95 % CIf | 118 (80.3) (72.9, 86.4) | 82 (55.4) (47.0, 63.6) |
Complete responsed, n (%) (IRC, 2007 IWGRC) 95 % CIf | 51 (34.7) (27.0, 43.0) | 29 (19.6) (13.5, 26.9) |
Duration of responsed (median) (months) 95% CI a | 36.6 (24.9, NE) | 15.5 (11.2, 25.0) |
Overall Survivald,e (OS) | ||
OS rate at 2 years % | 139 (94.8) (89.5, 97.5) | 127 (85.8) (78.5, 90.7) |
HR [95% CI] | 0.45 (0.22, 0.92)b | |
Follow-up | ||
Median duration of follow-up (min, max) (months) | 29.2 (0.5, 50.9) | 27.9 (0.6, 50.9) |
a Median estimate from Kaplan-Meier analysis
b Hazard ratio and its confidence interval were estimated from unstratified Cox proportional hazard model.
c P-value from log-rank test
d Secondary and exploratory endpoints are not a-controlled
e With a median follow up of 28.6 months, there were 11 deaths in the R2 arm and 24 deaths in the Control Arm.
f Exact confidence interval for binomial distribution.
Follicular lymphoma for patients refractory to Rituximab MAGNIFY – CC-5013-NHL-008
A total of 232 subjects who were at least 18 years of age with histologically confirmed FL (Grade 1, 2, 3a or MZL), as assessed by the investigator or local pathologist, were enrolled into the initial treatment period with 12 cycles of lenalidomide plus rituximab. Subjects who achieved CR/CRu, PR, or SD by the end of the induction treatment period were randomised to enter the maintenance treatment period. All enrolled subjects must have previously been treated with at least one prior systemic antilymphoma therapy. In contrast to study NHL-007, the NHL-008 study included patients who were refractory to rituximab (no response or relapsed within 6 months of rituximab treatment or who were double-refractory to rituximab and chemotherapy).
During the induction treatment period, lenalidomide 20 mg was given on Days 1–21 of repeated 28-day cycles for up to 12 cycles or until unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent or disease progression. The dose of rituximab was 375 mg/m2 every week in Cycle 1 (Days 1, 8, 15, and 22) and on Day 1 of every other 28-day cycle (cycles 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11) up to 12 cycles therapy. All dosage calculations for rituximab were based on the patient body surface area (BSA) and actual weight.
The data presented are based on an interim analysis focusing on the single-arm induction treatment period. Efficacy determinations are based on ORR by best response as the primary endpoint, using a modification of the 1999 International Working Group Response Criteria (IWGRC). The secondary objective was to evaluate other parameters of efficacy, such as DoR.
Table 11: Summary of overall efficacy data (InductionTreatment Period) -Study CC-5013-NHL-008
All Subjects | FL Subjects | |||||
Total | Rituximab | Rituximab | Total | Rituximab | Rituximab | |
N=187 a | Refractory: | Refractory: | N=148 | Refractory: | Refractory: |
Yes N=77 | No N=110 | Yes N=60 | No N=88 | |||
ORR, n (%) (CR+CRu+PR) | 127 (67.9) | 45 (58.4) | 82 (75.2) | 104 (70.3) | 35 (58.3) | 69 (79.3) |
CRR, n (%) (CR+Cru) | 79 (42.2) | 27 (35.1) | 52 (47.7) | 62 (41.9) | 20 (33.3) | 42 (48.3) |
Number of Responders | N=127 | N=45 | N=82 | N=104 | N=35 | N=69 |
% of Subjects with DoR b > 6 months (95% CI) c | 93.0 (85.1, 96.8 | 90.4 (73.0, 96.8) | 94.5 (83.9, 98.2) | 94.3 (85.5, 97.9) | 96.0 (74.8, 99.4) | 93.5 (81.0, 97.9) |
% of Subjects with DoR b > 12 months (95% CI) c | 79.1 (67.4, 87.0) | 73.3 (51.2, 86.6) | 82.4 (67.5, 90.9) | 79.5 (65.5, 88.3) | 73.9 (43.0, 89.8) | 81.7 (64.8, 91.0) |
CI = con | fidence interval; DOR = duration of response; FL = | follicular |
lymphoma
a Primary Analysis Population for this study is induction efficacy evaluable (IEE) population.
b Duration of response is defined as the time (months) from the initial response (at least PR) to documented disease progression or death, whichever occurs first.
c Statistics obtained from Kaplan-Meier method. 95% CI is based on Greenwood formula.
Notes: The analysis is only performed for subjects who have achieved PR or better after the first dose date of induction therapy and prior to any Maintenance Period treatment and any subsequent anti-lymphoma therapy in Induction Period. Percentage is based on the total number of responders.
Paediatric population
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted a product-specific waiver for lenalidomide that applies to all subsets of the paediatric population for mature B-cell neoplasm conditions. (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Lenalidomide has an asymmetric carbon atom and can therefore exist as the optically active forms S(-) and R(+). Lenalidomide is produced as a racemic mixture. Lenalidomide is generally more soluble in organic solvents but exhibits the greatest solubility in 0.1N HCl buffer.
Absorption
Lenalidomide is rapidly absorbed following oral administration in healthy volunteers, under fasting conditions, with maximum plasma concentrations occurring between 0.5 and 2 hours post-dose. In patients, as well as in healthy volunteers, the maximum concentration (Cmax) and area-under-the concentration time curve (AUC) increase proportionally with increases in dose. Multiple dosing does not cause marked medicinal product accumulation. In plasma, the relative exposures of the S- and R- enantiomers of lenalidomide are approximately 56% and 44%, respectively.
Co-administration with a high-fat and high-calorie meal in healthy volunteers reduces the extent of absorption, resulting in an approximately 20% decrease in area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) and 50% decrease in Cmax in plasma. However, in the main multiple myeloma registration trials where the efficacy and safety were established for lenalidomide, the medicinal product was administered without regard to food intake. Thus, lenalidomide can be administered with or without food.
Distribution
In vitro (14C)-lenalidomide binding to plasma proteins was low with mean plasma protein binding at 23% and 29% in multiple myeloma patients and healthy volunteers, respectively.
Lenalidomide is present in human semen (< 0.01% of the dose) after administration of 25 mg/day and the medicinal product is undetectable in semen of a healthy subject 3 days after stopping the substance (see section 4.4).
Biotransformation and elimination
Results from human in vitro metabolism studies indicate that lenalidomide is not metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes suggesting that administration of lenalidomide with medicinal products that inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes is not likely to result in metabolic medicinal product interactions in humans. In vitro studies indicate that lenalidomide has no inhibitory effect on CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A, or UGT1A1. Therefore, lenalidomide is unlikely to cause any clinically relevant medicinal product interactions when co-administered with substrates of these enzymes.
In vitro studies indicate that lenalidomide is not a substrate of human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), multidrug resistance protein (MRP) transporters MRP1, MRP2, or MRP3, organic anion transporters (OAT) OAT1 and OAT3, organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), organic cation transporters (OCT) OCT1 and OCT2, multidrug and toxin extrusion protein (MATE) MATE1, and organic cation transporters novel (OCTN) OCTN1 and OCTN2.
In vitro studies indicate that lenalidomide has no inhibitory effect on human bile salt export pump (BSEP), BCRP, MRP2, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and OCT2.
A majority of lenalidomide is eliminated through urinary excretion. The contribution of renal excretion to total clearance in subjects with normal renal function was 90%, with 4% of lenalidomide eliminated in faeces.
Lenalidomide is poorly metabolized as 82% of the dose is excreted unchanged in urine. Hydroxy-lenalidomide and N-acetyl-lenalidomide represent 4.59% and 1.83% of the excreted dose, respectively. The renal clearance of lenalidomide exceeds the glomerular filtration rate and therefore is at least actively secreted to some extent.
At doses of 5 to 25 mg/day, half-life in plasma is approximately 3 hours in healthy volunteers and ranges from 3 to 5 hours in patients with multiple myeloma.
Elderly
No dedicated clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide in the elderly. Population pharmacokinetic analyses included patients with ages ranging from 39 to 85 years old and indicate that age does not influence lenalidomide clearance (exposure in plasma). Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection and it would be prudent to monitor renal function.
Renal impairment
The pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide was studied in subjects with renal impairment due to nonmalignant conditions. In this study, two methods were used to classify renal function: the urinary creatinine clearance measured over 24 hours and the creatinine clearance estimated by Cockcroft Gault formula. The results indicate that as renal function decreases (< 50 mL/min), the total lenalidomide clearance decreases proportionally resulting in an increase in AUC. The AUC was increased by approximately 2.5, 4 and 5-fold in subjects with moderate renal impairment, severe renal impairment, and end-stage renal disease, respectively, compared to the group combining subjects with normal renal function and subjects with mild renal impairment. The half-life of lenalidomide increased from approximately 3.5 hours in subjects with creatinine clearance > 50 mL/min to more than 9 hours in subjects with reduced renal function < 50 mL/min. However, renal impairment did not alter the oral absorption of lenalidomide. The Cmax was similar between healthy subjects and patients with renal impairment. Approximately 30% of the medicinal product in the body was removed during a single 4 hour dialysis session. Recommended dose adjustments in patients with impaired renal function are described in section 4.2.
Hepatic impairment
Population pharmacokinetic analyses included patients with mild hepatic impairment (N=16, total bilirubin >1 to <1.5 x ULN or AST > ULN) and indicate that mild hepatic impairment does not influence lenalidomide clearance (exposure in plasma). There are no data available for patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment.
Other intrinsic factors
Population pharmacokinetic analyses indicate that body weight (33– 135 kg), gender, race and type of haematological malignancy do not have a clinically relevant effect on lenalidomide clearance in adult patients.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
5.3 Preclinical safety dataAn embryofoetal development study has been conducted in monkeys administered lenalidomide at doses from 0.5 and up to 4 mg/kg/day. Findings from this study indicate that lenalidomide produced external malformations including non-patent anus and malformations of upper and lower extremities (bent, shortened, malformed, malrotated and/or absent part of the extremities, oligo and/or polydactyly) in the offspring of female monkeys who received the active substance during pregnancy.
Various visceral effects (discoloration, red foci at different organs, small colourless mass above atrio-ventricular valve, small gall bladder, malformed diaphragm) were also observed in single foetuses.
Lenalidomide has a potential for acute toxicity; minimum lethal doses after oral administration were > 2000 mg/kg/day in rodents. Repeated oral administration of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/day to rats for up to 26 weeks produced a reversible treatment-related increase in kidney pelvis mineralisation in all 3 doses, most notably in females. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be less than 75 mg/kg/day, and is approximately 25-fold greater than the human daily exposure based on AUC exposure. Repeated oral administration of 4 and 6 mg/kg/day to monkeys for up to 20 weeks produced mortality and significant toxicity (marked weight loss, reduced red and white blood cell and platelet counts, multiple organ haemorrhage, gastrointestinal tract inflammation, lymphoid, and bone marrow atrophy). Repeated oral administration of 1 and 2 mg/kg/day to monkeys for up to 1 year produced reversible changes in bone marrow cellularity, a slight decrease in myeloid/erythroid cell ratio and thymic atrophy. Mild suppression of white blood cell count was observed at 1 mg/kg/day corresponding to approximately the same human dose based on AUC comparisons.
In vitro (bacterial mutation, human lymphocytes, mouse lymphoma, Syrian Hamster Embryo cell transformation) and in vivo (rat micronucleus) mutagenicity studies revealed no drug related effects at either the gene or chromosomal level. Carcinogenicity studies with lenalidomide have not been conducted.
Developmental toxicity studies were previously conducted in rabbits. In these studies, rabbits were administered 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day orally. An absence of the intermediate lobe of the lung was observed at 10 and 20 mg/kg/day with dose dependence and displaced kidneys were observed at 20 mg/kg/day.
Although it was observed at maternotoxic levels they may be attributable to a direct effect. Soft tissue and skeletal variations in the foetuses were also observed at 10 and 20 mg/kg/day.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Capsule contents
Starch, pregelatinized
Cellulose, microcrystalline
Croscarmellose sodium
Silica, colloidal anhydrous
Sodium stearyl fumarate
Capsule shell
Titanium dioxide [E171]
Gelatin
Printing ink
Shellac
Propylene glycol [E1520]
Black iron oxide [E172]
Potassium hydroxide
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf life
2 years
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 30°C
6.5 Nature and contents of container
PVC/PCTFE/Aluminium foil blister packs containing 21 hard capsules.
PVC/PCTFE/Aluminium foil perforated unit dose blister packs containing 21 × 1 hard capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.