Summary of medicine characteristics - Zevalin
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Zevalin 1.6 mg/ml kit for radiopharmaceutical preparations for infusion
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Zevalin is supplied as a kit for the preparation of yttrium-90 radiolabelled ibritumomab tiuxetan.
The kit contains one ibritumomab tiuxetan vial, one sodium acetate vial, one formulation buffer vial, and one empty reaction vial. The radionuclide is not part of the kit.
One ibritumomab tiuxetan vial contains 3.2 mg ibritumomab tiuxetan* in 2 ml solution (1.6 mg per ml).
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*murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody produced by recombinant DNA technology in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line and conjugated to the chelating agent MX-DTPA.
The final formulation after radiolabelling contains 2.08 mg ibritumomab tiuxetan [90Y] in a total volume of 10 ml.
Excipients
This medicinal product can contain up to 28 mg sodium per dose, depending on the radioactivity concentration. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Kit for radiopharmaceutical preparations for infusion.
Ibritumomab tiuxetan vial: Clear colourless solution.
Sodium acetate vial: Clear colourless solution.
Formulation buffer vial: Clear yellow to amber coloured solution.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS4.1 Therapeutic indications
Zevalin is indicated in adults.
[90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin is indicated as consolidation therapy after remission induction in previously untreated patients with follicular lymphoma. The benefit of Zevalin following rituximab in combination with chemotherapy has not been established.
[90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with rituximab relapsed or refractory CD20+ follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
4.2 Posology and method of administration
[90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin must only be received, handled and administered by qualified personnel and must be prepared in accordance with both radiation safety and pharmaceutical quality requirements (for more details see also sections 4.4, 6.6 and 12).
Posology
Zevalin must be used following pretreatment with rituximab. Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics of rituximab for detailed guidance on its use.
The treatment regimen consists of two intravenous administrations of rituximab and one administration of [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution in the following order:
Day 1: intravenous infusion of 250 mg/m2 rituximab.
Day 7 or 8 or 9:
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– intravenous infusion of 250 mg/m2 rituximab shortly (within 4 hours) before
administration of [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution.
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– 10-minute intravenous infusion of [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution.
Repeated use: Data on the re-treatment of patients with Zevalin are not available.
The recommended radioactivity dose of [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution is:
Treatment of rituximab relapsed or refractory CD20+ follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL):
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– patients with > 150,000 platelets/mm3: 15 MBq/kg body weight.
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– patients with 100,000–150,000 platelets/mm3: 11 MBq/kg
The maximum dose must not exceed 1200 MBq.
Repeated use: Data on the re-treatment of patients with [90Y]-radiolabeled Zevalin are not available.
Consolidation therapy after remission induction in previously untreated patients with follicular lymphoma
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– patients with > 150,000 platelets/mm3: 15 MBq/kg up to a maximum of
1200 MBq
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– for patients with less than 150,000 platelets per mm3 see section ‘4.4’
Repeated use: Data on the re-treatment of patients with [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin are not available.
Special populations
Paediatric population
Zevalin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy.
Older people
Limited data in elderly patients (aged > 65 years) are available. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients.
Patients with hepatic impairment
The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.
Patients with renal impairment
The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with renal impairment.
Method of administration
The [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution must be prepared according to section 12.
Before administration to the patient, the percent radioincorporation of the prepared [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin must be checked according to the procedure outlined in section 12. If the average radiochemical purity is less than 95%, the preparation must not be administered.
The prepared solution must be given as a slow intravenous infusion over 10 minutes.
The infusion must not be administered as an intravenous bolus.
Zevalin may be infused directly by stopping the flow from an infusion bag and administering it directly into the line. A 0.2 or 0.22 micron low protein-binding filter must be on line between the patient and the infusion port. The line must be flushed with at least 10 ml of sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection after the infusion of Zevalin.
4.3 Contraindications
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– Hypersensitivity to ibritumomab tiuxetan, to yttrium chloride, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
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– Hypersensitivity to rituximab or to other murine-derived proteins.
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– Pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.6).
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Since the Zevalin regimen includes rituximab, see also the Summary of Product Characteristics of rituximab.
[90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution must only be received, handled and administered by qualified personnel with the appropriate government authorization for the use and manipulation of radionuclides within a designated clinical setting. Its receipt, preparation, use, transfer, storage, and disposal are subject to the regulations and/or appropriate authorisation/licences of the local competent official organisations.
Radiopharmaceuticals must be prepared by the user in a manner which satisfies both radiation safety and pharmaceutical quality requirements. Appropriate aseptic precautions must be taken, complying with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice of pharmaceuticals.
Infusions must be administered under the close supervision of an experienced physician with full resuscitation facilities immediately available (for radiopharmaceutical precautions see also sections ‘4.2 and 12’).
[90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution must not be administered to patients who are likely to develop life-threatening haematological toxicity signs.
Zevalin must not be administered in patients mentioned below, as safety and efficacy have not been established:
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– > 25% of the bone marrow infiltrated by lymphoma cells
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– prior external beam radiation affecting more than 25% of active bone marrow
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– platelet counts <100,000/mm3 (monotherapy) and <150,000/mm3 (consolidation treatment)
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– neutrophil counts < 1,500/mm3
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– prior bone marrow transplant or stem cell support
- • Haematological toxicity
Special caution is required with respect to bone marrow depletion. In most patients, administration of Zevalin (after pretreatment with rituximab) results in severe and prolonged cytopenia which is generally reversible (see section 4.8). Therefore, complete blood cell and platelet counts must be monitored following Zevalin treatment weekly until levels recover or as clinically indicated. The risk of haematological toxicity may be increased after prior therapy with fludarabine containing regimens (for details see section 4.5).
- • Treatment with growth factors
Patients must not receive growth factor treatment such as G-CSF for 3 weeks prior to Zevalin administration as well as for 2 weeks following completion of the treatment in order to assess the adequate bone marrow reserve correctly and because of the potential sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to radiation (see also section 4.5).
- • Human anti-murine antibodies
Patients who had received murine-derived proteins before Zevalin treatment must be tested for human anti-murine antibodies (HAMA). Patients who have developed HAMAs may have allergic or hypersensitivity reactions when treated with Zevalin or other murine-derived proteins.
After use of Zevalin, patients must generally be tested for HAMA before any further treatment with murine-derived proteins.
- • Infusion reactions
Infusion reactions may occur during or following Zevalin administration after pretreatment with Rituximab. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include dizziness, cough, nausea, vomiting, rash, pruritus, tachycardia, asthenia, pyrexia and rigors (see section 4.8). In case of a potential severe infusion reaction treatment must be stopped immediately.
- • Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions following Zevalin administration are commonly observed. Severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis occur in < 1 % of patients (see also section 4.8). In case of hypersensitivity reactions, Zevalin infusion must be stopped immediately. Medicinal products for the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions, e.g. adrenaline, antihistamines and corticosteroids, must be available for immediate use in the event of an allergic reaction during administration of rituximab or Zevalin.
- • Severe mucocutaneous reactions
Severe mucocutaneous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, some with fatal outcome, have been reported in association with Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab. The onset of the reactions varied from days to months. In patients experiencing a severe mucocutaneous reaction treatment must be discontinued.
- • Contraception
Long-term animal studies on the effect on fertility and reproductive function have not been performed. There is a potential risk that ionizing radiation by [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin could cause toxic effects on female and male gonads. Due to the nature of the compound, women of child-bearing potential, as well as males, must use effective contraceptive methods during and up to 12 months after treatment with Zevalin (see also section 4.6 and 5.2).
- • Immunization
The safety and efficacy of immunization with any vaccine, particularly live viral vaccines, following therapy with Zevalin have not been studied. Due to the potential risk of developing viral infections it is not recommended to administer live viral vaccines to patients who have recently received Zevalin (see section 4.5). A potentially limited ability to generate a primary or anamnestic humoral response to any vaccine following Zevalin treatment has to be taken into consideration.
- • NHL with CNS involvement
No data are available on patients with CNS-lymphoma as those patients were not included in clinical studies. The use of Zevalin is therefore not recommended in NHL patients with CNS involvement.
- • Extravasation
Close monitoring for evidence of extravasation during the injection of Zevalin is required in order to avoid radiation-associated tissue damage. If any signs or symptoms of extravasation have occurred, the infusion must be immediately terminated and restarted in another vein.
- • Secondary malignancies
The use of Zevalin is associated with an increased risk of secondary malignancies, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), (see also section 4.8).
- • Excipients
The final [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin solution contains up to 28 mg sodium per dose, depending on the radioactivity concentration. Patients on a controlled sodium diet must take this into consideration.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
There are no known interactions with other medicinal products. No interaction studies have been performed.
Growth factor treatment such as G-CSF must not be given to patients for 3 weeks prior to Zevalin administration as well as for 2 weeks following completion of the treatment (see also section 4.4).
In a clinical trial in which Zevalin was administered as consolidation after prior first line chemotherapy, a higher frequency of severe and prolonged neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was observed in patients who had received Zevalin within 4 months after a combination chemotherapy of fludarabine with mitoxantrone and/or cyclophosphamide compared to those patients who had received any other chemotherapy. Hence the risk of haematological toxicity may be increased when Zevalin is administered shortly (< 4 months) after fludarabine-containing regimens (see also section 4.4).
The safety and efficacy of immunization with any vaccine, particularly live viral vaccines, following therapy with Zevalin have not been studied (see also section ‘Special warnings and precautions for use’).
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Animal reproduction studies were not conducted with ibritumomab tiuxetan. Since IgGs are known to cross the placenta, and because of the significant risk associated with radiation, Zevalin is contraindicated during pregnancy (see section 4.3).
Pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment in women.
Any woman who has missed a period must be assumed to be pregnant until proven otherwise and alternative therapies which do not involve ionising radiation must be then considered.
Women of childbearing potential as well as males must use effective contraceptive methods during and up to 12 months after treatment with Zevalin.
Breast-feeding
Although it is not known whether ibritumomab tiuxetan is excreted in human milk, maternal IgGs are known to be excreted in human milk. Therefore, women must discontinue breast-feeding, as the potential for absorption and immunosuppression in the infant is unknown. Zevalin must be used following pretreatment with rituximab for which breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment and up to 12 months following treatment (please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics of rituximab for detailed guidance on its use).
Fertility
No animal studies have been performed to determine the effects of Zevalin on fertility in males or females. There is a potential risk that ionizing radiation by [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin could cause toxic effects on female and male gonads (see sections ‘4.4 and 5.2). Patients should be advised that fertility may be affected and that male patients may wish to consider semen cryopreservation.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Zevalin could affect the ability to drive and to use machines, as dizziness has been reported as a common side effect.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Exposure to ionising radiation is linked with cancer induction and a potential for development of hereditary defects. In all cases it is necessary to ensure that the risks of the radiation are less than from the disease itself.
Since Zevalin is used after pretreatment with rituximab (for details see section 4.2), see also the prescribing information of rituximab.
The overall safety profile of Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab is based on data from 349 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma studied in five clinical trials, on data from a study with 204 patients receiving Zevalin as consolidation therapy after first-line remission induction, and from post-marketing surveillance.
The most frequently observed adverse drug reactions in patients receiving Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab are thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, infections, pyrexia, nausea, asthenia, rigors, petechiae, and fatigue.
The most serious adverse drug reactions in patients receiving Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab are:
- • Severe and prolonged cytopenias (see also ‘Special warnings and precautions for use’)
- • Infections
- • Haemorrhage while thrombocytopenic
- • Severe mucocutaneous reactions (see also ‘Special warnings and precautions for use’)
- • Myelodysplastic syndrome / acute myeloid leukaemia
Fatal outcomes have been reported for each of the following serious adverse drug reactions. These reports originated either from clinical trials or from postmarking experience.
- • Infection
- • Sepsis
- • Pneumonia
- • Myelodysplastic syndrome / Acute myeloid leukaemia
- • Anaemia
- • Pancytopenia
- • Haemorrhage while thrombocytopenic
- • Intracranial haemorrhage while thrombocytopenic
- • Mucocutaneous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
The frequencies of the adverse drug reactions which were considered to be at least possibly related to Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab are represented in the table below. These adverse drug reactions are based upon 349 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma studied in 5 clinical trials. In addition, the adverse drug reactions marked with ** were observed in the study with 204 patients receiving Zevalin as consolidation therapy after first-line remission induction where indicated. The adverse drug reactions identified only during post-marketing surveillance, and for which a frequency could not be estimated, are listed under “not known“.
Adverse reactions listed below are classified according to frequency and System Organ Class (MedDRA).
Frequency groupings are defined according to the following convention:
(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).
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1: Adverse drug reactions reported in clinical trials or during post-marketing surveillance in patients treated with Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab
| System Organ Class (MedDRA) | Very common | Common | Uncommon | Rare | Not known |
| Infections and infestations | Infection* | Sepsis*, Pneumonia*, Urinary tract infection, Oral candidiasis | |||
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | Tumour pain, Myelodysplastic syndrome/Acute myeloid leukaemia*, ** | Meningioma | |||
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Thrombocytopenia, Leukocytopenia, Neutropenia, Anaemia* | Febrile neutropenia, Pancytopenia*, Lymphocytopenia | |||
| Immune system disorders | Hypersensitivity reaction | ||||
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Anorexia |
| System Organ Class (MedDRA) | Very common | Common | Uncommon | Rare | Not known |
| Psychiatric disorders | Anxiety, Insomnia | ||||
| Nervous system disorders | Dizziness, Headache | ||||
| Cardiac disorders | Tachycardia | ||||
| Vascular disorders | Petechiae | Haemorrhage while thrombocytopenic Hypertension Hypotension | Intracranial haemorrhage while thrombocytopenic | ||
| Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders | Cough, Rhinitis | ||||
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Nausea | Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Dyspepsia, Throat irritation, Constipation | |||
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Amenorrhea | ||||
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Rash, Pruritus | Mucocutaneous reaction (including Stevens Johnson Syndrome) | |||
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Arthralgia, Myalgia, Back pain, Neck pain | ||||
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Asthenia, Pyrexia, Rigors Fatigue | Pain, Flu-like symptoms, Malaise, Peripheral oedema, Sweating increased | Extravasation with subsequent infusion site reactions, Damage to lymphomasurrounding tissue and complications due to lymphoma swelling | ||
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The most appropriate MedDRA term is used to describe a certain reaction and its synonyms and related conditions.
after first line remission induction the median times to recovery was 20 days and 35 days for grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia and 20 days and 28 days for grade 3 or 4 neutropenia.
- • Infections and infestations
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– Data from 349 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular lymphoma, or transformed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma studied in five trials:
During the first 13 weeks after treatment with Zevalin, patients very commonly developed infections. Grade 3 and grade 4 infections were reported commonly. During follow-up, infections occurred commonly. Of these, grade 3 was common, grade 4 uncommon.
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– Data from 204 patients receiving Zevalin as consolidation therapy after first line remission induction:
Infections were very commonly observed.
Infections may be bacterial, fungal, viral including reactivation of latent viruses.
- • General disorders and administration site conditions
Reports of extravasation with subsequent infusion site reactions including e.g. infusion site dermatitis, infusion site desquamation, and infusion site ulcer have been received. Zevalin-associated radiation might cause damage to lymphoma-surrounding tissue and complications due to lymphoma swelling
- • Immune system disorders
Data from 349 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular lymphoma, or transformed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma studied in five trials:
Hypersensitivity reactions following Zevalin administration are commonly observed. Severe (Grade 3/4) hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis occur in less than 1% of patients (see also section ‘Special warnings and precautions for use’).
- • Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) – Secondary malignancies
Refractory or relapsed NHL:
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/ acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has been reported in eleven out of 211 patients with relapsed or refractory NHL assigned to treatment with Zevalin in four studies.
Consolidation therapy:
From the final analysis at around 7.5 years of a study investigating the efficacy and safety of Zevalin consolidation in patients with advanced-stage follicular lymphoma responding to first-line chemotherapy (Study 4, Section 5.1) of the 204 patients receiving Y-90 Zevalin following first line chemotherapy, 26 (12.7%) patients in the Zevalin arm developed a second primary malignancy compared to 14 (6.8%) of patients in the control arm. Seven patients (3.4%, 7/204) were diagnosed with MDS/AML after receiving Zevalin, compared to one patient (0.5%, 1/205) in the control arm, with a median follow-up of 7.3 years. Deaths due to second primary malignancy included 8 (3.9%) patients in the Zevalin arm compared to 3 (1.5%) patients in the control arm. Deaths due to MDS/AML included five (2.5%) patients in the Zevalin arm compared to no patients in the control arm.
The risk of developing secondary myelodysplasia or leukaemia following therapy with alkylating agents is well known.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions afterauthorisation 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 national reporting system listed in Appendix V.
4.9 Overdose
Doses up to 19.2 MBq/kg of Zevalin have been administered in clinical trials. Expected haematological toxicity was observed, including grade 3 or 4. Patients recovered from these toxicity signs, and overdoses were not associated with serious or fatal outcome.
There is no known specific antidote for [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin overdosage. Treatment consists of discontinuation of Zevalin and supportive therapy, which may include growth factors. If available, autologous stem cell support must be administered to manage haematological toxicity.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Various therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, ATC code: V10XX02
Mechanism of action
Ibritumomab tiuxetan is a recombinant murine IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody specific for the B-cell antigen CD20. Ibritumomab tiuxetan targets the antigen CD20 which is located on the surface of malignant and normal B-lymphocytes. During B-cell maturation, CD20 is first expressed in the midstage of B-lymphoblast (pre-B-cell), and is lost during the final stage of B-cell maturation to plasma cells. It is not shed from the cell surface and does not internalise on antibody binding.
[90Y]-radiolabelled ibritumomab tiuxetan binds specifically to CD20-expressing B-cells, including malignant cells. The isotope yttrium-90 is a pure P—emitter and has a mean path length of about 5 mm. This results in the ability to kill both targeted and neighbouring cells.
The conjugated antibody has an apparent affinity constant for the CD20 antigen of approximately 17 nM. The binding pattern is very restricted, with no cross-reactivity to other leukocytes or to other types of human tissue.
Rituximab pretreatment is necessary to clear circulating B-cells, enabling ibritumomab tiuxetan [90Y] to deliver radiation more specifically to the lymphoma B-cells. Rituximab is administered in a reduced dose when compared with the approved monotherapy.
Pharmacodynamic effects
Treatment with [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin also leads to depletion of normal CD20+ B-cells. Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated that this was a temporary effect; recovery of normal B-cells began within 6 months and median counts of B-cells were within normal range within 9 months after treatment.
Clinical efficacy and safety
The safety and efficacy of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen were evaluated in two multi-center trials enrolling a total of 197 subjects. The Zevalin therapeutic regimen was administered in two steps (see 4.2). The efficacy and safety of a variation of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen employing a reduced dose of ibritumomab tiuxetan [90Y] was further defined in a third study enrolling a total of 30 patients who had mild thrombocytopenia (platelet count 100,000 to 149,000 cells/mm3).
Study 1 was a single-arm study of 54 patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma refractory to rituximab treatment. Patients were considered refractory if their last prior treatment with rituximab did not result in a complete or partial response, or if time to disease progression (TTP) was
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< 6 months. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was the overall response rate (ORR) using the International Workshop Response Criteria (IWRC). Secondary efficacy endpoints included time to disease progression (TTP) and duration of response (DR). In a secondary analysis comparing objective response to the Zevalin therapeutic regimen with that observed with the most recent treatment with rituximab, the median duration of response following the Zevalin therapeutic regimen was 6 vs. 4 months. Table 1 summarizes efficacy data from this study.
Study 2 was a randomized, controlled, multicenter study comparing the Zevalin therapeutic regimen versus treatment with rituximab. The trial was conducted in 143 rituximab-naive patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), or transformed B-cell NHL. A total of 73 patients received the Zevalin therapeutic regimen, and 70 patients received rituximab given as an intravenous infusion at 375 mg/m2 weekly times 4 doses. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was to determine the ORR using the IWRC (see Table 2). The ORR was significantly higher (80% vs. 56%, p = 0.002) for patients treated with the Zevalin therapeutic regimen. The secondary endpoints, duration of response and time to progression, were not significantly different between the two treatment arms.
Table 2. Summary of Efficacy Datain patients with relapsed/refractory low-grade or follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), or transformed B-cell NHL
| Study 1 | Study 2 | ||
| Zevalin therapeutic regimen N = 54 | Zevalin therapeutic regimen N = 73 | Rituximab N = 70 | |
| Overall Response Rate (%) | 74 | 80 | 56 |
| Complete Response Rate (%) | 15 | 30 | 16 |
| CRu Rate2 (%) | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Median DR3,4 (Months) [Range5] | 6.4 [0.5–24.9+] | 13.9 [1.0–30.1+] | 11.8 [1.2–24.5] |
| Median TTP3,6 (Months) [Range5] | 6.8 [1.1–25.9+] | 11.2 [0.8–31.5+] | 10.1 [0.7–26.1] |
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1IWRC: International Workshop response criteria
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2CRu: Unconfirmed complete response
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3Estimated with observed range.
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4Duration of response: interval from the onset of response to disease progression.
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5“+” indicates an ongoing response.
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6Time to Disease Progression: interval from the first infusion to disease progression.
Study 3 was a single arm study of 30 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell NHL who had mild thrombocytopenia (platelet count 100,000 to 149,000 cells/mm3). Excluded from the study were patients with >25% lymphoma marrow involvement and/or impaired bone marrow reserve. Patients were considered to have impaired bone marrow reserve if they had any of the following: prior myeloablative therapy with stem cell support; prior external beam radiation to >25% of active marrow; a platelet count <100,000 cells/mm3; or neutrophil count <1,500 cells/mm3. In this study, a modification of the Zevalin therapeutic regimen with a lower [90Y]-Zevalin activity per body weight (11 MBq/kg) was used. Objective, durable clinical responses were observed [67% ORR (95% CI: 48–85%), 11.8 months median DR (range: 4–17 months)] and resulted in a greater incidence of haematologic toxicity (see 4.8) than in Studies 1 and 2.
Study 4 investigated the efficacy and safety of Zevalin consolidation in patients with advanced-stage follicular lymphoma responding to first-line chemotherapy. Major inclusion criteria were: CD20+ grade 1 or 2 follicular lymphoma; stage III or IV at diagnosis; normal peripheral blood cell counts; < 25% bone marrow involvement; age > 18 yrs; and complete response (CR/Cru) or partial response (PR) after first-line chemotherapy determined by physical examination, CT scans and bone marrow biopsy. After completing induction therapy, patients were randomized to receive either Zevalin (250 mg/m2 rituximab on day –7 and on day 0 followed on day 0 by Zevalin 15 MBq/kg body weight; maximal dose 1200 MBq; [n=208]) or no further treatment (control; n=206). Induction therapies included CVP n=106, CHOP (-like) n=188, fludarabine combinations n=22, chlorambucil n=39 and rituximab-chemotherapy combinations n=59. Median progression free survival (PFS) was calculated at a median follow-up of 2.9 years. PFS increased from 13.5 months (control) to 37 months (Zevalin; p<0.0001; HR 0.465). For patient subgroups in PR or CR after induction, median PFS was 6.3 vs 29.7 months (p<0.0001; HR 0.304) and 29.9 vs 54.6 months (p=0.015; HR 0.613), respectively. After Zevalin consolidation, 77% of patients in PR after induction therapy converted to CR. Patients whose response status changed after Zevalin from PR to CR showed a significantly longer median progression free survival time (986 days) compared to those patients who remained in PR (median progression free survival time of 460 days, p=0.0004). In total, 87% of patients were in CR(u); 76% in CR and 11% in CRu.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
In patients given intravenous infusions of 250 mg/m2 rituximab followed by intravenous injections of 15 MBq/kg of [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin, the median serum effective half-life of ibritumomab tiuxetan [90Y] was 28 h.
As 90Y forms a stable complex with ibritumomab tiuxetan, the biodistribution of the radiolabel follows the biodistribution of the antibody. Irradiation by the emitted beta particles from 90Y occurs in a radius of 5 mm around the isotope.
In clinical studies, the [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab results in a significant radiation dose to the testes. The radiation dose to the ovaries has not been established. There is a potential risk that [90Y]-radiolabelled Zevalin after pretreatment with rituximab could cause toxic effects on the male and female gonads (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on studies of single and repeated dose toxicity.
The human radiation dose estimates derived from biodistribution studies in mice with [90Y]- or [111In]-radiolabelled ibritumomab tiuxetan predicted acceptable radiation to normal human tissue with limited levels of skeleton and bone marrow radiation. The linker chelate tiuxetan forms a stable complex with the radioisotopes yttrium-90 and indium-111 and only negligible degradation due to radiolysis is expected.
The single and repeated dose toxicity studies of the non-radioactive compound in cynomolgus monkeys did not indicate any other risk than the expected B-cell depletion arising from the use of ibritumomab tiuxetan alone or in combination with rituximab. Studies on reproductive and developmental toxicity have not been performed.
Studies on the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of Zevalin have not been performed. Due to the exposure to ionising radiation derived from the radiolabel, a risk of mutagenic and carcinogenic effects has to be taken into account.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS6.1 List of excipients
Ibritumomab tiuxetan vial :
Sodium chloride
Water for injections
Sodium acetate vial :
Sodium acetate
Water for injections
Formulation buffer vial :
Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate
Human albumin solution
Hydrochloric acid, diluted (for pH adjustment)
Pentetic acid
Potassium chloride
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
Sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide
Water for injections
6.2 Incompatibilities
This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 12.
No incompatibilities have been observed between Zevalin and infusion sets.
6.3 Shelf life
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66 months.
After radiolabelling, an immediate use is recommended. Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 8 hours at 2°C – 8°C and protected from light.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze.
Store the vials in the original package in order to protect from light.
Storage of radiopharmaceuticals should be in accordance with national regulation on radioactive materials.
For storage conditions of the radiolabelled product, see section 6.3.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Zevalin is supplied as a kit for the preparation of yttrium-90 (90Y) radiolabelled ibritumomab tiuxetan.
Zevalin contains 1 of each of the following:
Ibritumomab tiuxetan vial : type I glass vial with a rubber stopper (teflon-lined bromobutyl) containing 2 ml solution.
Sodium acetate vial : type I glass vial with a rubber stopper (teflon-lined bromobutyl) containing 2 ml solution.
Formulation buffer vial : type I glass vial with a rubber stopper (teflon-lined bromobutyl) containing 10 ml solution.
Reaction vial: type I glass vial with a rubber stopper (teflon-lined bromobutyl)
Pack size of 1 kit.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
General warning
Radiopharmaceuticals should be received, used and administered only by authorised persons in designated clinical settings. Their receipt, storage, use, transfer and disposal are subject to the regulations and/or approporiate licences of the competent official organisation.
Radiopharmaceuticals should be prepared in a manner which satisfies both radiation safety and pharmaceutical quality requirements. Appropriate aseptic precautions should be taken.
Contents of the kit are intended only for use in the preparation of yttrium-90 radiolabelled ibritumomab tiuxetan and are not to be administered directly to the patient without first undergoing the preparative procedure.
For instructions on extemporary preparation of the medicinal product before administration,see section 12.
If at any time in the preparation of this product the integrity of the containers is compromised it should not be used.
Administration procedures should be carried out in a way to minimise risk of contamination of the medicinal product and irradiation of the operators. Adequate shielding is mandatory.
The content of the kit before extemporary preparation is not radioactive. However, after Yttrium-90 is added, adequate shielding of the final preparation must be maintained.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Contaminated materials must be disposed of as radioactive waste by the authorised route.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Ceft Biopharma s.r.o.
Trtinova 260/1
Cakovice, 196 00 Praha 9
Czech Republic
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 16 January 2004
Date of latest renewal: 16 January 2009