Can Irinotecan cause neutropenia?

ADVERSE REACTIONS Common adverse reactions ( > 30%) observed in single agent therapy clinical studies are: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, neutropenia, leukopenia (including lymphocytopenia), anemia, asthenia, fever, body weight decreasing, alopecia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact 1-888-557-1212 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Common adverse reactions ( > 30%) observed in single agent therapy clinical studies are: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, neutropenia, leukopenia (including lymphocytopenia), anemia, asthenia, fever, body weight decreasing, and alopecia. Serious opportunistic infections have not been observed, and no complications have specifically been attributed to lymphocytopenia. Second-Line Single-Agent Therapy Weekly Dosage Schedule In three clinical studies evaluating the weekly dosage schedule, 304 patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum that had recurred or progressed following 5-FU-based therapy were treated with Irinotecan hydrochloride. Seventeen of the patients died within 30 days of the administration of Irinotecan hydrochloride; in five cases (1.6%, 5/304), the deaths were potentially drug-related. One of the patients died of neutropenic sepsis without fever. Neutropenic fever occurred in nine (3.0%) other patients; these patients recovered with supportive care. One hundred nineteen (39.1%) of the 304 patients were hospitalized because of adverse events; 81 (26.6%) patients were hospitalized for events judged to be related to administration of Irinotecan hydrochloride. The primary reasons for drug-related hospitalization were diarrhea, with or without nausea and/or vomiting (18.4%); neutropenia/leukopenia, with or without diarrhea and/or fever (8.2%); and nausea and/or vomiting (4.9%). The first dose of at least one cycle of Irinotecan hydrochloride was reduced for 67% of patients who began the studies at the 125-mg/m 2 starting dose. Within-cycle dose reductions were required for 32% of the cycles initiated at the 125-mg/m 2 dose level. The most common reasons for dose reduction were late diarrhea, neutropenia, and leukopenia. Thirteen (4.3%) patients discontinued treatment with Irinotecan hydrochloride because of adverse events. The adverse events in Table 7 are based on the experience of the 304 patients enrolled in the three studies described in Clinical Studies (14.1) . Table 7. Adverse Events Occurring in >10% of 304 Previously Treated Patients with Metastatic Carcinoma of the Colon or Rectum a a Severity of adverse events based on NCI CTC (version 1.0) b Occurring >24 hours after administration of Irinotecan hydrochloride c Occurring ≤24 hours after administration of Irinotecan hydrochloride d Primarily upper respiratory infections e Not applicable; complete hair loss = NCI grade 2 Body System & Event % of Patients Reporting NCI Grades 1-4 NCI Grades 3 & 4 GASTROINTESTINAL Diarrhea (late) b 88 31 7–9 stools/day (grade 3) — (16) ≥10 stools/day (grade 4) — (14) Nausea 86 17 Vomiting 67 12 Anorexia 55 6 Diarrhea (early) c 51 8 Constipation 30 2 Flatulence 12 0 Stomatitis 12 1 Dyspepsia 10 0 HEMATOLOGIC Leukopenia 63 28 Anemia 60 7 Neutropenia 54 26 500 to <1000/mm 3 (grade 3) — (15) <500/mm 3 (grade 4) — (12) BODY AS A WHOLE Asthenia 76 12 Abdominal cramping/pain 57 16 Fever 45 1 Pain 24 2 Headache 17 1 Back pain 14 2 Chills 14 0 Minor infection d 14 0 Edema 10 1 Abdominal enlargement 10 0 METABOLIC AND NUTRITIONAL ↓ Body weight 30 1 Dehydration 15 4 ↑ Alkaline phosphatase 13 4 ↑ SGOT 10 1 DERMATOLOGIC Alopecia 60 NA e Sweating 16 0 Rash 13 1 RESPIRATORY Dyspnea 22 4 ↑ Coughing 17 0 Rhinitis 16 0 NEUROLOGIC Insomnia 19 0 Dizziness 15 0 CARDIOVASCULAR Vasodilation (flushing) 11 0 Once-Every-3-Week Dosage Schedule A total of 535 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer whose disease had recurred or progressed following prior 5-FU therapy participated in the two phase 3 studies: 316 received irinotecan, 129 received 5-FU, and 90 received best supportive care. Eleven (3.5%) patients treated with irinotecan died within 30 days of treatment. In three cases (1%, 3/316), the deaths were potentially related to irinotecan treatment and were attributed to neutropenic infection, grade 4 diarrhea, and asthenia, respectively. One (0.8%, 1/129) patient treated with 5-FU died within 30 days of treatment; this death was attributed to grade 4 diarrhea. Hospitalizations due to serious adverse events occurred at least once in 60% (188/316) of patients who received irinotecan, 63% (57/90) who received best supportive care, and 39% (50/129) who received 5-FU-based therapy. Eight percent of patients treated with irinotecan and 7% treated with 5-FU-based therapy discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Of the 316 patients treated with irinotecan, the most clinically significant adverse events (all grades, 1-4) were diarrhea (84%), alopecia (72%), nausea (70%), vomiting (62%), cholinergic symptoms (47%), and neutropenia (30%). Table 8 lists the grade 3 and 4 adverse events reported in the patients enrolled to all treatment arms of the two studies described in Clinical Studies (14.1 ) . Table 8: Percent of Patients Experiencing Grade 3 & 4 Adverse Events in Comparative Studies of Once-Every-3-Week Irinotecan Therapy a a Severity of adverse events based on NCI CTC (version 1.0) b BSC = best supportive care c Hepatic includes events such as ascites and jaundice d Cutaneous signs include events such as rash e Respiratory includes events such as dyspnea and cough f Neurologic includes events such as somnolence g Cardiovascular includes events such as dysrhythmias, ischemia, and mechanical cardiac dysfunction h Other includes events such as accidental injury, hepatomegaly, syncope, vertigo, and weight loss Adverse Event Study 1 Study 2 Irinotecan N=189 BSC b N=90 Irinotecan N=127 5-FU N=129 TOTAL Grade 3/4 Adverse Events 79 67 69 54 GASTROINTESTINAL Diarrhea 22 6 22 11 Vomiting 14 8 14 5 Nausea 14 3 11 4 Abdominal pain 14 16 9 8 Constipation 10 8 8 6 Anorexia 5 7 6 4 Mucositis 2 1 2 5 HEMATOLOGIC Leukopenia/Neutropenia 22 0 14 2 Anemia 7 6 6 3 Hemorrhage 5 3 1 3 Thrombocytopenia 1 0 4 2 Infection without grade 3/4 neutropenia 8 3 1 4 with grade 3/4 neutropenia 1 0 2 0 Fever without grade 3/4 neutropenia 2 1 2 0 with grade 3/4 neutropenia 2 0 4 2 BODY AS A WHOLE Pain 19 22 17 13 Asthenia 15 19 13 12 METABOLIC AND NUTRITIONAL Hepatic c 9 7 9 6 DERMATOLOGIC Hand and foot syndrome 0 0 0 5 Cutaneous signs d 2 0 1 3 RESPIRATORY e 10 8 5 7 NEUROLOGIC f 12 13 9 4 CARDIOVASCULAR g 9 3 4 2 OTHER h 32 28 12 14 The incidence of akathisia in clinical trials of the weekly dosage schedule was greater (8.5%, 4/47 patients) when prochlorperazine was administered on the same day as Irinotecan hydrochloride than when these drugs were given on separate days (1.3%, 1/80 patients). The 8.5% incidence of akathisia, however, is within the range reported for use of prochlorperazine when given as a premedication for other chemotherapies. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Irinotecan hydrochloride. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Myocardial ischemic events have been observed following Irinotecan hydrochloride therapy. Thromboembolic events have been observed in patients receiving Irinotecan hydrochloride. Symptomatic pancreatitis, asymptomatic pancreatic enzyme elevation have been reported. Increases in se

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Diarrhea and cholinergic reactions: Early diarrhea (occurring during or shortly after infusion of irinotecan hydrochloride injection) is usually transient and may be accompanied by cholinergic symptoms. Consider prophylactic or therapeutic administration of 0.25 mg to 1 mg of intravenous or subcutaneous atropine (unless clinically contraindicated). Late diarrhea (generally occurring more than 24 hours after administration of irinotecan hydrochloride injection) can occur. Monitor and replace fluid and electrolytes. Treat with loperamide. Use antibiotic support for ileus and fever. Interrupt irinotecan hydrochloride injection and reduce subsequent doses if severe diarrhea occurs.( 5.1 ) Myelosuppression: Manage promptly with antibiotic support. Interrupt irinotecan hydrochloride injection and reduce subsequent doses if necessary. ( 5.2 ) Patients with Reduced UGT1A1 Activity: Individuals who are homozygous for the UGT1A1 * 28 allele are at increased risk for neutropenia following initiation of irinotecan hydrochloride injection treatment. ( 5.3 ) Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reactions including severe anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions have been observed. Discontinue irinotecan hydrochloride injection if this occurs. ( 5.4 ) Renal Impairment/Renal Failure: Rare cases of renal impairment and acute renal failure have been identified, usually in patients who became volume depleted from severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. ( 5.5 ) Pulmonary Toxicity: Interstitial Pulmonary Disease (IPD)-like events, including fatalities, have occurred. Interrupt for new or progressive dysnpnea, cough, and fever pending evaluation. If IPD diagnosed, discontinue and institute appropriate treatment as needed. ( 5.6 ) Toxicity of the 5 Day Regimen: Irinotecan hydrochloride injection should not be used in combination with a regimen of 5-FU/LV administered for 4-5 consecutive days every 4 weeks outside of a clinical study. ( 5.7 ) Embryofetal Toxicity: Irinotecan hydrochloride injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. ( 5.9 ) Patients with Hepatic Impairment: In clinical trials, irinotecan hydrochloride injection has not been administered to patients with serum bilirubin > 2.0 mg/dL, or transaminases > 3 times ULN if no liver metastases, or transaminases > 5 times ULN if liver metastases. With the weekly dosage schedule, patients with total bilirubin levels 1.0-2.0 mg/dL had greater likelihood of grade 3-4 neutropenia. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Diarrhea and Cholinergic Reactions Early diarrhea (occurring during or shortly after infusion of Irinotecan hydrochloride) is usually transient and infrequently severe. It may be accompanied by cholinergic symptoms of rhinitis, increased salivation, miosis, lacrimation, diaphoresis, flushing, and intestinal hyperperistalsis that can cause abdominal cramping. Bradycardia may also occur. Early diarrhea and other cholinergic symptoms may be prevented or treated. Consider prophylactic or therapeutic administration of 0.25 mg to 1 mg of intravenous or subcutaneous atropine (unless clinically contraindicated). These symptoms are expected to occur more frequently with higher irinotecan doses. Late diarrhea (generally occurring more than 24 hours after administration of irinotecan hydrochloride) can be life threatening since it may be prolonged and may lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or sepsis. Grade 3-4 late diarrhea occurred in 23-31% of patients receiving weekly dosing. In the clinical studies, the median time to the onset of late diarrhea was 5 days with 3-week dosing and 11 days with weekly dosing. Late diarrhea can be complicated by colitis, ulceration, bleeding, ileus, obstruction, and infection. Cases of megacolon and intestinal perforation have been reported. Patients should have loperamide readily available to begin treatment for late diarrhea. Begin loperamide at the first episode of poorly formed or loose stools or the earliest onset of bowel movements more frequent than normal. One dosage regimen for loperamide is 4 mg at the first onset of late diarrhea and then 2 mg every 2 hours until the patient is diarrhea-free for at least 12 hours. Loperamide is not recommended to be used for more than 48 consecutive hours at these doses, because of the risk of paralytic ileus. During the night, the patient may take 4 mg of loperamide every 4 hours. Monitor and replace fluid and electrolytes. Use antibiotic support for ileus, fever, or severe neutropenia. Subsequent weekly chemotherapy treatments should be delayed in patients until return of pretreatment bowel function for at least 24 hours without anti-diarrhea medication. Patients must not be treated with Irinotecan hydrochloride until resolution of the bowel obstruction. If grade 2, 3, or 4 late diarrhea recurs, subsequent doses of Irinotecan hydrochloride should be decreased [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . Avoid diuretics or laxatives in patients with diarrhea. 5.2 Myelosuppression Deaths due to sepsis following severe neutropenia have been reported in patients treated with Irinotecan hydrochloride. In the clinical studies evaluating the weekly dosage schedule, neutropenic fever (concurrent NCI grade 4 neutropenia and fever of grade 2 or greater) occurred in 3% of the patients; 6% of patients received G-CSF for the treatment of neutropenia. Manage febrile neutropenia promptly with antibiotic support [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Hold Irinotecan hydrochloride if neutropenic fever occurs or if the absolute neutrophil count drops <1000/mm 3 . After recovery to an absolute neutrophil count ≥1000/mm 3 , subsequent doses of irinotecan hydrochloride should be reduced [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . When evaluated in the trials of weekly administration, the frequency of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was higher in patients who received previous pelvic/abdominal irradiation than in those who had not received such irradiation (48% [13/27] versus 24% [67/277]; p=0.04). Patients who have previously received pelvic/abdominal irradiation are at increased risk of severe myelosuppression following the administration of Irinotecan hydrochloride. Based on sparse available data, the concurrent administration of Irinotecan hydrochloride with irradiation is not recommended. Patients with baseline serum total bilirubin levels of 1.0 mg/dL or more also had a greater likelihood of experiencing first-cycle grade 3 or 4 neutropenia than those with bilirubin levels that were less than 1.0 mg/dL (50% [19/38] versus 18% [47/266]; p<0.001). Patients with deficient glucuronidation of bilirubin, such as those with Gilbert's syndrome, may be at greater risk of myelosuppression when receiving therapy with Irinotecan hydrochloride. 5.3 Patients With Reduced UGT1A1 Activity Individuals who are homozygous for the UGT1A1 * 28 allele (UGT1A1 7/7 genotype) are at increased risk for neutropenia following initiation of Irinotecan hydrochloride treatment. In a study of 66 patients who received single-agent Irinotecan hydrochloride (350 mg/m 2 once-every-3-weeks), the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia in patients homozygous for the UGT1A1 * 28 allele was 50%, and in patients heterozygous for this allele (UGT1A1 6/7 genotype) the incidence was 12.5%. No grade 4 neutropenia was observed in patients homozygous for the wild-type allele (UGT1A1 6/6 genotype). When administered as a single-agent, a reduction in the starting dose by at least one level of Irinotecan hydrochloride should be considered for patients known to be homozygous for the UGT1A1 * 28 allele. However, the precise dose reduction in this patient population is not known and subsequent dose modifications should be considered based on individual patient tolerance to treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . UGT1A1 Testing A laboratory test is available to determine the UGT1A1 status of patients. Testing can detect the UGT1A1 6/6, 6/7 and 7/7 genotypes. 5.4 Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity