Warnings for Aucatzyl
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Aucatzyl
Cytokine Release Syndrome
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) occurred following treatment with AUCATZYL. CRS was reported in 75% (75/100) of patients including Grade 3 CRS in 3% of patients.
The median time to onset of CRS was 8 days (range: 1 to 23 days) with a median duration of 5 days (range: 1 to 21 days). Sixty-eight percent of patients (51/75) experienced CRS after the first infusion, but prior to the second infusion of AUCATZYL with a median time to onset of 6 days (range 1 to 10 days). Among patients with CRS, the most common manifestations of CRS included fever (100%), hypotension (35%) and hypoxia (19%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
The primary treatment for CRS was tocilizumab (73%; 55/75), with patients also receiving corticosteroids (21%; 16/75).
Prior to administering AUCATZYL, ensure that healthcare providers have immediate access to medications and resuscitative equipment to manage CRS. During and following treatment with AUCATZYL, closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of CRS daily for at least 14 days at the healthcare facility following the first infusion. Continue to monitor patients for CRS for at least 4 weeks following each infusion with AUCATZYL [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time. At the first sign of CRS, immediately evaluate the patient for hospitalization and institute treatment with supportive care based on severity and consider further management per current practice guidelines.
Neurologic Toxicities
Neurologic toxicities including Immune Effector Cell-associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS), which were fatal or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with AUCATZYL. Neurologic toxicities were reported in 64% (64/100) of patients, including Grade ≥ 3 in 12% of patients.
The median time to onset of neurologic toxicities was 10 days (range: 1 to 246 days) with a median duration of 13 days (range: 1 to 904 days). Fifty-five percent of patients (35/64) experienced neurologic toxicities after the first infusion but prior to the second infusion of AUCATZYL with a median time to onset of 6 days (range: 1 to 11 days). Among patients with neurologic toxicities, the most common symptoms (> 5%) included ICANS (38%), headache (34%), encephalopathy (33%, dizziness (22%), tremor (13%), anxiety (9%), insomnia (9%), and delirium (8%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Immune Effector Cell-associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS)
ICANS events occurred in 24% (24/100) of patients, including Grade ≥ 3 in 7% (7/100) of patients. Of the 24 patients who experienced ICANS, 33% (8/24) experienced an onset after the first infusion, but prior to the second infusion of AUCATZYL.
The median time to onset for ICANS events after the first infusion was 8 days (range: 1 to 10 days) and 6.5 days (range: 2 to 22 days) after the second infusion, with a median duration of 8.5 days (range: 1 to 53 days).
Eighty-eight percent (21/24) of patients received treatment for ICANS. All treated patients received high-dose corticosteroids and 42% (10/24) of patients received anti-epileptics prophylactically. Prior to administering AUCATZYL, ensure that healthcare providers have immediate access to medications and resuscitative equipment to manage ICANS.
During and following AUCATZYL administration, closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of Neurologic Toxicity/ICANS. Following treatment with AUCATZYL, monitor patients daily for at least 14 days at the healthcare facility. Continue to monitor patients for at least 4 weeks following treatment with AUCATZYL.
Counsel patients to seek medical attention should signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicity/ ICANS occur. At the first sign of Neurologic Toxicity /ICANS, immediately evaluate patients for hospitalization and institute treatment with supportive care based on severity and consider further management per current practice guidelines [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Effect On Ability To Drive And Use Machines
Due to the potential for neurologic events, including altered mental status or seizures, patients receiving AUCATZYL are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the eight weeks following AUCATZYL infusion or until resolution of the neurological event by the treating physician. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, during this initial period.
Prolonged Cytopenias
Patients may exhibit cytopenias including anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia for several weeks after treatment with lymphodepleting chemotherapy and AUCATZYL. In patients who were responders to AUCATZYL, Grade ≥ 3 cytopenias that persisted beyond Day 30 following AUCATZYL infusion were observed in 71% (29/41) of patients and included neutropenia (66%, 27/41) and thrombocytopenia (54%, 22/41). Grade 3 or higher cytopenias that persisted beyond Day 60 following AUCATZYL infusion was observed in 27% (11/41) of patients and included neutropenia (17%, 7/41) and thrombocytopenia (15%, 6/41). [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Monitor blood counts after AUCATZYL infusion.
Infections
Severe, including life-threatening and fatal infections occurred in patients after AUCATZYL infusion. Non-COVID-19 infections of all grades occurred in 67% (67/100) of patients. Grade 3 or higher non-COVID-19 infections occurred in 41% (41/100) of patients [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
AUCATZYL should not be administered to patients with clinically significant active systemic infections. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after AUCATZYL infusion and treat appropriately [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Administer prophylactic antimicrobials according to local guidelines.
Grade 3 or higher febrile neutropenia was observed in 26% (26/100) of patients after AUCATZYL infusion and may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage according to treatment guidelines as medically indicated.
Viral reactivation, potentially severe or life-threatening, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against B cells. There is no experience with manufacturing AUCATZYL for patients with a positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or with active hepatitis B virus (HBV) or active hepatitis C virus (HCV). Perform screening for HBV, HCV and HIV in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.
Hypogammaglobulinemia
Hypogammaglobulinemia and B-cell aplasia can occur in patients after treatment with AUCATZYL. Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported in 10% (10/100) of patients treated with AUCATZYL including Grade 3 events in 2 patients (2%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Immunoglobulin levels should be monitored after treatment with AUCATZYL and managed per institutional guidelines including infection precautions, antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis and immunoglobulin replacement.
The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or following treatment with AUCATZYL has not been studied. Vaccination with live viral vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy treatment, during AUCATZYL treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment AUCATZYL.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (HLH/MAS), including fatal and life-threatening reactions occurred after treatment with AUCATZYL. HLH/MAS was reported in 2% (2/100) of patients and included Grade 3 and Grade 4 events with a time of onset at Day 22 and Day 41, respectively. One patient experienced a concurrent ICANS events after AUCATZYL infusion and died due to sepsis with ongoing HLH/MAS that had not resolved [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Administer treatment for HLH/MAS according to institutional standards.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may occur due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an excipient used in AUCATZYL. Observe patients for hypersensitivity reactions during and after AUCATZYL infusion.
Secondary Malignancies
Patients treated with AUCATZYL may develop secondary malignancies. T cell malignancies have occurred following treatment of hematologic malignancies with BCMA- and CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapies. Mature T cell malignancies, including CAR-positive tumors, may present as soon as weeks following infusion, and may include fatal outcomes [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Monitor lifelong for secondary malignancies. In the event that a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Autolus Inc at 1-855-288-5227 for reporting and to obtain instructions on the collection of patient samples for testing.
Patient Counseling Information
- Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
- Discuss the following with the patient:
- Inform patients that there is a risk of manufacturing failure (4.5% [5/112 in clinical studies]). Therefore, a second manufacturing of AUCATZYL may be attempted, after a second leukapheresis collection.
- Inform patients that additional therapy (other than lymphodepletion) may be necessary before AUCATZYL manufacturing is completed. This may increase the risk of adverse events during the pre-infusion period, which could delay or prevent the administration of AUCATZYL.
- Advise patients to seek immediate attention if any of the following occur:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome: Inform patients that symptoms may include- fever, hypotension and hypoxia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
- Neurologic Toxicity/ICANS: Inform patients that symptoms may include ICANS, headache, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, delirium, tremor, and encephalopathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
- Prolonged Cytopenias: Inform patients that symptoms may include neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, or bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
- Severe Infections: Inform patients that they may exhibit signs or symptoms associated with infection, and that past infections can be reactivated following treatment with AUCATZYL - [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
- Secondary Malignancies: Secondary malignancies, including T cell malignancies, have occurred following treatment with BCMA- and CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapies [see BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Advise patients of the need to:
- Refrain from driving or operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery for at least eight weeks after AUCATZYL infusion [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
- Have periodic monitoring of blood counts.
- Contact Autolus Inc at 1-855-288-5227 if they are diagnosed with a secondary malignancy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
No in vivo or in vitro carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or genotoxicity studies have been conducted with AUCATZYL. No studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of AUCATZYL on fertility.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There is limited available data with AUCATZYL use in pregnant women. In the FELIX study, one patient became pregnant 6 months following treatment with AUCATZYL. The patient had a premature delivery at 30 weeks of pregnancy.
No animal reproductive and developmental toxicity studies have been conducted with AUCATZYL to assess whether AUCATZYL can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
It is not known if AUCATZYL has the potential to be transferred to the fetus and cause fetal toxicity. Based on the mechanism of action of AUCATZYL, if the transduced cells cross the placenta, they may cause fetal toxicity, including B-cell lymphocytopenia and hypogammaglobinemia. Therefore, AUCATZYL is not recommended for women who are pregnant. Pregnancy after AUCATZYL infusion should be discussed with the treating physician.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of AUCATZYL in human milk, the effect on the breastfed infant, and the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for AUCATZYL and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from AUCATZYL or from the underlying maternal condition.
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy status of females with reproductive potential should be verified. Sexually active females of reproductive potential should have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with AUCATZYL.
Contraception
See the prescribing information for fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for information on the need for effective contraception in patients who receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy treatment.
There are insufficient exposure data to provide a recommendation concerning duration of contraception following treatment with AUCATZYL.
Infertility
There are no data on the effect of AUCATZYL on fertility.
Pediatric Use
The safety and efficacy of AUCATZYL have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Of the 100 patients treated with AUCATZYL, 20 (20%) were 65 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients.