Warnings for Blenrep
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Blenrep
Ocular Toxicity
Ocular adverse reactions occurred in 77% of the 218 patients in the pooled safety population. Ocular adverse reactions included keratopathy (76%), changes in visual acuity (55%), blurred vision (27%), and dry eye (19%) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Among patients with keratopathy (n = 165), 49% had ocular symptoms, 65% had clinically relevant visual acuity changes (decline of 2 or more lines on Snellen Visual Acuity in any eye), and 34% had both ocular symptoms and visual acuity changes.
Keratopathy
Keratopathy was reported as Grade 1 in 7% of patients, Grade 2 in 22%, Grade 3 in 45%, and Grade 4 in 0.5% per the KVA scale. Cases of corneal ulcer (ulcerative and infective keratitis) have been reported. Most keratopathy events developed within the first 2 treatment cycles (cumulative incidence of 65% by Cycle 2). Of the patients with Grade 2 to 4 keratopathy (n = 149), 39% of patients recovered to Grade 1 or lower after median follow-up of 6.2 months. Of the 61% who had ongoing keratopathy, 28% were still on treatment, 9% were in follow-up, and in 24% the follow-up ended due to death, study withdrawal, or lost to follow up. For patients in whom events resolved, the median time to resolution was 2 months (range: 11 days to 8.3 months).
Visual Acuity Changes
A clinically significant decrease in visual acuity of worse than 20/40 in the better-seeing eye was observed in 19% of the 218 patients and of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye in 1.4%. Of the patients with decreased visual acuity of worse than 20/40, 88% resolved and the median time to resolution was 22 days (range: 7 days to 4.2 months). Of the patients with decreased visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, all resolved, and the median duration was 22 days (range: 15 to 22 days).
Monitoring And Patient Instruction
Conduct ophthalmic examinations (visual acuity and slit lamp) at baseline, prior to each dose, and promptly for worsening symptoms. Perform baseline examinations within 3 weeks prior to the first dose. Perform each follow-up examination at least 1 week after the previous dose and within 2 weeks prior to the next dose. Withhold BLENREP until improvement and resume at same or reduced dose or consider permanently discontinuing based on severity [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Advise patients to use preservative-free lubricant eye drops at least 4 times a day starting with the first infusion and continuing until end of treatment. Avoid use of contact lenses unless directed by an ophthalmologist [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Changes in visual acuity may be associated with difficulty for driving and reading. Advise patients to use caution when driving or operating machinery.
BLENREP is only available through a restricted program under a REMS [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Blenrep REMS
BLENREP is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called the BLENREP REMS because of the risks of ocular toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Notable requirements of the BLENREP REMS include the following:
- Prescribers must be certified with the program by enrolling and completing training in the BLENREP REMS.
- Prescribers must counsel patients receiving BLENREP about the risk of ocular toxicity and the need for ophthalmic examinations prior to each dose.
- Patients must be enrolled in the BLENREP REMS and comply with monitoring.
- Healthcare facilities must be certified with the program and verify that patients are authorized to receive BLENREP.
- Wholesalers and distributors must only distribute BLENREP to certified healthcare facilities.
Further information is available, at www.BLENREPREMS.com and 1-855-209-9188.
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia occurred in 69% of 218 patients in the pooled safety population, including Grade 2 in 13%, Grade 3 in 10%, and Grade 4 in 17% [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. The median time to onset of the first thrombocytopenic event was 26.5 days. Thrombocytopenia resulted in dose reduction, dose interruption, or discontinuation in 9%, 2.8%, and 0.5% of patients, respectively.
Grade 3 to 4 bleeding events occurred in 6% of patients, including Grade 4 in 1 patient. Fatal adverse reactions included cerebral hemorrhage in 2 patients.
Perform complete blood cell counts at baseline and during treatment as clinically indicated. Consider withholding and/or reducing the dose based on severity [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Infusion-Related Reactions
Infusion-related reactions occurred in 18% of 218 patients in the pooled safety population, including Grade 3 in 1.8% [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Monitor patients for infusion-related reactions. For Grade 2 or 3 reactions, interrupt the infusion and provide supportive treatment. Once symptoms resolve, resume at a lower infusion rate [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Administer premedication for all subsequent infusions. Discontinue BLENREP for life-threatening infusion-related reactions and provide appropriate emergency care.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on its mechanism of action, BLENREP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman because it contains a genotoxic compound (the microtubule inhibitor, monomethyl auristatin F [MMAF]) and it targets actively dividing cells.
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BLENREP and for 4 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BLENREP and for 6 months after the last dose [see Use In Specific Populations].
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Ocular Toxicity
- Advise patients that ocular toxicity may occur during treatment with BLENREP [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
- Advise patients to administer preservative-free lubricant eye drops as recommended during treatment and to avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment unless directed by a healthcare professional [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
- Advise patients to use caution when driving or operating machinery as BLENREP may adversely affect their vision [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Blenrep REMS
BLENREP is available only through a restricted program called BLENREP REMS [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Inform the patient of the following notable requirements:
- Patients must complete the enrollment form with their provider.
- Patients must comply with ongoing monitoring for eye exams [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Thrombocytopenia
- Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider if they develop signs or symptoms of bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Infusion-Related Reactions
- Advise patients to immediately report any signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions to their healthcare provider [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
- Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
- Advise women of reproductive potential to use highly effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
- Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BLENREP and for 6 months after the last dose [see Use In Specific Populations, Nonclinical Toxicology].
Lactation
- Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with BLENREP and for 3 months after the last dose [see Use In Specific Populations].
Infertility
- Advise males and females of reproductive potential that BLENREP may impair fertility [see Use In Specific Populations].
Pneumonitis
- Advise patients to immediately report any new or worsening unexplained pulmonary signs or symptoms to their healthcare provider [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
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Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted with belantamab mafodotin-blmf.
Belantamab mafodotin-blmf was genotoxic in an in vitro micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes through an aneugenic mechanism. These results are consistent with the pharmacological effect of MMAF binding to tubulin causing microtubule depolymerization resulting in spindle disorganization during cell division. Cys-mcMMAF was not mutagenic in the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), the L5178Y mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay, or the in vivo rat bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Fertility studies have not been conducted with belantamab mafodotin-blmf. Results of repeat-dose toxicity studies with intravenous administration of belantamab mafodotin-blmf in rats indicate the potential for impaired male and female reproductive function and fertility. In rats, weekly dosing for 3 weeks at doses ≥10 mg/kg (approximately 4 times the exposure at the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 2.5 mg/kg based on the AUC of belantamab mafodotin-blmf) resulted in degeneration and atrophy of seminiferous tubules in the testes and luteinized nonovulatory follicles in the ovaries. Findings in females were reversible; findings in the testes were not reversible at the end of the 12-week recovery period with weekly dosing or when given every 3 weeks for 13 weeks at doses ≥10 mg/kg. In male monkeys, the highest dose tested of 10 mg/kg (approximately 4 times the exposure at the MRHD based on AUC of belantamab mafodotin-blmf) given weekly for 13 weeks resulted in seminiferous tubules degeneration in the testes that was fully reversed following the 12-week recovery period.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Based on its mechanism of action, BLENREP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, because it contains a genotoxic compound (the microtubule inhibitor, MMAF) and it targets actively dividing cells [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Nonclinical Toxicology]. Human immunoglobulin G (IgG) is known to cross the placenta; therefore, belantamab mafodotin-blmf has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. There are no available data on the use of BLENREP in pregnant women to evaluate for drug-associated risk. No animal reproduction studies were conducted with BLENREP. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcome. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
Animal reproductive or developmental toxicity studies were not conducted with belantamab mafodotin-blmf. The cytotoxic component of BLENREP, MMAF, disrupts microtubule function, is genotoxic, and can be toxic to rapidly dividing cells, suggesting it has the potential to cause embryotoxicity and teratogenicity.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no data on the presence of belantamab mafodotin-blmf in human milk or the effects on the breastfed child or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with BLENREP and for 3 months after the last dose.
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
BLENREP can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women [see Use In Specific Populations].
Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating BLENREP.
Contraception
Females
Advise women of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Males
Because of the potential for genotoxicity, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BLENREP and for 6 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology].
Infertility
Based on findings in animal studies, BLENREP may impair fertility in females and males. The effects were not reversible in male rats but were reversible in female rats [see Nonclinical Toxicology].
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of BLENREP in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Of the 218 patients who received BLENREP in DREAMM-2, 43% were aged 65 to less than 75 years and 17% were aged 75 years and older. Clinical studies of BLENREP did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and older to determine whether the effectiveness differs compared with that of younger patients. Keratopathy occurred in 80% of patients aged less than 65 years and 73% of patients aged 65 years and older. Among the patients who received BLENREP at the 2.5-mg/kg dose in DREAMM-2 (n = 95), keratopathy occurred in 67% of patients aged less than 65 years and 73% of patients aged 65 years and older. Clinical studies did not include sufficient numbers of patients 75 years and older to determine whether they respond differently compared with younger patients.
Renal Impairment
No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 30 to 89 mL/min/1.73m² as estimated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] equation) [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
The recommended dosage has not been established in patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m²) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m² not on dialysis or requiring dialysis [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Hepatic Impairment
No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin ≤upper limit of normal [ULN] and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >ULN or total bilirubin 1 to ≤1.5 × ULN and any AST).
The recommended dosage of BLENREP has not been established in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >1.5 × ULN and any AST) [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].