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GLEOLAN™
[aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (ALA HCl)] for Oral Solution
Gleolan (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride) is an optical imaging agent for oral solution. The 50-mL, clear vial contains 1,500 mg of lyophilized ALA HCl powder (equivalent to 1,170 mg ALA). After reconstitution, the product has a concentration of 30 mg ALA HCl per mL (equivalent to 23.4 mg ALA per mL). The chemical name is 5-amino-4-oxo-pentanoic acid hydrochloride. The chemical formula for ALA HCl is C5H10ClNO3. Its molecular weight is 167.59 g/mol with the following structural formula:
![GLEOLAN™ [aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (ALA HCl)] Structural Formula Illustration](https://images.rxlist.com/images/rxlist/gleolan1.gif) |
Gleolan is indicated in patients with glioma [suspected World Health Organization (WHO) Grades III or IV on preoperative imaging] as an adjunct for the visualization of malignant tissue during surgery.
Gleolan powder must be reconstituted prior to administration by a healthcare provider according to the following instructions:
| # of vials = | Patient Body Weight
(kg) 75 kg/vial |
Gleolan is for ORAL USE ONLY. The recons tituted Gleolan s olution is adminis tered according to the following s teps :
| Administration Volume (mL) = | Patient Body Weight (kg) * 20 mg/kg 30 mg/mL |
For oral solution: 1,500 mg aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (ALA HCl) lyophilized powder, equivalent to 1,170 mg aminolevulinic acid (ALA), in a 50 mL single-dose clear, colorless, glass vial with rubber stopper. After reconstitution with 50 mL drinking water, the solution contains 30 mg per mL of aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (equivalent to 23.4 mg per mL of aminolevulinic acid) and is clear and colorless to slightly yellowish in color.
Gleolan (NDC 71469-231-01) is supplied as 1,500 mg of lyophilized aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride powder (equivalent to 1,170 mg aminolevulinic acid), for oral solution in a 50-mL clear, colorless, glass vial with a rubber stopper and an aluminum crimp seal.
Store at 25 °C (77 °F); excursions permitted to 15-30 °C (59-86 °F).
Distributed by: NX Development Corp. 870 Corporate Dr., Suite 403 Lexington, KY 40503. Revised: Feb 2019
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 practice.
The safety of Gleolan is supported by data from 5 open label clinical studies, which included 527 patients with glioma who received ALA HCl. Adverse reactions that occurred in > 1% of patients in the week following surgery were pyrexia, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. Adverse reactions occurring in the first 6 weeks after surgery in < 1% of patients were: chills, photosensitivity reaction, solar dermatitis, hypotension, abnormal liver function test, and diarrhea. One patient experienced respiratory failure due to drug overdose [see OVERDOSE].
Nervous system disorders occurred in 29% of patients within the first week after surgery. Events occurring in > 1% of patients included aphasia (8%), hemiparesis (7.8%), hemianopsia (3.2%), headache (2.7%), seizure (1.9%), hemiplegia (1.9%), monoparesis (1.3%) and hypoesthesia (1.1%). Brain edema occurred in < 1 % of patients in the first 6 weeks after surgery. In a randomized clinical trial (Study 3), the numbers of serious neurologic adverse events in the post operative period were higher in patients randomized to ALA fluorescence arm compared to the control arm. An imbalance was notable for the adverse events aphasia, ataxia, convulsion and hemianopsia, and is likely related to the higher amount of brain resection performed in the ALA arm. At longer follow up periods, the numbers between the two arms appeared similar [see Clinical Trials].
Worsening of ≥ 2 Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grades in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) occurred in (15.8% and 11.6%, respectively) within the first week after surgery. Absolute levels ranged from 2 times to greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) for each parameter. At 6 weeks, ALT remained elevated in 2.9% of patients (range 2 to greater than 5 × ULN), and GGT was elevated in 7.5% of patients (range 2 to greater than 10 × ULN). No cases of liver failure occurred.
The following adverse reactions are among those that have been identified during post-approval use of Gleolan outside of the United States. 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.
Immune Disorders: anaphylactic shock, angioedema, drug eruption, urticaria, erythema.
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: metabolic acidosis.
Patients exposed to a photosensitizing agent may experience a phototoxic skin reaction (severe sunburn). Due to the risk of possible phototoxic reactions, avoid administering phototoxic drugs such as St. John's wort, griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulphonamides, quinolones and tetracyclines, and topical preparations containing ALA for 24 hours before and after administration of Gleolan.
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Due to the risk of phototoxic reactions, do not administer phototoxic drugs (St. John's wort, griseofulvin, thiazide diuretics, sulfonylureas, phenothiazines, sulphonamides, quinolones and tetracyclines), and topical preparations containing ALA for 24 hours during the perioperative period [see DRUG INTERACTIONS]. Reduce exposure to sunlight or room lights for 48 hours after administration of Gleolan.
Errors may occur with the use of Gleolan for intraoperative visualization of malignant glioma, including false negatives and false positives. Non-fluorescing tissue in the surgical field does not rule out the presence of tumor in patients with glioma [see Clinical Studies]. Fluorescence may be seen in areas of inflammation or metastases from other tumor types.
Hypersensitivity reactions, including serious hypersensitivity reactions have occurred; these reactions include anaphylactic shock, swelling, and urticaria [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Always have cardiopulmonary resuscitation personnel and equipment readily available and monitor all patients for hypersensitivity reactions.
No carcinogenicity studies have been conducted with Gleolan.
ALA HCl was not mutagenic in the Ames assay, HPRT-V79 mammalian cell mutagenicity test, the peripheral human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration assay and the in vivo mouse micronucleus test when studies were performed in the dark or under subdued lighting.
No fertility studies have been conducted with Gleolan.
There are no available human data on Gleolan in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed with oral ALA HCl administration to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis at doses 3 times the maximum recommended human oral dose (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Animal data
ALA HCl was administered to rabbits at oral doses of 15, 50 and 150 mg/kg/day [approximately 0.1, 0.6, and 3 times the maximum human recommended dose (MHRD), respectively based on AUC comparisons] from gestation days 6-18. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for maternal toxicity was 50 mg/kg/day and the NOAEL for embryo-fetal developmental toxicity was 150 mg/kg/day.
There are no data on the presence of ALA HCl in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Gleolan and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Gleolan or from the underlying maternal condition.
To decrease exposure to Gleolan to the breastfed infant, advise a lactating woman to pump and discard breast milk after the administration of Gleolan for 24 hours (i.e., 5 to 6 half-lives).
The safety and effectiveness of Gleolan in pediatric patients have not been established.
Of 527 subjects in clinical studies of Gleolan, 182 were 65 to < 75 years of age and 7 were ≥ 75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. No dose adjustment is required in elderly patients.
Because approximately one third of the ALA dose is excreted in urine as parent drug, ALA clearance may be reduced in patients with renal impairment; it is not known if dose adjustment is needed [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
The contribution of the liver to the elimination of ALA following Gleolan dosing is unknown. ALA clearance may be reduced in patients with hepatic impairment; it is not known if dose adjustment is needed [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Overdosage has been associated with respiratory insufficiency and erythema. In the event of overdose, supportive measures should be provided as necessary, including protection from strong light sources.
ALA occurs endogenously as a metabolite that is formed in the mitochondria from succinyl-CoA and glycine. Exogenous administration of ALA leads to accumulation of the ALA metabolite PpIX in tumor cells. The reason for the accumulation of PpIX in neoplastic brain tissue is not known.
During glioma surgery, Gleolan is used with an operating microscope adapted with a blue emitting light source (power density 40-80 mW/cm2) and filters for excitation light of wavelength 375 to 440 nm, and observation at wavelengths of 620 to 710 nm. This allows tumor tissue to be visualized as red fluorescence. Tissue lacking sufficient PpIX concentrations appears blue.
The effect of the timing of the Gleolan dosing on fluorescence intensity in brain tissue is unknown. The relationship between systemic ALA plasma concentrations at the time of visualization and fluorescence intensity in brain is also unknown. The dose of 20 mg / kg provided stronger ALA-induced fluorescence in glioma tissue by both visual and spectrophotometric assessment compared to lower doses tested.
Administration of the approved recommended dose of Gleolan did not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent.
In 12 healthy subjects, the mean half-life of ALA following the recommended dose of Gleolan solution was 0.9 ± 1.2 hours (mean ± std dev) with a range of 0.8 to 1.3 hours. Maximum concentrations of the PpIX metabolite (T for PpIX) occurred with a median of 4 hours and a range of 1.2 to 7.8 hours. The elimination half-life of PpIX was 3.6 ± 1.8 hours (mean ± std dev) with a range of 1.2 to 7.8 hours.
In 12 healthy subjects, the absolute bioavailability of ALA following the recommended dose of Gleolan solution was 100.0% ± 1.1 with a range of 78.5% to 131.2%. Maximum ALA plasma concentrations were reached with a median of 0.8 hour (range 0.5 – 1.0 hour).
In in vitro experiments using ALA concentrations up to approximately 25% of the maximal concentration that occurs in plasma following the recommended dose of Gleolan solution, the mean protein binding of ALA was 12%.
Metabolism
Exogenous ALA is metabolized to PpIX, but the fraction of administered ALA that is metabolized to PpIX is unknown. The average plasma AUC of PpIX is less than 6% of that of ALA.
Excretion
In 12 healthy subjects, excretion of parent ALA in urine in the 12 hours following administration of the recommended dose of Gleolan solution was 34 ± 8% (mean ± std dev) with a range of 27% to 57%.
The effect of renal or hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of ALA following Gleolan administration is unknown.
In vitro studies suggest that phenytoin and other anti-convulsants may decrease cellular PpIX accumulation following Gleolan dosing.
ALA is not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A.
The efficacy of 20 mg / kg ALA HCl was evaluated in 3 clinical studies (Study 1-3) involving patients, ages 18 to 75 years old, who had a preoperative MRI compatible with high-grade glioma (WHO Grade III or IV) and were undergoing surgical resection.
Study 1 was an open-label study of 33 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma and Study 2 was an open-label study of 36 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. In Studies 1 and 2, after initial debulking was carried out under white light, biopsies were obtained under fluorescent light from fluorescent and nonfluorescent sites. Presence of fluorescence (positive/negative) was compared to tumor status (true/false) using histopathology as the reference standard. True positives and false positives among fluorescent biopsies and true negatives and false negatives among nonfluorescent biopsies are provided in Table 1.
Study 3 was a randomized, multicenter study in 415 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of high-grade glioma by MRI. Patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio to ALA fluorescence arm or to white light control arm. Biopsies were obtained from tumor-core, tumor-margin and regions just distant to the tumor margins. In 349 patients high grade glioma was confirmed by a blinded central read and histopathology. The remaining patients were diagnosed with metastatic disease, abscess, low-grade glioma or other conditions.
In patients with confirmed high-grade glioma randomized to the ALA fluorescence arm, presence of fluorescence at a biopsy level was compared to tumor status using histopathology as the reference standard (Table 1). In 4 patients with low-grade glioma (WHO Grade I or II) who received ALA HCl, 9 out of 10 biopsies were false negative.
The extent of resection among patients with confirmed high-grade glioma in the ALA fluorescence arm was compared to that among patient in the control arm, with the "completeness" of resection being determined by a central blinded read of early post-surgical MRI. Percentage of patients who had "completeness" of resection was 64% in the ALA arm and 38% in the control arm, with the difference of 26% [95% CI: (16%, 36%)].
Table 1. Presence of Fluorescence Compared to Histopathology (biopsy
level)
| Study 1 (N=297)* |
Study 2 (N=370)* |
Study 3 (N=479)* |
|
| Number of Fluorescent Biopsies | 185 | 354 | 319 |
| True Positive | 178 | 342 | 312 |
| False Positive | 7 | 12 | 7 |
| Number of Nonfluorescent Biopsies |
112 | 16 | 160 |
| True Negative | 27 | 3 | 30 |
| False Negative | 85 | 13 | 130 |
| * N is Number of total (fluorescent and non-fluorescent) biopsies | |||
Advise patients that they may experience elevated liver enzymes (ALT and GGT) within the first week after surgery. This elevation may persist after 6 weeks.
Advise patients to reduce exposure to sunlight or room lights for 48 hours after administration of Gleolan due to risk of phototoxic reactions.
