WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy, manifesting as left ventricular dysfunction associated with symptomatic or asymptomatic decreases in ejection fraction, has been reported in patients treated with MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib. In COLUMBUS, evidence of cardiomyopathy (decrease in LVEF below the institutional LLN with an absolute decrease in LVEF ≥ 10% below baseline as detected by echocardiography or MUGA) occurred in 7% of patients receiving MEKTOVI plus encorafenib. Grade 3 left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 1.6% of patients. The median time to first occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction (any grade) in patients receiving MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib was 3.6 months (range 0 to 21 months). Cardiomyopathy resolved in 87% of patients receiving MEKTOVI plus encorafenib.
Assess ejection fraction by echocardiogram or MUGA scan prior to initiating treatment, one month after initiating treatment, and then every 2 to 3 months during treatment. The safety of MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib has not been established in patients with a baseline ejection fraction that is either below 50% or below the institutional lower limit of normal (LLN). Patients with cardiovascular risk factors should be monitored closely when treated with MEKTOVI.
Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Venous Thromboembolism
In COLUMBUS, venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurred in 6% of patients receiving MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib, including 3.1% of patients who developed pulmonary embolism. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Ocular Toxicities
Serous Retinopathy
In COLUMBUS, serous retinopathy occurred in 20% of patients treated with MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib; 8% were retinal detachment and 6% were macular edema. Symptomatic serous retinopathy occurred in 8% of patients with no cases of blindness. No patient discontinued MEKTOVI due to serous retinopathy; 6% of patients required dose interruptions or dose reductions. The median time to onset of the first event of serous retinopathy (all grades) was 1.2 months (range 0 to 17.5 months).
Assess for visual symptoms at each visit. Perform an ophthalmologic examination at regular intervals, for new or worsening visual disturbances, and to follow new or persistent ophthalmologic findings. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Retinal Vein Occlusion
RVO is a known class-related adverse reaction of MEK inhibitors and may occur in patients treated with MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib. In patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma receiving MEKTOVI with encorafenib (n=690), 1 patient experienced RVO (0.1%).
The safety of MEKTOVI has not been established in patients with a history of RVO or current risk factors for RVO including uncontrolled glaucoma or a history of hyperviscosity or hypercoagulability syndromes.
Perform ophthalmologic evaluation for patient-reported acute vision loss or other visual disturbance within 24 hours. Permanently discontinue MEKTOVI in patients with documented RVO [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Uveitis
Uveitis, including iritis and iridocyclitis, has been reported in patients treated with MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib. In COLUMBUS, the incidence of uveitis among patients treated with MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib was 4%.
Assess for visual symptoms at each visit. Perform an ophthalmologic evaluation at regular intervals and for new or worsening visual disturbances, and to follow new or persistent ophthalmologic findings. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Interstitial Lung Disease
In patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma receiving MEKTOVI with encorafenib (n=690), 2 patients (0.3%) developed interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pneumonitis.
Assess new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms or findings for possible ILD. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity can occur when MEKTOVI is administered in combination with encorafenib. In COLUMBUS, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 increases in liver function laboratory tests in patients receiving MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib was 6% for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 2.6% for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and 0.5% for alkaline phosphatase. No patient experienced Grade 3 or 4 serum bilirubin elevation.
Monitor liver laboratory tests before initiation of MEKTOVI, monthly during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis can occur when MEKTOVI is administered in combination with encorafenib. In COLUMBUS, elevation of laboratory values of serum CPK occurred in 58% of patients treated with MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib. In patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma receiving MEKTOVI with encorafenib (n=690), rhabdomyolysis was reported in 1 patient (0.1%).
Monitor CPK and creatinine levels prior to initiating MEKTOVI, periodically during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage can occur when MEKTOVI is administered in combination with encorafenib. In COLUMBUS, hemorrhage occurred in 19% of patients receiving MEKTOVI in combination with encorafenib. Grade 3 or greater hemorrhage occurred in 3.2% of patients. The most frequent hemorrhagic events were gastrointestinal, including rectal hemorrhage (4.2%), hematochezia (3.1%), and hemorrhoidal hemorrhage (1%). Fatal intracranial hemorrhage in the setting of new or progressive brain metastases occurred in 1.6% of patients.
Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, MEKTOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Binimetinib was embryotoxic and abortifacient when administered to rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses greater than or equal to those resulting in exposures approximately 5 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose of 45 mg twice daily.
Advise women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MEKTOVI and for at least 30 days after the final dose [see Use In Specific Populations].
Risks Associated With Combination Treatment
MEKTOVI is indicated for use in combination with encorafenib. Refer to the encorafenib prescribing information for additional risk information that applies to combination use treatment.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Inform patients of the following:
Cardiomyopathy
Advise patients to report any symptoms of heart failure to their healthcare provider [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Venous Thrombosis
Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Advise patients to seek medical attention for sudden onset of difficulty breathing, leg pain, or swelling [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Ocular Toxicities
Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they experience any changes in their vision [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Interstitial Lung Disease
Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they experience any new or worsening respiratory symptoms including cough or dyspnea [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hepatotoxicity
Advise patients that serial testing of serum liver tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin) is recommended during treatment with MEKTOVI. Instruct patients to report symptoms of liver dysfunction including jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, bruising, or bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Rhabdomyolysis
Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible if they experience unusual or new onset weakness, myalgia, or darkened urine [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hemorrhage
Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms suggestive of hemorrhage, such as unusual bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity:
Advise females with reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MEKTOVI and for 30 days after the final dose. Advise females to contact their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected, during treatment with MEKTOVI [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
Lactation:
Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with MEKTOVI and for 3 days after the final dose [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenicity studies with binimetinib have not been conducted. Binimetinib was not genotoxic in studies evaluating reverse mutations in bacteria, chromosomal aberrations in mammalian cells, or micronuclei in bone marrow of rats.
No dedicated fertility studies have been conducted with binimetinib in animals. In general toxicology studies in rats and monkeys, there were no remarkable findings in male or female reproductive organs.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Based on findings from animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action, MEKTOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. There are no available clinical data on the use of MEKTOVI during pregnancy. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of binimetinib during the period of organogenesis was embryotoxic and an abortifacient in rabbits at doses greater than or equal to those resulting in exposures approximately 5 times the human exposure at the clinical dose of 45 mg twice daily (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
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
In reproductive toxicity studies, administration of binimetinib to rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in maternal toxicity, decreased fetal weights and increased variations in ossification at doses ≥ 30 mg/kg/day (approximately 37 times the human exposure based on AUC at the recommended clinical dose of 45 mg twice daily). In pregnant rabbits, administration of binimetinib during the period of organogenesis resulted in maternal toxicity, decreased fetal body weights, an increase in malformations, and increased post-implantation loss, including total loss of pregnancy at doses ≥ 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 5 times the human exposure based on AUC at the recommended clinical dose of 45 mg twice daily). There was a significant increase in fetal ventricular septal defects and pulmonary trunk alterations at 20 mg/kg/day
of binimetinib (less than 8 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose of 45 mg twice daily).
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of binimetinib or its active metabolite in human milk, or the effects of binimetinib on the breastfed infant, or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from MEKTOVI in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with MEKTOVI and for 3 days after the final dose.
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating MEKTOVI [see Pregnancy].
Contraception
MEKTOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Pregnancy].
Females
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MEKTOVI and for at least 30 days after the final dose.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of MEKTOVI have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Of the 690 patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma who received MEKTOVI (45 mg twice daily) in combination with encorafenib at doses between 300 mg and 600 mg once daily across multiple clinical trials, 20% were aged 65 to 74 years and 8% were aged 75 years and older. No overall differences in the safety or effectiveness of MEKTOVI plus encorafenib were observed in elderly patients as compared to younger patients [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Hepatic Impairment
Binimetinib concentrations may increase in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Dose adjustment for MEKTOVI is not recommended in patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin > 1 and ≤ 1.5 Ã ULN and any AST or total bilirubin ≤ ULN and AST > ULN). Reduce the dose of MEKTOVI for patients with moderate (total bilirubin > 1.5 and ≤ 3 Ã ULN and any AST) or severe (total bilirubin levels > 3 Ã ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].