Warnings for Thiotepa
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Thiotepa
Myelosuppression
The consequence of treatment with high doses of thiotepa together with other chemotherapy is profound myelosuppression occurring in all patients. Monitor complete blood counts, and provide supportive care for infections, anemia and thrombocytopenia until there is adequate hematopoietic recovery.
For patients receiving thiotepa for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the breast,
adenocarcinoma of the ovary, malignant effusions and superficial papillary carcinoma of the urinary bladder, if the bone marrow has been compromised by prior irradiation or chemotherapy, or is recovering from chemotherapy, the risk of severe myelosuppression with thiotepa may be increased. Perform periodic complete blood counts during the course of treatment with thiotepa. Provide supportive care for infections, bleeding, and symptomatic anemia [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Pediatric use information is approved for Adienne SA’s TEPADINA (thiotepa) for injection. However, due to Adienne SA’s marketing exclusivity rights, the drug product is not labeled with that information.
Hypersensitivity
Clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred following administration of thiotepa. If anaphylactic or other clinically significant allergic reaction occurs, discontinue treatment with thiotepa, initiate appropriate therapy, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Cutaneous Toxicity
Thiotepa and/or its active metabolites may be excreted in part via skin patients receiving high-dose therapy. Treatment with thiotepa may cause skin discoloration, pruritus, blistering, desquamation, and peeling that may be more severe in the groin, axillae, skin folds, in the neck area, and under dressings. Instruct patients to shower or bathe with water at least twice daily through 48 hours after administration of thiotepa. Change occlusive dressing and clean the covered skin at least twice daily through 48 hours after administration of thiotepa. Change bed sheets daily during treatment.
Skin reactions associated with accidental exposure to thiotepa may also occur. Wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water in case thiotepa solution contacts the skin. Flush mucous membranes in case of thiotepa contact with mucous membranes.
Concomitant Use Of Live And Attenuated Vaccines
Do not administer live or attenuated viral or bacterial vaccines to a patient treated with thiotepa until the immunosuppressive effects have resolved.
Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease
Hepatic veno-occlusive disease may occur in patients who have received high-dose thiotepa in conjunction with busulfan and cyclophosphamide. Monitor by physical examination, serum transaminases and bilirubin and provide supportive care to patients who develop hepatic veno-occlusive disease.
Pediatric use information is approved for Adienne SA’s TEPADINA (thiotepa) for injection. However, due to Adienne SA’s marketing exclusivity rights, the drug product is not labeled with that information.
Central Nervous System Toxicity
Fatal encephalopathy has occurred in patients treated with high doses of thiotepa. Other central nervous system toxicities, such as headache, apathy, psychomotor retardation, disorientation, confusion, amnesia, hallucinations, drowsiness, somnolence, seizures, coma, inappropriate behaviour and forgetfulness have been reported to occur in a dosedependent manner during or shortly after administration of high-dose thiotepa. Do not exceed the recommended dose of thiotepa. If severe or life-threatening central nervous system toxicity occurs, discontinue administration of thiotepa and provide supportive care.
Pediatric use information is approved for Adienne SA’s TEPADINA (thiotepa) for injection. However, due to Adienne SA’s marketing exclusivity rights, the drug product is not labeled with that information.
Carcinogenicity
Like many alkylating agents, thiotepa has been reported to be carcinogenic when administered to laboratory animals [see Nonclinical Toxicity]. Carcinogenicity is shown most clearly in studies using mice, but there is some evidence of carcinogenicity in man. There is an increased risk of a secondary malignancy with use of thiotepa.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on the mechanism of action and findings in animals, thiotepa can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no adequate and wellcontrolled studies of thiotepa in pregnant women. Thiotepa given by the intraperitoneal (IP) route was teratogenic in mice at doses ≥ 1 mg/kg (3.2 mg/m²), approximately 8-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose (0.8 mg/kg, 27 mg/m²), based on body-surface area. Thiotepa given by the IP route was teratogenic in rats at doses ≥ 3 mg/kg (21 mg/m²), approximately equal to the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose, based on body-surface area. Thiotepa was lethal to rabbit fetuses at a dose of 3 mg/kg (41 mg/m²), approximately two times the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area.
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus [see Use In Specific Populations]. Advise females of reproductive potential to use highly effective contraception during and after treatment with thiotepa for at least 6 months after therapy. Advise males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and after treatment with thiotepa for at least 1 year after therapy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
In mice, repeated intraperitoneal (IP) administration of thiotepa (1.15 or 2.3 mg/kg three times per week for 52 or 43 weeks, respectively) produced a significant increase in the combined incidence of squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin, preputial gland, and ear canal, and combined incidence of lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia. In other studies in mice, repeated IP administration of thiotepa (4 or 8 mg/kg three times per week for 4 weeks followed by a 20 week observation period or 1.8 mg/kg three times per week for 4 weeks followed by a 35 week observation period) resulted in an increased incidence of lung tumors. In rats, repeated IP administration of thiotepa (0.7 or 1.4 mg/kg three times per week for 52 or 34 weeks, respectively) produced significant increases in the incidence of squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin or ear canal, combined hematopoietic neoplasms, and uterine adenocarcinomas. Thiotepa given intravenously (IV) to rats (1 mg/kg once per week for 52 weeks) produced an increased incidence of malignant tumors (abdominal cavity sarcoma, lymphosarcoma myelosis, seminoma, fibrosarcoma, salivary gland hemangioendothelioma, mammary sarcoma, pheochromocytoma) and benign tumors.
The lowest reported carcinogenic dose in mice (1.15 mg/kg, 3.68 mg/m²) is approximately 7-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area. The lowest reported carcinogenic dose in rats (0.7 mg/kg, 4.9 mg/m²) is approximately 6-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area.
Thiotepa was mutagenic in in vitro assays in Salmonella typhimurium, E coli, Chinese hamster lung and human lymphocytes. Chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges were observed in vitro with thiotepa in bean root tips, human lymphocytes, Chinese hamster lung, and monkey lymphocytes.
Mutations were observed with oral thiotepa in mouse at doses > 2.5 mg/kg (8 mg/m²). The mouse micronucleus test was positive with intraperitoneal administration of > 1 mg/kg (3.2 mg/m²). Other positive in vivo chromosomal aberration or mutation assays included Drosophila melanogaster, Chinese hamster marrow, murine marrow, monkey lymphocyte, and murine germ cell.
Thiotepa impaired fertility in male mice at oral or intraperitoneal doses ≥ 0.7 mg/kg (2.24 mg/m²), approximately 12-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area. Thiotepa (0.5 mg) inhibited implantation in female rats when instilled into the uterine cavity. Thiotepa interfered with spermatogenesis in mice at IP doses ≥ 0.5 mg/kg (1.6 mg/m²), approximately 17-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area. Thiotepa interfered with spermatogenesis in hamsters at an IP dose of 1 mg/kg (4.1 mg/m²), approximately 7-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Thiotepa can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on findings from animals and the drug’s mechanism of action [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Limited available data with thiotepa use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, administration of thiotepa to pregnant mice and rats during organogenesis produced teratogenic effects (neural tube defects and malformations of the skeletal system of the fetus) at doses approximately 0.125 and 1 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily dose on a mg/m² basis. Thiotepa was lethal to rabbit fetuses at approximately 2 times the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area [see Data]. Consider the benefits and risks of thiotepa for the mother and possible risks to the fetus when prescribing thiotepa to a pregnant woman.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. 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.
Data
Animal Data
Thiotepa given by the IP route in mice at doses ≥ 1 mg/kg (3.2 mg/m²), approximately 8-fold less than the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on bodysurface area, and in rats at doses ≥ 3 mg/kg (21 mg/m²), approximately equal to the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area, resulted in various malformations including neural tube defects, omphalocele, renal agenesis, atresia ani, limb and digit defects, cleft palate, micrognathia, other skeletal anomalies in the skull, vertebrae and ribs, and reduced skeletal ossification. Thiotepa was lethal to rabbit fetuses at a dose of 3 mg/kg (41 mg/m²), approximately 2 times the maximum recommended human therapeutic dose based on body-surface area.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of thiotepa in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including the potential for tumorigenicity shown for thiotepa in animal studies, advise patients not to breastfeed during thiotepa treatment.
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing
Thiotepa can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating thiotepa therapy.
Contraception
Females
Advise females of reproductive potential to avoid pregnancy during thiotepa treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of thiotepa. Advise females to immediately report pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Males
Thiotepa may damage spermatozoa and testicular tissue, resulting in possible genetic abnormalities. Males with female sexual partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during thiotepa treatment and for at least 1 year after the final dose of thiotepa [see Nonclinical Toxicology].
Infertility
Based on nonclinical findings, male and female fertility may be compromised by treatment with thiotepa. Inform male patients about the possibility of sperm conservation before the start of therapy [see Nonclinical Toxicology].
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of thiotepa in neonates have not been established.
Safety and effectiveness of thiotepa for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the breast, adenocarcinoma of the ovary, malignant effusions and superficial papillary carcinoma of the urinary bladder in pediatric patients have not been established.
Pediatric use information is approved for Adienne SA’s TEPADINA (thiotepa) for injection. However, due to Adienne SA’s marketing exclusivity rights, the drug product is not labeled with that information.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of thiotepa for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the breast, adenocarcinoma of the ovary, malignant effusions and superficial papillary carcinoma of the urinary bladder did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether elderly subjects respond differently from younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreasing hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Renal Impairment
In patients with moderate (creatinine clearance (CLcr) of 30 mL/min to 59 mL/min) renal impairment, decreased renal excretion may result in increased plasma levels of thiotepa and TEPA [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. This may result in increased toxicity. Monitor patients with moderate to severe (CLcr < 30 mL/min) renal impairment for signs and symptoms of toxicity following treatment with thiotepa for an extended period of time.
Hepatic Impairment
Thiotepa is extensively metabolized in the liver. Patients with moderate (bilirubin levels greater than 1.5 times to 3 times the upper limit of normal and any AST) hepatic impairment may have increased plasma levels of thiotepa [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ]. This may result in toxicity. Monitor patients with moderate to severe (bilirubin levels greater than 3 times upper limit of normal and any AST) hepatic impairment for signs and symptoms of toxicity following treatment with thiotepa for an extended period of time.