No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage of ZOLINZA.
In the event of overdose, it is reasonable to employ the usual supportive measures, e.g., remove unabsorbed material from the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring, and institute supportive therapy, if required. It is not known if vorinostat is dialyzable.
None.
The following serious adverse reactions have been associated with ZOLINZA in clinical trials and are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label.
Thromboembolism
Myelosuppression
Gastrointestinal Toxicity
Hyperglycemia
Clinical Chemistry Abnormalities
Severe thrombocytopenia when combined with other Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors
The most common drug-related adverse reactions can be classified into 4 symptom complexes: gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, anorexia, weight decrease, vomiting, constipation), constitutional symptoms (fatigue, chills), hematologic abnormalities (thrombocytopenia, anemia), and taste disorders (dysgeusia, dry mouth). The most common serious drug-related adverse reactions were pulmonary embolism and anemia.
Clinical Trials ExperienceBecause 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 ZOLINZA was evaluated in 107 CTCL patients in two single arm clinical studies in which 86 patients received 400 mg once daily.
The data described below reflect exposure to ZOLINZA 400 mg once daily in the 86 patients for a median number of 97.5 days on therapy (range 2 to 480+ days). Seventeen (19.8%) patients were exposed beyond 24 weeks and 8 (9.3%) patients were exposed beyond 1 year. The population of CTCL patients studied was 37 to 83 years of age, 47.7% female, 52.3% male, and 81.4% white, 16.3% black, and 1.2% Asian or multi-racial.
Common Adverse ReactionsTable 1 summarizes the frequency of CTCL patients with specific adverse reactions, using the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE, version 3.0). Â
Table 1: Clinical or Laboratory Adverse Reactions
Occurring in CTCL Patients (Incidence ≥ 10% of patients)
| Adverse Reactions | ZOLINZA 400 mg once daily (N=86) | |||
| All Grades | Grades 3-5* | |||
| n | % | n | % | |
| Fatigue | 45 | 52.3 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Diarrhea | 45 | 52.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Nausea | 35 | 40.7 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Dysgeusia | 24 | 27.9 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Thrombocytopenia | 22 | 25.6 | 5 | 5.8 |
| Anorexia | 21 | 24.4 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Weight Decreased | 18 | 20.9 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Muscle Spasms | 17 | 19.8 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Alopecia | 16 | 18.6 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Dry Mouth | 14 | 16.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Blood Creatinine Increased | 14 | 16.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Chills | 14 | 16.3 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Vomiting | 13 | 15.1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Constipation | 13 | 15.1 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Dizziness | 13 | 15.1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Anemia | 12 | 14.0 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Decreased Appetite | 12 | 14.0 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Peripheral Edema | 11 | 12.8 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Headache | 10 | 11.6 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Pruritus | 10 | 11.6 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Cough | 9 | 10.5 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Upper Respiratory Infection | 9 | 10.5 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Pyrexia | 9 | 10.5 | 1 | 1.2 |
| * No Grade 5 reactions were reported. |
The frequencies of more severe thrombocytopenia, anemia and fatigue were increased at doses higher than 400 mg once daily of ZOLINZA.
Serious Adverse ReactionsThe most common serious adverse reactions in the 86 CTCL patients in two clinical trials were pulmonary embolism reported in 4.7% (4/86) of patients, squamous cell carcinoma reported in 3.5% (3/86) of patients and anemia reported in 2.3% (2/86) of patients. There were single events of cholecystitis, death (of unknown cause), deep vein thrombosis, enterococcal infection, exfoliative dermatitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, infection, lobar pneumonia, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, pelviureteric obstruction, sepsis, spinal cord injury, streptococcal bacteremia, syncope, T-cell lymphoma, thrombocytopenia and ureteric obstruction.
DiscontinuationsOf the CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose, 9.3% (8/86) of patients discontinued ZOLINZA due to adverse reactions. These adverse reactions, regardless of causality, included anemia, angioneurotic edema, asthenia, chest pain, exfoliative dermatitis, death, deep vein thrombosis, ischemic stroke, lethargy, pulmonary embolism, and spinal cord injury.
Dose ModificationsOf the CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose, 10.5% (9/86) of patients required a dose modification of ZOLINZA due to adverse reactions. These adverse reactions included increased serum creatinine, decreased appetite, hypokalemia, leukopenia, nausea, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and vomiting. The median time to the first adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction was 42 days (range 17 to 263 days).
Laboratory AbnormalitiesLaboratory abnormalities were reported in all of the 86 CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once-daily dose.
Increased serum glucose was reported as a laboratory abnormality in 69% (59/86) of CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose; only 4 of these abnormalities were severe (Grade 3). Increased serum glucose was reported as an adverse reaction in 8.1% (7/86) of CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose.
Transient increases in serum creatinine were detected in 46.5% (40/86) of CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose. Of these laboratory abnormalities, 34 were NCI CTCAE Grade 1, 5 were Grade 2, and 1 was Grade 3.
Proteinuria was detected as a laboratory abnormality (51.4%) in 38 of 74 patients tested. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
DehydrationBased on reports of dehydration as a serious drug-related adverse reaction in clinical trials, patients were instructed to drink at least 2 L/day of fluids for adequate hydration.
Adverse Reactions in Non-CTCL PatientsThe frequencies of individual adverse reactions were substantially higher in the non-CTCL population. Drug-related serious adverse reactions reported in the non-CTCL population which were not observed in the CTCL population included single events of blurred vision, asthenia, hyponatremia, tumor hemorrhage, Guillain-Barré syndrome, renal failure, urinary retention, cough, hemoptysis, hypertension, and vasculitis.
In patients recovering from bowel surgery and treated perioperatively with ZOLINZA, anastomotic healing complications including fistulas, perforations, and abscess formation have occurred.
ZOLINZA® is indicated for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who have progressive, persistent or recurrent disease on or following two systemic therapies.
A randomized, partially-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-period crossover study was performed to assess the effects of a single 800-mg dose of vorinostat on the QTc interval in 24 patients with advanced cancer. This study was conducted to assess the impact of vorinostat on ventricular repolarization. The upper bound of the 90% confidence interval of the placebo-adjusted mean QTc interval change-from-baseline was less than 10 msec at every time point through 24 hours. Based on these study results, administration of a single supratherapeutic 800-mg dose of vorinostat does not appear to prolong the QTc interval in patients with advanced cancer; however the study did not include a positive control to demonstrate assay sensitivity. In the fasted state, oral administration of a single 800-mg dose of vorinostat resulted in a mean AUC and Cmax and median Tmax of 8.6±5.7 μM•hr and 1.7±0.67 μM and 2.1 (0.5-6) hours, respectively.
In clinical studies in patients with CTCL, three of 86 CTCL patients exposed to 400 mg once daily had Grade 1 ( > 450-470 msec) or 2 ( > 470-500 msec or increase of > 60 msec above baseline) clinical adverse reactions of QTc prolongation. In a retrospective analysis of three Phase 1 and two Phase 2 studies, 116 patients had a baseline and at least one follow-up ECG. Four patients had Grade 2 ( > 470-500 msec or increase of > 60 msec above baseline) and 1 patient had Grade 3 ( > 500 msec) QTc prolongation. In 49 non-CTCL patients from 3 clinical trials who had complete evaluation of QT interval, 2 had QTc measurements of > 500 msec and 1 had a QTc prolongation of > 60 msec.
The pharmacokinetics of vorinostat were evaluated in 23 patients with relapsed or refractory advanced cancer. After oral administration of a single 400-mg dose of vorinostat with a high-fat meal, the mean ± standard deviation area under the curve (AUC) and peak serum concentration (Cmax) and the median (range) time to maximum concentration (Tmax) were 5.5±1.8 μM•hr, 1.2±0.62 μM and 4 (2-10) hours, respectively.
In the fasted state, oral administration of a single 400-mg dose of vorinostat resulted in a mean AUC and Cmax and median Tmax of 4.2±1.9 μM•hr and 1.2±0.35 μM and 1.5 (0.5-10) hours, respectively. Therefore, oral administration of vorinostat with a high-fat meal resulted in an increase (33%) in the extent of absorption and a modest decrease in the rate of absorption (Tmax delayed 2.5 hours) compared to the fasted state. However, these small effects are not expected to be clinically meaningful. In clinical trials of patients with CTCL, vorinostat was taken with food.
At steady state in the fed-state, oral administration of multiple 400-mg doses of vorinostat resulted in a mean AUC and Cmax and a median Tmax of 6.0±2.0 μM•hr, 1.2±0.53 μM and 4 (0.5-14) hours, respectively.
DistributionVorinostat is approximately 71% bound to human plasma proteins over the range of concentrations of 0.5 to 50 μg/mL.
MetabolismThe major pathways of vorinostat metabolism involve glucuronidation and hydrolysis followed by β-oxidation. Human serum levels of two metabolites, O-glucuronide of vorinostat and 4-anilino-4-oxobutanoic acid were measured. Both metabolites are pharmacologically inactive. Compared to vorinostat, the mean steady state serum exposures in humans of the O-glucuronide of vorinostat and 4-anilino-4-oxobutanoic acid were 4-fold and 13-fold higher, respectively.
In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicate negligible biotransformation by cytochromes P450 (CYP).
ExcretionVorinostat is eliminated predominantly through metabolism with less than 1% of the dose recovered as unchanged drug in urine, indicating that renal excretion does not play a role in the elimination of vorinostat. The mean urinary recovery of two pharmacologically inactive metabolites at steady state was 16±5.8% of vorinostat dose as the O-glucuronide of vorinostat, and 36±8.6% of vorinostat dose as 4-anilino-4-oxobutanoic acid. Total urinary recovery of vorinostat and these two metabolites averaged 52±13.3% of vorinostat dose. The mean terminal half-life (t½) was ~2.0 hours for both vorinostat and the O-glucuronide metabolite, while that of the 4-anilino-4-oxobutanoic acid metabolite was 11 hours.
ZOLINZA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ZOLINZA in pregnant women. Results of animal studies indicate that vorinostat crosses the placenta and is found in fetal plasma at levels up to 50% of maternal concentrations. Doses up to 50 and 150 mg/kg/day were tested in rats and rabbits, respectively (~0.5 times the human exposure based on AUC0-24 hours). Treatment-related, developmental effects including decreased mean live fetal weights, incomplete ossifications of the skull, thoracic vertebra, sternebra, and skeletal variations (cervical ribs, supernumerary ribs, vertebral count and sacral arch variations) in rats at the highest dose of vorinostat tested. Reductions in mean live fetal weight and an elevated incidence of incomplete ossification of the metacarpals were seen in rabbits dosed at 150 mg/kg/day. The no observed effect levels (NOELs) for these findings were 15 and 50 mg/kg/day ( < 0.1 times the human exposure based on AUC) in rats and rabbits, respectively. A dose-related increase in the incidence of malformations of the gall bladder was noted in all drug treatment groups in rabbits versus the concurrent control. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
100 mg white, opaque, hard gelatin capsules with “568” over “100 mg” printed within radial bar in black ink on the capsule body.
ZOLINZA capsules, 100 mg, are white, opaque hard gelatin capsules with “568” over “100 mg” printed within the radial bar in black ink on the capsule body. They are supplied as follows:
NDC 0006-0568-40.
Each bottle contains 120 capsules.
Storage And HandlingStore at 20-25°C (68-77°F), excursions permitted between 15-30°C (59-86°F).
Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered. Several guidelines on this subject have been published.1 There is no general agreement that all of the procedures recommended in the guidelines are necessary or appropriate.
ZOLINZA (vorinostat) capsules should not be opened or crushed. Direct contact of the powder in ZOLINZA capsules with the skin or mucous membranes should be avoided. If such contact occurs, wash thoroughly as outlined in the references. Personnel should avoid exposure to crushed and/or broken capsules.
Manuf. for: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of MERCK & CO., INC., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA. Manufactured by: Patheon, Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5N 7K9. Revised: April 2013
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS ThromboembolismPulmonary embolism occurred in 5% (4/86) of patients receiving ZOLINZA, and deep vein thrombosis has also been reported. Monitor for signs and symptoms of these events, particularly in patients with a prior history of thromboembolic events.
MyelosuppressionTreatment with ZOLINZA can cause dose-related thrombocytopenia and anemia. Monitor blood counts every 2 weeks during the first 2 months of therapy and monthly thereafter. Adjust dosage or discontinue treatment with ZOLINZA as clinically appropriate.
Gastrointestinal ToxicityGastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, have been reported and may require the use of antiemetic and antidiarrheal medications. Fluid and electrolytes should be replaced to prevent dehydration. Pre-existing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea should be adequately controlled before beginning therapy with ZOLINZA.
HyperglycemiaHyperglycemia has been observed in patients receiving ZOLINZA and was severe in 5% (4/86) of patients. Monitor serum glucose every 2 weeks during the first 2 months of therapy and monthly thereafter.
Clinical Chemistry AbnormalitiesObtain chemistry tests, including serum electrolytes, creatinine, magnesium, and calcium, every 2 weeks during the first 2 months of therapy and monthly thereafter. Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia prior to administration of ZOLINZA. Monitor potassium and magnesium more frequently in symptomatic patients (e.g., patients with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fluid imbalance or cardiac symptoms).
Severe Thrombocytopenia When Combined With Other Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) InhibitorsSevere thrombocytopenia leading to gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported with concomitant use of ZOLINZA and other HDAC inhibitors (e.g., valproic acid). Monitor platelet counts more frequently..
Pregnancy Pregnancy Category DZOLINZA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of ZOLINZA in pregnant women. Results of animal studies indicate that vorinostat crosses the placenta and is found in fetal plasma at levels up to 50% of maternal concentrations. Doses up to 50 and 150 mg/kg/day were tested in rats and rabbits, respectively (~0.5 times the human exposure based on AUC0-24 hours). Treatment-related, developmental effects including decreased mean live fetal weights, incomplete ossifications of the skull, thoracic vertebra, sternebra, and skeletal variations (cervical ribs, supernumerary ribs, vertebral count and sacral arch variations) in rats at the highest dose of vorinostat tested. Reductions in mean live fetal weight and an elevated incidence of incomplete ossification of the metacarpals were seen in rabbits dosed at 150 mg/kg/day. The no observed effect levels (NOELs) for these findings were 15 and 50 mg/kg/day ( < 0.1 times the human exposure based on AUC) in rats and rabbits, respectively. A dose-related increase in the incidence of malformations of the gall bladder was noted in all drug treatment groups in rabbits versus the concurrent control. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Patient Counseling InformationSee FDA-Approved Patient Labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION)
InstructionsPatients should be instructed to drink at least 2 L/day of fluid to prevent dehydration and should promptly report excessive vomiting or diarrhea to their physician. Patients should be instructed about the signs of deep vein thrombosis and should consult their physician should any evidence of deep vein thrombosis develop. Patients receiving ZOLINZA should seek immediate medical attention if unusual bleeding occurs. ZOLINZA capsules should not be opened or crushed.
Patients should be instructed to read the patient insert carefully.
Nonclinical Toxicology Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of FertilityCarcinogenicity studies have not been performed with vorinostat.
Vorinostat was mutagenic in vitro in the bacterial reverse mutation assays (Ames test), caused chromosomal aberrations in vitro in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and increased the incidence of micro-nucleated erythrocytes when administered to mice (Mouse Micronucleus Assay).
Effects on the female reproductive system were identified in the oral fertility study when females were dosed for 14 days prior to mating through gestational day 7. Doses of 15, 50 and 150 mg/kg/day to rats resulted in approximate exposures of 0.15, 0.36 and 0.70 times the expected clinical exposure based on AUC. Dose dependent increases in corpora lutea were noted at ≥ 15 mg/kg/day, which resulted in increased peri-implantation losses were noted at ≥ 50 mg/kg/day. At 150 mg/kg/day, there were increases in the incidences of dead fetuses and in resorptions.
No effects on reproductive performance were observed in male rats dosed (20, 50, 150 mg/kg/day; approximate exposures of 0.15, 0.36 and 0.70 times the expected clinical exposure based on AUC), for 70 days prior to mating with untreated females.
Use In Specific Populations PregnancyPregnancy Category D
Nursing MothersIt is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from ZOLINZA, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric UseThe safety and effectiveness of ZOLINZA in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric UseOf the total number of patients with CTCL in trials (N=107), 46 % were 65 years of age and over, while 15 % were 75 years of age and over. 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 should be considered, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Use In Patients With Hepatic ImpairmentZOLINZA was studied in 42 patients with non-CTCL cancer and varying degrees of hepatic impairment after single and multiple-dose administration. Compared to patients with normal liver function, AUC increases of 50 to 66% were observed in patients with hepatic impairment. The incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia increased in patients with mild (bilirubin of 1 to 1.5 x ULN and AST < ULN, or bilirubin ≤ ULN and AST > ULN) and moderate (bilirubin 1.5 to ≤ 3 x ULN) hepatic impairment treated daily at doses of 300 and 200 mg respectively.
Patients with severe hepatic impairment (bilirubin > 3 x ULN) have not been treated at doses greater than 200 mg a day. Reduce the initial dose of ZOLINZA in patients with bilirubin 1 to 3 x ULN or AST > ULN.
Use In Patients With Renal ImpairmentVorinostat was not evaluated in patients with renal impairment. However, renal excretion does not play a role in the elimination of vorinostat. Patients with pre-existing renal impairment should be treated with caution.
The recommended dose is 400 mg orally once daily with food.
Treatment may be continued as long as there is no evidence of progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.
ZOLINZA capsules should not be opened or crushed.
Dose ModificationsIf a patient is intolerant to therapy, the dose may be reduced to 300 mg orally once daily with food. The dose may be further reduced to 300 mg once daily with food for 5 consecutive days each week, as necessary.
Hepatic ImpairmentReduce the starting dose to 300 mg orally once daily with food in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (bilirubin 1 to 3 x ULN or AST > ULN). There is insufficient evidence to recommend a starting dose for patients with severe hepatic impairment (bilirubin > 3 x ULN)..
The following serious adverse reactions have been associated with ZOLINZA in clinical trials and are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label.
Thromboembolism
Myelosuppression
Gastrointestinal Toxicity
Hyperglycemia
Clinical Chemistry Abnormalities
Severe thrombocytopenia when combined with other Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors
The most common drug-related adverse reactions can be classified into 4 symptom complexes: gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, anorexia, weight decrease, vomiting, constipation), constitutional symptoms (fatigue, chills), hematologic abnormalities (thrombocytopenia, anemia), and taste disorders (dysgeusia, dry mouth). The most common serious drug-related adverse reactions were pulmonary embolism and anemia.
Clinical Trials ExperienceBecause 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 ZOLINZA was evaluated in 107 CTCL patients in two single arm clinical studies in which 86 patients received 400 mg once daily.
The data described below reflect exposure to ZOLINZA 400 mg once daily in the 86 patients for a median number of 97.5 days on therapy (range 2 to 480+ days). Seventeen (19.8%) patients were exposed beyond 24 weeks and 8 (9.3%) patients were exposed beyond 1 year. The population of CTCL patients studied was 37 to 83 years of age, 47.7% female, 52.3% male, and 81.4% white, 16.3% black, and 1.2% Asian or multi-racial.
Common Adverse ReactionsTable 1 summarizes the frequency of CTCL patients with specific adverse reactions, using the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE, version 3.0). Â
Table 1: Clinical or Laboratory Adverse Reactions
Occurring in CTCL Patients (Incidence ≥ 10% of patients)
| Adverse Reactions | ZOLINZA 400 mg once daily (N=86) | |||
| All Grades | Grades 3-5* | |||
| n | % | n | % | |
| Fatigue | 45 | 52.3 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Diarrhea | 45 | 52.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Nausea | 35 | 40.7 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Dysgeusia | 24 | 27.9 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Thrombocytopenia | 22 | 25.6 | 5 | 5.8 |
| Anorexia | 21 | 24.4 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Weight Decreased | 18 | 20.9 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Muscle Spasms | 17 | 19.8 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Alopecia | 16 | 18.6 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Dry Mouth | 14 | 16.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Blood Creatinine Increased | 14 | 16.3 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Chills | 14 | 16.3 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Vomiting | 13 | 15.1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Constipation | 13 | 15.1 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Dizziness | 13 | 15.1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Anemia | 12 | 14.0 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Decreased Appetite | 12 | 14.0 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Peripheral Edema | 11 | 12.8 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Headache | 10 | 11.6 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Pruritus | 10 | 11.6 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Cough | 9 | 10.5 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Upper Respiratory Infection | 9 | 10.5 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Pyrexia | 9 | 10.5 | 1 | 1.2 |
| * No Grade 5 reactions were reported. |
The frequencies of more severe thrombocytopenia, anemia and fatigue were increased at doses higher than 400 mg once daily of ZOLINZA.
Serious Adverse ReactionsThe most common serious adverse reactions in the 86 CTCL patients in two clinical trials were pulmonary embolism reported in 4.7% (4/86) of patients, squamous cell carcinoma reported in 3.5% (3/86) of patients and anemia reported in 2.3% (2/86) of patients. There were single events of cholecystitis, death (of unknown cause), deep vein thrombosis, enterococcal infection, exfoliative dermatitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, infection, lobar pneumonia, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, pelviureteric obstruction, sepsis, spinal cord injury, streptococcal bacteremia, syncope, T-cell lymphoma, thrombocytopenia and ureteric obstruction.
DiscontinuationsOf the CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose, 9.3% (8/86) of patients discontinued ZOLINZA due to adverse reactions. These adverse reactions, regardless of causality, included anemia, angioneurotic edema, asthenia, chest pain, exfoliative dermatitis, death, deep vein thrombosis, ischemic stroke, lethargy, pulmonary embolism, and spinal cord injury.
Dose ModificationsOf the CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose, 10.5% (9/86) of patients required a dose modification of ZOLINZA due to adverse reactions. These adverse reactions included increased serum creatinine, decreased appetite, hypokalemia, leukopenia, nausea, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and vomiting. The median time to the first adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction was 42 days (range 17 to 263 days).
Laboratory AbnormalitiesLaboratory abnormalities were reported in all of the 86 CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once-daily dose.
Increased serum glucose was reported as a laboratory abnormality in 69% (59/86) of CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose; only 4 of these abnormalities were severe (Grade 3). Increased serum glucose was reported as an adverse reaction in 8.1% (7/86) of CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose.
Transient increases in serum creatinine were detected in 46.5% (40/86) of CTCL patients who received the 400-mg once daily dose. Of these laboratory abnormalities, 34 were NCI CTCAE Grade 1, 5 were Grade 2, and 1 was Grade 3.
Proteinuria was detected as a laboratory abnormality (51.4%) in 38 of 74 patients tested. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
DehydrationBased on reports of dehydration as a serious drug-related adverse reaction in clinical trials, patients were instructed to drink at least 2 L/day of fluids for adequate hydration.
Adverse Reactions in Non-CTCL PatientsThe frequencies of individual adverse reactions were substantially higher in the non-CTCL population. Drug-related serious adverse reactions reported in the non-CTCL population which were not observed in the CTCL population included single events of blurred vision, asthenia, hyponatremia, tumor hemorrhage, Guillain-Barré syndrome, renal failure, urinary retention, cough, hemoptysis, hypertension, and vasculitis.
In patients recovering from bowel surgery and treated perioperatively with ZOLINZA, anastomotic healing complications including fistulas, perforations, and abscess formation have occurred.
DRUG INTERACTIONS Coumarin-Derivative AnticoagulantsProlongation of prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) were observed in patients receiving ZOLINZA concomitantly with coumarin-derivative anticoagulants. Physicians should monitor PT and INR more frequently in patients concurrently administered ZOLINZA and coumarin derivatives.
Other HDAC InhibitorsSevere thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal bleeding have been reported with concomitant use of ZOLINZA and other HDAC inhibitors (e.g., valproic acid). Monitor platelet count every 2 weeks for the first 2 months.
