empliciti

Important safety information

Infusion reactions: Premedication is required. Interrupt EMPLICITI for Grade 2 or higher and permanently discontinue for severe infusion reaction. ( 2.3 , 2.4 , 5.1) • Infections: Monitor for fever and other signs of infection and treat promptly. (5.2) • Second Primary Malignancies (SPM): Higher incidences of SPM were observed in a controlled clinical trial of patients with multiple myeloma receiving EMPLICITI. (5.3) • Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver function and stop EMPLICITI if hepatotoxicity is suspected. (5.4) • Interference with determination of complete response: EMPLICITI can interfere with assays used to monitor M-protein. This interference can impact the determination of complete response. (5.5) 5.1 Infusion Reactions EMPLICITI can cause infusion reactions. Infusion reactions were reported in 10% of patients treated with EMPLICITI in the ELOQUENT-2 trial and 3.3% in the ELOQUENT-3 trial. In the ELOQUENT-2 trial, all reports of infusion reaction were Grade 3 or lower. In the ELOQUENT-2 trial, Grade 3 infusion reactions occurred in 1% of patients. The most common symptoms of an infusion reaction included fever, chills, and hypertension. Bradycardia and hypotension also developed during infusions. In the ELOQUENT-2 trial, 5% of patients required interruption of the administration of EMPLICITI for a median of 25 minutes due to infusion reactions, and 1% of patients discontinued due to infusion reactions. Of the patients who experienced an infusion reaction, 70% (23/33) had them during the first dose. In the ELOQUENT-3 trial, the only infusion reaction symptom was chest discomfort (2%), which was Grade 1. All patients in the ELOQUENT-3 trial who experienced an infusion reaction had them during the first treatment cycle. Administer premedication consisting of dexamethasone, antihistamines (H1 and H2 blockers) and acetaminophen prior to EMPLICITI infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. Interrupt EMPLICITI infusion for Grade 2 or higher infusion reactions and institute appropriate medical management [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ]. 5.2 Infections In the ELOQUENT-2 trial (N=635), infections were reported in 81% of patients in EMPLICITI combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (E-Ld) arm and 74% in lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Ld). In the ELOQUENT-3 trial (N=115), infections were reported in 65% of patients in both EMPLICITI combined with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (E-Pd) arm and in pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) arm. In the ELOQUENT-2 trial, Grade 3 to 4 infections were noted in 28% and 24% of E-Ld- and Ld-treated patients and in the ELOQUENT-3 trial, 13% and 22% of E-Pd- and Pd-treated patients, respectively. Discontinuations due to infections occurred in 3.5% of E-Ld-treated and 4.1% of Ld-treated patients in the ELOQUENT-2 trial and 7% of E-Pd-treated and 5% of Pd-treated patients in the ELOQUENT-3 trial. Fatal infections were reported in 2.5% and 2.2% of E-Ld- and Ld-treated patients in the ELOQUENT-2 trial and 5% and 3.6% of E-Pd- and Pd-treated patients in the ELOQUENT-3 trial. Opportunistic infections were reported in 22% of patients in the E-Ld arm and 13% of patients in the Ld arm in the ELOQUENT-2 trial and 10% of patients in the E-Pd arm and 9% of patients in the Pd arm in the ELOQUENT-3 trial. In the ELOQUENT-2 trial, fungal infections occurred in 10% of patients in the E-Ld arm and 5% of patients in the Ld arm. Herpes zoster was reported in 14% of patients treated with E-Ld and 7% of patients treated with Ld in the ELOQUENT-2 trial and 5% of patients treated with E-Pd and 1.8% of patients treated with Pd in the ELOQUENT-3 trial. Monitor patients for development of infections and treat promptly. 5.3 Second Primary Malignancies In the ELOQUENT-2 trial (N=635), invasive second primary malignancies (SPM) have been observed in 9% of patients treated with E-Ld and 6% of patients treated with Ld and in the ELOQUENT-3 trial (N=115) in 1.8% of patients treated with Pd and in none of the patients treated with E-Pd. In the ELOQUENT-2 trial, the rate of hematologic malignancies were the same between E-Ld and Ld treatment arms (1.6%). Solid tumors were reported in 3.5% and 2.2% of E-Ld- and Ld-treated patients, respectively. Skin cancer was reported in 4.4% and 2.8% of patients treated with E-Ld and Ld, respectively. Monitor patients for the development of second primary malignancies. 5.4 Hepatotoxicity In the ELOQUENT-2 trial (N=635), elevations in liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase [AST/ALT] greater than 3 times the upper limit, total bilirubin greater than 2 times the upper limit, and alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times the upper limit) consistent with hepatotoxicity were reported in 2.5% and 0.6% of E-Ld- and Ld-treated patients. Two patients experiencing hepatotoxicity were not able to continue treatment; however, 6 out of 8 patients had resolution and were able to continue treatment. Monitor liver enzymes periodically. Stop EMPLICITI upon Grade 3 or higher elevation of liver enzymes. After return to baseline values, continuation of treatment may be considered. 5.5 Interference with Determination of Complete Response EMPLICITI is a humanized IgG kappa monoclonal antibody that can be detected on both the serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation (IFE) assays used for the clinical monitoring of endogenous M-protein [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] . This interference can impact the determination of complete response and possibly relapse from complete response in patients with IgG kappa myeloma protein.