tzield

Important safety information

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Premedicate, monitor liver enzymes and bilirubin during treatment, and discontinue in those that develop elevated ALT or AST more than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or bilirubin more than 3 times ULN. If severe CRS develops, consider temporarily pausing or discontinuing TZIELD. ( 5.2 ). Serious Infections: Use of TZIELD is not recommended in patients with active serious infection or chronic infection. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection during and after TZIELD treatment. If a serious infection develops, discontinue TZIELD ( 5.3 ). Lymphopenia: Monitor lymphocyte counts during the treatment period. If prolonged severe lymphopenia (<500 cells per mcL lasting 1 week or longer) develops, discontinue TZIELD ( 5.4 ). Hypersensitivity Reactions: If severe hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue TZIELD and treat promptly ( 5.5 ). Vaccinations: Administer all age-appropriate vaccinations prior to starting TZIELD. See the full PI for recommendations regarding live-attenuated, inactivated, and mRNA vaccines ( 5.6 ). 5.1 Viral Reactivation Serious, life-threatening cases of viral reactivation, including EBV and CMV infections, have been reported with TZIELD. During and within 2 months of TZIELD treatment, if primary infection or reactivation of EBV or CMV occurs, it may present with increased severity, including EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease and organ failure. Patients who are immunocompromised, including patients with Down syndrome, may be at increased risk. TZIELD is contraindicated in patients who are immunocompromised or have active viral infection (such as EBV or CMV infection). The majority of serious viral reactivation cases occurred in patients who continued TZIELD despite persistent, severe lymphopenia. The duration of severe lymphopenia following TZIELD treatment may be prolonged in adults [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. Serious cases have also been reported in adults with higher body surface area or comorbid conditions, such as adrenal insufficiency or cardiovascular disease. Prior to initiating treatment with TZIELD, evaluate patients for active EBV and CMV infection and confirm absence of active infection on assessment of viral load (e.g., PCR). TZIELD is contraindicated in patients who are immunocompromised or have active viral infection (such as EBV or CMV infection) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. During treatment with TZIELD, regularly monitor lymphocyte counts [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) , Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of viral reactivation during treatment and for at least 2 months following the last infusion. If viral reactivation is suspected, discontinue TZIELD and obtain viral load (e.g., PCR) promptly. Consider appropriate expert consultation for diagnostic testing recommendations as some diagnostic tests may give inaccurate results following treatment with TZIELD, including rapid heterophile antibody testing. If viral reactivation is confirmed, permanently discontinue TZIELD [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ]. Consider appropriate expert consultation for the management of severe viral reactivation. 5.2 Cytokine Release Syndrome Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) has been observed in TZIELD-treated patients. In a pool of clinical trials, CRS was reported in 5% of TZIELD-treated patients compared to 0.8% of control-treated patients. In the PROTECT study, CRS was reported in 9% of TZIELD-treated patients compared to 1% of placebo-treated patients during the treatment period and through 28 days after the last study drug administration. Manifestations of CRS in TZIELD-treated patients included fever, nausea (with or without vomiting), fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, increased ALT, increased AST, and increased total bilirubin. These manifestations typically occurred during the first 5 days of TZIELD treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . To mitigate CRS: Premedicate with antipyretics, antihistamines and/or antiemetics prior to TZIELD treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. Monitor liver enzymes and bilirubin during treatment. Discontinue TZIELD treatment in patients who develop elevated ALT or AST more than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or bilirubin more than 3 times ULN. Treat symptoms of CRS in TZIELD-treated patients with antipyretics, antihistamines and/or antiemetics. If severe CRS develops, consider: Temporarily pausing TZIELD dosing for 1–2 days and if symptoms have resolved or significantly improved, subsequently administering the remaining doses on consecutive days to complete the full 14-day treatment course in patients with Stage 2 T1D or each of the two 12-day courses in patients with Stage 3 T1D, or Discontinuing TZIELD treatment . 5.3 Serious Infections Bacterial and viral infections have occurred in TZIELD-treated patients. In a pool of clinical trials, TZIELD-treated patients had a higher rate of serious infections (3.5%) than control-treated patients (2%), including gastroenteritis, cellulitis, pneumonia, abscess, sepsis [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Adults may have a longer duration of severe lymphopenia following TZIELD treatment, which may increase the risk for serious infections. Use of TZIELD is not recommended in patients with active serious infection, or chronic infection other than localized skin infections. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection during and after TZIELD treatment. If serious infection develops, treat appropriately, and discontinue TZIELD. 5.4 Lymphopenia In a pool of clinical trials, 78% of TZIELD-treated patients developed lymphopenia compared to 11% of control-treated patients. For most TZIELD-treated patients who experienced lymphopenia, lymphocyte levels began to recover after the fifth day of treatment and returned to pre-treatment values within two weeks after treatment completion and without dose interruption. Severe lymphopenia (<500 cells per mcL) lasting 1 week or longer occurred in 0.9% of TZIELD-treated patients, 0.5% of TZIELD-treated patients permanently discontinued TZIELD because of lymphopenia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. In the PROTECT study, 51% of TZIELD-treated patients developed lymphopenia compared to 3% of placebo-treated patients. Severe lymphopenia lasting 1 week or longer occurred in 1.4% of TZIELD-treated patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Severe lymphopenia following TZIELD treatment may be more prolonged in adults. Obtain a CBC prior to starting TZIELD and monitor lymphocyte counts during TZIELD treatment. If prolonged severe lymphopenia (<500 cells per mcL lasting 1 week or longer) develops, permanently discontinue TZIELD. 5.5 Hypersensitivity Reactions Acute hypersensitivity reactions including serum sickness, angioedema, urticaria, rash, vomiting and bronchospasm occurred in TZIELD-treated patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. If severe hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue use of TZIELD and treat promptly. 5.6 Vaccinations The safety of immunization with live-attenuated vaccines in TZIELD-treated patients has not been studied. Additionally, TZIELD may interfere with the immune response to vaccination and decrease vaccine efficacy. Administer all age-appropriate vaccinations prior to starting TZIELD [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. Inactivated or mRNA vaccinations are not recommended within the 2 weeks prior to any TZIELD treatment course, during treatment, or up to 6 weeks after completion of any treatment course. Live-attenuated vaccinations are not recommended within the 8 weeks prior to starting TZIELD treatment, during treatment, between treatment courses, or up to 52 weeks after completion of final treatment course.