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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION1
Contraindications: The BEXXAR therapeutic regimen (Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to murine proteins or any other component of BEXXAR.
BEXXAR is contraindicated for use in women who are pregnant.
Data regarding adverse events were primarily obtained in 230 patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma enrolled in 5 clinical trials. Data from 765 patients enrolled in an expanded access program were used to supplement the characterization of delayed adverse events.
Prolonged and Severe Cytopenias: The majority of patients, 71% of 230, who received the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen, experienced severe or life-threatening (Grade 3/4) cytopenias. The most common were thrombocytopenia (53%) and neutropenia (63%). Time to nadir was 4-7 weeks, lasting approximately 30 days. Due to the variable nature of the onset of the cytopenias, complete blood counts should be obtained weekly for 10-12 weeks. More frequent monitoring is indicated in patients with evidence of moderate or more severe cytopenias. Blood counts should be monitored weekly until severe cytopenias have resolved. Sequelae included infections (45%), hemorrhage (12%), and requirement for hematological supportive care (27%).
Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis: Hypersensitivity reactions, including some with fatal outcome, were reported during and following administration of the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen in 6% (14) of 230 patients. In the postmarketing setting, severe hypersensitivity reactions, including fatal anaphylaxis, have been reported. Patients who have received murine proteins should be screened for human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) as they may be at increased risk for serious allergic reactions.
Immunogenicity: Administration of BEXXAR may result in the development of HAMA. Of the 230 patients in the clinical studies, 220 patients were seronegative for HAMA prior to treatment, and 219 had at least 1 posttreatment HAMA value obtained. With a median observation period of 6 months, a total of 23 patients (11%) became seropositive for HAMA posttreatment. The median time of HAMA development was 6 months. The cumulative incidences of HAMA seropositivity at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months were 6%, 17%, and 21%, respectively. The presence of HAMA may affect the toxicity and/or efficacy of in vivo diagnostic or therapeutic agents that rely on murine antibodies and may affect the accuracy of in vitro and in vivo diagnostic tests.
Secondary Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), and Secondary Malignancies: At a median follow-up of 29 months, 44 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome and/or secondary leukemia were reported in 995 patients enrolled in clinical studies and an expanded access program. Additional malignancies (65 cases) were also reported in 54 of the patients. Approximately half of these were nonmelanomatous skin cancers (26). The remainder, which occurred in 2 or more patients, included colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma, and gastric cancer, in order of decreasing incidence. The relative risk of developing secondary malignancies in patients receiving BEXXAR over the background rate in this population cannot be determined due to the absence of controlled studies.
Hypothyroidism: Administration of BEXXAR may result in hypothyroidism. Of the 230 patients in the clinical studies, 203 patients did not have elevated thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) upon study entry. Of these, 137 patients had at least 1 posttreatment TSH value available and were not taking thyroid hormonal treatment upon study entry. With a median follow-up period of 46 months, the incidence of hypothyroidism based on elevated TSH or initiation of thyroid replacement therapy in these patients was 18%, with a median time to development of hypothyroidism of 16 months. The cumulative incidences of hypothyroidism at 2 and 5 years in these 137 patients were 11% and 19%, respectively. New events have been observed up to 90 months posttreatment. Of the 765 patients in the expanded access programs, 670 patients did not have elevated TSH upon study entry. Of these, 455 patients had at least 1 posttreatment TSH value available and were not taking thyroid hormonal treatment upon study entry. With a median follow-up period of 33 months, the incidence of hypothyroidism based on elevated TSH or initiation of thyroid replacement therapy in these 455 patients was 13%, with a median time to development of hypothyroidism of 15 months. The cumulative incidences of hypothyroidism at 2 and 5 years in these patients were 9% and 17%, respectively. Thyroid-blocking medication should be prescribed as described in the prescribing information; if patients do not tolerate the medication they should not be given BEXXAR. Patients should be evaluated for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and screened for biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism annually.
Infusional Toxicities: Infusional toxicities including fever, rigors, chills, sweating, nausea, hypotension, dyspnea, and bronchospasm have been reported during and/or following the infusion of BEXXAR. Fever, rigors, chills, or sweating were reported in 67 patients (29%) within 14 days following the dosimetric dose. Infusional toxicities were managed by slowing and/or temporarily interrupting the infusion. Adjustments occurred in 7% of the patients and included reduction in the rate of infusion by 50%, temporary interruption of the infusion, and in 2 patients, infusion was permanently discontinued.
Assessment of Biodistribution: The biodistribution of Iodine I 131 Tositumomab should be assessed. If biodistribution is altered, the therapeutic dose should not be administered.
Complete Prescribing Information for
BEXXAR (Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab)
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Nonhematologic adverse events in patients treated with the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen1
INCIDENCE OF ADVERSE EXPERIENCES IN >5% OF THE PATIENTS
TREATED WITH THE BEXXAR THERAPEUTIC REGIMEN (N=230)*![]()
| Body System Preferred Term | All Grades | Grade 3/4 | ||
| Total | 96% | 48% | ||
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Body as a Whole Asthenia Fever Infection Pain Chills Headache Abdominal pain Back pain Chest pain Neck pain |
81% 46% 37% 21% 19% 18% 16% 15% 8% 7% 6% |
12% 2% 2% <1% 1% 1% 0% 3% 1% 0% 1% |
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Cardiovascular System Hypotension Vasodilatation |
26% 7% 5% |
3% 1% 0% |
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Digestive System Nausea Vomiting Anorexia Diarrhea Constipation Dyspepsia |
56% 36% 15% 14% 12% 6% 6% |
9% 3% 1% 0% 0% 1% <1% |
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Endocrine System Hypothyroidism |
7% 7% |
0% 0% |
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Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders Peripheral edema Weight loss |
21% 9% 6% |
3% 0% <1% |
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Musculoskeletal System Myalgia Arthralgia |
23% 13% 10% |
3% <1% 1% |
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Nervous System Dizziness Somnolence |
26% 5% 5% |
3% 0% 0% |
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Respiratory System Cough increased Pharyngitis Dyspnea Rhinitis Pneumonia |
44% 21% 12% 11% 10% 6% |
8% 1% 0% 3% 0% 0% |
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Skin and Appendages Rash Pruritus Sweating |
44% 17% 10% 8% |
5% <1% 0% <1% |
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Infusion-related reactions and rate adjustments (N=230)1
Hematologic toxicities observed following the BEXXAR therapeutic regimen1
HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY* (N=230)1![]()
| Endpoint | Values | ||
| Platelets Median nadir (cells/mm3) Per patient incidence* platelets <50,000/mm3 Median† duration of platelets <50,000/mm3 (days) Grade 3/4 without recovery to Grade 2, N (%) Per patient incidence‡ platelets <25,000/mm3 |
43,000 53% (n=123) 32 16 (7%) 21% (n=47) |
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| ANC Median nadir (cells/mm3) Per patient incidence* ANC<1,000 cells/mm3 Median† duration of ANC<1,000 cells/mm3 (days) Grade 3/4 without recovery to Grade 2, N (%) Per patient incidence‡ ANC<500 cells/mm3 |
690 63% (n=145) 31 15 (7%) 25% (n=57) |
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| Hemoglobin Median nadir (gm/dL) Per patient incidence* hemoglobin <8 gm/dL Median† duration of hemoglobin <8.0 gm/dL (days) Grade 3/4 without recovery to Grade 2, N (%) Per patient incidence‡ hemoglobin <6.5 gm/dL |
10 29% (n=66) 23 12 (5%) 5% (n=11) |
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Use of supportive care1
SUPPORTIVE CARE USED FOR HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY*![]()
| Type of Supportive Care G-CSF Epoetin alfa Platelet transfusions Packed red blood cells |
Percentage of All Patients Receiving BEXXAR 12% 7% 15% 16% |
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• 63 of the 230 patients (27%) received at their physicians discretion at least 1
type of supportive care for hematologic toxicity after receiving the therapeutic
dose of BEXXAR
Hypersensitivity reactions1
HAMA1
Thyroid function1
Secondary malignancies1
Complete Prescribing Information for
BEXXAR (Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab)
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