Avelumab
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Specialty pharmacy: therapy management checklist, storage and cold chain, dosing calendar, Medicare Part D coverage.
Programmed Death Ligand-1 Blocker
Dosing in kidney impairment
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, including the following: immune-mediated pneumonitis, immune-mediated colitis, immune-mediated hepatitis, immune-mediated endocrinopathies, immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction, immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions, and may result in solid organ transplant rejection.
Thirty-four patients were treated with corticosteroids and one patient was treated with a non-steroidal immunosuppressant. Resolution of hepatitis occurred in 31 of the 35 patients at the time of data cut-off. Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies Adrenal Insufficiency BAVENCIO can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency.
For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement, as clinically indicated. Withhold BAVENCIO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration ] . Immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.6% (11/1854) of patients receiving BAVENCIO, including Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%) adverse reactions.
Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of BAVENCIO in 0.1% and withholding of BAVENCIO in 0.1% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all (11/11) patients with adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency resolved in 18% (2/11) of patients. Of the 2 patients in whom BAVENCIO was withheld for adrenal insufficiency, none reinitiated treatment with BAVENCIO.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction occurred in 0.1% (2/1854) of patients receiving BAVENCIO, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.1%) adverse reactions. Nephritis with renal dysfunction led to permanent discontinuation of BAVENCIO in 0.1% of patients.
Nephritis did not lead to withholding of BAVENCIO in any patient. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 100% of patients with nephritis with renal dysfunction. Nephritis with renal dysfunction resolved in 50% of the patients. Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis.
| Adverse Reaction | SeverityBased on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.03 | Dosage Modification |
|---|---|---|
| ALT = alanine aminotransferase, AST = aspartate aminotransferase, ULN = upper limit normal, SJS = Stevens-Johnson syndrome, TEN = toxic epidermal necrosis, DRESS = drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms | ||
| Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] | ||
| Pneumonitis | Grade 2 | WithholdResume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of last dose or inability to reduce prednisone to 10 mg per day or less (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating corticosteroids. |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Colitis | Grade 2 or 3 | Withhold |
| Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Hepatitis with no tumor involvement of the liver For liver enzyme elevations in patients treated with combination therapy, see Table 2 | AST or ALT increases to more than 3 and up to 8 times ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 1.5 and up to 3 times ULN | Withhold |
| AST or ALT increases to more than 8 times ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times ULN | Permanently discontinue | |
| Hepatitis with tumor involvement of the liverIf AST and ALT are less than or equal to ULN at baseline, withhold or permanently discontinue BAVENCIO based on recommendations for hepatitis where there is no tumor involvement of the liver. | Baseline AST or ALT is more than 1 and up to 3 times ULN and increases to more than 5 and up to 10 times ULN or Baseline AST or ALT is more than 3 and up to 5 times ULN and increases to more than 8 and up to 10 times ULN | Withhold |
| AST or ALT increases to more than 10 times ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times ULN | Permanently discontinue | |
| Endocrinopathies | Grade 3 or 4 | Withhold until clinically stable or permanently discontinue depending on severity |
| Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction | Grade 2 or 3 increased blood creatinine | Withhold |
| Grade 4 increased blood creatinine | Permanently discontinue | |
| Exfoliative Dermatologic Conditions | Suspected SJS, TEN, or DRESS | Withhold |
| Confirmed SJS, TEN, or DRESS | Permanently discontinue | |
| Myocarditis | Grade 2, 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue |
| Neurological Toxicities | Grade 2 | Withhold |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Other Adverse Reactions | ||
| Infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] | Grade 1 or 2 | Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
Preparation and administration
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Premedication Premedicate patients with an antihistamine and with acetaminophen prior to the first 4 infusions of BAVENCIO. Premedication should be administered for subsequent BAVENCIO doses based upon clinical judgment and presence/severity of prior infusion reactions [see Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions ].
Recommended Dosage for UC The recommended dosage of BAVENCIO is 800 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Preparation and Administration Preparation Visually inspect vial for particulate matter and discoloration. BAVENCIO is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow solution. Discard vial if the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains particulate matter. Withdraw the required volume of BAVENCIO from the vial(s) and inject it into a 250 mL infusion bag containing either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection.
Gently invert the bag to mix the diluted solution and avoid foaming or excessive shearing. Inspect the solution to ensure it is clear, colorless, and free of visible particles. Discard any partially used or empty vials. Storage of diluted BAVENCIO solution Protect from light. Store diluted BAVENCIO solution: At room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) for no more than 4 hours from the time of dilution.
Or Under refrigeration at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) for no more than 24 hours from the time of dilution. If refrigerated, allow the diluted solution to come to room temperature prior to administration. Do not freeze or shake diluted solution. Administration Administer the diluted solution over 60 minutes through an intravenous line containing a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein binding in-line filter (pore size of 0.2 micron).
Do not co-administer other drugs through the same intravenous line.
| Adverse Reaction | SeverityBased on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.03 | Dosage Modification |
|---|---|---|
| ALT = alanine aminotransferase, AST = aspartate aminotransferase, ULN = upper limit normal, SJS = Stevens-Johnson syndrome, TEN = toxic epidermal necrosis, DRESS = drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms | ||
| Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] | ||
| Pneumonitis | Grade 2 | WithholdResume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of last dose or inability to reduce prednisone to 10 mg per day or less (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating corticosteroids. |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Colitis | Grade 2 or 3 | Withhold |
| Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Hepatitis with no tumor involvement of the liver For liver enzyme elevations in patients treated with combination therapy, see Table 2 | AST or ALT increases to more than 3 and up to 8 times ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 1.5 and up to 3 times ULN | Withhold |
| AST or ALT increases to more than 8 times ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times ULN | Permanently discontinue | |
| Hepatitis with tumor involvement of the liverIf AST and ALT are less than or equal to ULN at baseline, withhold or permanently discontinue BAVENCIO based on recommendations for hepatitis where there is no tumor involvement of the liver. | Baseline AST or ALT is more than 1 and up to 3 times ULN and increases to more than 5 and up to 10 times ULN or Baseline AST or ALT is more than 3 and up to 5 times ULN and increases to more than 8 and up to 10 times ULN | Withhold |
| AST or ALT increases to more than 10 times ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times ULN | Permanently discontinue | |
| Endocrinopathies | Grade 3 or 4 | Withhold until clinically stable or permanently discontinue depending on severity |
| Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction | Grade 2 or 3 increased blood creatinine | Withhold |
| Grade 4 increased blood creatinine | Permanently discontinue | |
| Exfoliative Dermatologic Conditions | Suspected SJS, TEN, or DRESS | Withhold |
| Confirmed SJS, TEN, or DRESS | Permanently discontinue | |
| Myocarditis | Grade 2, 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue |
| Neurological Toxicities | Grade 2 | Withhold |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Other Adverse Reactions | ||
| Infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] | Grade 1 or 2 | Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
Drug interactions
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- Avelumab
Contraindications
None. None. ( 4 )
Safety data
Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Liver injury (LiverTox)
BLikelihood score B: Likely cause of clinically apparent immune mediated liver injury and possible cause of reactivation of hepatitis B.
Avelumab is a human monoclonal antibody to programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which acts as a checkpoint inhibitor and is used in the immunotherapy of several forms of advanced or metastatic cancer. Avelumab therapy has major side effects and particularly immune related conditions, including acute hepatocellular and cholestatic liver injury which can be serious and even life threatening.
ABCDEA: well known cause; E: unlikely cause. [HD]: high doses only.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action, BAVENCIO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on the use of BAVENCIO in pregnant women [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . Animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can lead to increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing fetus resulting in fetal death [see Data ] . Human IgG1 immunoglobulins (IgG1) are known to cross the placenta. Therefore, BAVENCIO has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus.
If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, advise the patient of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with BAVENCIO to evaluate its effect on reproduction and fetal development. A central function of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is to preserve pregnancy by maintaining maternal immune tolerance to the fetus.
In murine models of pregnancy, blockade of PD-L1 signaling has been shown to disrupt tolerance to the fetus and to result in an increase in fetal loss; therefore, potential risks of administering BAVENCIO during pregnancy include increased rates of abortion or stillbirth. As reported in the literature, there were no malformations related to the blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in the offspring of these animals; however, immune-mediated disorders occurred in PD-1 and PD-L1 knockout mice. Based on its mechanism of action, fetal exposure to BAVENCIO may increase the risk of developing immune-mediated disorders or altering the normal immune response.
Breastfeeding (LactMed)
No information is available on the clinical use of avelumab during breastfeeding. Because avelumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 147,000 Da, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, avelumab should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. The manufacturer recommends that mothers not breastfeed during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose of avelumab.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
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