Cemiplimab
Looking up MedlinePlus…
From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
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 dermatologic adverse reactions, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction, and solid organ transplant rejection.
Of the 9 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hepatitis, 5 patients reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 1/5 (20%) had recurrence of hepatitis. Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies Adrenal Insufficiency LIBTAYO can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated.
Withhold LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration ] . Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.5% (6/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.5%) adverse reactions. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1 (< 0.1%) patient. LIBTAYO was withheld in 1 (< 0.1%) patient due to adrenal insufficiency and not reinitiated.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in 83% (5/6) patients with adrenal insufficiency; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency resolved in 17% of the 6 patients. Hypophysitis LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects.
Patient received long-term insulin therapy. Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. The definition of immune-mediated nephritis included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.7% (9/1281) patients receiving LIBTAYO, including fatal (< 0.1%), Grade 3 (< 0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.5%) adverse reactions.
Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment to include blindness can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis, stomatitis Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: Myositis/polymyositis/dermatomyositis, rhabdomyolysis and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism Hematologic/Immune: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenia, solid organ transplant rejection, other transplant (including corneal graft) rejection Other : Myocarditis-Myositis-Myasthenia Gravis (or Myasthenia-Like) Overlap Syndrome: co-occurrence of any two or all three of these adverse reactions. 5.2 Infusion-Related Reactions Severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions occurred in 0.2% of patients receiving LIBTAYO as a single agent.
| Adverse Reaction | SeverityBased on National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 4.0 | Dosage Modifications |
|---|---|---|
| ALT=alanine aminotransferase, AST=aspartate aminotransferase, ULN=upper limit of normal, SJS=Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, TEN=toxic epidermal necrolysis, 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 initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids. |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Colitis | Grade 2 or 3 | Withhold |
| Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Hepatitis with no tumor involvement of the liver | 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 the ULN | Withhold |
| AST or ALT increases to more than 8 times the ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times the 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 LIBTAYO based on recommendations for hepatitis with no liver involvement | 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
Prepare this dose
Your numbers for cemiplimab. Take vial strength, diluent, and limits from the label below.
Enter a dose to see draw volume, final concentration, and rates.
Preparation and Administration Visually inspect for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. LIBTAYO is a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solution that may contain trace amounts of translucent to white particles. Discard the vial if the solution is cloudy, discolored or contains extraneous particulate matter other than trace amounts of translucent to white particles.
Preparation Do not shake the vial(s). Withdraw the required volume from the vial(s) of LIBTAYO and transfer into an intravenous (IV) bag containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP to a final concentration between 1 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL. Mix diluted solution by gentle inversion. Do not shake.
Discard any unused portion left in the vial(s). Storage of Diluted Solution Store at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for no more than 8 hours from the time of preparation to the end of the infusion or under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no more than 10 days from the time of preparation to the end of infusion.
Allow the diluted solution to come to room temperature prior to administration. Do not freeze. Administration Administer by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes through an intravenous line containing a sterile, in-line or add-on 0.2-micron to 5-micron filter.
| Indication | Recommended dosage of LIBTAYO as an intravenous infusion | Duration of Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mCSCC) or locally advanced CSCC (laCSCC) | 350 mg every 3 weeks | Until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months. |
| Adjuvant treatment of adult patients with CSCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation | 350 mg every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, followed by 700 mg every 6 weeks Or 350 mg every 3 weeks | Until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 48 weeks. |
| Adults with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) or metastatic BCC (mBCC) | 350 mg every 3 weeks | Until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months. |
| Adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)Single-agent or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy | 350 mg every 3 weeks | Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. |
| Adverse Reaction | SeverityBased on National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 4.0 | Dosage Modifications |
|---|---|---|
| ALT=alanine aminotransferase, AST=aspartate aminotransferase, ULN=upper limit of normal, SJS=Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, TEN=toxic epidermal necrolysis, 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 initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids. |
| Grade 3 or 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Colitis | Grade 2 or 3 | Withhold |
| Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue | |
| Hepatitis with no tumor involvement of the liver | 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 the ULN | Withhold |
| AST or ALT increases to more than 8 times the ULN or Total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times the 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 LIBTAYO based on recommendations for hepatitis with no liver involvement | 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 | |
Contraindications
None. None. ( 4 )
Safety data
Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Liver injury (LiverTox)
CLikelihood score C: Probable cause of clinically apparent liver injury and possible cause of reactivation of hepatitis B.
Cemiplimab is a human monoclonal antibody to the programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and a checkpoint inhibitor that is used in the immunotherapy of advanced and metastatic cancer. Cemiplimab therapy has many adverse events 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, LIBTAYO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . There are no available data on the use of LIBTAYO in pregnant women. 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 IgG4 immunoglobulins (IgG4) are known to cross the placenta; therefore, LIBTAYO has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. Advise women 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 LIBTAYO 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 LIBTAYO 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 cemiplimab-rwlc 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 cemiplimab during breastfeeding. Because cemiplimab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 146,000 Da, the amount in milk is likely to be very low. It is also likely to be partially destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract and absorption by the infant is probably minimal. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during cemiplimab therapy and for at least 4 months after the last dose.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
Not the price at the counterThese are not what a patient pays at the pharmacy counter. They are what pharmacies, health plans, and government buyers pay, before manufacturer rebates. A patient's cost depends on their insurance (copay, coinsurance, or deductible) or the pharmacy's cash price.