Linamide Capsule

Lenalidomide is an analogue of thalidomide with immunomodulatory, antiangiogenic, and antineoplastic properties. Cellular activities of Lenalidomide are mediated through its target cereblon, a component of a cullin ring E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme complex. In vitro, in the presence of drug, substrate proteins (including Aiolos, Ikaros, and CK1α) are targeted for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation leading to direct cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects. Lenalidomide inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of certain hematopoietic tumor cells including MM, mantle cell lymphoma, and del (5q) myelodysplastic syndromes in vitro. Lenalidomide causes a delay in tumor growth in some in vivo nonclinical hematopoietic tumor models including MM. Immunomodulatory properties of Lenalidomide include increased number and activation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells leading to direct and enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) via increased secretion of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma, increased numbers of NKT cells, and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6) by monocytes. In MM cells, the combination of Lenalidomide and Dxamethasone synergizes the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.

Absorption: Lenalidomide is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. Following single and multiple doses of Lenalidomide in patients with MM or MDS, the maximum plasma concentrations occurred between 0.5 and 6 hours post-dose. The single and multiple dose pharmacokinetic disposition of Lenalidomide is linear with AUC and Cmax values increasing proportionally with dose. Multiple doses of Lenalidomide at the recommended dosage does not result in drug accumulation. Administration of a single 25 mg dose of Lenalidomide with a high-fat meal in healthy subjects reduces the extent of absorption, with an approximate 20% decrease in AUC and 50% decrease in Cmax. In the trials where the efficacy and safety were established for Lenalidomide, the drug was administered without regard to food intake. Lenalidomide can be administered with or without food. The oral absorption rate of Lenalidomide in patients with MCL is similar to that observed in patients with MM or MDS.

Distribution: In vitro [14 C]-Lenalidomide binding to plasma proteins is approximately 30%. Lenalidomide is present in semen at 2 hours (1379 ng/ejaculate) and 24 hours (35 ng/ejaculate) after the administration of Lenalidomide 25 mg daily.

Elimination: The mean half-life of Lenalidomide is 3 hours in healthy subjects and 3 to 5 hours in patients with MM, MDS or MCL.

Metabolism: Lenalidomide undergoes limited metabolism. Unchanged Lenalidomide is the predominant circulating component in humans. Two identified metabolites are 5¬ Hydroxy-Lenalidomide and N-Acetyl Lenalidomide; each constitutes less than 5% of parent levels in circulation.

Excretion: Elimination is primarily renal. Following a single oral administration of [14 C]-Lenalidomide 25 mg to healthy subjects, approximately 90% and 4% of the radioactive dose was eliminated within ten days in urine and feces, respectively. Approximately 82% of the radioactive dose was excreted as Lenalidomide in the urine within 24 hours. Hydroxy-Lenalidomide and N-Acetyl-Lenalidomide represented 4.6% and 1.8% of the excreted dose, respectively. The renal clearance of Lenalidomide exceeds the glomerular filtration rate.

Lenalidomide Combination Therapy: The recommended starting dose of Lenalidomide is 25 mg orally once daily on Days 1-21 of repeated 28-day cycles in combination with Dexamethasone. For patients greater than 75 years old, the starting dose of Dexamethasone may be reduced. Treatment should be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In patients who are not eligible for auto-HSCT, treatment should continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. For patients who are auto-HSCT-eligible, hematopoietic stem cell mobilization should occur within 4 cycles of a Lenalidomide-containing therapy.

Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy Following Auto-HSCT: Following auto-HSCT, initiate Lenalidomide maintenance therapy after adequate hematologic recovery (ANC at least 1000/mcL and/or platelet counts at least 75,000/mcL). The recommended starting dose of Lenalidomide is 10 mg once daily continuously (Days 1-28 of repeated 28-day cycles) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After 3 cycles of maintenance therapy, the dose can be increased to 15 mg once daily if tolerated.

Recommended Dosage for Myelodysplastic Syndromes: The recommended starting dose of Lenalidomide is 10 mg daily. Treatment is continued or modified based upon clinical and laboratory findings. Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Recommended Dosage for Mantle Cell Lymphoma: The recommended starting dose of Lenalidomide is 25 mg/day orally on Days 1-21 of repeated 28-day cycles for relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Treatment should be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Treatment is continued, modified or discontinued based upon clinical and laboratory findings.

Recommended Dosage for Follicular Lymphoma or Marginal Zone Lymphoma: The recommended starting dose of Lenalidomide is 20 mg orally once daily on Days 1-21 of repeated 28-day cycles for up to 12 cycles of treatment in combination with a Rituximab-product.

Patients should be advised to take Lenalidomide orally at about the same time each day, either with or without food. Patients should be advised to swallow Lenalidomide capsules whole with water and not to open, break, or chew them.

Digoxin: When Digoxin was co-administered with multiple doses of Linamide (10 mg/day) the Digoxin Cmax and AUCinf were increased by 14%. Periodic monitoring of Digoxin plasma levels, in accordance with clinical judgment and based on standard clinical practice in patients receiving this medication, is recommended during administration of Linamide.

Concomitant Therapies That May Increase the Risk of Thrombosis: Erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as estrogen-containing therapies, should be used with caution after making a benefit-risk assessment in patients receiving Linamide.

Warfarin: Co-administration of multiple doses of Linamide (10 mg/day) with a single dose of Warfarin (25 mg) had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of Linamide or R- and S-Warfarin. It is not known whether there is an interaction between Dexamethasone and Warfarin. Close monitoring of PT and INR is recommended in patients with MM taking concomitant Warfarin.

Pregnancy: Lenalidomide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Limb abnormalities were seen in the offspring of monkeys that were dosed with lenalidomide during organogenesis. This effect was seen at all doses tested. Due to the results of this developmental monkey study, and lenalidomide’s structural similarities to thalidomide, a known human teratogen, lenalidomide is contraindicated in females who are pregnant. If this drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to a fetus 

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions: Lenalidomide is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated severe hypersensitivity

Embryo-fetal toxicity, hematologic toxicity, venous and arterial thromboembolism, increased mortality in patients with CLL, second primary malignancies, hepatotoxicity, severe cutaneous reaction tumor lysis syndrome, tumor flare reactions, impaired stem cell mobilization, thyroid disorders. early mortality in patients with MCL, hypersensitivity. Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions: Linamide is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) to Linamide.

Based on the mechanism of action, Lenalidomide can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female and is contraindicated during pregnancy. There is no information regarding the presence of Lenalidomide in human milk, the effects of Lenalidomide on the breastfed infant, or the effects of Lenalidomide on milk production. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed infants from Lenalidomide, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Lenalidomide.

Linamide REMS Program: Because of the embryo-fetal risk, Linamide is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), the Linamide REMS
program. Required components of the Linamide REMS program include the following:

• Prescribers must be certified with the Linamide REMS program by enrolling and complying with the REMS requirements.
• Patients must sign a Patient-Physician agreement form and comply with the REMS requirements. In particular, female patients of reproductive potential who are not pregnant must comply with the pregnancy testing and contraception requirements and males must comply with contraception requirements.
• Pharmacies must be certified with the Linamide REMS program, must only dispense to patients who are authorized to receive Linamide and comply with REMS requirements.

Hematologic Toxicity: Linamide can cause significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Advise patients to observe for bleeding or bruising, especially with use of concomitant medication that may increase risk of bleeding. Patients taking Linamide should have their complete blood counts assessed periodically as described below. Monitor complete blood counts (CBC) in patients taking Linamide in combination with Dexamethasone or as Linamide maintenance therapy for MM every 7 days (weekly) for the first 2 cycles, on Days 1 and 15 of Cycle 3, and every 28 days (4 weeks) thereafter. A dose interruption and/or dose reduction may be required. Monitor complete blood counts (CBC) in patients taking Linamide for MDS weekly for the first 8 weeks and at least monthly thereafter. Monitor complete blood counts (CBC) in patients taking Linamide for MCL weekly for the first cycle (28 days), every 2 weeks during cycles 2-4, and then monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction. Monitor complete blood counts (CBC) in patients taking Linamide for FL or MZL weekly for the first 3 weeks of Cycle 1 (28 days), every 2 weeks during Cycles 24, and then monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction.

Venous and Arterial Thromboembolism: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE [DVT and PE]) and arterial thromboembolic events (ATE, myocardial infarction and stroke) are increased in patients treated with Linamide. Patients with known risk factors, including prior thrombosis, may be at greater risk and actions should be taken to try to minimize all modifiable factors (e.g. hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking). Thromboprophylaxis is recommended. The regimen of thromboprophylaxis should be based on an assessment of the patient’s underlying risks. Instruct patients to report immediately any signs and symptoms suggestive of thrombotic events. ESAs and estrogens may further increase the risk of thrombosis and their use should be based on a benefit-risk decision in patients receiving Linamide.

Increased Mortality in Patients with CLL: Linamide is not indicated and not recommended for use in CLL outside of controlled clinical trials.

Second Primary Malignancies: Monitor patients for the development of second primary malignancies. Take into account both the potential benefit of Linamide and the risk of second primary malignancies when considering treatment with Linamide.

Increased Mortality in Patients with MM When Pembrolizumab Is Added to a Thalidomide Analogue and Dexamethasone: Treatment of patients with MM with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in combination with a thalidomide analogue plus Dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.

Hepatotoxicity: Hepatic failure, including fatal cases, has occurred in patients treated with Linamide in combination with Dexamethasone. The mechanism of drug-induced hepatotoxicity is unknown. Pre-existing viral liver disease, elevated baseline liver enzymes, and concomitant medications may be risk factors. Monitor liver enzymes periodically. Stop Linamide upon elevation of liver enzymes. After return to baseline values, treatment at a lower dose may be considered.

Severe Cutaneous Reactions Including Hypersensitivity Reactions: Angioedema and severe cutaneous reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported. DRESS may present with a cutaneous reaction (such as rash or exfoliative dermatitis), eosinophilia, fever, and/or lymphadenopathy with systemic complications such as hepatitis, nephritis, pneumonitis, myocarditis, and/or pericarditis. These events can be fatal. Patients with a prior history of Grade 4 rash associated with thalidomide treatment should not receive Linamide. Linamide interruption or discontinuation should be considered for Grade 2-3 skin rash. Linamide must be discontinued for angioedema, Grade 4 rash, exfoliative or bullous rash, or if SJS, TEN or DRESS is suspected and should not be resumed following discontinuation for these reactions.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Monitor patients at risk closely and take appropriate preventive approaches. Tumor Flare Reaction: Monitoring and evaluation for TFR is recommended in patients with MCL, FL, or MZL. Tumor flare reaction may mimic the progression of disease (PD).

Impaired Stem Cell Mobilization: A decrease in the number of CD34+ cells collected after treatment (>4 cycles) with Linamide has been reported. In patients who are auto-HSCT candidates, referral to a transplant center should occur early in treatment to optimize the timing of the stem cell collection. In patients who received more than 4 cycles of a Linamide-containing treatment or for whom inadequate numbers of CD 34+ cells have been collected with G-CSF alone, G-CSF with cyclophosphamide or the combination of GCSF with a CXCR4 inhibitor may be considered.

Thyroid Disorders: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been reported. Measure thyroid function before the start of Linamide treatment and during therapy.

Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

There is no specific experience in the management of Linamide overdose in patients with MM, MDS, or MCL.

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

Store below 30°C in a dry place. Protect from light. Keep out of the reach of children.