- Because the vials contain no preservative, use contents immediately after reconstitution. Discard any unused portion.
- Store reconstituted product diluted for infusion at approximately 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) protected from light for no more than 24 hours. Discard after 24 hours.
Topotecan hydrochloride for injection is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable handling and disposal procedures.1
Single Agent
Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 78% of 879 patients, with a median duration of 7 days and was most common during Cycle 1 (58% of patients). Grade 4 neutropenia associated with infection occurred in 13% and febrile neutropenia occurred in 5%. Sepsis occurred in 4% of patients and was fatal in 1%. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 27%, with a median duration of 5 days. Grade 3 or 4 anemia occurred in 37% of patients.
Combination with Cisplatin
Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 48% and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 7% of 147 patients. Grade 3 or 4 anemia occurred in 40% of patients.
Topotecan can cause fatal typhlitis (neutropenic enterocolitis). Consider the possibility of typhlitis in patients presenting with fever, neutropenia, and abdominal pain.
Administer the first cycle of topotecan hydrochloride for injection only to patients with a baseline neutrophil count of greater than or equal to 1,500/mm3 and a platelet count greater than or equal to 100,000/mm3. Monitor blood counts frequently during treatment. Withhold and reduce dose of topotecan hydrochloride for injection based on neutrophil counts, platelet counts and hemoglobin levels [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
Ovarian Cancer
The safety of topotecan hydrochloride was evaluated in a randomized trial conducted in 226 patients with metastatic ovarian cancer (Study 039) [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. Table 1 shows the incidence of Grade 3 and 4 hematologic and non-hematologic adverse reactions that occurred in patients receiving topotecan hydrochloride.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions Occurring in Greater than or Equal to 5% of Patients With Ovarian Cancer in Study 039
|
|
Adverse Reactions | Topotecan Hydrochloride (n = 112) | Paclitaxel (n = 114) |
| Grade 3-4 (%) | Grade 3-4 (%) |
| Hematologic |
Grade 4 neutropenia (< 500/mm3) Grade 3 or 4 anemia (Hgb < 8 g/dL) Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (< 25,000/mm3) Febrile neutropenia
| 80 41 27 23
| 21 6 3 4
|
| Non-Hematologic |
Infections Sepsisa | 5
| 2
|
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal Dyspnea
| 6
| 5
|
Gastrointestinal Vomiting Nausea Diarrhea Abdominal pain Intestinal obstruction Constipation
| 10 10 6 5 5 5
| 3 2 1 4 4 0
|
General and administrative site conditions Fatigue Painb Asthenia
| 7 5 5
| 6 7 3
|
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
The safety of topotecan hydrochloride was evaluated in randomized, comparative trial in patients with recurrent or progressive SCLC (Study 090) [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Table 2 shows the Grade 3 or 4 hematologic and non-hematologic adverse reactions in patients with SCLC.
Table 2. Adverse Reactions Occurring in Greater than or Equal to 5% of Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer in Study 090
|
|
|
Adverse Reactions | Topotecan Hydrochloride (n = 107) | CAVc (n = 104) |
| Grade 3-4 (%) | Grade 3-4 (%) |
| Hematologic |
Grade 4 neutropenia (< 500/mm3) Grade 3 or 4 anemia (Hgb < 8 g/dL) Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (< 25,000/mm3) Febrile neutropenia
| 70 42 29 28
| 72 20 5 26
|
| Non-Hematologic |
Infections Sepsisa | 5
| 5
|
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal Dyspnea Pneumonia
| 9 8
| 14 6
|
Gastrointestinal Nausea Abdominal pain
| 8 6
| 6 4
|
General and administrative site conditions Asthenia Fatigue Painb | 9 6 5
| 7 10 7
|
Hepatobiliary Disorders in Ovarian and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Based on the combined experience of 453 patients with metastatic ovarian cancer and 426 patients with SCLC treated with topotecan hydrochloride, Grade 3 or 4 increases aspartate transaminase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) occurred in 4% and Grade 3 or 4 elevated bilirubin occurred in less than 2%.
Cervical Cancer
The safety of topotecan hydrochloride was evaluated in a comparative trial of topotecan hydrochloride with cisplatin versus cisplatin as a single agent in patients with cervical cancer (Study GOG 0179). Table 3 shows the hematologic and non-hematologic adverse reactions in patients with cervical cancer.
Table 3. Adverse Reactions Occurring in Greater than or Equal to 5% of Patients With Cervical Cancer (Between-Arm Difference ≥ 2%)a in Study GOG 0179
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Adverse Reactions | Topotecan Hydrochloride With Cisplatin (n = 140) % | Cisplatin (n = 144) % |
| Hematologic |
Neutropenia Grade 3 (< 1,000-500/mm3) Grade 4 (< 500/mm3)
| 26 48
| 1 1
|
Anemia Grade 3 (Hgb < 8-6.5 g/dL) Grade 4 (Hgb < 6.5 g/dL)
| 34 6
| 19 3
|
Thrombocytopenia Grade 3 (< 50,000-10,000/mm3) Grade 4 (< 10,000/mm3)
| 26 7
| 3 0
|
| Non-Hematologicb,c |
General and administrative site conditions Constitutionald Paine | 69 59
| 62 50
|
Gastrointestinal Vomiting Stomatitis-pharyngitis Other
| 40 6 63
| 37 0 56
|
| Dermatologyf | 48
| 20
|
Infection Febrile neutropeniaf | 28
| 18
|
| Cardiovascularf | 25
| 15
|
Risk Summary
Based on animal data and its mechanism of action, topotecan hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available clinical data on the use of topotecan hydrochloride in pregnancy. Topotecan caused embryolethality, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats and rabbits when administered during organogenesis at doses similar to the clinical dose (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Data
Animal Data
In rabbits, an intravenous dose of 0.10 mg/kg/day [about equal to the 1.5 mg/m2 clinical dose based on body surface area (BSA)] given on Days 6 through 20 of gestation caused maternal toxicity, embryolethality and reduced fetal body weight. In the rat, an intravenous dose of 0.23 mg/kg/day (about equal to the 1.5 mg/m2 clinical dose based on BSA) given for 14 days before mating through gestation Day 6 caused fetal resorption, microphthalmia, pre-implant loss, and mild maternal toxicity. Administration of an intravenous dose of 0.10 mg/kg/day (about half the 1.5 mg/m2 clinical dose based on BSA) given to rats on Days 6 through 17 of gestation caused an increase in post-implantation mortality. This dose also caused an increase in total fetal malformations. The most frequent malformations were of the eye (microphthalmia, anophthalmia, rosette formation of the retina, coloboma of the retina, ectopic orbit), brain (dilated lateral and third ventricles), skull, and vertebrae.
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of topotecan or its metabolites in human milk or their effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Lactating rats excrete high concentrations of topotecan in milk (see Data).
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with topotecan hydrochloride and for 1 week after the last dose.
Data
Following intravenous administration of topotecan to lactating rats at a dose of 4.72 mg/m2 (about twice the 1.5 mg/m2 clinical dose based on BSA) to lactating rats, topotecan was excreted into milk at concentrations up to 48-fold higher than those in plasma.
Pregnancy Testing
Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating topotecan hydrochloride for injection [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Contraception
Topotecan hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Females
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with topotecan hydrochloride and for 6 months after the last dose.
Males
Topotecan hydrochloride may damage spermatozoa, resulting in possible genetic and fetal abnormalities. Advise males with a female partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with topotecan hydrochloride and for 3 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Infertility
Females
Topotecan hydrochloride can have both acute and long-term effects on fertility [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Males
Effects on spermatogenesis occurred in animals administered topotecan [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Distribution
Protein binding of topotecan is approximately 35%.
Elimination
The terminal half-life of topotecan is 2 to 3 hours following intravenous administration.
Metabolism
Topotecan undergoes a reversible pH-dependent hydrolysis of its pharmacologically active lactone moiety. At pH less than or equal to 4, the lactone is exclusively present, whereas the ring-opened hydroxy-acid form predominates at physiologic pH. Topotecan is metabolized to an N-demethylated metabolite in vitro. The mean metabolite: parent AUC ratio was about 3% for total topotecan and topotecan lactone following intravenous administration.
Excretion
The overall recovery of total topotecan and its N-desmethyl metabolite in urine and feces over 9 days averaged 73% ± 2% following an intravenous dose. Mean values of 51% ± 3% as total topotecan and 3% ± 1% as N-desmethyl topotecan were excreted in the urine. Fecal elimination of total topotecan accounted for 18% ± 4% while fecal elimination of N-desmethyl topotecan was 1.7% ± 0.6%. An O-glucuronidation metabolite of topotecan and N-desmethyl topotecan has been identified in the urine.
Specific Populations
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of topotecan were observed based on age, sex, or hepatic impairment following intravenous administration.
Patients with Renal Impairment
Compared to patients with CLcr (calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault method using ideal body weight) greater than 60 mL/min, plasma clearance of topotecan lactone decreased by 33% in patients with CLcr 40-60 mL/min and decreased 65% in patients with CLcr 20-39 mL/min. The effect on topotecan pharmacokinetics in patients with CLcr less than 20 mL/min is unknown [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].
Drug Interaction Studies
Clinical Studies
No clinically significant changes in topotecan pharmacokinetics were observed when coadministered cisplatin.
No clinically significant changes in the pharmacokinetics of free platinum were observed in patients coadministered cisplatin with topotecan.
In Vitro Studies
Topotecan does not inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8/9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E, CYP3A, or CYP4A or dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase.
Randomized Comparative Trial
In a randomized, comparative trial, 211 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive topotecan hydrochloride (1.5 mg/m2 once daily intravenously for 5 days starting on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle) or CAV (cyclophosphamide 1,000 mg/m2, doxorubicin 45 mg/m2, vincristine 2 mg administered sequentially on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle). All patients were considered sensitive to first-line chemotherapy (responders who then subsequently progressed greater than or equal to 60 days after completion of first-line therapy). A total of 77% of patients treated with topotecan hydrochloride and 79% of patients treated with CAV received platinum/etoposide with or without other agents as first-line chemotherapy. The efficacy outcome measures were overall response rate, response duration, time to progression or OS.
The results of the trial did not show statistically significant improvements in response rate, response duration, time to progression, or OS as shown in Table 5.
Table 5. Efficacy Results in Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer Sensitive to First-Line Chemotherapy in Study 090
|
|
|
| Parameter | Topotecan Hydrochloride (n = 107) | CAVb (n = 104) |
Overall response rate (95% CI) Complete response rate Partial response rate
| 24% (16%, 32%) 0% 24%
| 18% (11%, 26%) 1% 17%
|
Response durationa (months) Median (95% CI)
| 3.3 (3, 4.1)
| 3.5 (3, 5.3)
|
Time to progression (months)
| | |
| Median (95% CI)
| 3.1 (2.6, 4.1)
| 2.8 (2.5, 3.2)
|
| Hazard ratio (95% CI)
| 0.92 (0.69, 1.22)
|
Overall survival (months)
| |
Median (95% CI)
| 5.8 (4.7, 6.8)
| 5.7 (5, 7)
|
| Hazard ratio (95% CI)
| 1.04 (0.78, 1.39)
|
The median time to response was similar in both arms: topotecan hydrochloride, 6 weeks (2.4 weeks to 3.6 months) versus CAV, 6 weeks (5.1 weeks to 4.2 months).
Changes on a disease-related symptom scale are presented in Table 6. It should be noted that not all patients had all symptoms, nor did all patients respond to all questions. Each symptom was rated on a 4-category scale with an improvement defined as a change in 1 category from baseline sustained over 2 courses. Limitations in interpretation of the rating scale and responses preclude formal statistical analysis.
Table 6. Symptom Improvementa in Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer in Study 090
|
|
| Symptoms | Topotecan Hydrochloride (n = 107) | CAV (n = 104) |
| nb | (%) | nb | (%) |
Shortness of breath Interference with daily activity Fatigue Hoarseness Cough Insomnia Anorexia Chest pain Hemoptysis
| 68 67 70 40 69 57 56 44 15
| 28 27 23 33 25 33 32 25 27
| 61 63 65 38 61 53 57 41 12
| 7 11 9 13 15 19 16 17 33
|
Single-Arm Trials
Topotecan hydrochloride was also studied in three open-label, non-comparative trials (Studies 014, 092 and 053) in a total of 319 patients with recurrent or progressive SCLC after treatment with first-line chemotherapy. In all three trials, patients were stratified as either sensitive (responders who then subsequently progressed greater than or equal to 90 days after completion of first-line therapy) or refractory (no response to first-line chemotherapy or who responded to first-line therapy and then progressed within 90 days of completing first-line therapy). Response rates ranged from 11% to 31% for sensitive patients and 2% to 7% for refractory patients. Median time to progression and median survival were similar in all three trials and the comparative trial.
Myelosuppression
Inform patients that topotecan hydrochloride decreases blood cell counts such as white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider promptly for fever, other signs of infection, or bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
Inform patients of the risks of severe ILD. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately to report new or worsening respiratory symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise women to contact their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected during treatment with topotecan hydrochloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4), Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose of topotecan hydrochloride for injection [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].
Advise males with a female partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of topotecan hydrochloride for injection [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Lactation
Advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of topotecan hydrochloride for injection [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].
Infertility
Advise male and female patients of the potential risk for impaired fertility [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Asthenia and Fatigue
Advise patients that topotecan hydrochloride may cause asthenia or fatigue. These symptoms may impair the ability to safely drive or operate machinery.
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©2019 Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
November 2019