Risk Summary
In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of clofarabine to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses approximately 0.2- to 1-times the maximum recommended human dose of 52 mg/m2 based on body surface area (BSA) resulted in embryo-fetal mortality, alterations to growth, and structural abnormalities (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. There are no available data on clofarabine use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Clofarabine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks, including those to the fetus.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. 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
Intravenous administration of clofarabine to pregnant rats during organogenesis (gestation days [GD] 7-17) at doses of 1, 3 or 9 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 6, 18, 54 mg/m2/day) resulted in maternal toxicities at the 9 mg/kg dose, as indicated by reduced body weights and food consumption. Developmental toxicity (i.e., reduced fetal body weights and increased postimplantation loss) and increased incidences of external, soft tissue, and skeletal malformations and variations (including retarded ossification) were observed at 9 mg/kg/day (54 mg/m2; approximately equivalent to the recommended human dose based on BSA). Altered ossification patterns (extra metacarpal or metatarsal ossification) were observed in single fetuses at lower doses of clofarabine (1 and 3 mg/kg/day; 0.1- and 0.3-times the recommended human dose based on BSA).
When clofarabine was administered intravenously to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis (GD 6-18) at doses of 0.1, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 1.2, 3.6, 12 mg/m2/day), developmental toxicity (i.e., reduced fetal body weights and increased postimplantation loss) and increased incidences of external, soft tissue, and skeletal malformations and variations (including retarded ossification) were observed at the 1 mg/kg/day dose (12 mg/m2; 0.2-times the recommended human dose based on BSA). Alterations in ossification patterns (increase in the average numbers of ossified thoracic vertebrae and rib pairs, and reduction in the average number of forepaw metacarpals) and abdominal wall defect were observed at 0.3 mg/kg/day (3.6 mg/m2; 0.1-times the recommended human dose based on BSA).
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of clofarabine in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child including genotoxicity, advise patients not to breastfeed during treatment with clofarabine, and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.
Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating clofarabine.
Contraception
Females
Clofarabine can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to pregnant women [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Advise female patients to use effective contraception during treatment with clofarabine and for 6 months after the last dose.
Males
Based on genotoxicity findings, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with clofarabine and for at least 3 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Infertility
Females
Based on findings from animal studies, clofarabine may impair female fertility [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. The reversibility of the effect on fertility is unknown.
Males
Based on findings from animal studies, clofarabine may impair male fertility [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. The reversibility of the effect on fertility is unknown.
Drug-Drug Interactions
In vitro studies suggested that clofarabine undergoes limited metabolism and does not inhibit or induce major CYP enzymes. CYP inhibitors and inducers are unlikely to affect the metabolism of clofarabine. Clofarabine is unlikely to affect the metabolism of CYP substrates. However, no in vivo drug interaction studies have been conducted.
An in vitro transporter study suggested that clofarabine is a substrate of human transporters OAT1, OAT3, and OCT1. A preclinical study using perfused rat kidney demonstrated that the renal excretion of clofarabine was decreased by cimetidine, an inhibitor of the hOCT2. Although the clinical implications of this finding have not been determined, signs of clofarabine toxicity should be monitored when administered with other hOAT1, hOAT3, hOCT1 and hOCT2 substrates or inhibitors.
Dose Escalation Study in Pediatric Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
The safety and efficacy of clofarabine were evaluated in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed hematologic malignancies in an open-label, dose-escalation, noncomparative study (NCT00042341, A Phase II, Open Label Study of Clofarabine in Pediatric Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). The starting dose of clofarabine was 11.25 mg/m2/day intravenous infusion daily × 5 and escalated to 70 mg/m2/day intravenous infusion daily × 5. This dosing schedule was repeated every 2 to 6 weeks depending on toxicity and response. Nine of 17 ALL patients were treated with clofarabine 52 mg/m2 daily for 5 days. In the 17 ALL patients there were 2 complete remissions (12%) and 2 partial remissions (12%) at varying doses. Dose-limiting toxicities in this study were reversible hyperbilirubinemia and elevated transaminase levels and skin rash, experienced at 70 mg/m2. As a result of this study, the recommended dose for subsequent study in pediatric patients was determined to be 52 mg/m2/day for 5 days.
Single-Arm Study in Pediatric ALL
Clofarabine was evaluated in an open-label, single-arm study of 61 pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory ALL. Patients received a dose of 52 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 2 hours for 5 consecutive days repeated every 2 to 6 weeks for up to 12 cycles. There was no dose escalation in this study.
All patients had disease that had relapsed after and/or was refractory to two or more prior therapies. Most patients, 38/61 (62%), had received >2 prior regimens and 18/61 (30%) of the patients had undergone at least 1 prior transplant. The median age of the treated patients was 12 years, 61% were male, 39% were female, 44% were Caucasian, 38% were Hispanic, 12% were African-American, 2% were Asian and 5% were Other race.
The overall remission (OR) rate (Complete Remission [CR] + CR in the absence of total platelet recovery [CRp]) was evaluated. CR was defined as no evidence of circulating blasts or extramedullary disease, an M1 bone marrow (≤5% blasts), and recovery of peripheral counts [platelets ≥100 × 109/L and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1 × 109/L]. CRp was defined as meeting all criteria for CR except for recovery of platelet counts to ≥100 × 109/L. Partial Response (PR) was also determined, defined as complete disappearance of circulating blasts, an M2 bone marrow (≥5% and ≤25% blasts), and appearance of normal progenitor cells or an M1 marrow that did not qualify for CR or CRp. Duration of remission was also evaluated. Transplantation rate was not a study endpoint.
Response rates for these studies were determined by an unblinded Independent Response Review Panel (IRRP).
Table 3 summarizes results for the pediatric ALL study. Responses were seen in both pre-B and T-cell immunophenotypes of ALL. The median cumulative dose was 530 mg (range 29-2,815 mg) in 1 (41%), 2 (44%) or 3 or more (15%) cycles. The median number of cycles was 2 (range 1-12). The median time between cycles was 28 days with a range of 12 to 55 days.
Table 3: Results in Single-Arm Pediatric ALL
|
|
|
| N=61 |
| CR % [95% CI]
| 11.5 (4.7, 22.2)
|
| CRp % [95% CI]
| 8.2 (2.7, 18.1)
|
| Median Duration of CR plus CRp (range in weeks)1 | 10.7 (4.3 to 58.6)
|
Six (9.8%) patients achieved a PR; the clinical relevance of a PR in this setting is unknown.
Of 35 patients who were refractory to their immediately preceding induction regimen, 6 (17%) achieved a CR or CRp. Of 18 patients who had at least 1 prior hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), 5 (28%) achieved a CR or CRp.
Among the 12 patients who achieved at least a CRp, 6 patients achieved the best response after 1 cycle of clofarabine, 5 patients required 2 courses and 1 patient achieved a CR after 3 cycles of therapy.
Hematologic Toxicity
Advise patients to return for regular blood counts and to report any symptoms associated with hematologic toxicity (such as weakness, fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, easy bruising, petechiae, purpura, fever) to their physician [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Infection
Advise patients of the signs or symptoms of infection (e.g., fever) and report to the physician immediately if any occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Hepatic and Renal Toxicity
Advise patients to avoid medications including over the counter and herbal medications, which may be hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic, during the 5 days of clofarabine administration. Also, advise patients of the possibility of developing liver function abnormalities and to immediately report signs or symptoms of jaundice. Advise patients of the signs or symptoms of renal failure/acute renal failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7, 5.8)].
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)/Capillary Leak Syndrome
Advise patients of the signs or symptoms of SIRS, such as fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, dyspnea and symptoms suggestive of hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Pregnancy
Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11), Use in Specific Populations (8.3)]. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with clofarabine and for at least 6 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)]. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with clofarabine and for at least 3 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Lactation
Advise females not to breastfeed during treatment with clofarabine and for 2 weeks after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Advise patients that they may experience nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea with clofarabine. If these symptoms are significant, they should seek medical attention [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].
Rash
Advise patients that they may experience skin rash with clofarabine. If this symptom is significant, they should seek medical attention.
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©2020 Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
March 2020