- Active intracranial metastases or brain lesions with a propensity to bleed
- Liver failure, portal hypertension, or known varices at risk for bleeding
- Surgery or medical treatment of the liver in the previous 4 weeks
- Uncorrectable coagulopathy
- Inability to safety undergo general anesthesia, including active cardiac conditions including, but not limited to, unstable coronary syndromes (unstable or severe angina or myocardial infarction), worsening or new-onset congestive heart failure, significant arrhythmias, or severe valvular disease
- History of allergies or known hypersensitivity to melphalan
- History of allergies or known hypersensitivity to a component or material utilized within the HEPZATO KIT including:
- History of allergy to natural rubber latex
- History of allergy or hypersensitivity to heparin or presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
- History of severe allergic reaction to iodinated contrast not controlled by premedication with antihistamines and steroids
(g) WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ AND UNDERSTAND THE LIST OF WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS BELOW AS SERIOUS INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH OF THE PATIENT CAN OCCUR IF THESE WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWED.
Peri-Procedural Complications
Hemorrhage, hepatocellular injury, and thromboembolic events have been observed when HEPZATO has been administered via hepatic intra-arterial administration. Administration of HEPZATO KIT requires general anesthesia and extracorporeal bypass of circulation which may cause life threatening or fatal adverse effects. Ensure the patient is euvolemic but do not overhydrate the patient. Monitor for these peri-procedural complications during the procedure and for at least 72 hours following the procedure.
To mitigate the risk of thromboembolic events, administer anticoagulation as described in the IFU during the procedure.
Due to the risk of bleeding, do not use in patients with uncorrectable coagulopathies and delay treatment with the HEPZATO KIT for at least 4 weeks after surgery or other medical procedure involving the liver. Platelets and clotting factors may be removed during the HEPZATO KIT procedure. Monitor platelets and coagulation parameters as described in the IFU. If life-threatening bleeding occurs during the procedure, reverse anticoagulation as described in the IFU and correct coagulopathy as appropriate. Discontinue anticoagulation with warfarin or other oral anticoagulants prior to the procedure until hemostasis has been restored after the procedure and no bleeding complications have been observed. Refer to the Prescribing Information of the anticoagulant agent for bridging recommendations for anti-coagulation prior to surgical procedures. Discontinue drugs affecting platelet function such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or other anti-platelet drugs one week before the procedure.
Patients with abnormal hepatic vascular (especially arterial supply) or biliary (especially re-implantation of bile duct) anatomy or gastric acid hypersecretion syndromes may be at increased risk of peri-procedural complications or other severe adverse reactions. Screen patients for a history of prior surgeries involving the bile duct to assess whether the patient is an appropriate candidate for HEPZATO KIT and monitor patients for adverse reactions following HEPZATO KIT administration.
Procedure-related reductions in blood pressure including severe hypotension can occur during the HEPZATO KIT procedure. Closely monitor blood pressure during the procedure. Patients may require fluid support and vasopressors. To reduce the risk of severe hypotension, assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, and temporarily discontinue ACE-inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or alpha-1-adrenergic blockers for at least 5 half-lives prior to treatment with the HEPZATO-KIT. If necessary, use other short-acting antihypertensive drugs to manage blood pressure during the peri-procedure period.
HEPZATO KIT REMS Program
The HEPZATO KIT is only available through a restricted program under a REMS, because of the risk of severe peri-procedural complications including hemorrhage, hepatocellular injury, and thromboembolic events defined in the REMS. The HEPZATO KIT should only be used by trained healthcare providers [see HEPZATO USPI Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Important requirements of the HEPZATO KIT REMS include:
Healthcare settings that dispense and administer HEPZATO KIT must be enrolled, certified, and comply with the REMS requirements.
Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that healthcare providers who perform the Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) procedure are trained on the use of HEPZATO KIT and must only dispense HEPZATO when authorized to do so.
Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that patients are assessed for severe peri-procedural complications during the procedure and for at least 72 hours following the procedure.
Further information is available at www.HEPZATOKITREMS.com or contact Delcath Systems at 1-833-632-0457.
Myelosuppression
Hematologic adverse reactions, including thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia have been reported in patients treated with HEPZATO. The risk of hematologic adverse reactions may be increased in patients who have received prior chemotherapy, bone irradiation, or who have compromised bone marrow function.
In the 95 patients who received HEPZATO KIT in the FOCUS trial, 68% had Grade 3 or 4 myelosuppression. A total of 55%, 33%, and 30% experienced Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia, respectively. Median time to thrombocyte nadir was 13 days (range: 3-33) after treatment with median recovery in 20 days (range: 4-29) after treatment. Median time to hemoglobin nadir was 10 days (range: 3-21) after treatment with median recovery in 13 days (range: 4-28) after treatment. Median time to neutrophil nadir was 11 days (range: 3-36) after treatment with median recovery in 17 days (range: 9-36) after treatment.
Monitor patients for severe infections, bleeding, and symptomatic anemia. Only administer HEPZATO in patients with platelets >100,000/microliter, hemoglobin ≥10.0 gm/dL and neutrophils >2,000/microliter. Administer transfusions or growth factors as appropriate [see HEPZATO USPI Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in approximately 2% of patients who received an intravenous (IV) formulation of melphalan. These reactions with melphalan are characterized by urticaria, pruritus, edema, skin rashes, and in some patients, tachycardia, bronchospasm, dyspnea, and hypotension. Hypersensitivity can occur in patients with or without prior exposure to IV or oral melphalan.
When a hypersensitivity reaction is observed, immediately terminate the hepatic arterial melphalan infusion and administer necessary supportive care [see HEPZATO USPI Contraindications (4), and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Patients with a history of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast may experience hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, during treatment with the HEPZATO KIT. Premedicate patients with a history of allergic reaction to iodinated contrast prior to treatment with HEPZATO KIT. Do not administer HEPZATO KIT in patients with a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast [see IFU contraindications and HEPZATO USPI Contraindications (4)].
Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions
Gastrointestinal adverse reactions including nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are common, and occurred in 84% of patients treated with HEPZATO KIT in the FOCUS trial. Administer a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) the day prior to and the morning of the procedure. If anti-emetic treatment is required, pre-medicate with anti-emetic therapy in subsequent cycles.
Secondary Malignancies
Melphalan has been shown to cause chromatid or chromosome damage in humans. Secondary malignancies, including acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome, and carcinoma, have been reported in patients with cancer treated with intravenous alkylating drugs including melphalan. Some patients also received other chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy. Precise quantification of the risk of acute leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome, or carcinoma is not possible. Published reports of leukemia in patients who have received oral or IV melphalan (and other alkylating drugs) suggest that the risk of leukemogenesis increases with chronicity of treatment and with cumulative dose [see HEPZATO USPI Nonclinical Toxicology (12.1)].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on animal studies and its mechanism of action, melphalan can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Melphalan is genotoxic, targets actively dividing cells, and was embryolethal and teratogenic in rats. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with melphalan and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HEPZATO and for 3 months after the last dose [see HEPZATO USPI Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
Infertility
Melphalan-based chemotherapy regimens have been reported to cause suppression of ovarian function in premenopausal women, resulting in persistent amenorrhea in approximately 9% of patients. Reversible or irreversible testicular suppression has also been reported [see HEPZATO USPI Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].
(h) LOCATION OF PROCEDURE
The procedure must be performed in an appropriately equipped interventional radiology suite with fluoroscopy or an operating room designed and equipped similarly. Resuscitation personnel, equipment, and medications must be immediately available.
| (i) Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) PROCEDURE TEAM |
| PHP Procedure team members are the Interventional Radiologist, the Perfusionist and the Anesthesiologist.
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| - A qualified interventional radiologist with the knowledge, skills, experience, and hospital privileges required to perform advanced vascular interventional procedures.
- A qualified perfusionist to establish, monitor, and control the extracorporeal pump and veno-venous bypass circuit.
- A qualified anesthetist (anesthesiologist) and/or nurse anesthetist responsible for the management of sedation, analgesia, respiratory and cardiovascular support.
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The PHP procedure team (IR, PF, AN) is required to complete the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) training. Refer to Procedure Flowchart (Figure 35) which provides an overview of the procedure and how the PHP procedure team and their tasks work together. All REMS materials are available at www.HEPZATOKITREMS.com or by calling the REMS Coordinating Center at 1-833-632-0457.
To facilitate use of these instructions, the procedural sections include Healthcare User Identifiers to assist each user in identifying procedural steps applicable to them.
| (j) OTHER CLINICAL TEAM MEMBERS |
| Other clinical team members include the medical/surgical oncologist, pharmacist, chemotherapy healthcare professional and intensivist.
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| - A qualified medical/surgical oncologist experienced in the monitoring of toxicities of chemotherapy and who is responsible for the complete medical management of the patient, including, but not limited to, pre- and post-operative care. The medical/surgical oncologist may also be responsible for monitoring the patient during the immediate post-procedure period.
- The medical/surgical oncologist will also play a unique role in communicating about chemotherapeutic agent (HEPZATO) and the Hepatic Delivery System risks and coordinating with other oncologists and key health care professionals responsible for patient follow-up care and monitoring for post-procedure toxicities.
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| - A qualified pharmacist, on call during the procedure, to reconstitute the chemotherapeutic agent HEPZATO (melphalan), using national and local safety guidelines. The pharmacist should be aware of the rapid preparation time required for the preparation and administration of HEPZATO for use with the Hepatic Delivery System.
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| - A qualified chemotherapy healthcare professional certified by the site to deliver chemotherapy, such as Interventional Radiology Technician or Registered Nurse.
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| A qualified intensivist, or appropriately qualified critical care specialist, responsible for providing medical management (reversing coagulopathy and blood product support) of the patient in the immediate post-procedure period during which the patient is in the intensive care unit or step-down unit.
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PROCEDURE
(k) PREPARATION: PRIOR TO TREATMENT
All medications and supportive measures must be determined and administered in accordance with each institution's policies, guidelines, procedures, and the HEPZATO KIT prescribing information.
Before starting the procedure, confirm that all components of the HEPZATO KIT are available for assembly. Note: Certain components are not supplied by Delcath. Verify that the Medtronic pump is functioning properly (see pump operating manual for instructions on proper functionality).
Hepatic Vascular Mapping - Angiography and Embolization
To deliver HEPZATO to the whole liver and avoid inadvertent infusion of HEPZATO into the gastrointestinal or visceral branches, conduct a thorough hepatic artery angiogram and investigation of variant hepatic and gastric artery anatomy. In addition, embolization of certain branches supplying the gastro-intestinal tract may be necessary.
WARNING If the perfusion of melphalan cannot be isolated from the systemic circulation, stop the drug infusion immediately.
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