Blenoxane® (bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP) is a mixture of cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics isolated from a strain of Streptomyces verticillus. It is freely soluble in water.
Note: A unit of bleomycin is equal to the formerly used milligram activity. The term milligram activity is a misnomer and was changed to units to be more precise.
Blenoxane - Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Although the exact mechanism of action of Blenoxane is unknown, available evidence indicates that the main mode of action is the inhibition of DNA synthesis with some evidence of lesser inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis.
Bleomycin is known to cause single, and to a lesser extent, double-stranded breaks in DNA. In in vitro and in vivo experiments, bleomycin has been shown to cause cell cycle arrest in G2 and in mitosis.
When administered into the pleural cavity in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion, Blenoxane acts as a sclerosing agent.
Pharmacokinetics
AbsorptionBleomycin is rapidly absorbed following either intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), intraperitoneal (IP) or intrapleural (IPL) administration reaching peak plasma concentrations in 30 to 60 minutes. Systemic bioavailability of bleomycin is 100% and 70% following IM and SC administrations, respectively, and 45% following both IP and IPL administrations, compared to intravenous and bolus administration.
Following IM doses of 1 to 10 units/m2, both peak plasma concentration and AUC increased in proportion with the increase of dose.
Following IV bolus administration of 30 units of Blenoxane to one patient with a primary germ cell tumor of the brain, a peak CSF level was 40% of the simultaneously-obtained plasma level and was attained in two hours after drug administration. The area under the bleomycin CSF concentration x time curve was 25% of the area of the bleomycin plasma concentration x time curve.
DistributionBleomycin is widely distributed throughout the body with a mean volume of distribution of 17.5 L/m2 in patients following a 15 units/m2 IV bolus dose. Protein binding of bleomycin has not been studied.
MetabolismBleomycin is inactivated by a cytosolic cysteine proteinase enzyme, bleomycin hydrolase. The enzyme is widely distributed in normal tissues with the exception of the skin and lungs, both targets of bleomycin toxicity. Systemic elimination of the drug by enzymatic degradation is probably only important in patients with severely compromised renal function.
ExcretionThe primary route of elimination is via the kidneys. About 65% of the administered IV dose is excreted in urine within 24 hours. In patients with normal renal function, plasma concentrations of bleomycin decline biexponentially with a mean terminal half-life of 2 hours following IV bolus administration. Total body clearance and renal clearance averaged 51 mL/min/m2 and 23 mL/min/m2, respectively.
Following intrapleural administration to patients with normal renal function, a lower percentage of drug (40%) is recovered in the urine, as compared to that found in the urine after IV administration.
Special Populations
Age, Gender, and RaceThe effects of age, gender, and race on the pharmacokinetics of Blenoxane have not been evaluated.
PediatricChildren of less than 3 years of age have higher total body clearance than in adults, 71 mL/min/m2 versus 51 mL/min/m2, respectively, following IV bolus administration. Children of more than 8 years of age have comparable clearance as in adults.
In children with normal renal function, plasma concentrations of bleomycin decline biexponentially as in adults. The volume of distribution and terminal half-life of bleomycin in children appears comparable to that in adults.
Renal InsufficiencyRenal insufficiency markedly alters bleomycin elimination. The terminal elimination half-life increases exponentially as the creatinine clearance decreases. Dosing reductions were proposed for patients with creatinine clearance values of <50 mL/min (see PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Hepatic InsufficiencyThe effect of hepatic insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of Blenoxane has not been evaluated.
Drug Interactions
Drugs that Can Affect Renal ClearanceBecause bleomycin is eliminated predominantly through renal excretion, the administration of nephrotoxic drugs with bleomycin may affect its renal clearance. Specifically, in one report of 2 children receiving concomitant cisplatin with bleomycin, total body clearance of bleomycin decreased from 39 to 18 mL/min/m2 as the cumulative dose of cisplatin exceeded 300 mg/m2. Terminal half-life of bleomycin also increased from 4.4 to 6.0 hours. Fatal bleomycin pulmonary toxicity has been reported in a patient with unrecognized cisplatin-induced oliguric renal failure.
Clinical Studies
Malignant Pleural EffusionThe safety and efficacy of Blenoxane 60 units and tetracycline (1 g) as treatment for malignant pleural effusion were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized trial. Patients were required to have cytologically positive pleural effusion, good performance status (0,1,2), lung re-expansion following tube thoracostomy with drainage rates of 100 mL/24 hours or less, no prior intrapleural therapy, no prior systemic Blenoxane therapy, no chest irradiation, and no recent change in systemic therapy. Overall survival did not differ between the Blenoxane (n=44) and tetracycline treatment (n=41) groups. Of patients evaluated within 30 days of instillation, the recurrence rate was 36% (10/28) with Blenoxane and 67% (18/27) with tetracycline (p=0.023). Toxicity was similar between groups.
Indications and Usage for Blenoxane
Blenoxane should be considered a palliative treatment. It has been shown to be useful in the management of the following neoplasms either as a single agent or in proven combinations with other approved chemotherapeutic agents:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Head and neck (including mouth, tongue, tonsil, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sinus, palate, lip, buccal mucosa, gingivae, epiglottis, skin, larynx), penis, cervix, and vulva. The response to Blenoxane is poorer in patients with previously irradiated head and neck cancer.
Lymphomas
Hodgkin’s Disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Testicular Carcinoma
Embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma.
Blenoxane has also been shown to be useful in the management of:
Malignant Pleural Effusion
Blenoxane is effective as a sclerosing agent for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion and prevention of recurrent pleural effusions.
Contraindications
Blenoxane is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or an idiosyncratic reaction to it.
Warnings
Patients receiving Blenoxane must be observed carefully and frequently during and after therapy. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with significant impairment of renal function or compromised pulmonary function.
Pulmonary toxicities occur in 10% of treated patients. In approximately 1%, the nonspecific pneumonitis induced by Blenoxane progresses to pulmonary fibrosis, and death. Although this is age and dose related, the toxicity is unpredictable. Frequent roentgenograms are recommended (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Pulmonary).
A severe idiosyncratic reaction (similar to anaphylaxis) consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing has been reported in approximately 1% of lymphoma patients treated with Blenoxane. Since these reactions usually occur after the first or second dose, careful monitoring is essential after these doses (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Idiosyncratic Reactions).
Renal or hepatic toxicity, beginning as a deterioration in renal or liver function tests, have been reported infrequently. These toxicities may occur, however, at any time after initiation of therapy.
Usage in Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category DBlenoxane can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. It has been shown to be teratogenic in rats. Administration of intraperitoneal doses of 1.5 mg/kg/day to rats (about 1.6 times the recommended human dose on a unit/m2 basis) on days 6–15 of gestation caused skeletal malformations, shortened innominate artery and hydroureter. Blenoxane is abortifacient but not teratogenic in rabbits at IV doses of 1.2 mg/kg/day (about 2.4 times the recommended human dose on a unit/m2 basis) given on gestation days 6–18.
There have been no studies in pregnant women. If Blenoxane is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant during therapy with Blenoxane.
Precautions
General
Patients with creatinine clearance values of less than 50 mL/min should be treated with caution and their renal function should be carefully monitored during the administration of bleomycin. Lower doses of Blenoxane may be required in these patients than those with normal renal function (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
The carcinogenic potential of Blenoxane in humans is unknown. A study in F344-type male rats demonstrated an increased incidence of nodular hyperplasia after induced lung carcinogenesis by nitrosamines, followed by treatment with bleomycin. In another study where the drug was administered to rats by subcutaneous injection at 0.35 mg/kg weekly (3.82 units/m2 weekly or about 30% at the recommended human dose), necropsy findings included dose-related injection site fibrosarcomas as well as various renal tumors. Bleomycin has been shown to be mutagenic both in vitro and in vivo. The effects of bleomycin on fertility have not been studied.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category DSee WARNINGS.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether the drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, it is recommended that nursing be discontinued by women receiving Blenoxane therapy.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Blenoxane in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
In clinical trials, pulmonary toxicity was more common in patients older than 70 years than in younger patients (see BOX WARNING, WARNINGS, and ADVERSE REACTIONS: Pulmonary). Other reported clinical experience has not identified other differences in responses between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Bleomycin is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.
Adverse Reactions
Pulmonary
This is potentially the most serious side effect, occurring in approximately 10% of treated patients. The most frequent presentation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis. Approximately 1% of patients treated have died of pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary toxicity is both dose and age related, being more common in patients over 70 years of age and in those receiving over 400 units total dose. This toxicity, however, is unpredictable and has been seen occasionally in young patients receiving low doses. Some published reports have suggested that the risk of pulmonary toxicity may be increased when bleomycin is used in combination with G-CSF (filgrastim) or other cytokines. However, randomized clinical studies completed to date have not demonstrated an increased risk of pulmonary complications in patients treated with bleomycin and G-CSF.
Because of lack of specificity of the clinical syndrome, the identification of patients with pulmonary toxicity due to Blenoxane (bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP) has been extremely difficult. The earliest symptom associated with Blenoxane pulmonary toxicity is dyspnea. The earliest sign is fine rales.
Radiographically, Blenoxane-induced pneumonitis produces nonspecific patchy opacities, usually of the lower lung fields. The most common changes in pulmonary function tests are a decrease in total lung volume and a decrease in vital capacity. However, these changes are not predictive of the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
The microscopic tissue changes due to Blenoxane toxicity include bronchiolar squamous metaplasia, reactive macrophages, atypical alveolar epithelial cells, fibrinous edema, and interstitial fibrosis. The acute stage may involve capillary changes and subsequent fibrinous exudation into alveoli producing a change similar to hyaline membrane formation and progressing to a diffuse interstitial fibrosis resembling the Hamman-Rich syndrome. These microscopic findings are nonspecific; eg, similar changes are seen in radiation pneumonitis and pneumocystic pneumonitis.
To monitor the onset of pulmonary toxicity, roentgenograms of the chest should be taken every 1 to 2 weeks (see WARNINGS). If pulmonary changes are noted, treatment should be discontinued until it can be determined if they are drug related. Recent studies have suggested that sequential measurement of the pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) during treatment with Blenoxane may be an indicator of subclinical pulmonary toxicity. It is recommended that the DLCO be monitored monthly if it is to be employed to detect pulmonary toxicities, and thus the drug should be discontinued when the DLCO falls below 30% to 35% of the pretreatment value.
Because of bleomycin’s sensitization of lung tissue, patients who have received bleomycin are at greater risk of developing pulmonary toxicity when oxygen is administered in surgery. While long exposure to very high oxygen concentrations is a known cause of lung damage, after bleomycin administration, lung damage can occur at lower concentrations that are usually considered safe. Suggested preventive measures are:
- Maintain FIO2 at concentrations approximating that of room air (25%) during surgery and the postoperative period.
- Monitor carefully fluid replacement, focusing more on colloid administration rather than crystalloid.
Sudden onset of an acute chest pain syndrome suggestive of pleuropericarditis has been rarely reported during Blenoxane infusions. Although each patient must be individually evaluated, further courses of Blenoxane do not appear to be contraindicated.
Pulmonary adverse events which may be related to the intrapleural administration of Blenoxane have been reported only rarely.
Idiosyncratic Reactions
In approximately 1% of the lymphoma patients treated with Blenoxane (bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP), an idiosyncratic reaction, similar to anaphylaxis clinically, has been reported. The reaction may be immediate or delayed for several hours, and usually occurs after the first or second dose (see WARNINGS). It consists of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing. Treatment is symptomatic including volume expansion, pressor agents, antihistamines, and corticosteroids.
Integument and Mucous Membranes
These are the most frequent side effects, being reported in approximately 50% of treated patients. These consist of erythema, rash, striae, vesiculation, hyperpigmentation, and tenderness of the skin. Hyperkeratosis, nail changes, alopecia, pruritus, and stomatitis have also been reported. It was necessary to discontinue Blenoxane therapy in 2% of treated patients because of these toxicities.
Scleroderma-like skin changes have also been reported as part of postmarketing surveillance.
Skin toxicity is a relatively late manifestation usually developing in the second and third week of treatment after 150 to 200 units of Blenoxane have been administered and appears to be related to the cumulative dose.
Intrapleural administration of Blenoxane has occasionally been associated with local pain. Hypotension possibly requiring symptomatic treatment has been reported infrequently. Death has been very rarely reported in association with Blenoxane pleurodesis in these very seriously ill patients.
Other
Vascular toxicities coincident with the use of Blenoxane in combination with other antineoplastic agents have been reported rarely. The events are clinically heterogeneous and may include myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, thrombotic microangiopathy (HUS), or cerebral arteritis. Various mechanisms have been proposed for these vascular complications. There are also reports of Raynaud’s phenomenon occurring in patients treated with Blenoxane in combination with vinblastine with or without cisplatin or, in a few cases, with Blenoxane as a single agent. It is currently unknown if the cause of Raynaud’s phenomenon in these cases is the disease, underlying vascular compromise, Blenoxane, vinblastine, hypomagnesemia, or a combination of any of these factors.
Fever, chills, and vomiting were frequently reported side effects. Anorexia and weight loss are common and may persist long after termination of this medication. Pain at tumor site, phlebitis, and other local reactions were reported infrequently.
Malaise was also reported as part of postmarketing surveillance.
Blenoxane Dosage and Administration
Because of the possibility of an anaphylactoid reaction, lymphoma patients should be treated with 2 units or less for the first two doses. If no acute reaction occurs, then the regular dosage schedule may be followed.
The following dose schedule is recommended:
Squamous cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular carcinoma—0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously weekly or twice weekly.
Hodgkin’s Disease—0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously weekly or twice weekly. After a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly intravenously or intramuscularly should be given.
Pulmonary toxicity of Blenoxane appears to be dose-related with a striking increase when the total dose is over 400 units. Total doses over 400 units should be given with great caution.
Note: When Blenoxane (bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP) is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses.
Improvement of Hodgkin’s Disease and testicular tumors is prompt and noted within 2 weeks. If no improvement is seen by this time, improvement is unlikely. Squamous cell cancers respond more slowly, sometimes requiring as long as 3 weeks before any improvement is noted.
Malignant Pleural Effusion—60 units administered as a single dose bolus intrapleural injection (see Administration: Intrapleural).
Use in Patients with Renal Insufficiency
The following dosing reductions are proposed for patients with creatinine clearance (CrCL) values of less than 50 mL/min:
Patient CrCL
(mL/min) | Blenoxane
Dose (%) |
|---|
| 50 and above | 100 |
| 40-50 | 70 |
| 30-40 | 60 |
| 20-30 | 55 |
| 10-20 | 45 |
| 5-10 | 40 |
CrCL can be estimated from the individual patient’s measured serum creatinine (Scr) values using the Cockcroft and Gault formula:
| Males | CrCL = [weight × (140 – Age)]/(72 × Scr) |
| Females | CrCL = 0.85 × [weight × (140 – Age)]/(72 × Scr) |
| Where CrCL in mL/min/1.73m2, weight in kg, age in years, and Scr in mg/dL. |
Administration
Blenoxane may be given by the intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intrapleural routes.
To minimize the risk of dermal exposure, always wear impervious gloves when handling vials containing Blenoxane for injection. This includes all handling activities in clinical settings, pharmacies, storerooms, and home healthcare settings, including during unpacking and inspection, transport within a facility, and dose preparation and administration.
Intramuscular or SubcutaneousThe Blenoxane 15 units vial should be reconstituted with 1 to 5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, Sodium Chloride for Injection, 0.9%, USP, or Sterile Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP. The Blenoxane 30 units vial should be reconstituted with 2 to 10 mL of the above diluents.
IntravenousThe contents of the 15 units or 30 units vial should be dissolved in 5 mL or 10 mL, respectively, of Sodium Chloride for Injection, 0.9%, USP, and administered slowly over a period of 10 minutes.
IntrapleuralSixty units of Blenoxane are dissolved in 50–100 mL Sodium Chloride for Injection, 0.9%, USP, and administered through a thoracostomy tube following drainage of excess pleural fluid and confirmation of complete lung expansion. The literature suggests that successful pleurodesis is, in part, dependent upon complete drainage of the pleural fluid and reestablishment of negative intrapleural pressure prior to instillation of a sclerosing agent. Therefore, the amount of drainage from the chest tube should be as minimal as possible prior to instillation of Blenoxane. Although there is no conclusive evidence to support this contention, it is generally accepted that chest tube drainage should be less than 100 mL in a 24-hour period prior to sclerosis. However, Blenoxane instillation may be appropriate when drainage is between 100–300 mL under clinical conditions that necessitate sclerosis therapy. The thoracostomy tube is clamped after Blenoxane instillation. The patient is moved from the supine to the left and right lateral positions several times during the next four hours. The clamp is then removed and suction reestablished. The amount of time the chest tube remains in place following sclerosis is dictated by the clinical situation.
The intrapleural injection of topical anesthetics or systemic narcotic analgesia is generally not required.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
How is Blenoxane Supplied
Blenoxane® (bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP) is available as follows:
NDC 0015-3010-20, 15 units per vial as bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP.
NDC 0015-3063-01, 30 units per vial as bleomycin sulfate for injection, USP.
Stability
The sterile powder is stable under refrigeration 2° C (36° F) to 8° C (46° F) and should not be used after the expiration date is reached.
Blenoxane should not be reconstituted or diluted with D5W or other dextrose containing diluents. When reconstituted in D5W and analyzed by HPLC, Blenoxane demonstrates a loss of A2 and B2 potency that does not occur when Blenoxane is reconstituted in Sodium Chloride for Injection, 0.9%, USP.
Blenoxane is stable for 24 hours at room temperature in Sodium Chloride.
Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered. Several guidelines on this subject have been published.1-8 There is no general agreement that all of the procedures recommended in the guidelines are necessary or appropriate.
REFERENCES
- ONS Clinical Practice Committee. Cancer Chemotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 1999:32-41.
- Recommendations for the safe handling of parenteral antineoplastic drugs. Washington, DC: Division of Safety, Clinical Center Pharmacy Department and Cancer Nursing Services, National Institutes of Health; 1992. US Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Publication NIH 92-2621.
- AMA Council on Scientific Affairs. Guidelines for handling parenteral antineoplastics. JAMA. 1985;253:1590-1592.
- National Study Commission on Cytotoxic Exposure. Recommendations for handling cytotoxic agents. 1987. Available from Louis P. Jeffrey, ScD, Chairman, National Study Commission on Cytotoxic Exposure. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
- Clinical Oncological Society of Australia. Guidelines and recommendations for safe handling of antineoplastic agents. Med J Aust. 1983;1:426-428.
- Jones RB, Frank R, Mass T. Safe handling of chemotherapeutic agents: a report from The Mount Sinai Medical Center. CA Cancer J Clin. 1983;33:258-263.
- American Society of Hospital Pharmacists. ASHP technical assistance bulletin on handling cytotoxic and hazardous drugs. Am J Hosp Pharm. 1990;47:1033-1049.
- Controlling occupational exposure to hazardous drugs. (OSHA Work-Practice Guidelines.) Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 1996;53:1669-1685.
Manufactured by:
Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan
Distributed by:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Princeton, NJ 08543 USA
1018230A7
Revised August 2006
Blenoxane
bleomycin sulfate injection, powder, for solution |
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Blenoxane
bleomycin sulfate injection, powder, for solution |
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Revised: 03/2007Bristol-Myers Squibb Company