4.1. Therapeutic indications

Pentostatin is indicated as single agent therapy in the treatment of adult patients with hairy cell leukaemia.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Pentostatin is indicated for adult patients.

Administration to Patient

It is recommended that patients receive hydration with 500 to 1,000 mL of 5% glucose only or 5% glucose in 0.18% or 0.9% saline or glucose 3.3% in 0.3% saline or 2.5% glucose in 0.45% saline or equivalent before pentostatin administration. An additional 500 mL of 5% glucose only or 5% glucose in 0.18% or 0.9% saline or 2.5% glucose in 0.45% saline or equivalent should be administered after pentostatin is given.

The recommended dosage of pentostatin for the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia is 4 mg/m2 in a single administration every other week. Pentostatin may be given intravenously by bolus injection or diluted in a larger volume and given over 20 to 30 minutes. (See Special precautions for disposal and other handling under Section 6.6.)

Higher doses are not recommended.

No extravasation injuries were reported in clinical studies.

The optimal duration of treatment has not been determined. In the absence of major toxicity and with observed continuing improvement, the patient should be treated until a complete response has been achieved. Although not established as required, the administration of two additional doses has been recommended following the achievement of a complete response.

All patients receiving pentostatin at 6 months should be assessed for response to treatment. If the patient has not achieved a complete or partial response, treatment with pentostatin should be discontinued.

If the patient has achieved a partial response, pentostatin treatment should be continued in an effort to achieve a complete response. At any time after a complete response is achieved, two additional doses of pentostatin are recommended. Pentostatin treatment should then be stopped. If the best response to treatment at the end of 12 months is a partial response, it is recommended that treatment with pentostatin be stopped.

Withholding or discontinuation of individual doses may be needed when severe adverse reactions occur. Drug treatment should be withheld in patients with severe rash, and withheld or discontinued in patients showing evidence of nervous system toxicity.

Pentostatin treatment should be withheld in patients with active infection occurring during the treatment but may be resumed when the infection is controlled.

Dosage in Patients with Cytopenias

No dosage reduction is recommended at the start of therapy with pentostatin in patients with anaemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia. In addition, dosage reductions are not recommended during treatment in patients with anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Pentostatin should be temporarily withheld if the absolute neutrophil count during treatment falls below 200 cells/mm3 in a patient who had an initial neutrophil count greater than 500 cells/mm3 and may be resumed when the count returns to predose levels.

Renal Insufficiency

There is limited experience in patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance (Clcr) < 60 mL/min) (see section 5.2).

Creatinine clearance should be determined prior to each administration of NIPENT.

Liver Impairment

Because of limited experience treating patients with abnormal liver function, treatment of such patients should be done with caution.

Administration to Elderly Patients

The recommended dosage of pentostatin for the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia in the elderly is 4 mg/m2 in a single administration every other week. Clinical trials have included patients over 65 years old and no adverse reactions specific to this age group have been reported.

Paediatric Use

Hairy cell leukaemia is a disease affecting adults, most commonly in the sixth decade of life. Safety and effectiveness of Nipent in children have not been established.

4.3. Contraindications

Pentostatin is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to any of the excipients.

Pentostatin is contraindicated in patients with impaired renal function (Creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min).

Pentostatin is contraindicated in patients with active infection.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Warnings

Pentostatin should be administered under the supervision of a physician qualified and experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. The use of doses higher than those specified (see Section 4.2) is not recommended. Dose-limiting severe renal, liver, pulmonary, and CNS toxicities occurred in Phase 1 studies that used pentostatin at a higher dose (20-50 mg/m2/course) than recommended.

In a clinical investigation in patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia using pentostatin at the recommended dose in combination with fludarabine phosphate, four of six patients entered on the study had severe or fatal pulmonary toxicity. The use of pentostatin in combination with fludarabine phosphate is not recommended.

Biochemical studies have demonstrated that pentostatin enhances the effects of vidarabine, a purine nucleoside with antiviral activity. The combined use of vidarabine and pentostatin may result in an increase in adverse reactions associated with each drug. The therapeutic benefit of the drug combination has not been established.

Patients with hairy cell leukaemia may experience myelosuppression primarily during the first few courses of treatment. Patients with infections prior to pentostatin treatment have in some cases developed worsening of their condition leading to death; whereas others have achieved complete response. Patients with infection should be treated only when the potential benefit of treatment justifies the potential risk to the patient. Efforts should be made to control the infection before treatment is initiated or resumed.

In patients with progressive hairy cell leukaemia, the initial courses of pentostatin treatment were associated with worsening of neutropaenia. Therefore, frequent monitoring of complete blood counts during this time is necessary. If severe neutropenia continues beyond the initial cycles, patient should be evaluated for disease status, including a bone marrow examination.

Pentostatin might have harmful effects on the genotype. Therefore, it is recommended that men undergoing treatment with pentostatin should not father a child during treatment up to 3 months thereafter. Contraception is to be guaranteed for women of childbearing age during treatment and for at least 6 months following the last dose of pentostatin. Should a pregnancy occur during treatment, the possibility of a genetic consultation is to be considered (See Section 4.6, Fertility, pregnancy and lactation).

Bone Marrow Transplant Regimen with high dose cyclophosphamide

Acute pulmonary oedema and hypotension leading to death, have been reported in the literature in patients treated with pentostatin in combination with carmustine, etoposide and high dose cyclophosphamide as part of an ablative regimen for bone marrow transplant. The combination of pentostatin and high dose cyclophosphamide is not recommended.

Elevations in liver function tests occurred during treatment with pentostatin and were generally reversible.

Renal toxicity was observed at higher doses in early studies; however, in patients treated at the recommended dose, elevations in serum creatinine were usually minor and reversible. There were some patients who began treatment with normal renal function who had evidence of mild to moderate toxicity at a final assessment. (See Administration to Patient [4.2].)

Rashes, occasionally severe, were commonly reported and may worsen with continued treatment. Withholding of treatment may be required. (See Administration to Patient [4.2].)

Extra care should be taken in treating patients beginning therapy with poor performance.

Precautions

Therapy with pentostatin requires regular patient observation and monitoring of haematologic parameters and blood chemistry values. If severe adverse reactions occur, the drug should be withheld (see Administration to Patient [4.2]) and appropriate corrective measures should be taken according to the clinical judgement of the physician.

Pentostatin treatment should be withheld or discontinued in patients showing evidence of nervous system toxicity.

Prior to initiating therapy with pentostatin, renal function should be assessed with a serum creatinine and/or a creatinine clearance assay. (See Pharmacokinetic Properties [5.2], Administration to Patient [4.2].) Complete blood counts, serum creatinine, and BUN should be performed before each dose of pentostatin and at appropriate periods during therapy. Severe neutropenia has been observed following the early courses of treatment with pentostatin and therefore frequent monitoring of complete blood counts is recommended during this time. If haematologic parameters do not improve with subsequent courses, patients should be evaluated for disease status, including a bone marrow examination. Periodic monitoring of the peripheral blood for hairy cells should be performed to assess the response to treatment.

In addition, bone marrow aspirates and biopsies may be required at 2 to 3 month intervals to assess the response to treatment.

Excipient Information

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per vial, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Allopurinol

Allopurinol and pentostatin are both associated with skin rashes. Based on clinical studies in 25 refractory patients who received both pentostatin and allopurinol, the combined use of pentostatin and allopurinol did not appear to produce a higher incidence of skin rashes than observed with pentostatin alone. There has been a report of one patient who received both drugs and experienced a hypersensitivity vasculitis that resulted in death. It was unclear whether this adverse event and subsequent death resulted from the drug combination.

Vidarabine

Biochemical studies have demonstrated that pentostatin enhances the effects of vidarabine, a purine nucleoside with antiviral activity. The combined use of vidarabine and pentostatin may result in an increase in adverse reactions associated with each drug. The therapeutic benefit of the drug combination has not been established.

Fludarabine

The combined use of pentostatin and fludarabine phosphate is not recommended because it has been associated with an increased risk of fatal pulmonary toxicity. (See Section 4.4, Warnings.)

Bone Marrow Transplant Regimen with high dose cyclophosphamide

Acute pulmonary oedema and hypotension leading to death, have been reported in the literature in patients treated with pentostatin in combination with carmustine, etoposide and high dose cyclophosphamide as part of an ablative regimen for bone marrow transplant. The combination of pentostatin and high dose cyclophosphamide is not recommended.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential/Contraception in males and females

Women of childbearing potential receiving pentostatin should be advised not to become pregnant.

Due to the potential for genotoxicity and teratogenicity, female patients of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months following the last dose of pentostatin.

Due to the potential for genotoxicity, male patients with female partners of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months following the last dose of pentostatin.

Pregnancy

There are no data from the use of pentostatin in pregnant patients. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity. Pentostatin has been shown to be teratogenic in rodent studies (See Section 5.3, Preclinical safety data). Pentostatin is not recommended in pregnancy and women of child bearing potential not using effective contraception. If the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazards to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether pentostatin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions due to pentostatin in nursing infants, the mother should be advised not to breast-feed while on pentostatin therapy and for 1 week following the last dose of treatment.

Fertility

No fertility studies have been conducted in animals. Incompletely reversible seminiferous tubular atrophy and degeneration in rats and in dogs may be indicative of potential effects on male fertility (See Section 5.3, Preclinical safety data). The possible adverse effects on human fertility have not been determined. It is recommended to discuss fertility preservation with men and women prior to treatment.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Pentostatin has a minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be advised to use caution in driving or using machinery following drug administration.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Pentostatin is lymphotoxic. Aside from myelosuppression, pentostatin is immunosuppressive in particular by suppression of the CD4+ lymphocyte subset. CD4+ counts smaller than 200 per µl are usually seen during treatment with pentostatin and CD4+ count suppression can outlast the end of treatment by more than 6 months. With the exception of frequent herpes zoster infections the clinical consequences of the suppression of CD4+ counts in hairy cell leukaemia are not well understood yet. Long term consequences are not predictable, but currently there is no evidence for higher frequency of secondary malignancies.

The following adverse events were reported during clinical studies in patients with hairy cell leukaemia who were refractory to alpha-interferon or were treated as front-line therapy. Most patients experienced an adverse event. The most commonly reported reactions were nausea and/or vomiting or leucopenia, each occurring in about 60% of patients. Fever, rash and fatigue were reported in about 40% of patients. Most adverse events were either mild or moderate diminished in frequency with continued therapy. Twelve percent of patients withdrew from treatment due to an adverse event. Many hairy cell leukaemia patients experience adverse events while under therapy with pentostatin. Given the natural history of the disease and the pharmacological properties of the drug it may be difficult in certain cases to discriminate between drug-related and disease-related adverse events. No extravasation injuries were reported in clinical studies.

The following adverse reactions have been reported during clinical studies in patients with HCL or during post-authorization use of pentostatin, either as single agent or in combinations with various agents for unapproved indications. They have been listed as Very common (> 10%), Common (1-10%), Uncommon (0.1-1%) or Rare (0.01-0.1%)

Body System

Frequency

Adverse Reaction

Infections and Infestations

Very common

(> 10%)

Upper respiratory infection, Rhinitis, Pharyngitis, Viral infection

Common1

(1-10%)

Herpes Zoster, Infection (unspecified), Sinusitis, Cellulitis, Bacterial infection, Pneumonia, Conjunctivitis, Furunculosis, Herpes simplex, Bronchitis, Sepsis, Urinary tract infection, Abscess skin, Oral Candidiasis, Mycotic skin infection, Peri-anal abscess, E. Coli pneumonia, Fungal pneumonia, Septic shock, Staphylococcal infection, Urosepis, Osteomyelitis

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Acute gastroenteritis, Pulmonary Aspergillosis, Clostridium Difficile colitis, Cystitis, Cytomegalovirus infection

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Oesophageal candidiasis

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)

Common1

(1-10%)

Neoplasms, Skin carcinoma

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Tumor lysis syndrome

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, Anaemia, Blood disorder, Eosinophilia, Hypochromic anaemia, Pancytopenia

Common1

(1-10%)

Agranulocytosis, Acute leukaemia, Febrile neutropenia, Ecchymosis, Lymphadenopathy, Splenomegaly

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Pure red cell aplasia, Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Anaemia-Haemolytic, Aplastic anaemia haemolytic uremic syndrome, Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura.

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia

Immune System Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Allergic reaction

Common1

(1-10%)

Graft versus Host Disease3

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Graft failure

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Anaphylaxis

Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders

Common1

(1-10%)

Dehydration, Gout, Electrolyte imbalance, Hypercalcaemia, Hyponatraemia, Hyperglycaemia, Weight increased, Weight decreased, LDH increased

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Hyperkalaemia, Hypokalaemia, Oxygen saturation decreased

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Fluid overload, Hypocalcaemia

Psychiatric disorders

Common1

(1-10%)

Anxiety, Depression, Nervousness, Abnormal dreams, Decrease/loss libido, Emotional lability, Hallucination, Hostility, Neurosis, Thinking abnormal, Depersonalisation

Nervous System Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Headache, Neurotoxicity

Common1

(1-10%)

Confusion, Dizziness, Insomnia, Paraesthesia, Somnolence, Amnesia, Ataxia, Convulsions, Dysarthria, Dysgeusia, Encephalitis, Hyperkinesia, Meningism, Neuralgia, Neuritis, Neuropathy, Paralysis, Syncope, Twitching, Tremor, Vertigo, Hypaesthesia

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Dementia Alzheimer's (suspected), Grand mal convulsion, Migraine, Parkinson's disease (aggravated), Petit mal epilepsy

Eye Disorders

Common1

(1-10%)

Dry eyes, Lacrimal disorder, Photophobia, Retinopathy, Vision abnormal, Fixed pupil, Lacrimation increased, Eye pain

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Blepharitis

Very rare

Unilateral uveitis with vision loss

Ear and Labyrinth Disorders:

Common1

(1-10%)

Deafness, Ear pain, Labyrinthitis, Tinnitus

Cardiac Disorders

Common1

(1-10%)

Angina pectoris, Arrhythmia, A-V block, Bradycardia, Extrasystoles ventricular, Heart arrest, Heart failure, Pericardial effusion, Sinus arrest, Tachycardia, Atrial fibrillation, Cardiac failure congestive, Flushing, Abnormal electrocardiogram.

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Cardiomyopathy, Myocardial infarction

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Pericarditis; Decreased ejection fraction

Vascular Disorders

Common1

(1-10%)

Haemorrhage, Hypotension, Hypertension, Deep thrombophlebitis, Phlebitis, Vasculitis

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Capillary leak syndrome

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Shock

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Coughing, Lung disorder

Common1

(1-10%)

Asthma, Dyspnoea, Laryngeal oedema, Lung oedema, Pulmonary embolism, Epistaxis

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Adult respiratory distress syndrome, Acute respiratory failure, Bronchospasm, Pleural effusion, Pneumothorax, Respiratory tract haemorrhage, Wheezing

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Alveolitis, Alveolitis fibrosing, Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, Diffuse alveolar damage, Obstructive airway disease, Pulmonary alveolar haemorrhage

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Nausea and/or vomiting; Diarrhoea, Abdominal pain, Anorexia, Rectal disorder, Rectal haemorrhage

Common1

(1-10%)

Dental Disorder, Dyspepsia, Gingivitis, Stomatitis, Constipation, Dysphagia, Flatulence, Glossitis, Ileus, Dry mouth

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Acute enteritis

Hepato-biliary disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

LFT increased, jaundice, hyperbilirubinaemia, ALT increased, AST increased

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Rash, Pruritus, Sweating, Skin disorder, Maculopapular rash

Common1

(1-10%)

Dry skin, Urticaria, Acne, Alopecia, Eczema, Petechial Rash, Photosensitivity reaction, Exfoliative dermatitis, Skin discoloration, Dermatitis bullous, Seborrhoea

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Angioneurotic oedema

Rare

Pemphigus, Stevens-Johnsons's syndrome

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Myalgia, Bone disorder, Arthropathy

Common1

(1-10%)

Arthralgia, Arthritis

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Pain in extremities

Renal and Urinary Disorders

Very common

(> 10%)

Genito-urinary disorder, BUN increased

Common1

(1-10%)

Creatinine increased, Renal impairment, Nephropathy, Renal failure, Nephrolithiasis, Acute renal failure, Dysuria, Urinary retention

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Cystitis haemorrhagic

Reproductive system and breast disorders:

Common1

(1-10%)

Amenorrhoea, Breast mass, Erectile dysfunction

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions

Very common

(> 10%)

Fever, fatigue, chills, asthenia, pain

Common1

(1-10%)

Chest pain, Death, Face oedema, Peripheral oedema, Flu-like symptoms, Hangover, Back pain, Malaise

Uncommon2

(0.1-1%)

Mucositis, Multiorgan failure

Rare2

(0.01-0.1%)

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, Lower extremity tenderness

1Includes all events which occurred in less than 3% of NIPENT-treated patients during the initial phase of the SWOG study:

2Based on 1549 patients included in post-marketing studies through Oct 10, 2005.

3Reported only in GVHD studies.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important.

It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.

Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at:

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store

4.9. Overdose

No specific antidote for pentostatin overdose is known. Pentostatin administered at higher doses (20-50 mg/m2/course) than recommended was associated with deaths due to severe renal, hepatic, pulmonary, and CNS toxicity. In case of overdose, management would include general supportive measures through any period of toxicity that occurs.