4.1. Therapeutic indications

Onkotrone Injection is indicated for the treatment of:

- Metastatic breast cancer

- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in adults

- In combination regimens is indicated in the remission-induction treatment of blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukaemia

- In combination with corticosteroids for palliation (e.g. pain relief) related to advanced castrate resistant prostate cancer.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Onkotrone should be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents.

Metastatic breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Single agent therapy

The recommended initial dosage of mitoxantrone used as a single agent is 14 mg/m2 of body surface area, given as a single intravenous dose, which may be repeated at 21-day intervals. A lower initial dosage (12 mg/m2 or less) is recommended in patients with inadequate bone marrow reserves e.g. due to prior chemotherapy or poor general condition.

Dosage modification and the timing of subsequent dosing should be determined by clinical judgment depending on the degree and duration of myelosuppression. For subsequent courses, the prior dose can usually be repeated if white blood cell and platelet counts have returned to normal levels after 21 days.

The following table is suggested as a guide to dosage adjustment, in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma according to haematological nadir (which usually occurs about 10 days after dosing).

WBC and platelet nadir

Time to recovery

Subsequent dosing

If WBC nadir > 1,500 μl and platelet nadir > 50,000 μl

Recovery ≤ 21 days

Repeat prior dose

If WBC nadir > 1,500 μl and platelet nadir > 50,000 μl

Recovery > 21 days

Withhold until recovery, then repeat prior dose.

If WBC nadir < 1,500 μl or platelet nadir < 50,000 μl

Any duration

Decrease by 2 mg/m2 from prior dose, after recovery.

If WBC nadir < 1,000 μl or platelet nadir < 25,000 μl

Any duration

Decrease by 4 mg/m2 from prior dose, after recovery.

Combination therapy

Mitoxantrone has been given as part of combination therapy. In metastatic breast cancer, combinations of mitoxantrone with other cytotoxic agents including cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil or methotrexate and mitomycin C have been shown to be effective.

Mitoxantrone has also been used in various combinations for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; however, data are presently limited and specific regimens cannot be recommended.

In combination regimens mitoxantrone, in starting doses ranging from 7 to 8 to 10 to 12 mg/m2, dependent on the combination and frequency used, has shown effectiveness.

As a guide, when mitoxantrone is used in combination chemotherapy with another myelosuppressive agent, the initial dose of mitoxantrone should be reduced by 2 to 4 mg/m2 below the doses recommended for single agent usage; subsequent dosing, as outlined in the table above, depends on the degree and duration of myelosuppression.

Acute myeloid leukaemia

Single Agent Therapy in Relapse

The recommended dosage for remission induction is 12 mg/m2 of body surface area, given as a single intravenous dose daily for five consecutive days (total of 60 mg/m2). In clinical studies with a dosage of 12 mg/m2 daily for 5 days, patients who achieved a complete remission did so as a result of the first induction course.

Combination Therapy

For induction, the recommended dosage is 12 mg/m2 of mitoxantrone daily on Days 1 to 3 given as an intravenous infusion, and 100 mg/m2 of cytarabine for 7 days given as a continuous 24-hour infusion on Days 1 to 7.

Most complete remissions will occur following the initial course of induction therapy. In the event of an incomplete antileukaemic response, a second induction course may be given with mitoxantrone given for 2 days and cytarabine for 5 days, using the same daily dosage levels. If severe or lifethreatening non-haematological toxicity is observed during the first induction course, the second induction course should be withheld until toxicity resolves. Consolidation therapy, which was used in two large randomised multicentre trials, consists of mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2 given by intravenous infusion daily on Days 1 and 2, and cytarabine, 100 mg/m2 for 5 days given as a continuous 24-hour infusion on Days 1 to 5. The first course was given approximately 6 weeks after the final induction course; the second was generally administered 4 weeks after the first.

A single course of mitoxantrone 6 mg/m2 intravenous (IV) bolus, etoposide 80 mg/m2 intravenous for a period of 1 hour, and cytarabine (Ara-C) 1 g/m2 intravenous for a period of 6 hours daily for 6 days (MEC) showed antileukaemic activity as salvage therapy for refractory AML.

Treatment of blast crisis in (chronic) myeloid leukaemia

Single dose therapy in relapse

The recommended dosage in relapse is 10 to 12 mg/m2 body surface area given as a single intravenous dose daily over 5 consecutive days (total of 50 to 60 mg/m2).

Advanced castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Based on data from two comparative trials of mitoxantrone plus corticosteroids versus corticosteroids alone, the recommended dosage of mitoxantrone is 12 to 14 mg/m2 given as a short intravenous infusion every 21 days, in combination with low oral doses of corticosteroids.

Cancer patients who received cumulative doses of 140 mg/m2 either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents had a cumulative 2.6% probability of clinical congestive heart failure. For this reason, patients should be monitored for evidence of cardiac toxicity and questioned about symptoms of heart failure prior to the initiation of and during treatment.

Special populations

Elderly

In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be initiated at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreasing hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or treatment with other medicinal products.

Renal Impairment

The safety of mitoxantrone in patients with renal impairment is not established. Mitoxantrone should be used with caution.

Hepatic Impairment

The safety of mitoxantrone in patients with hepatic insufficiency is not established. For patients with hepatic impairment dose adjustment may be necessary as mitoxantrone clearance is reduced by hepatic impairment. There are insufficient data that allows for dose adjustment recommendations. Laboratory measurement cannot predict clearance of the active substance and dose adjustments (see section 5.2).

Paediatric Population

Safety and efficacy in paediatric patients have not been established. There is no relevant use of mitoxantrone in the paediatric population.

Method of administration

Onkotrone concentrate should be given by intravenous infusion only. Onkotrone concentrate should be slowly injected into a free flowing intravenous infusion of isotonic saline or 5% glucose solution over a period of not less than 3 to 5 minutes. The tubing should be inserted preferably into a large vein. If possible, avoid veins over joints or in extremities with compromised venous or lymphatic drainage.

Onkotrone concentrate also can be administered as a short infusion (15 to 30 minutes) diluted in 50 to 100 ml isotonic saline or 5% glucose solution. Onkotrone concentrate must not be given subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intra-arterially. Severe local tissue damage may occur if there is extravasation during administration. The medicinal product must also not be given by intrathecal injection.

If any signs or symptoms of extravasation have occurred, including burning, pain, pruritus, erythema, swelling, blue discolouration, or ulceration, the administration should be stopped immediately (see section 4.4).

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1, including sulphites that may be produced during the manufacturing of mitoxantrone.

Mitoxantrone is contraindicated in women who are breast-feeding (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product

Mitoxantrone should be given slowly into a freely flowing intravenous infusion. Mitoxantrone must not be given subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intra-arterially. There have been reports of local/regional neuropathy, some irreversible, following intra-arterial injection. Severe local tissue damage may occur if there is extravasation during administration. To date, only isolated cases of severe local reactions (necroses) have been described due to extravasation. Mitoxantrone must not be given by intrathecal injection. Severe injury with permanent sequelae can result from intrathecal administration. There have been reports of neuropathy and neurotoxicity, both central and peripheral, following intrathecal injection. These reports have included seizures leading to coma and severe neurologic sequelae, and paralysis with bowel and bladder dysfunction.

Cardiac function

Myocardial toxicity, manifested in its most severe form by potentially irreversible and fatal congestive heart failure (CHF), may occur either during therapy with mitoxantrone or months to years after termination of therapy. This risk increases with cumulative dose. Cancer patients who received cumulative doses of 140 mg/m2 either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents had a cumulative 2.6% probability of clinical congestive heart failure. In comparative oncology trials, the overall cumulative probability rate of moderate or severe decreases in LVEF at this dose was 13%.

Active or dormant cardiovascular disease, prior or concomitant radiotherapy to the mediastinal/pericardial area, previous therapy with other anthracyclines or anthracenediones, or concomitant use of other cardiotoxic medicinal products may increase the risk of cardiac toxicity. Evaluation of the left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiogram or multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) is recommended prior to administration of the initial dose of mitoxantrone in cancer patients. Cardiac function for cancer patients should be carefully monitored during treatment. LVEF evaluation is recommended at regular intervals and/or if signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure develop. Cardiotoxicity can occur at any time during mitoxantrone therapy, and the risk increases with cumulative dose. Cardiac toxicity with mitoxantrone may occur at lower cumulative doses whether or not cardiac risk factors are present.

Because of the possible danger of cardiac effects in patients previously treated with daunorubicin or doxorubicin, the benefit-to-risk ratio of mitoxantrone therapy in such patients should be determined before starting therapy.

Acute congestive heart failure may occasionally occur in patients treated with mitoxantrone for acute myeloid leukaemia.

Bone marrow suppression

Therapy with mitoxantrone should be accompanied by close and frequent monitoring of haematological and chemical laboratory parameters, as well as frequent patient observation. A complete blood count, including platelets, should be obtained prior to administration of the initial dose of mitoxantrone, 10 days following the administration and prior to each subsequent infusion and in the event that signs and symptoms of infection develop. Patients should be informed about risks, symptoms and signs of acute leukaemia and prompted to seek medical attendance if any such symptoms should occur even after the five year period has passed.

Myelosuppression may be more severe and prolonged in patients with poor general condition, or prior chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Except for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia, mitoxantrone therapy generally should not be given to patients with baseline neutrophil counts of less than 1,500 cells/mm3. It is recommended that frequent peripheral blood cell counts are performed on all patients receiving mitoxantrone in order to monitor the occurrence of bone marrow suppression, primarily neutropenia, which may be severe and result in infection.

When mitoxantrone is used in high doses (> 14 mg/m2/d x 3 days) such as indicated for the treatment of leukaemia, severe myelosuppression will occur.

Particular care should be given to assuring full haematological recovery before undertaking consolidation therapy (if this treatment is used) and patients should be monitored closely during this phase.

Mitoxantrone administered at any dose can cause myelosuppression.

Secondary acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

Topoisomerase II inhibitors, including mitoxantrone, when used as monotherapy or especially concomitantly with other antineoplastic agents and/or radiotherapy, have been associated with the development of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Because of the risk of development of secondary malignancies, the benefit-to-risk ratio of mitoxantrone therapy should be determined before starting therapy.

Non-metastatic breast cancer

In the absence of sufficient efficacy data in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer and accounting for the increased risk of leukaemia, mitoxantrone should only be used for metastatic breast cancer.

Infections

Patients who receive immunosuppressive agents like mitoxantrone have a reduced immunological response to infection. Systemic infections should be treated concomitantly with or just prior to commencing therapy with mitoxantrone.

Vaccination

Immunisation with live virus vaccines (e.g. yellow fever vaccination) increases the risk of infection and other adverse reactions such as vaccinia gangrenosa and generalised vaccinia, in patients with reduced immunocompetence, such as during treatment with mitoxantrone. Therefore, live virus vaccines should not be administered during therapy. It is advised to use live virus vaccines with caution after stopping chemotherapy, and vaccinate not sooner than 3 months after the last dose of chemotherapy (see section 4.5).

Contraception in males and females

Mitoxantrone is genotoxic and is considered a potential human teratogen. Therefore men under therapy must be advised not to father a child and to use contraceptive measures during and at least 6 months after therapy. Women of childbearing potential should have a negative pregnancy test prior to each dose, and use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 9 months after cessation of therapy.

Breast-feeding

Mitoxantrone has been detected in breast-milk for up to one month after the last administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in infants from mitoxantrone, breast-feeding is contraindicated (see section 4.3) and must be discontinued before starting treatment.

Fertility

Women of childbearing potential should be informed about increased risk of transitory or persistent amenorrhoea (see section 4.6).

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity

Mitoxantrone was found to be mutagenic in bacterial and mammalian test systems, as well as in vivo in rats. The active substance was carcinogenic in experimental animals at doses below the proposed clinical dose. Therefore, mitoxantrone has the potential to be carcinogenic in humans.

Tumour lysis syndrome

Cases of tumour lysis syndrome were reported with the use of mitoxantrone. Levels of uric acid, electrolytes and urea should be monitored.

Discolouration of urine and other tissues

Mitoxantrone may cause a blue-green colouration to the urine for 24 hours after administration, and patients should be advised to expect this during therapy. Bluish discolouration of the sclera, skin and nails may also occur.

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

Combining mitoxantrone with potentially cardiotoxic active substances (e.g. anthracyclines) increases the risk of cardiac toxicity.

Topoisomerase II inhibitors, including mitoxantrone, when used concomitantly with other antineoplastic agents and/or radiotherapy, have been associated with the development of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) (see section 4.8).

Mitoxantrone causes myelosuppression as an extension of its pharmacological action. Myelosuppresion can be increased when it is used in combination chemotherapy with another myelosuppressive agent such as for treatment of breast cancer.

The combination of mitoxantrone with other immunosuppressive agents may increase the risk of excessive immunodepression and lymphoproliferative syndrome.

Immunisation with live virus vaccines (e.g. yellow fever vaccination) increases the risk of infection and other adverse reactions such as vaccinia gangrenosa and generalised vaccinia, in patients with reduced immunocompetence, such as during treatment with mitoxantrone. Therefore, live virus vaccines should not be administered during therapy. It is advised to use live virus vaccines with caution after stopping chemotherapy, and vaccinate not sooner than 3 months after the last dose of chemotherapy (see section 4.4).

The combination of vitamin K antagonists and cytotoxic agents may result in an increased risk of bleeding. In patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy, the prothrombin time ratio or INR should be closely monitored with the addition and withdrawal of treatment with mitoxantrone and should be reassessed more frequently during concurrent therapy. Adjustments of the anticoagulant dose may be necessary in order to maintain the desired level of anticoagulation.

Mitoxantrone has been demonstrated to be a substrate for the BCRP transporter protein in vitro. Inhibitors of the BCRP transporter (e.g. eltrombopag, gefitinib) could result in an increased bioavailability. In a pharmacokinetic study in children with de novo acute myeloid leukaemia, ciclosporin co-medication resulted in a 42% decreased clearance of mitoxantrone. Inducers of the BCRP transporter could potentially decrease mitoxantrone exposure.

Mitoxantrone and its metabolites are excreted in bile and urine, but it is not known whether the metabolic or excretory pathways are saturable, may be inhibited or induced, or if mitoxantrone and its metabolites undergo enterohepatic circulation (see section 5.2).

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Contraception in males and females

Mitoxantrone is genotoxic and is considered a potential human teratogen. Therefore men under therapy must be advised not to father a child and to use contraceptive measures during and at least 6 months after therapy. Women of childbearing potential must be advised to avoid becoming pregnant; should have a negative pregnancy test prior to each dose and use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 9 months after cessation of therapy.

Pregnancy

There are very limited data on the use of mitoxantrone in pregnant women. Mitoxantrone was not teratogenic in animal studies at doses below human exposure, but caused reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Mitoxantrone is considered a potential human teratogen because of its mechanism of action and the developmental effects demonstrated by related agents. Mitoxantrone should not be administered during pregnancy in particular during the first trimester of pregnancy. In each individual case the benefit of treatment must be weighed up against the possible risk to the foetus. If this medicinal product is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking mitoxantrone, the patient should be informed of the potential risk to the foetus and genetic counselling should be provided.

Breast-feeding

Mitoxantrone is excreted in breast-milk and has been detected in breast-milk for up to one month after the last administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in infants from mitoxantrone, breast-feeding is contraindicated (see section 4.3) and must be discontinued before starting treatment.

Fertility

Women treated with Onkotrone Injection have an increased risk of transitory or persistent amenorrhoea and therefore preservation of gametes should be considered prior to therapy. In men, no data are available, but tubular atrophy of the testes and reduced sperm counts were observed in animals (see section 5.3).

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Mitoxantrone has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Confusion and fatigue may occur following administration of mitoxantrone (see section 4.8)

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most serious side effects with mitoxantrone are myocardial toxicity and myelosuppression. The most common side effects with mitoxantrone (seen in more than 1 patient in 10) are anaemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, infections, amenorrhoea, alopecia, nausea and vomiting.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The table below is based on safety data derived from clinical trials and spontaneous reporting. Frequencies are defined according to the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Frequency

Adverse Reaction

Infections and Infestations

Very common

Infection (including fatal outcome)

Uncommon

Urinary tract infection

Upper respiratory tract infection

Sepsis

Opportunistic infections

Rare

Pneumonia

Neoplasms benign and malignant (including cysts and polyps)

Uncommon

Acute myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, acute leukaemia

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Very common

Anaemia

Neutropenia

Leukopenia

Common

Thrombocytopenia

Granulocytopenia

Uncommon

Myelosuppression

Bone marrow failure

White blood cell count abnormal

Immune system disorders

Uncommon

Anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions (including shock)

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Common

Anorexia

Uncommon

Weight fluctuations

Tumour lysis syndrome*

* Acute T and B lymphoblastic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are most commonly associated with TLS

Nervous system disorders

Common

Lethargy

Uncommon

Anxiety

Confusion

Headache

Paraesthesia

Eye disorders

Uncommon

Scleral discolouration

Cardiac disorders

Common

Congestive heart failure

Myocardial infarction (including fatal events)

Uncommon

Arrhythmia

Sinus bradycardia

Electrocardiogram abnormal

Left ventricular ejection fraction

decreased

Rare

Cardiomyopathy

Vascular disorders

Uncommon

Contusion

Haemorrhage

Hypotension

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Common

Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common

Nausea

Vomiting

Common

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Stomatitis

Uncommon

Abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Mucosal inflammation

Pancreatitis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Uncommon

Hepatotoxicity

Elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very common

Alopecia

Uncommon

Erythema

Nail disorders

Rash

Skin discolouration Tissue necrosis (after extravasation)

Renal and urinary disorders

Uncommon

Elevated serum creatinine

Elevated blood urea nitrogen levels

Nephropathy toxic

Urine discolouration

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Uncommon

Amenorrhoea

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common

Asthenia

Fatigue

Pyrexia

Uncommon

Oedema

Extravasation*

Dysgeusia

* Extravasation at the infusion site has been reported, which may result in erythema, swelling, pain, burning and/or blue discolouration of the skin. Extravasation can result in tissue necrosis with resultant need for debridement and skin grafting. Phlebitis has also been reported at the site of infusion.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Myocardial toxicity, manifested in its most severe form by potentially irreversible and fatal congestive heart failure (CHF), may occur either during therapy with mitoxantrone or months to years after termination of therapy. This risk increases with cumulative dose. In clinical trials cancer patients who received cumulative doses of 140 mg/m2 either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents had a cumulative 2.6% probability of clinical congestive heart failure.

Myelosuppression is a dose-limiting undesirable effect of mitoxantrone. Myelosuppression can be more pronounced and longer-lasting in patients who have previously received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In a clinical trial with acute leukaemia patients, significant myelosuppression occurred in all patients who were given mitoxantrone therapy. Amongst the 80 enrolled patients the median values for the lowest white blood cell count and platelet count were 400/µl (WHO grade 4), and 9.500/µl (WHO grade 4), respectively. Haematological toxicity is difficult to evaluate in acute leukaemia because traditional parameters of bone marrow depression such as white blood cell and platelet counts are confounded by marrow replacement with leukemic cells.

Paediatric population

Treatment with mitoxantrone is not recommended in the paediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

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

4.9. Overdose

There is no known specific antidote for mitoxantrone. Accidental overdoses have been reported. Four patients receiving 140 to 180 mg/m2 as a single bolus injection died as a result of severe leukopenia with infection. Haematological support and antimicrobial therapy may be required during prolonged periods of severe myelosuppression.

Although patients with severe renal failure have not been studied, mitoxantrone is extensively tissue bound and it is unlikely that the therapeutic effect or toxicity would be mitigated by peritoneal or haemodialysis.

Haematopoietic, gastrointestinal, hepatic or renal toxicity may be seen, depending on the dosage given and the physical condition of the patient. In cases of overdosage patients should be monitored closely. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.