4.1. Therapeutic indications

Temozolomide SUN is indicated for the treatment of:

- adult patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme concomitantly with radiotherapy (RT) and subsequently as monotherapy treatment.

- children from the age of three years, adolescents and adult patients with malignant glioma, such as glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma, showing recurrence or progression after standard therapy.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Temozolomide SUN should only be prescribed by physicians experienced in the oncological treatment of brain tumours.

Anti-emetic therapy may be administered (see section 4.4).

Posology

Adult patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme

Temozolomide SUN is administered in combination with focal radiotherapy (concomitant phase) followed by up to 6 cycles of temozolomide (TMZ) monotherapy (monotherapy phase).

Concomitant phase

TMZ is administered orally at a dose of 75 mg/m2 daily for 42 days concomitant with focal radiotherapy (60 Gy administered in 30 fractions). No dose reductions are recommended, but delay or discontinuation of TMZ administration should be decided weekly according to haematological and non-haematological toxicity criteria. TMZ administration can be continued throughout the 42 day concomitant period (up to 49 days) if all of the following conditions are met:

- absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 109/l

- thrombocyte count ≥ 100 x 109/l

- common toxicity criteria (CTC) non-haematological toxicity ≤ Grade 1 (except for alopecia, nausea and vomiting).

During treatment a complete blood count should be obtained weekly. TMZ administration should be temporarily interrupted or permanently discontinued during the concomitant phase according to the haematological and non-haematological toxicity criteria as noted in Table 1.

Table 1. TMZ dosing interruption or discontinuation during concomitant radiotherapy and TMZ

Toxicity

TMZ interruptiona

TMZ discontinuation

Absolute neutrophil count

≥ 0.5 and < 1.5 x 109/l

< 0.5 x 109/l

Thrombocyte count

≥ 10 and < 100 x 109/l

< 10 x 109/l

CTC non-haematological toxicity (except for alopecia, nausea, vomiting)

CTC Grade 2

CTC Grade 3 or 4

a: Treatment with concomitant TMZ can be continued when all of the following conditions are met:

absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 x 109/l; thrombocyte count ≥ 100 x 109/l; CTC non-haematological toxicity ≤ Grade 1 (except for alopecia, nausea, vomiting).

Monotherapy phase

Four weeks after completing the TMZ + RT concomitant phase, TMZ is administered for up to 6 cycles of monotherapy treatment. Dose in Cycle 1 (monotherapy) is 150 mg/m2 once daily for 5 days followed by 23 days without treatment. At the start of Cycle 2, the dose is escalated to 200 mg/m2 if the CTC non-haematological toxicity for Cycle 1 is Grade ≤ 2 (except for alopecia, nausea and vomiting), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is ≥ 1.5 x 109/l, and the thrombocyte count is ≥ 100 x 109/l. If the dose was not escalated at Cycle 2, escalation should not be done in subsequent cycles. Once escalated, the dose remains at 200 mg/m2 per day for the first 5 days of each subsequent cycle except if toxicity occurs. Dose reductions and discontinuations during the monotherapy phase should be applied according to Tables 2 and 3.

During treatment a complete blood count should be obtained on Day 22 (21 days after the first dose of TMZ). The dose should be reduced or administration discontinued according to Table 3.

Table 2. TMZ dose levels for monotherapy treatment

Dose level

TMZ dose

(mg/m2/day)

Remarks

-1

100

Reduction for prior toxicity

0

150

Dose during Cycle 1

1

200

Dose during Cycles 2-6 in absence of toxicity

Table 3. TMZ dose reduction or discontinuation during monotherapy treatment

Toxicity

Reduce TMZ by 1 dose levela

Discontinue TMZ

Absolute neutrophil count

< 1.0 x 109/l

See footnote b

Thrombocyte count

< 50 x 109/l

See footnote b

CTC non-haematological Toxicity (except for alopecia, nausea, vomiting)

CTC Grade 3

CTC Grade 4b

a: TMZ dose levels are listed in Table 2.

b: TMZ is to be discontinued if:

- dose level -1 (100 mg/m2) still results in unacceptable toxicity

- the same Grade 3 non-haematological toxicity (except for alopecia, nausea, vomiting) recurs after dose reduction.

Adult and paediatric patients 3 years of age or older with recurrent or progressive malignant glioma

A treatment cycle comprises 28 days. In patients previously untreated with chemotherapy, TMZ is administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/m2 once daily for the first 5 days followed by a 23 day treatment interruption (total of 28 days). In patients previously treated with chemotherapy, the initial dose is 150 mg/m2 once daily, to be increased in the second cycle to 200 mg/m2 once daily, for 5 days if there is no haematological toxicity (see section 4.4)

Special populations

Paediatric population

In patients 3 years of age or older, TMZ is only to be used in recurrent or progressive malignant glioma. Experience in these children is very limited (see sections 4.4 and 5.1). The safety and efficacy of TMZ in children under the age of 3 years have not been established. No data are available.

Patients with hepatic or renal impairment

The pharmacokinetics of TMZ were comparable in patients with normal hepatic function and in those with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. No data are available on the administration of TMZ in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child's Class C) or with renal impairment. Based on the pharmacokinetic properties of TMZ, it is unlikely that dose reductions are required in patients with severe hepatic impairment or any degree of renal impairment. However, caution should be exercised when TMZ is administered in these patients.

Elderly patients

Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis in patients 19-78 years of age, clearance of TMZ is not affected by age. However, elderly patients (> 70 years of age) appear to be at increased risk of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (see section 4.4).

Method of administration

Temozolomide SUN should be administered in the fasting state.

The capsules must be swallowed whole with a glass of water and must not be opened or chewed.

If vomiting occurs after the dose is administered, a second dose should not be administered that day.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Hypersensitivity to dacarbazine (DTIC).

Severe myelosuppression (see section 4.4).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Opportunistic infections and reactivation of infections

Opportunistic infections (such as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia) and reactivation of infections (such as HBV, CMV) have been observed during the treatment with TMZ (see section 4.8).

Meningoencephalitis herpetic

In post-marketing cases, meningoencephalitis herpetic (including fatal cases) has been observed in patients receiving TMZ in combination with radiotherapy, including cases of concomitant steroids administration.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia

Patients who received concomitant TMZ and RT in a pilot trial for the prolonged 42-day schedule were shown to be at particular risk for developing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP). Thus, prophylaxis against PCP is required for all patients receiving concomitant TMZ and RT for the 42-day regimen (with a maximum of 49 days) regardless of lymphocyte count. If lymphopenia occurs, they are to continue the prophylaxis until recovery of lymphopenia to grade ≤ 1.

There may be a higher occurrence of PCP when TMZ is administered during a longer dosing regimen. However, all patients receiving TMZ, particularly patients receiving steroids, should be observed closely for the development of PCP, regardless of the regimen. Cases of fatal respiratory failure have been reported in patients using TMZ, in particular in combination with dexamethasone or other steroids.

HBV

Hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in death, has been reported. Experts in liver disease should be consulted before treatment is initiated in patients with positive hepatitis B serology (including those with active disease). During treatment patients should be monitored and managed appropriately.

Hepatotoxicity

Hepatic injury, including fatal hepatic failure, has been reported in patients treated with TMZ (see section 4.8). Baseline liver function tests should be performed prior to treatment initiation. If abnormal, physicians should assess the benefit/risk prior to initiating temozolomide including the potential for fatal hepatic failure. For patients on a 42 day treatment cycle liver function tests should be repeated midway during this cycle. For all patients, liver function tests should be checked after each treatment cycle. For patients with significant liver function abnormalities, physicians should assess the benefit/risk of continuing treatment. Liver toxicity may occur several weeks or more after the last treatment with temozolomide.

Malignancies

Cases of myelodysplastic syndrome and secondary malignancies, including myeloid leukaemia, have also been reported very rarely (see section 4.8).

Anti-emetic therapy

Nausea and vomiting are very commonly associated with TMZ.

Anti-emetic therapy may be administered prior to or following administration of TMZ.

Adult patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme

Anti-emetic prophylaxis is recommended prior to the initial dose of concomitant phase and it is strongly recommended during the monotherapy phase.

Patients with recurrent or progressive malignant glioma

Patients who have experienced severe (Grade 3 or 4) vomiting in previous treatment cycles may require anti-emetic therapy.

Laboratory parameters

Patients treated with TMZ may experience myelosuppression, including prolonged pancytopenia, which may result in aplastic anaemia, which in some cases has resulted in a fatal outcome. In some cases, exposure to concomitant medicinal products associated with aplastic anaemia, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, complicates assessment. Prior to dosing, the following laboratory parameters must be met: ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/l and platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/l. A complete blood count should be obtained on Day 22 (21 days after the first dose) or within 48 hours of that day, and weekly until ANC > 1.5 x 109/l and platelet count > 100 x 109/l. If ANC falls to < 1.0 x 109/l or the platelet count is < 50 x 109/l during any cycle, the next cycle should be reduced one dose level (see section 4.2). Dose levels include 100 mg/m2, 150 mg/m2, and 200 mg/m2. The lowest recommended dose is 100 mg/m2.

Paediatric population

There is no clinical experience with use of TMZ in children under the age of 3 years. Experience in older children and adolescents is very limited (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).

Elderly patients (> 70 years of age)

Elderly patients appear to be at increased risk of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, compared with younger patients. Therefore, special care should be taken when TMZ is administered in elderly patients.

Female patients

Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy while they are receiving TMZ, and for at least 6 months following completion of treatment.

Male patients

Men being treated with TMZ should be advised not to father a child for at least 3 months after receiving the last dose and to seek advice on cryoconservation of sperm prior to treatment (see section 4.6).

Lactose

This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.

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

In a separate phase I study, administration of TMZ with ranitidine did not result in alterations in the extent of absorption of temozolomide or the exposure to its active metabolite monomethyl triazenoimidazole carboxamide (MTIC).

Administration of TMZ with food resulted in a 33 % decrease in Cmax and a 9 % decrease in area under the curve (AUC).

As it cannot be excluded that the change in Cmax is clinically significant, Temozolomide SUN should be administered without food.

Based on an analysis of population pharmacokinetics in phase II trials, co-administration of dexamethasone, prochlorperazine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ondansetron, H2 receptor antagonists, or phenobarbital did not alter the clearance of TMZ. Co-administration with valproic acid was associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in clearance of TMZ.

No studies have been conducted to determine the effect of TMZ on the metabolism or elimination of other medicinal products. However, since TMZ does not undergo hepatic metabolism and exhibits low protein binding, it is unlikely that it would affect the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products (see section 5.2).

Use of TMZ in combination with other myelosuppressive agents may increase the likelihood of myelosuppression.

Paediatric population

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy while they are receiving TMZ, and for at least 6 months following completion of treatment.

Pregnancy

There are no data in pregnant women. In preclinical studies in rats and rabbits receiving 150 mg/m2 TMZ, teratogenicity and/or foetal toxicity were demonstrated (see section 5.3). Temozolomide SUN should not be administered to pregnant women. If use during pregnancy must be considered, the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether TMZ is excreted in human milk; thus, breast-feeding should be discontinued while receiving treatment with TMZ.

Male fertility

TMZ can have genotoxic effects. Therefore, men being treated with it should use effective contraceptive measures and be advised not to father a child for at least 3 months after receiving the last dose and to seek advice on cryoconservation of sperm prior to treatment, because of the possibility of irreversible infertility due to therapy with TMZ.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

TMZ has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines due to fatigue and somnolence (see section 4.8).

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

Clinical trial experience

In patients treated with TMZ in clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were nausea, vomiting, constipation, anorexia, headache, fatigue, convulsions, and rash. Most haematologic adverse reactions were reported commonly; the frequency of Grade 3-4 laboratory findings is presented after Table 4.

For patients with recurrent or progressive glioma, nausea (43 %) and vomiting (36 %) were usually Grade 1 or 2 (0 – 5 episodes of vomiting in 24 hours) and were either self-limiting or readily controlled with standard anti-emetic therapy. The incidence of severe nausea and vomiting was 4 %.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions observed in clinical studies and reported from post-marketing use of TMZ are listed in Table 4. These reactions are classified according to System Organ Class and frequency.

Frequency groupings 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). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 4. Adverse reactions in patients treated with temozolomide

Infections and infestations

Common:

Infections, herpes zoster, pharyngitisa, candidiasis oral

Uncommon:

Opportunistic infection (including PCP), sepsis†, meningoencephalitis herpetic†, CMV infection, CMV reactivation, hepatitis B virus†, herpes simplex, infection reactivation, wound infection, gastroenteritisb

Neoplasm benign, malignant, and unspecified

Uncommon:

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), secondary malignancies, including myeloid leukaemia

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Common:

Febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, leukopenia, anaemia

Uncommon:

Prolonged pancytopenia, aplastic anaemia†, pancytopenia, petechiae

Immune system disorders

Common:

Allergic reaction

Uncommon:

Anaphylaxis

Endocrine disorders

Common:

Cushingoidc

Uncommon:

Diabetes insipidus

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Very common:

Anorexia

Common:

Hyperglycaemia

Uncommon:

Hypokalaemia, alkaline phosphatase increased

Psychiatric disorders

Common:

Agitation, amnesia, depression, anxiety, confusion, insomnia

Uncommon:

Behaviour disorder, emotional lability, hallucination, apathy

Nervous system disorders

Very common:

Convulsions, hemiparesis, aphasia/dysphasia, headache

Common:

Ataxia, balance impaired, cognition impaired, concentration impaired, consciousness decreased, dizziness, hypoesthesia, memory impaired, neurologic disorder, neuropathyd, paraesthesia, somnolence, speech disorder, taste perversion, tremor

Uncommon:

Status epilepticus, hemiplegia, extrapyramidal disorder, parosmia, gait abnormality, hyperaesthesia, sensory disturbance, coordination abnormal

Eye disorders

Common:

Hemianopia, vision blurred, vision disordere, visual field defect, diplopia, eye pain

Uncommon:

Visual acuity reduced, eyes dry

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Common:

Deafnessf, vertigo, tinnitus, earacheg

Uncommon:

Hearing impairment, hyperacusis, otitis media

Cardiac disorders

Uncommon:

Palpitation

Vascular disorders

Common:

Haemorrhage, embolism pulmonary, deep vein thrombosis, hypertension

Uncommon:

Cerebral haemorrhage, flushing, hot flushes

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Common:

Pneumonia, dyspnoea, sinusitis, bronchitis, coughing, upper respiratory infection

Uncommon:

Respiratory failure†, interstitial pneumonitis/pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, nasal congestion

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common:

Diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting

Common:

Stomatitis, abdominal painh, dyspepsia, dysphagia

Uncommon:

Abdominal distension, faecal incontinence, gastrointestinal disorder, haemorrhoids, mouth dry

Hepatobiliary disorders

Uncommon:

Hepatic failure†, hepatic injury, hepatitis, cholestasis, hyperbilirubinemia

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very Common:

Rash, alopecia

Common:

Erythema, dry skin, pruritus

Uncommon:

Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema, erythema multiforme, erythroderma, skin exfoliation, photosensitivity reaction, urticaria, exanthema, dermatitis, sweating increased, pigmentation abnormal

Not known:

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Common:

Myopathy, muscle weakness, arthralgia, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia

Renal and urinary disorders

Common:

Micturition frequency, urinary incontinence

Uncommon:

Dysuria

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Uncommon:

Vaginal haemorrhage, menorrhagia, amenorrhoea, vaginitis, breast pain, impotence

General disorders and administration site conditions

Very common:

Fatigue

Common:

Fever, influenza-like symptoms, asthenia, malaise, pain, oedema, oedema peripherali

Uncommon:

Condition aggravated, rigors, face oedema, tongue discolouration, thirst, tooth disorder

Investigations

Common:

Liver enzymes elevationj, weight decreased, weight increased

Uncommon:

Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications

Common:

Radiation injuryk

a Includes pharyngitis, nasopharyngeal pharyngitis, pharyngitis Streptococcal

b Includes gastroenteritis, gastroenteritis viral

c Includes cushingoid, Cushing syndrome

d Includes neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, polyneuropathy, peripheral sensory neuropathy, peripheral motor neuropathy

e Includes visual impairment, eye disorder

f Includes deafness, deafness bilateral, deafness neurosensory, deafness unilateral

g Includes earache, ear discomfort

h Includes abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper, abdominal discomfort

i Includes oedema peripheral, peripheral swelling

j Includes liver function test increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, hepatic enzymes increased

k Includes radiation injury, radiation skin injury

† Including cases with fatal outcome

Newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme

Laboratory results

Myelosuppression (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia), which is known dose-limiting toxicity for most cytotoxic agents, including TMZ, was observed. When laboratory abnormalities and adverse events were combined across concomitant and monotherapy treatment phases, Grade 3 or Grade 4 neutrophil abnormalities including neutropenic events were observed in 8 % of the patients. Grade 3 or Grade 4 thrombocyte abnormalities, including thrombocytopenic events were observed in 14 % of the patients who received TMZ.

Recurrent or progressive malignant glioma

Laboratory results

Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurred in 19 % and 17 % respectively, of patients treated for malignant glioma. This led to hospitalisation and/or discontinuation of TMZ in 8 % and 4 %, respectively. Myelosuppression was predictable (usually within the first few cycles, with the nadir between Day 21 and Day 28), and recovery was rapid, usually within 1-2 weeks. No evidence of cumulative myelosuppression was observed. The presence of thrombocytopenia may increase the risk of bleeding, and the presence of neutropenia or leukopenia may increase the risk of infection.

Gender

In a population pharmacokinetics analysis of clinical trial experience there were 101 female and 169 male subjects for whom nadir neutrophil counts were available and 110 female and 174 male subjects for whom nadir platelet counts were available. There were higher rates of Grade 4 neutropenia (ANC < 0.5 x 109/l), 12 % vs 5 %, and thrombocytopenia (< 20 x 109/l ), 9 % vs 3 %, in women vs men in the first cycle of therapy. In a 400 subject recurrent glioma data set, Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 8 % of female vs 4 % of male subjects and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 8 % of female vs 3 % of male subjects in the first cycle of therapy. In a study of 288 subjects with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme, Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 3 % of female vs 0 % of male subjects and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 1 % of female vs 0 % of male subjects in the first cycle of therapy.

Paediatric population

Oral TMZ has been studied in paediatric patients (age 3-18 years) with recurrent brainstem glioma or recurrent high grade astrocytoma, in a regimen administered daily for 5 days every 28 days. Although the data is limited, tolerance in children is expected to be the same as in adults. The safety of TMZ in children under the age of 3 years has 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 the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Doses of 500, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 mg/m2 (total dose per cycle over 5 days) have been evaluated clinically in patients. Dose-limiting toxicity was haematological and was reported with any dose but is expected to be more severe at higher doses. An overdose of 10,000 mg (total dose in a single cycle, over 5 days) was taken by one patient and the adverse reactions reported were pancytopenia, pyrexia, multiorgan failure and death. There are reports of patients who have taken the recommended dose for more than 5 days of treatment (up to 64 days) with adverse events reported including bone marrow suppression, with or without infection, in some cases severe and prolonged and resulting in death. In the event of an overdose, haematological evaluation is needed. Supportive measures should be provided as necessary.