CONTRAINDICATIONS — YONDELIS® is contraindicated in patients with known severe hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, to trabectedin.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Neutropenic sepsis, including fatal cases, can occur. In Trial ET743-SAR-3007, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, based on laboratory values, was 43% (161/378). Median time to the first occurrence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 16 days (range: 8 days to 9.7 months). Median time to complete resolution of neutropenia was 13 days (range: 3 days to 2.3 months). Febrile neutropenia (fever ≥38.5°C with Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia) occurred in 18 patients (5%) treated with YONDELIS®. Ten patients (2.6%) experienced neutropenic sepsis, 5 of whom had febrile neutropenia, which was fatal in 4 patients (1.1%). Assess neutrophil count prior to administration of each dose of YONDELIS® and periodically throughout the treatment cycle. Withhold or reduce dose of YONDELIS® based on severity of adverse reaction.
Rhabdomyolysis — YONDELIS® can cause rhabdomyolysis and musculoskeletal toxicity. In Trial ET743-SAR-3007, rhabdomyolysis leading to death occurred in 3 (0.8%) of the 378 patients receiving YONDELIS®. Elevations in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) occurred in 122 (32%) of the 378 patients receiving YONDELIS®, including Grade 3 or 4 CPK elevation in 24 patients (6%), compared to 15 (9%) of the 172 patients receiving dacarbazine with any CPK elevation, including 1 patient (0.6%) with Grade 3 CPK elevation. Among the 24 patients receiving YONDELIS® with Grade 3 or 4 CPK elevation, renal failure occurred in 11 patients (2.9%); rhabdomyolysis with the complication of renal failure occurred in 4 of these 11 patients (1.1%). Median time to first occurrence of Grade 3 or 4 CPK elevations was 2 months (range: 1 to 11.5 months). Median time to complete resolution was 14 days (range: 5 days to 1 month). Assess CPK levels prior to each administration of YONDELIS®. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.
Hepatotoxicity, including hepatic failure, can occur. Patients with serum bilirubin levels above the upper limit of normal or AST or ALT levels >2.5 x upper limit of normal were not enrolled in Trial ET743-SAR-3007. In Trial ET743-SAR-3007, the incidence of Grade 3‑4 elevated liver function tests (defined as elevations in ALT, AST, total bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase) was 35% (134/378) in patients receiving YONDELIS®. Median time to development of Grade 3‑4 elevation in ALT or AST was 29 days (range: 3 days to 11.5 months). Of the 134 patients with Grade 3 to 4 elevations in LFTs, 114 (85%) experienced complete resolution with the median time to complete resolution of 13 days (range: 4 days to 4.4 months). In Trial ET743-SAR-3007, the incidence of drug‑induced liver injury (defined as concurrent elevation in ALT or AST of more than three times the upper limit of normal, alkaline phosphatase less than two times the upper limit of normal, and total bilirubin at least two times the upper limit of normal) was 1.3% (5/378) in patients receiving YONDELIS®. ALT or AST elevation greater than eight times the upper limit of normal occurred in 18% (67/378) of patients receiving YONDELIS®. Assess LFTs prior to each administration of YONDELIS® and as clinically indicated based on underlying severity of pre-existing hepatic impairment. Manage elevated LFTs with treatment interruption, dose reduction, or permanent discontinuation based on severity and duration of LFT abnormality.
Cardiomyopathy, including cardiac failure, congestive heart failure, ejection fraction decreased, diastolic dysfunction, or right ventricular dysfunction can occur. In Trial ET743-SAR-3007, a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was defined as an absolute decrease of ≥15% or below the lower limit of normal with an absolute decrease of ≥5%. Patients with a history of New York Heart Association Class II to IV heart failure or abnormal LVEF at baseline were ineligible. In Trial ET743-SAR-3007, cardiomyopathy occurred in 23 patients (6%) receiving YONDELIS® and in four patients (2.3%) receiving dacarbazine. Grade 3 or 4 cardiomyopathy occurred in 15 patients (4%) receiving YONDELIS® and 2 patients (1.2%) receiving dacarbazine; cardiomyopathy leading to death occurred in 1 patient (0.3%) receiving YONDELIS® and in none of the patients receiving dacarbazine. The median time to development of Grade 3 or 4 cardiomyopathy in patients receiving YONDELIS® was 5.3 months (range: 26 days to 15.3 months). Patients with LVEF < lower limit of normal, prior cumulative anthracycline dose of ≥300 mg/m2, age ≥65 years, or a history of cardiovascular disease may be at increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. Assess LVEF by echocardiogram (ECHO) or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan before initiation of YONDELIS® and at 2‑ to 3‑month intervals thereafter until YONDELIS® is discontinued. Discontinue treatment with YONDELIS® based on severity of adverse reaction.
Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) characterized by hypotension, edema, and hypoalbuminemia has been reported with YONDELIS®, including serious CLS resulting in death. Monitor for signs and symptoms of CLS. Discontinue YONDELIS® and promptly initiate standard management for patients with CLS, which may include a need for intensive care.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity — Based on its mechanism of action, YONDELIS® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 2 months after the last dose of YONDELIS®. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 5 months after the last dose of YONDELIS®.
Adverse Reactions — The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions are nausea (75%), fatigue (69%), vomiting (46%), constipation (37%), decreased appetite (37%), diarrhea (35%), peripheral edema (28%), dyspnea (25%), and headache (25%).
The most common (≥5%) grades 3-4 laboratory abnormalities are: neutropenia (43%), increased ALT (31%), thrombocytopenia (21%), anemia (19%), increased AST (17%), and increased creatine phosphokinase (6.4%).
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Effect of Cytochrome CYP3A Inhibitors — Avoid using strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., oral ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, boceprevir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, nefazodone, conivaptan) in patients taking YONDELIS®. If a strong CYP3A inhibitor for short‑term use (i.e., less than 14 days) must be used, administer the strong CYP3A inhibitor 1 week after the YONDELIS® infusion, and discontinue it the day prior to the next YONDELIS® infusion.
Effect of Cytochrome CYP3A Inducers — Avoid using strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort) in patients taking YONDELIS®.
Please click here to read the full Prescribing Information for YONDELIS®.
cp-63569v2
Complete a Business Associate Agreement for your practice only once. No individual patient authorizations are required.
A guide to submitting a formulary exception request.
A template that you can fill out and submit to a patient’s health insurance provider asking them to cover a medication that is not on formulary.
A template that you can fill out and submit to a patient’s health insurance provider. You may use it to explain why YONDELIS® is medically necessary for your patient.
A checklist to guide you through the prior authorization process.
A form the patient can submit that allows Janssen CarePath Savings Program to reimburse the provider directly.
A guide to understanding the Verification of Benefits for your patient’s medical benefits.
A guide to understanding the Verification of Benefits for your patient’s pharmacy benefits.