Mitoxantrone

Mitoxantrone is indicated for reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses in patients with secondary (chronic) progressive, progressive relapsing, or worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (i.e., patients whose neurologic status is significantly abnormal between relapses). Mitoxantrone is not indicated in the treatment of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The clinical patterns of multiple sclerosis in the studies were characterized as follows: secondary progressive and progressive relapsing disease were characterized by gradual increasing disability with or without superimposed clinical relapses, and worsening relapsing-remitting disease was characterized by clinical relapses resulting in a step-wise worsening of disability. Mitoxantrone in combination with corticosteroids is indicated as initial chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with pain related to advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Mitoxantrone in combination with other approved drug(s) is indicated in the initial therapy of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) in adults. This category includes myelogenous, promyelocytic, monocytic, and erythroid acute leukemias.

Mitoxantrone is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated prior hypersensitivity to it.

WHEN MITOXANTRONE IS USED IN HIGH DOSES (> 14 mg/m 2 /d × 3 days) SUCH AS INDICATED FOR THE TREATMENT OF LEUKEMIA, SEVERE MYELOSUPPRESSION WILL OCCUR. THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MITOXANTRONE BE ADMINISTERED ONLY BY PHYSICIANS EXPERIENCED IN THE CHEMOTHERAPY OF THIS DISEASE. LABORATORY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR HEMATOLOGIC AND CHEMISTRY MONITORING AND ADJUNCTIVE THERAPIES, INCLUDING ANTIBIOTICS. BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT PATIENTS DURING THE EXPECTED PERIOD OF MEDULLARY HYPOPLASIA AND SEVERE MYELOSUPPRESSION. PARTICULAR CARE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ASSURING FULL HEMATOLOGIC 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. CONTAINS SODIUM METABISULFITE, A SULFITE THAT MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC-TYPE REACTIONS INCLUDING ANAPHYLACTIC SYMPTOMS AND LIFE-THREATENING OR LESS SEVERE ASTHMATIC EPISODES IN CERTAIN SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE. THE OVERALL PREVALENCE OF SULFITE SENSITIVITY IN THE GENERAL POPULATION IS UNKNOWN AND PROBABLY LOW. SULFITE SENSITIVITY IS SEEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN ASTHMATIC THAN IN NONASTHMATIC PEOPLE. General Patients with preexisting myelosuppression as the result of prior drug therapy should not receive mitoxantrone unless it is felt that the possible benefit from such treatment warrants the risk of further medullary suppression. The safety of Mitoxantrone Injection, USP (concentrate) in patients with hepatic insufficiency is not established (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). Safety for use by routes other than intravenous administration has not been established. Mitoxantrone is not indicated for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intra-arterial injection. There have been reports of local/regional neuropathy, some irreversible, following intra-arterial injection. Mitoxantrone must not be given by intrathecal injection. 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. Topoisomerase II inhibitors, including mitoxantrone, have been associated with the development of secondary acute myeloid leukemia and myelosuppression. Cardiac Effects 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. Functional cardiac changes including decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and irreversible congestive heart failure can occur with mitoxantrone. Cardiac toxicity may be more common in patients with prior treatment with anthracyclines, prior mediastinal radiotherapy, or with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Such patients should have regular cardiac monitoring of LVEF from the initiation of therapy. Cancer patients who received cumulative doses of 140 mg/m 2 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%. Multiple Sclerosis Changes in cardiac function may occur in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with mitoxantrone. In one controlled trial (Study 1, see CLINICAL TRIALS, Multiple Sclerosis ), two patients (2%) of 127 receiving mitoxantrone, one receiving a 5 mg/m 2 dose and the other receiving the 12 mg/m 2 dose, had LVEF values that decreased to below 50%. An additional patient receiving 12 mg/m 2 , who did not have LVEF measured, had a decrease in another echocardiographic measurement of ventricular function (fractional shortening) that led to discontinuation from the trial (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Multiple Sclerosis ). There were no reports of congestive heart failure in either controlled trial. MS patients should be assessed for cardiac signs and symptoms by history, physical examination, ECG, and quantitative LVEF evaluation using appropriate methodology (ex. Echocardiogram, MUGA, MRI, etc.) prior to the start of mitoxantrone therapy. MS patients with a baseline LVEF below the lower limit of normal should not be treated with mitoxantrone. Subsequent LVEF and ECG evaluations are recommended if signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure develop and prior to every dose administered to MS patients. Mitoxantrone should not be administered to MS patients who experience a reduction in LVEF to below the lower limit of normal, to those who experience a clinically significant reduction in LVEF, or to those who have received a cumulative lifetime dose of 140 mg/m 2 . MS patients should have yearly quantitative LVEF evaluation after stopping mitoxantrone to monitor for late-occurring cardiotoxicity. Leukemia Acute congestive heart failure may occasionally occur in patients treated with mitoxantrone for ANLL. In first-line comparative trials of mitoxantrone + cytarabine vs daunorubicin + cytarabine in adult patients with previously untreated ANLL, therapy was associated with congestive heart failure in 6.5% of patients on each arm. A causal relationship between drug therapy and cardiac effects is difficult to establish in this setting since myocardial function is frequently depressed by the anemia, fever and infection, and hemorrhage that often accompany the underlying disease. Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer Functional cardiac changes such as decreases in LVEF and congestive heart failure may occur in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer treated with mitoxantrone. In a randomized comparative trial of mitoxantrone plus low-dose prednisone vs low-dose prednisone, 7 of 128 patients (5.5%) treated with mitoxantrone had a cardiac event defined as any decrease in LVEF below the normal range, congestive heart failure (n = 3), or myocardial ischemia. Two patients had a prior history of cardiac disease. The total mitoxantrone dose administered to patients with cardiac effects ranged from > 48 to 212 mg/m 2 . Among 112 patients evaluable for safety on the mitoxantrone + hydrocortisone arm of the CALGB trial, 18 patients (19%) had a reduction in cardiac function, 5 patients (5%) had cardiac ischemia, and 2 patients (2%) experienced pulmonary edema. The range of total mitoxantrone doses administered to these patients is not available. Pregnancy Mitoxantrone may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant. Mitoxantrone is considered a potential human teratogen because of its mechanism of action and the developmental effects demonstrated by related agents. Treatment of pregnant rats during the organogenesis period of gestation was associated with fetal growth retardation at doses ≥0.1 mg/kg/day (0.01 times the recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis). When pregnant rabbits were treated during organogenesis, an increased incidence of premature delivery was observed at doses ≥0.1 mg/kg/day (0.01 times the recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis). No teratogenic effects were observed in these studies, but the maximum doses tested were well below the recommended human dose (0.02 and 0.05 times in rats and rabbits, respectively, on a mg/m 2 basis). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Women with multiple sclerosis who are biologically capable of becoming pregnant should have a pregnancy test prior to each dose, and the results should be known prior to administration of the drug. If this drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to the fetus. […]

General Therapy with mitoxantrone should be accompanied by close and frequent monitoring of hematologic and chemical laboratory parameters, as well as frequent patient observation. Systemic infections should be treated concomitantly with or just prior to commencing therapy with mitoxantrone. Information for Patients See FDA-approved patient labeling (MEDICATION GUIDE) . Inform patients of the availability of a Medication Guide and instruct them to read the Medication Guide prior to initiating treatment with MitoXANTRONE and prior to each infusion. Review the MitoXANTRONE Medication Guide with every patient prior to initiation of treatment and periodically during treatment. Instruct patients that MitoXANTRONE should be taken only as prescribed. Advise patients that MitoXANTRONE can cause myelosuppression and inform patients of the signs and symptoms of myelosuppression. Advise patients that MitoXANTRONE can cause congestive heart failure that may lead to death even in people who have never had heart problems before, and inform patients of the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. Advise patients receiving MitoXANTRONE to treat multiple sclerosis that they should receive cardiac monitoring prior to each MitoXANTRONE dose and yearly after stopping MitoXANTRONE. MitoXANTRONE may impart a blue-green color to the urine for 24 hours after administration, and patients should be advised to expect this during therapy. Bluish discoloration of the sclera may also occur. Laboratory Tests A complete blood count, including platelets, should be obtained prior to each course of mitoxantrone and in the event that signs and symptoms of infection develop. Liver function tests should also be performed prior to each course of therapy. Mitoxantrone therapy in multiple sclerosis patients with abnormal liver function tests is not recommended because mitoxantrone clearance is reduced by hepatic impairment and no laboratory measurement can predict drug clearance and dose adjustments. In leukemia treatment, hyperuricemia may occur as a result of rapid lysis of tumor cells by mitoxantrone. Serum uric acid levels should be monitored and hypouricemic therapy instituted prior to the initiation of antileukemic therapy. Women with multiple sclerosis who are biologically capable of becoming pregnant, even if they are using birth control, should have a pregnancy test, and the results should be known, before receiving each dose of mitoxantrone (see WARNINGS, Pregnancy ). Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Carcinogenesis Intravenous treatment of rats and mice, once every 21 days for 24 months, with mitoxantrone resulted in an increased incidence of fibroma and external auditory canal tumors in rats at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg (0.02 fold the recommended human dose, on a mg/m 2 basis), and hepatocellular adenoma in male mice at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg (0.03 fold the recommended human dose, on a mg/m 2 basis). Intravenous treatment of rats, once every 21 days for 12 months with mitoxantrone resulted in an increased incidence of external auditory canal tumors in rats at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg (0.15 fold the recommended human dose, on a mg/m 2 basis). Mutagenesis Mitoxantrone was clastogenic in the in vivo rat bone marrow assay. Mitoxantrone was also clastogenic in two in vitro assays; it induced DNA damage in primary rat hepatocytes and sister chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Mitoxantrone was mutagenic in bacterial and mammalian test systems (Ames/Salmonella and E. coli and L5178Y TK+/-mouse lymphoma). Drug Interactions 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. To date, post-marketing experience has not revealed any significant drug interactions in patients who have received mitoxantrone for treatment of cancer. Information on drug interactions in patients with multiple sclerosis is limited. Following concurrent administration of mitoxantrone with corticosteroids, no evidence of drug interactions has been observed. Special Populations Hepatic Impairment Patients with multiple sclerosis who have hepatic impairment should ordinarily not be treated with mitoxantrone. Mitoxantrone should be administered with caution to other patients with hepatic impairment. In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the AUC is more than three times greater than the value observed in patients with normal hepatic function. Pregnancy (see WARNINGS ). Nursing Mothers Mitoxantrone is excreted in human milk and significant concentrations (18 ng/mL) have been reported for 28 days after the last administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in infants from mitoxantrone, breast feeding should be discontinued before starting treatment. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use Multiple Sclerosis Clinical studies of mitoxantrone did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer One hundred forty-six patients aged 65 and over and 52 younger patients (<65 years) have been treated with mitoxantrone in controlled clinical studies. These studies did not include sufficient numbers of younger patients to determine whether they respond differently from older patients. However, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia Although definitive studies with mitoxantrone have not been performed in geriatric patients with ANLL, toxicity may be more frequent in the elderly. Elderly patients are more likely to have age-related comorbidities due to disease or disease therapy.

Multiple Sclerosis Mitoxantrone has been administered to 149 patients with multiple sclerosis in two randomized clinical trials, including 21 patients who received mitoxantrone in combination with corticosteroids. In Study 1, the proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to an adverse event was 9.7% (n = 6) in the 12 mg/m 2 mitoxantrone arm (leukopenia, depression, decreased LV function, bone pain and emesis, renal failure, and one discontinuation to prevent future complications from repeated urinary tract infections) compared to 3.1% (n = 2) in the placebo arm (hepatitis and myocardial infarction). The following clinical adverse experiences were significantly more frequent in the mitoxantrone groups: nausea, alopecia, urinary tract infection, and menstrual disorders, including amenorrhea. Table 4a summarizes clinical adverse events of all intensities occurring in ≥5% of patients in either dose group of mitoxantrone and that were numerically greater on drug than on placebo in Study 1. The majority of these events were of mild to moderate intensity, and nausea was the only adverse event that occurred with severe intensity in more than one patient (three patients [5%] in the 12 mg/m 2 group). Of note, alopecia consisted of mild hair thinning. Two of the 127 patients treated with mitoxantrone in Study 1 had decreased LVEF to below 50% at some point during the 2 years of treatment. An additional patient receiving 12 mg/m 2 did not have LVEF measured, but had another echocardiographic measure of ventricular function (fractional shortening) that led to discontinuation from the study. Table 4a: Adverse Events of Any Intensity Occurring in ≥ 5% of Patients on Any Dose of Mitoxantrone and That Were Numerically Greater Than in the Placebo Group Study 1 Percent of Patients Preferred Term Placebo (N = 64) 5 mg/m 2 Mitoxantrone (N = 65) 12 mg/m 2 Mitoxantrone (N = 62) Nausea 20 55 76 Alopecia 31 38 61 Menstrual disorder Percentage of female patients. 26 51 61 Amenorrhea 3 28 43 Upper respiratory tract infection 52 51 53 Urinary tract infection 13 29 32 Stomatitis 8 15 19 Arrhythmia 8 6 18 Diarrhea 11 25 16 Urine abnormal 6 5 11 ECG abnormal 3 5 11 Constipation 6 14 10 Back pain 5 6 8 Sinusitis 2 3 6 Headache 5 6 6 The proportion of patients experiencing any infection during Study 1 was 67% for the placebo group, 85% for the 5 mg/m 2 group, and 81% for the 12 mg/m 2 group. However, few of these infections required hospitalization: one placebo patient (tonsillitis), three 5 mg/m 2 patients (enteritis, urinary tract infection, viral infection), and four 12 mg/m 2 patients (tonsillitis, urinary tract infection [two], endometritis). Table 4b summarizes laboratory abnormalities that occurred in ≥ 5% of patients in either mitoxantrone dose group, and that were numerically more frequent than in the placebo group. Table 4b: Laboratory Abnormalities Occurring in ≥ 5% of Patients Assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) toxicity criteria. on Either Dose of Mitoxantrone and That Were More Frequent Than in the Placebo Group Study 1 Percent of Patients Event Placebo (N = 64) 5 mg/m 2 Mitoxantrone (N = 65) 12 mg/m 2 Mitoxantrone (N = 62) Leukopenia < 4000 cells/mm 3 0 9 19 Gamma-GT increased 3 3 15 SGOT increased 8 9 8 Granulocytopenia < 2000 cells/mm 3 2 6 6 Anemia 2 9 6 SGPT increased 3 6 5 There was no difference among treatment groups in the incidence or severity of hemorrhagic events. In Study 2, mitoxantrone was administered once a month. Clinical adverse events most frequently reported in the mitoxantrone group included amenorrhea (53% of female patients), alopecia (33% of patients), nausea (29% of patients), and asthenia (24% of patients). Tables 5a and 5b respectively summarize adverse events and laboratory abnormalities occurring in > 5% of patients in the mitoxantrone group and numerically more frequent than in the control group. Table 5a: Adverse Events of Any Intensity Occurring in > 5% of Patients Assessed using National Cancer Institute (NCI) common toxicity criteria. in the Mitoxantrone Group and Numerically More Frequent Than in the Control Group Study 2 Percent of Patients Event MP (N = 21) M + MP (N = 21) M = mitoxantrone, MP = methylprednisolone Amenorrhea Percentage of female patients. 0 53 Alopecia 0 33 Nausea 0 29 Asthenia 0 24 Pharyngitis/throat infection 5 19 Gastralgia/stomach burn/epigastric pain 5 14 Aphthosis 0 10 Cutaneous mycosis 0 10 Rhinitis 0 10 Menorrhagia 0 7 Table 5b: Laboratory Abnormalities Occurring in > 5% of Patients Assessed using National Cancer Institute (NCI) common toxicity criteria. in the Mitoxantrone Group and Numerically More Frequent Than in the Control Group Study 2 Percent of Patients Event MP (N = 21) M + MP (N = 21) M = mitoxantrone, MP = methylprednisolone WBC low < 4000 cells/mm 3 14 100 ANC low < 1500 cells/mm 3 10 100 Lymphocytes low 43 95 Hemoglobin low 48 43 Platelets low < 100,000 cells/mm 3 0 33 SGOT high 5 15 SGPT high 10 15 Glucose high 5 10 Potassium low 0 10 Leukopenia and neutropenia were reported in the M + MP group (see Table 5b ). Neutropenia occurred within 3 weeks after mitoxantrone administration and was always reversible. Only mild to moderate intensity infections were reported in 9 of 21 patients in the M + MP group and in 3 of 21 patients in the MP group; none of these required hospitalization. There was no difference among treatment groups in the incidence or severity of hemorrhagic events. There were no withdrawals from Study 2 for safety reasons. Leukemia Mitoxantrone has been studied in approximately 600 patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Table 6 represents the adverse reaction experience in the large U.S. comparative study of mitoxantrone + cytarabine vs daunorubicin + cytarabine. Experience in the large international study was similar. A much wider experience in a variety of other tumor types revealed no additional important reactions other than cardiomyopathy (see WARNINGS ). It should be appreciated that the listed adverse reaction categories include overlapping clinical symptoms related to the same condition, e.g., dyspnea, cough and pneumonia. In addition, the listed adverse reactions cannot all necessarily be attributed to chemotherapy as it is often impossible to distinguish effects of the drug and effects of the underlying disease. It is clear, however, that the combination of mitoxantrone + cytarabine was responsible for nausea and vomiting, alopecia, mucositis/stomatitis, and myelosuppression. Table 6 summarizes adverse reactions occurring in patients treated with mitoxantrone + cytarabine in comparison with those who received daunorubicin + cytarabine for therapy of ANLL in a large multicenter randomized prospective U.S. trial. Adverse reactions are presented as major categories and selected examples of clinically significant subcategories. Table 6: Adverse Events Occurring in ANLL Patients Receiving Mitoxantrone or Daunorubicin Induction [% pts entering induction] Consolidation [% pts entering induction] Event MIT N = 102 DAUN N = 102 MIT N = 55 DAUN N = 49 MIT = mitoxantrone, DAUN = daunorubicin. Cardiovascular 26 28 11 24 CHF 5 6 0 0 Arrhythmias 3 3 4 4 Bleeding 37 41 20 6 GI 16 12 2 2 Petechiae/ecchymoses 7 9 11 2 Gastrointestinal 88 85 58 51 Nausea/vomiting 72 67 31 31 Diarrhea 47 47 18 8 Abdominal pain 15 9 9 4 Mucositis/stomatitis 29 33 18 8 Hepatic 10 11 14 2 Jaundice 3 8 7 0 Infections 66 73 60 43 UTI 7 2 7 2 Pneumonia 9 7 9 0 Sepsis 34 36 31 18 Fungal infections 15 13 9 6 Renal failure 8 6 0 2 Fever 78 71 24 18 Alopecia 37 40 22 16 Pulmonary 43 43 24 14 Cough 13 9 9 2 Dyspnea 18 20 6 0 CNS 30 30 34 35 Seizures 4 4 2 8 Headache 10 9 13 8 Eye 7 6 2 4 Conjunctivitis 5 1 0 0 Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer Detailed safety information is available for a total of 353 patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer treated with mitoxantrone, including 274 patients who received mitoxantrone in combination with corticosteroids. […]

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. To date, post-marketing experience has not revealed any significant drug interactions in patients who have received mitoxantrone for treatment of cancer. Information on drug interactions in patients with multiple sclerosis is limited. Following concurrent administration of mitoxantrone with corticosteroids, no evidence of drug interactions has been observed.

(see WARNINGS ).

Mitoxantrone is excreted in human milk and significant concentrations (18 ng/mL) have been reported for 28 days after the last administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in infants from mitoxantrone, breast feeding should be discontinued before starting treatment.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Multiple Sclerosis Clinical studies of mitoxantrone did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer One hundred forty-six patients aged 65 and over and 52 younger patients (<65 years) have been treated with mitoxantrone in controlled clinical studies. These studies did not include sufficient numbers of younger patients to determine whether they respond differently from older patients. However, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia Although definitive studies with mitoxantrone have not been performed in geriatric patients with ANLL, toxicity may be more frequent in the elderly. Elderly patients are more likely to have age-related comorbidities due to disease or disease therapy.

Mitoxantrone, a DNA-reactive agent that intercalates into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) through hydrogen bonding, causes crosslinks and strand breaks. Mitoxantrone also interferes with ribonucleic acid (RNA) and is a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase II, an enzyme responsible for uncoiling and repairing damaged DNA. It has a cytocidal effect on both proliferating and nonproliferating cultured human cells, suggesting lack of cell cycle phase specificity. Mitoxantrone has been shown in vitro to inhibit B cell, T cell, and macrophage proliferation and impair antigen presentation, as well as the secretion of interferon gamma, TNFα, and IL-2.