Leukine® (sargramostim) is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhu GM-CSF) produced by recombinant DNA technology in a yeast (S. cerevisiae) expression system. GM-CSF is a hematopoietic growth factor which stimulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Leukine is a glycoprotein of 127 amino acids characterized by three primary molecular species having molecular masses of 19,500, 16,800 and 15,500 daltons. The amino acid sequence of Leukine differs from the natural human GM-CSF by a substitution of leucine at position 23, and the carbohydrate moiety may be different from the native protein. Sargramostim has been selected as the proper name for yeast-derived rhu GM-CSF.
The liquid Leukine presentation is formulated as a sterile, preserved (1.1% benzyl alcohol), injectable solution (500 mcg/mL) in a vial. Lyophilized Leukine is a sterile, white, preservative-free powder (250 mcg) that requires reconstitution with 1 mL Sterile Water for Injection, USP or 1 mL Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP. Liquid Leukine has a pH range of 6.7 - 7.7 and lyophilized Leukine has a pH range of 7.1 - 7.7.
Liquid Leukine and reconstituted lyophilized Leukine are clear, colorless liquids suitable for subcutaneous injection (SC) or intravenous infusion (IV).
Liquid Leukine contains 500 mcg (2.8 x 106 IU/mL) sargramostim and 1.1% benzyl alcohol in a 1 mL solution. The vial of lyophilized Leukine contains 250 mcg (1.4 x 106 IU/vial) sargramostim.
The liquid Leukine vial and reconstituted lyophilized Leukine vial also contain 40 mg/mL mannitol, USP; 10 mg/mL sucrose, NF; and 1.2 mg/mL tromethamine, USP, as excipients. Biological potency is expressed in International Units (IU) as tested against the WHO First International Reference Standard. The specific activity of Leukine is approximately 5.6 x 106 IU/mg.
Leukine - Clinical Pharmacology
General
GM-CSF belongs to a group of growth factors termed colony stimulating factors which support survival, clonal expansion, and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. GM-CSF induces partially committed progenitor cells to divide and differentiate in the granulocyte-macrophage pathways which include neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages and myeloid-derived dendritic cells.
GM-CSF is also capable of activating mature granulocytes and macrophages. GM-CSF is a multilineage factor and, in addition to dose-dependent effects on the myelomonocytic lineage, can promote the proliferation of megakaryocytic and erythroid progenitors.1 However, other factors are required to induce complete maturation in these two lineages. The various cellular responses (i.e., division, maturation, activation) are induced through GM-CSF binding to specific receptors expressed on the cell surface of target cells.2
In vitro Studies of Leukine in Human Cells
The biological activity of GM-CSF is species-specific. Consequently, in vitro studies have been performed on human cells to characterize the pharmacological activity of Leukine. In vitro exposure of human bone marrow cells to Leukine at concentrations ranging from 1–100 ng/mL results in the proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors and in the formation of pure granulocyte, pure macrophage and mixed granulocytemacrophage colonies.3 Chemotactic, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic4 activities of granulocytes and monocytes are increased by exposure to Leukine in vitro. Leukine increases the cytotoxicity of monocytes toward certain neoplastic cell lines3 and activates polymorphonuclear neutrophils to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
In vivo Primate Studies of Leukine
Pharmacology/toxicology studies of Leukine were performed in cynomolgus monkeys. An acute toxicity study revealed an absence of treatment-related toxicity following a single IV bolus injection at a dose of 300 mcg/kg. Two subacute studies were performed using IV injection (maximum dose 200 mcg/kg/day x 14 days) and subcutaneous injection (SC) (maximum dose 200 mcg/kg/day x 28 days). No major visceral organ toxicity was documented. Notable histopathology findings included increased cellularity in hematologic organs and heart and lung tissues. A dose-dependent increase in leukocyte count, which consisted primarily of segmented neutrophils, occurred during the dosing period; increases in monocytes, basophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes were also noted. Leukocyte counts decreased to pretreatment values over a 1-2 week recovery period.
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetic profiles have been analyzed in controlled studies of 24 normal male volunteers. Liquid and lyophilized Leukine, at the recommended dose of 250 mcg/m2, have been determined to be bioequivalent based on the statistical evaluation of AUC.5
When Leukine (either liquid or lyophilized) was administered IV over two hours to normal volunteers, the mean beta half-life was approximately 60 minutes. Peak concentrations of GM-CSF were observed in blood samples obtained during or immediately after completion of Leukine infusion. For liquid Leukine, the mean maximum concentration (Cmax) was 5.0 ng/mL, the mean clearance rate was approximately 420 mL/min/m2 and the mean AUC (0–inf) was 640 ng/mL•min. Corresponding results for lyophilized Leukine in the same subjects were mean Cmax of 5.4 ng/mL, mean clearance rate of 431 mL/min/m2, and mean AUC (0–inf) of 677 ng/mL•min. GM-CSF was last detected in blood samples obtained at three or six hours.
When Leukine (either liquid or lyophilized) was administered SC to normal volunteers, GM-CSF was detected in the serum at 15 minutes, the first sample point. The mean beta half-life was approximately 162 minutes. Peak levels occurred at one to three hours post injection, and Leukine remained detectable for up to six hours after injection. The mean Cmax was 1.5 ng/mL. For liquid Leukine, the mean clearance was 549 mL/min/m2 and the mean AUC (0-inf) was 549 ng/mL•min. For lyophilized Leukine, the mean clearance was 529 mL/min/m2 and the mean AUC (0-inf) was 501 ng/mL•min.
Indications and Usage for Leukine
Use Following Induction Chemotherapy in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Leukine is indicated for use following induction chemotherapy in older adult patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) to shorten time to neutrophil recovery and to reduce the incidence of severe and life-threatening infections and infections resulting in death. The safety and efficacy of Leukine have not been assessed in patients with AML under 55 years of age.
The term acute myelogenous leukemia, also referred to as acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), encompasses a heterogeneous group of leukemias arising from various non-lymphoid cell lines which have been defined morphologically by the French-American-British (FAB) system of classification.
Use in Mobilization and Following Transplantation of Autologous Peripheral Blood Progentior Cells
Leukine is indicated for the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells into peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis. Mobilization allows for the collection of increased numbers of progenitor cells capable of engraftment as compared with collection without mobilization. After myeloablative chemotherapy, the transplantation of an increased number of progenitor cells can lead to more rapid engraftment, which may result in a decreased need for supportive care. Myeloid reconstitution is further accelerated by administration of Leukine following peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation.
Use in Myeloid Reconstitution After Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation
Leukine is indicated for acceleration of myeloid recovery in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Hodgkin's disease undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). After autologous BMT in patients with NHL, ALL, or Hodgkin's disease, Leukine has been found to be safe and effective in accelerating myeloid engraftment, decreasing median duration of antibiotic administration, reducing the median duration of infectious episodes and shortening the median duration of hospitalization. Hematologic response to Leukine can be detected by complete blood count (CBC) with differential cell counts performed twice per week.
Use in Myeloid Reconstitution After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation
Leukine is indicated for acceleration of myeloid recovery in patients undergoing allogeneic BMT from HLA-matched related donors. Leukine has been found to be safe and effective in accelerating myeloid engraftment, reducing the incidence of bacteremia and other culture positive infections, and shortening the median duration of hospitalization.
Use in Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure or Engraftment Delay
Leukine is indicated in patients who have undergone allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in whom engraftment is delayed or has failed. Leukine has been found to be safe and effective in prolonging survival of patients who are experiencing graft failure or engraftment delay, in the presence or absence of infection, following autologous or allogeneic BMT. Survival benefit may be relatively greater in those patients who demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics: autologous BMT failure or engraftment delay, no previous total body irradiation, malignancy other than leukemia or a multiple organ failure (MOF) score ≤ two (see CLINICAL EXPERIENCE). Hematologic response to Leukine can be detected by complete blood count (CBC) with differential performed twice per week.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
The safety and efficacy of Leukine in patients with AML who are younger than 55 years of age have not been determined. Based on Phase II data suggesting the best therapeutic effects could be achieved in patients at highest risk for severe infections and mortality while neutropenic, the Phase III clinical trial was conducted in older patients. The safety and efficacy of Leukine in the treatment of AML were evaluated in a multi-center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 99 newly diagnosed adult patients, 55–70 years of age, receiving induction with or without consolidation.6 A combination of standard doses of daunorubicin (days 1–3) and ara-C (days 1–7) was administered during induction and high dose ara-C was administered days 1–6 as a single course of consolidation, if given. Bone marrow evaluation was performed on day 10 following induction chemotherapy. If hypoplasia with <5% blasts was not achieved, patients immediately received a second cycle of induction chemotherapy. If the bone marrow was hypoplastic with <5% blasts on day 10 or four days following the second cycle of induction chemotherapy, Leukine (250 mcg/m2/day) or placebo was given IV over four hours each day, starting four days after the completion of chemotherapy. Study drug was continued until an ANC ≥1500/mm3 for three consecutive days was attained or a maximum of 42 days. Leukine or placebo was also administered after the single course of consolidation chemotherapy if delivered (ara-C 3–6 weeks after induction following neutrophil recovery). Study drug was discontinued immediately if leukemic regrowth occurred.
Leukine significantly shortened the median duration of ANC <500/mm3 by 4 days and <1000/mm3 by 7 days following induction (see Table 1). 75% of patients receiving Leukine achieved ANC >500/mm3 by day 16, compared to day 25 for patients receiving placebo. The proportion of patients receiving one cycle (70%) or two cycles (30%) of induction was similar in both treatment groups; Leukine significantly shortened the median times to neutrophil recovery whether one cycle (12 versus 15 days) or two cycles (14 versus 23 days) of induction chemotherapy was administered. Median times to platelet (>20,000/mm3) and RBC transfusion independence were not significantly different between treatment groups.
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Sargramostim n=52* Median (25%, 75%) | Placebo n=47 Median (25%,75%) | p-value† | |
| ANC>500/mm3‡ | 13 (11, 16) | 17 (13, 25) | 0.009 |
| ANC>1000/mm3§ | 14 (12, 18) | 21 (13, 34) | 0.003 |
| PLT>20,000/mm3¶ | 11 (7, 14) | 12 (9, >42) | 0.10 |
| RBC# | 12 (9, 24) | 14 (9, 42) | 0.53 |
During the consolidation phase of treatment, Leukine did not shorten the median time to recovery of ANC to 500/mm3 (13 days) or 1000/mm3 (14.5 days) compared to placebo. There were no significant differences in time to platelet and RBC transfusion independence.
The incidence of severe infections and deaths associated with infections was significantly reduced in patients who received Leukine. During induction or consolidation, 27 of 52 patients receiving Leukine and 35 of 47 patients receiving placebo had at least one grade 3, 4 or 5 infection (p=0.02). Twenty-five patients receiving Leukine and 30 patients receiving placebo experienced severe and fatal infections during induction only. There were significantly fewer deaths from infectious causes in the Leukine arm (3 versus 11, p=0.02). The majority of deaths in the placebo group were associated with fungal infections with pneumonia as the primary infection.
Disease outcomes were not adversely affected by the use of Leukine. The proportion of patients achieving complete remission (CR) was higher in the Leukine group (69% as compared to 55% for the placebo group), but the difference was not significant (p=0.21). There was no significant difference in relapse rates; 12 of 36 patients who received Leukine and five of 26 patients who received placebo relapsed within 180 days of documented CR (p=0.26). The overall median survival was 378 days for patients receiving Leukine and 268 days for those on placebo (p=0.17). The study was not sized to assess the impact of Leukine treatment on response or survival.
Mobilization and Engraftment of PBPC
A retrospective review was conducted of data from patients with cancer undergoing collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) at a single transplant center. Mobilization of PBPC and myeloid reconstitution post-transplant were compared between four groups of patients (n=196) receiving Leukine for mobilization and a historical control group who did not receive any mobilization treatment [progenitor cells collected by leukapheresis without mobilization (n=100)]. Sequential cohorts received Leukine. The cohorts differed by dose (125 or 250 mcg/m2/day), route (IV over 24 hours or SC) and use of Leukine post-transplant. Leukaphereses were initiated for all mobilization groups after the WBC reached 10,000/mm3. Leukaphereses continued until both a minimum number of mononucleated cells (MNC) were collected (6.5 or 8.0 x 108/kg body weight) and a minimum number of phereses (5-8) were performed. Both minimum requirements varied by treatment cohort and planned conditioning regimen. If subjects failed to reach a WBC of 10,000 cells/mm3 by day five, another cytokine was substituted for Leukine; these subjects were all successfully leukapheresed and transplanted. The most marked mobilization and post-transplant effects were seen in patients administered the higher dose of Leukine (250 mcg/m2) either IV (n=63) or SC (n=41).
PBPCs from patients treated at the 250 mcg/m2/day dose had significantly higher number of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) than those collected without mobilization. The mean value after thawing was 11.41 x 104 CFU-GM/kg for all Leukine-mobilized patients, compared to 0.96 x 104/kg for the non-mobilized group. A similar difference was observed in the mean number of erythrocyte burst-forming units (BFU-E) collected (23.96 x 104/kg for patients mobilized with 250 mcg/m2 doses of Leukine administered SC vs. 1.63 x 104/kg for non-mobilized patients).
After transplantation, mobilized subjects had shorter times to myeloid engraftment and fewer days between transplantation and the last platelet transfusion compared to non-mobilized subjects. Neutrophil recovery (ANC >500/mm3) was more rapid in patients administered Leukine following PBPC transplantation with Leukine-mobilized cells (see Table 2). Mobilized patients also had fewer days to the last platelet transfusion and last RBC transfusion, and a shorter duration of hospitalization than did non-mobilized subjects.
Route for Mobilization | Post-transplant Leukine | ENGRAFTMENT (median value in days) | ||
| ANC>500/mm3 | Last platelet transfusion | |||
| No Mobilization | — | no | 29 | 28 |
Leukine 250 mcg/m2 | IV | no | 21 | 24 |
| IV | yes | 12 | 19 | |
| SC | yes | 12 | 17 | |
A second retrospective review of data from patients undergoing PBPC at another single transplant center was also conducted. Leukine was given SC at 250 mcg/m2/day once a day (n=10) or twice a day (n=21) until completion of the phereses. Phereses were begun on day 5 of Leukine administration and continued until the targeted MNC count of 9 x 108/kg or CD34+ cell count of 1 x 106/kg was reached. There was no difference in CD34+ cell count in patients receiving Leukine once or twice a day. The median time to ANC>500/mm3 was 12 days and to platelet recovery (>25,000/mm3) was 23 days.
Survival studies comparing mobilized study patients to the nonmobilized patients and to an autologous historical bone marrow transplant group showed no differences in median survival time.
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation7
Following a dose-ranging Phase I/II trial in patients undergoing autologous BMT for lymphoid malignancies,8, 9 three single center, randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blinded studies were conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Leukine for promoting hematopoietic reconstitution following autologous BMT. A total of 128 patients (65 Leukine, 63 placebo) were enrolled in these three studies. The majority of the patients had lymphoid malignancy (87 NHL, 17 ALL), 23 patients had Hodgkin's disease, and one patient had acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). In 72 patients with NHL or ALL, the bone marrow harvest was purged prior to storage with one of several monoclonal antibodies. No chemical agent was used for in vitro treatment of the bone marrow. Preparative regimens in the three studies included cyclophosphamide (total dose 120-150 mg/kg) and total body irradiation (total dose 1,200-1,575 rads). Other regimens used in patients with Hodgkin's disease and NHL without radiotherapy consisted of three or more of the following in combination (expressed as total dose): cytosine arabinoside (400 mg/m2) and carmustine (300 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (140-150 mg/kg), hydroxyurea (4.5 grams/m2) and etoposide (375-450 mg/m2).
Compared to placebo, administration of Leukine in two studies (n=44 and 47) significantly improved the following hematologic and clinical endpoints: time to neutrophil engraftment, duration of hospitalization and infection experience or antibacterial usage. In the third study (n=37) there was a positive trend toward earlier myeloid engraftment in favor of Leukine. This latter study differed from the other two in having enrolled a large number of patients with Hodgkin's disease who had also received extensive radiation and chemotherapy prior to harvest of autologous bone marrow. A subgroup analysis of the data from all three studies revealed that the median time to engraftment for patients with Hodgkin's disease, regardless of treatment, was six days longer when compared to patients with NHL and ALL, but that the overall beneficial Leukine treatment effect was the same. In the following combined analysis of the three studies, these two subgroups (NHL and ALL vs. Hodgkin's disease) are presented separately.
| Note: The single AML patient was not included. | |||||
| |||||
| Median Values (days) | |||||
ANC ≥500/mm3 | ANC ≥1000/mm3 | Duration of Hospitalization | Duration of Infection | Duration of Antibacterial Therapy | |
Leukine (n=54) | 18*† | 24*† | 25* | 1* | 21* |
Placebo (n=50) | 24 | 32 | 31 | 4 | 25 |
Myeloid engraftment (absolute neutrophil count [ANC]≥500 cells/mm3) in 54 patients receiving Leukine was observed 6 days earlier than in 50 patients treated with placebo (see Table 3). Accelerated myeloid engraftment was associated with significant clinical benefits. The median duration of hospitalization was six days shorter for the Leukine group than for the placebo group. Median duration of infectious episodes (defined as fever and neutropenia; or two positive cultures of the same organism; or fever >38°C and one positive blood culture; or clinical evidence of infection) was three days less in the group treated with Leukine. The median duration of antibacterial administration in the post-transplantation period was four days shorter for the patients treated with Leukine than for placebo-treated patients. The study was unable to detect a significant difference between the treatment groups in rate of disease relapse 24 months post-transplantation. As a group, leukemic subjects receiving Leukine derived less benefit than NHL subjects. However, both the leukemic and NHL groups receiving Leukine engrafted earlier than controls.
Patients with Hodgkin's Disease
If patients with Hodgkin's disease are analyzed separately, a trend toward earlier myeloid engraftment is noted. Leukine-treated patients engrafted earlier (by five days) than the placebo-treated patients (p=0.189, Wilcoxon) but the number of patients was small (n=22).
Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation
A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blinded study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Leukine for promoting hematopoietic reconstitution following allogeneic BMT. A total of 109 patients (53 Leukine, 56 placebo) were enrolled in the study. Twenty-three patients (11 Leukine, 12 placebo) were 18 years old or younger. Sixty-seven patients had myeloid malignancies (33 AML, 34 CML), 17 had lymphoid malignancies (12 ALL, 5 NHL), three patients had Hodgkin's disease, six had multiple myeloma, nine had myelodysplastic disease, and seven patients had aplastic anemia. In 22 patients at one of the seven study sites, bone marrow harvests were depleted of T cells. Preparative regimens included cyclophosphamide, busulfan, cytosine arabinoside, etoposide, methotrexate, corticosteroids, and asparaginase. Some patients also received total body, splenic, or testicular irradiation. Primary graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was cyclosporine A and a corticosteroid.
Accelerated myeloid engraftment was associated with significant laboratory and clinical benefits. Compared to placebo, administration of Leukine significantly improved the following: time to neutrophil engraftment, duration of hospitalization, number of patients with bacteremia and overall incidence of infection (see Table 4).
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Median Values (days or number of patients) | |||||
ANC ≥ 500/mm3 | ANC ≥ 1000/mm3 | Number of Patients with Infections | Number of Patients with Bacteremia | Days of Hospitalization | |
Leukine (n=53) | 13* | 14* | 30* | 9† | 25* |
Placebo (n=56) | 17 | 19 | 42 | 19 | 26 |
Median time to myeloid engraftment (ANC ≥ 500 cells/mm3) in 53 patients receiving Leukine was 4 four days less than in 56 patients treated with placebo (see Table 4). The number of patients with bacteremia and infection was significantly lower in the Leukine group compared to the placebo group (9/53 versus 19/56 and 30/53 versus 42/56, respectively). There were a number of secondary laboratory and clinical endpoints. Of these, only the incidence of severe (grade 3/4) mucositis was significantly improved in the Leukine group (4/53) compared to the placebo group (16/56) at p<0.05. Leukine-treated patients also had a shorter median duration of post-transplant IV antibiotic infusions, and shorter median number of days to last platelet and RBC transfusions compared to placebo patients, but none of these differences reached statistical significance.
Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure or Engraftment Delay
A historically-controlled study was conducted in patients experiencing graft failure following allogeneic or autologous BMT to determine whether Leukine improved survival after BMT failure.
Three categories of patients were eligible for this study:
- patients displaying a delay in engraftment (ANC ≤ 100 cells/mm3 by day 28 post-transplantation);
- patients displaying a delay in engraftment (ANC ≤ 100 cells/mm3 by day 21 post-transplantation) and who had evidence of an active infection; and
- patients who lost their marrow graft after a transient engraftment (manifested by an average of ANC ≥ 500 cells/mm3 for at least one week followed by loss of engraftment with ANC < 500 cells/mm3 for at least one week beyond day 21 post-transplantation).
A total of 140 eligible patients from 35 institutions were treated with Leukine and evaluated in comparison to 103 historical control patients from a single institution. One hundred sixty-three patients had lymphoid or myeloid leukemia, 24 patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 19 patients had Hodgkin's disease and 37 patients had other diseases, such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia or non-hematologic malignancy. The majority of patients (223 out of 243) had received prior chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy prior to preparation for transplantation.
One hundred day survival was improved in favor of the patients treated with Leukine after graft failure following either autologous or allogeneic BMT. In addition, the median survival was improved by greater than two-fold. The median survival of patients treated with Leukine after autologous failure was 474 days versus 161 days for the historical patients. Similarly, after allogeneic failure, the median survival was 97 days with Leukine treatment and 35 days for the historical controls. Improvement in survival was better in patients with fewer impaired organs.
The MOF score is a simple clinical and laboratory assessment of seven major organ systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hematologic, renal, hepatic and neurologic.10 Assessment of the MOF score is recommended as an additional method of determining the need to initiate treatment with Leukine in patients with graft failure or delay in engraftment following autologous or allogeneic BMT (see Table 5).
Median Survival (days) | |||
| MOF ≤ 2 Organs | MOF > 2 Organs | MOF (Composite of Both Groups) | |
Autologous BMT | |||
| Leukine | 474 (n=58) | 78.5 (n=10) | 474 (n=68) |
| Historical | 165 (n=14) | 39 (n=3) | 161 (n=17) |
Allogeneic BMT | |||
| Leukine | 174 (n=50) | 27 (n=22) | 97 (n=72) |
| Historical | 52.5(n=60) | 15.5(n=26) | 35 (n=86) |
The probability of survival was relatively greater for patients with any one of the following characteristics: autologous BMT failure or delay in engraftment, exclusion of total body irradiation from the preparative regimen, a non-leukemic malignancy or MOF score ≤ two (zero, one or two dysfunctional organ systems). Leukemic subjects derived less benefit than other subjects.
Contraindications
Leukine is contraindicated:
- in patients with excessive leukemic myeloid blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood (≥ 10%);
- in patients with known hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, yeast-derived products or any component of the product;
- for concomitant use with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Due to the potential sensitivity of rapidly dividing hematopoietic progenitor cells, Leukine should not be administered simultaneously with cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy or within 24 hours proceeding or following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In one controlled study, patients with small cell lung cancer received Leukine and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy and chemotherapy or the identical radiotherapy and chemotherapy without Leukine. The patients randomized to Leukine had significantly higher incidence of adverse events, including higher mortality and a higher incidence of grade 3 and 4 infections and grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia.11
Warnings
Pediatric Use
Benzyl alcohol is a constituent of liquid Leukine and Bacteriostatic Water for Injection diluent. Benzyl alcohol has been reported to be associated with a fatal "Gasping Syndrome" in premature infants. Liquid solutions containing benzyl alcohol (including liquid Leukine ) or lyophilized Leukine reconstituted with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (0.9% benzyl alcohol) should not be administered to neonates (see PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Fluid Retention
Edema, capillary leak syndrome, pleural and/or pericardial effusion have been reported in patients after Leukine administration. In 156 patients enrolled in placebo-controlled studies using Leukine at a dose of 250 mcg/m2/day by 2-hour IV infusion, the reported incidences of fluid retention (Leukine vs. placebo) were as follows: peripheral edema, 11% vs. 7%; pleural effusion, 1% vs. 0%; and pericardial effusion, 4% vs. 1%. Capillary leak syndrome was not observed in this limited number of studies; based on other uncontrolled studies and reports from users of marketed Leukine, the incidence is estimated to be less than 1%. In patients with preexisting pleural and pericardial effusions, administration of Leukine may aggravate fluid retention; however, fluid retention associated with or worsened by Leukine has been reversible after interruption or dose reduction of Leukine with or without diuretic therapy. Leukine should be used with caution in patients with preexisting fluid retention, pulmonary infiltrates or congestive heart failure.
Respiratory Symptoms
Sequestration of granulocytes in the pulmonary circulation has been documented following Leukine infusion12 and dyspnea has been reported occasionally in patients treated with Leukine. Special attention should be given to respiratory symptoms during or immediately following Leukine infusion, especially in patients with preexisting lung disease. In patients displaying dyspnea during Leukine administration, the rate of infusion should be reduced by half. If respiratory symptoms worsen despite infusion rate reduction, the infusion should be discontinued. Subsequent IV infusions may be administered following the standard dose schedule with careful monitoring. Leukine should be administered with caution in patients with hypoxia.
Cardiovascular Symptoms
Occasional transient supraventricular arrhythmia has been reported in uncontrolled studies during Leukine administration, particularly in patients with a previous history of cardiac arrhythmia. However, these arrhythmias have been reversible after discontinuation of Leukine. Leukine should be used with caution in patients with preexisting cardiac disease.
Renal and Hepatic Dysfunction
In some patients with preexisting renal or hepatic dysfunction enrolled in uncontrolled clinical trials, administration of Leukine has induced elevation of serum creatinine or bilirubin and hepatic enzymes. Dose reduction or interruption of Leukine administration has resulted in a decrease to pretreatment values. However, in controlled clinical trials the incidences of renal and hepatic dysfunction were comparable between Leukine (250 mcg/m2/day by 2-hour IV infusion) and placebo-treated patients. Monitoring of renal and hepatic function in patients displaying renal or hepatic dysfunction prior to initiation of treatment is recommended at least every other week during Leukine administration.
Precautions
General
Parenteral administration of recombinant proteins should be attended by appropriate precautions in case an allergic or untoward reaction occurs. Serious allergic or anaphylactic reactions have been reported. If any serious allergic or anaphylactic reaction occurs, Leukine therapy should immediately be discontinued and appropriate therapy initiated.
A syndrome characterized by respiratory distress, hypoxia, flushing, hypotension, syncope, and/or tachycardia has been reported following the first administration of Leukine in a particular cycle. These signs have resolved with symptomatic treatment and usually do not recur with subsequent doses in the same cycle of treatment.
Stimulation of marrow precursors with Leukine may result in a rapid rise in white blood cell (WBC) count. If the ANC exceeds 20,000 cells/mm3 or if the platelet count exceeds 500,000/mm3, Leukine administration should be interrupted or the dose reduced by half. The decision to reduce the dose or interrupt treatment should be based on the clinical condition of the patient. Excessive blood counts have returned to normal or baseline levels within three to seven days following cessation of Leukine therapy. Twice weekly monitoring of CBC with differential (including examination for the presence of blast cells) should be performed to preclude development of excessive counts.
Growth Factor Potential
Leukine is a growth factor that primarily stimulates normal myeloid precursors. However, the possibility that Leukine can act as a growth factor for any tumor type, particularly myeloid malignancies, cannot be excluded. Because of the possibility of tumor growth potentiation, precaution should be exercised when using this drug in any malignancy with myeloid characteristics.
Should disease progression be detected during Leukine treatment, Leukine therapy should be discontinued.
Leukine has been administered to patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in uncontrolled studies without evidence of increased relapse rates.13, 14, 15
Controlled studies have not been performed in patients with MDS.
Use in Patients Receiving Purged Bone Marrow
Leukine is effective in accelerating myeloid recovery in patients receiving bone marrow purged by anti-B lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies. Data obtained from uncontrolled studies suggest that if in vitro marrow purging with chemical agents causes a significant decrease in the number of responsive hematopoietic progenitors, the patient may not respond to Leukine. When the bone marrow purging process preserves a sufficient number of progenitors (>1.2 x 104/kg), a beneficial effect of Leukine on myeloid engraftment has been reported.16
Use in Patients Previously Exposed to Intensive Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy
In patients who before autologous BMT, have received extensive radiotherapy to hematopoietic sites for the treatment of primary disease in the abdomen or chest, or have been exposed to multiple myelotoxic agents (alkylating agents, anthracycline antibiotics and antimetabolites), the effect of Leukine on myeloid reconstitution may be limited.
Use in Patients with Malignancy Undergoing Leukine-Mobilized PBPC Collection
When using Leukine to mobilize PBPC, the limited in vitro data suggest that tumor cells may be released and reinfused into the patient in the leukapheresis product. The effect of reinfusion of tumor cells has not been well studied and the data are inconclusive.
Information for Patients
Leukine should be used under t
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