TEMOZOLOMIDE

Temozolomide capsules are indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma concomitantly with radiotherapy and then as maintenance treatment.

Temozolomide capsules are indicated for the treatment of adult patients with refractory anaplastic astrocytoma who have experienced disease progression on a drug regimen containing nitrosourea and procarbazine.

Administer temozolomide capsules once daily for 42 consecutive days during the concomitant phase with focal radiotherapy and then once daily on Days 1 to 5 of each 28-day cycle for 6 cycles during the maintenance phase.

Provide Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis during the concomitant phase and continue in patients who develop lymphocytopenia until resolution to grade 1 or less [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Concomitant Phase

The recommended dosage of temozolomide capsules is 75 mg/m² orally once daily for 42 days (up to 49 days) concomitant with focal radiotherapy (60 Gy administered in 30 fractions). Focal radiotherapy includes the tumor bed or resection site with a 2- to 3-cm margin.

Obtain a complete blood count weekly. No dose reductions are recommended during the concomitant phase. The recommended dosage modifications during the concomitant phase are provided in Table 1.

Maintenance Phase

Beginning 4 weeks after Concomitant Phase completion, administer temozolomide capsules orally once daily on Days 1 to 5 of each 28-day cycle for 6 cycles. The recommended dosage of temozolomide capsules is as follows:

• Cycle 1: 150 mg/m² per day
• Cycles 2 to 6: May increase to 200 mg/m² per day if the following conditions are met before starting cycle 2. If the dose was not escalated at the onset of Cycle 2, do not increase the dose for Cycles 3 to 6.
  • oNonhematologic toxicity is grade 2 or less (except for alopecia, nausea, and vomiting)
  • oANC is greater than or equal to 1.5 x 10⁹/L and
  • oPlatelet count is greater than or equal to 100 x 10⁹/L.

Obtain a complete blood count on Day 22 and then weekly until the ANC is above 1.5 x 10⁹/L and the platelet count is above 100 x 10⁹/L. Do not start the next cycle until the ANC and platelet count exceed these levels.

The recommended dosage modifications during the maintenance phase are provided in Table 2. If temozolomide capsules are withheld, reduce the dose for the next cycle by 50 mg/m² per day. Permanently discontinue temozolomide capsules in patients who are unable to tolerate a dose of 100 mg/m² per day.

The recommended initial dosage of temozolomide capsules is 150 mg/m² once daily on Days 1 to 5 of each 28-day cycle. Increase the temozolomide capsule dose to 200 mg/m² per day if the following conditions are met at the nadir and on Day 1 of the next cycle:

• ANC is greater than or equal to 1.5 x 10⁹/L and
• Platelet count is greater than or equal to 100 x 10⁹/L

Continue temozolomide capsules until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In the clinical trial, treatment could be continued for a maximum of 2 years, but the optimum duration of therapy is not known.

Obtain a complete blood count on Day 22 and then weekly until the ANC is above 1.5 x 10⁹/L and the platelet count is above 100 x 10⁹/L. Do not start the next cycle until the ANC and platelet count exceed these levels.

If the ANC is less than 1 x 10⁹/L or the platelet count is less than 50 x 10⁹/L during any cycle, reduce the temozolomide capsule dose for the next cycle by 50 mg/m² per day. Permanently discontinue temozolomide capsules in patients who are unable to tolerate a dose of 100 mg/m² per day.

Temozolomide is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.¹

Administer temozolomide capsules consistently with respect to food (fasting vs. nonfasting) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. To reduce nausea and vomiting, take temozolomide capsules on an empty stomach or at bedtime and consider antiemetic therapy prior to and/or following temozolomide capsules administration.

Swallow temozolomide capsules whole. Do not open or chew capsules.

If capsules are accidentally opened or damaged, take precautions to avoid inhalation or contact with the skin or mucous membranes. In case of powder contact, the hands should be washed.

Myelosuppression, including pancytopenia, leukopenia and anemia, some with fatal outcomes, have occurred with temozolomide capsules [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)]. Geriatric patients and women have been shown in clinical trials to have a higher risk of developing myelosuppression.

Prior to dosing, patients must have an ANC of 1.5 x 10⁹/L or greater and a platelet count of 100 x 10⁹/L or greater.

For the concomitant phase with radiotherapy, obtain a complete blood count prior to initiation of treatment and weekly during treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

For the 28-day treatment cycles, obtain a complete blood count prior to treatment on Day 1 and on Day 22 of each cycle. Perform complete blood counts weekly until recovery if the ANC falls below 1.5 x 10⁹/L and the platelet count falls below 100 x 10⁹/L [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2)].

Cases of myelodysplastic syndrome and secondary malignancies, including myeloid leukemia, have been observed following temozolomide capsule administration.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) can occur in patients receiving temozolomide capsules. The risk of PCP is increased in patients receiving steroids or with longer treatment regimens.

For patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, provide PCP prophylaxis for all patients during the concomitant phase. Continue in patients who experience lymphopenia until resolution to grade 1 or less [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

Monitor all patients receiving temozolomide capsules for the development of lymphopenia and PCP.

Fatal and severe hepatotoxicity have been reported in patients receiving temozolomide. Perform liver tests at baseline, midway through the first cycle, prior to each subsequent cycle, and approximately two to four weeks after the last dose of temozolomide.

Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, temozolomide capsules can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Adverse developmental outcomes have been reported in both pregnant patients and pregnant partners of male patients. Oral administration of temozolomide to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryolethality and polymalformations at doses less than the maximum human dose based on body surface area.

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with temozolomide capsules and for at least 6 months after the final dose. Because of potential risk of genotoxic effects on sperm, advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms during treatment with temozolomide capsules and for at least 3 months after the final dose. Advise male patients not to donate semen during treatment with temozolomide capsules and for at least 3 months after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

The safety of temozolomide was evaluated in Study MK-7365-051 [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

Forty-nine percent (49%) of patients treated with temozolomide reported one or more severe or life-threatening reactions, most commonly fatigue (13%), convulsions (6%), headache (5%), and thrombocytopenia (5%).

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) across the cumulative temozolomide experience were alopecia, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Table 3 summarizes the adverse reactions in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Trial. Overall, the pattern of reactions during the maintenance phase was consistent with the known safety profile of temozolomide.

*One patient who was randomized to radiation therapy only arm received radiation therapy and temozolomide.
NOS=not otherwise specified.
Note: Grade 5 (fatal) adverse reactions are included in the Grade ≥3 column.

When laboratory abnormalities and adverse reactions were combined, Grade 3 or Grade 4 neutrophil abnormalities including neutropenic reactions were observed in 8% of patients, and Grade 3 or Grade 4 platelet abnormalities including thrombocytopenic reactions, were observed in 14% of patients.

Refractory Anaplastic Astrocytoma

The safety of temozolomide was evaluated in Study MK-7365-006 [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

Myelosuppression (thrombocytopenia and neutropenia) was the dose-limiting adverse reaction. It usually occurred within the first few cycles of therapy and was not cumulative. Myelosuppression occurred late in the treatment cycle and returned to normal, on average, within 14 days of nadir counts. The median nadirs occurred at 26 days for platelets (range: 21-40 days) and 28 days for neutrophils (range: 1-44 days). Only 14% (22/158) of patients had a neutrophil nadir and 20% (32/158) of patients had a platelet nadir, which may have delayed the start of the next cycle. Less than 10% of patients required hospitalization, blood transfusion, or discontinuation of therapy due to myelosuppression.

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, constipation, and convulsions.

Tables 4 and 5 summarize the adverse reactions and hematological laboratory abnormalities in Refractory Anaplastic Astrocytoma Trial.

*This term includes blurred vision; visual deficit; vision changes; and vision troubles.

*Change from Grade 0 to 2 at baseline to Grade 3 or 4 during treatment.
^†Denominator range = 142, 158

Hematological Toxicities for Advanced Gliomas

In clinical trial experience with 110 to 111 females and 169 to 174 males (depending on measurements), females experienced higher rates of Grade 4 neutropenia (ANC < 0.5 x 10⁹/L) and thrombocytopenia (< 20 x 10⁹/L) than males in the first cycle of therapy (12% vs. 5% and 9% vs. 3%, respectively).

In the entire safety database for which hematologic data exist (N=932), 7% (4/61) and 9.5% (6/63) of patients > 70 years experienced Grade 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia in the first cycle, respectively. For patients ≤ 70 years, 7% (62/871) and 5.5% (48/879) experienced Grade 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia in the first cycle, respectively. Pancytopenia, leukopenia, and anemia also occurred.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of temozolomide. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to the drug exposure.

Dermatologic: Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Immune System: Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Erythema multiforme, which resolved after discontinuation of temozolomide and, in some cases, recurred upon rechallenge.

Hematopoietic: Prolonged pancytopenia, which may result in aplastic anemia and fatal outcomes.

Hepatobiliary: Fatal and severe hepatotoxicity, elevation of liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, cholestasis, and hepatitis.

Infections: Serious opportunistic infections, including some cases with fatal outcomes, with bacterial, viral (primary and reactivated), fungal, and protozoan organisms.

Pulmonary: Interstitial pneumonitis, pneumonitis, alveolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Endocrine: Diabetes insipidus

Risk Summary

Based on its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)] and findings from animal studies, temozolomide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Available postmarketing reports describe cases of spontaneous abortions and congenital malformations, including polymalformations with central nervous system, facial, cardiac, skeletal, and genitourinary system anomalies with exposure to temozolomide during pregnancy. These cases report similar adverse developmental outcomes to those observed in animal studies. Administration of temozolomide capsules to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused numerous external, internal, and skeletal malformations at doses less than the maximum human dose based on body surface area (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Five consecutive days of oral administration of temozolomide at doses of 75 and 150 mg/m² (0.38 and 0.75 times the human dose of 200 mg/m²) in rats and rabbits, respectively, during the period of organogenesis (Gestation Days 8-12) caused numerous malformations of the external and internal organs and skeleton in both species. In rabbits, temozolomide at the 150 mg/m² dose (0.75 times the human dose of 200 mg/m²) caused embryolethality as indicated by increased resorptions.

There are no data on the presence of temozolomide or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on a breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression from temozolomide in the breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with temozolomide and for at least 1 week after the final dose.

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating temozolomide capsules [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Contraception

Females

Temozolomide capsules can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with temozolomide capsules and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

Males

Because of the potential for embryofetal toxicity and genotoxic effects on sperm cells, advise male patients with pregnant partners or female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms during treatment with temozolomide capsules and for at least 3 months after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].

Advise male patients not to donate semen during treatment with temozolomide capsules and for at least 3 months after the final dose.

Infertility

Temozolomide capsules may impair male fertility [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. Limited data from male patients show changes in sperm parameters during treatment with temozolomide capsules; however, no information is available on the duration or reversibility of these changes.

Safety and effectiveness of temozolomide capsules have not been established in pediatric patients. Safety and effectiveness of temozolomide capsules were assessed, but not established, in 2 open-label studies in pediatric patients aged 3 to 18 years. In one study, 29 patients with recurrent brain stem glioma and 34 patients with recurrent high-grade astrocytoma were enrolled. In a second study conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), 122 patients were enrolled, including patients with medulloblastoma/PNET (29), high grade astrocytoma (23), low grade astrocytoma (22), brain stem glioma (16), ependymoma (14), other CNS tumors (9), and non-CNS tumors (9). The adverse reaction profile in pediatric patients was similar to adults.

In the Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma trial, Study MK-7365-051, 15% of patients were 65 years and older. This study did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and older to determine differences in effectiveness from younger patients. No overall differences in safety were observed between patients ≥65 years and younger patients.

In the Refractory Anaplastic Astrocytoma trial, Study MK-7365-0006, 4% of patients were 70 years and older. This study did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 70 years and older to determine differences in effectiveness from younger patients. Patients 70 years and older had a higher incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia (25%) and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (20%) in the first cycle of therapy than patients less than 70 years of age [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) of 36 to 130 mL/min/m² [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. The recommended dose of temozolomide has not been established for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr < 36 mL/min/m²) or for patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis.

No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh class A and B) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. The recommended dose of temozolomide has not been established for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C).

Temozolomide is not directly active but undergoes rapid nonenzymatic conversion at physiologic pH to the reactive compound 5-(3-methyltriazen-1-yl)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (MTIC). The cytotoxicity of MTIC is thought to be primarily due to alkylation of DNA. Alkylation (methylation) occurs mainly at the O⁶ and N⁷ positions of guanine.

Following a single oral dose of 150 mg/m², the mean C_max value for temozolomide was 7.5 mcg/mL and for MTIC was 282 ng/mL. The mean AUC value for temozolomide was 23.4 mcg·hr/mL and for MTIC was 864 ng·hr/mL.

Temozolomide exhibits linear kinetics over the therapeutic dosing range of 75 mg/m²/day to 250 mg/m²/day.

Absorption

The median T_max is 1 hour.

Effect of Food

The mean C_max and AUC decreased by 32% and 9%, respectively, and median T_max increased by 2-fold (from 1-2.25 hours) when temozolomide capsules were administered after a modified high-fat breakfast (587 calories comprised of 1 fried egg, 2 strips of bacon, 2 slices of toast, 2 pats of butter, and 8 oz whole milk).

Distribution

Temozolomide has a mean apparent volume of distribution of 0.4 L/kg (%CV=13%). The mean percent bound of drug-related total radioactivity is 15%.

Elimination

Clearance of temozolomide is about 5.5 L/hr/m² and the mean elimination half-life is 1.8 hours.

Metabolism

Temozolomide is spontaneously hydrolyzed at physiologic pH to the active species, MTIC and to temozolomide acid metabolite. MTIC is further hydrolyzed to 5-amino-imidazole-4-carboxamide (AIC), which is known to be an intermediate in purine and nucleic acid biosynthesis, and to methylhydrazine, which is believed to be the active alkylating species. Cytochrome P450 enzymes play only a minor role in the metabolism of temozolomide and MTIC. Relative to the AUC of temozolomide, the exposure to MTIC and AIC is 2.4% and 23%, respectively.

Excretion

About 38% of the administered temozolomide total radioactive dose is recovered over 7 days: 38% in urine and 0.8% in feces. The majority of the recovery of radioactivity in urine is unchanged temozolomide (6%), AIC (12%), temozolomide acid metabolite (2.3%), and unidentified polar metabolite(s) (17%).

Specific Populations

No clinically meaningful differences in the pharmacokinetics of temozolomide were observed based on age (range: 19-78 years), gender, smoking status (smoker vs. non-smoker), creatinine clearance (CLcr) of 36 to 130 mL/min/m², or mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh class A and B). The pharmacokinetics of temozolomide has not been studied in patients with CLcr < 36 mL/min/m², end-stage renal disease on dialysis, or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C).

Drug Interaction Studies

Effect of Other Drugs on Temozolomide Pharmacokinetics

In a multiple-dose study, administration of temozolomide capsules with ranitidine did not change the C_max or AUC values for temozolomide or MTIC.

A population analysis indicated that administration of valproic acid decreases the clearance of temozolomide by about 5%.

A population analysis did not demonstrate any influence of coadministered dexamethasone, prochlorperazine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ondansetron, histamine-2-receptor antagonists, or phenobarbital on the clearance of orally administered temozolomide.

Temozolomide is carcinogenic in rats at doses less than the maximum recommended human dose. Temozolomide induced mammary carcinomas in both males and females at doses 0.13 to 0.63 times the maximum human dose (25-125 mg/m²) when administered orally on 5 consecutive days every 28 days for 6 cycles. Temozolomide also induced fibrosarcomas of the heart, eye, seminal vesicles, salivary glands, abdominal cavity, uterus, and prostate, carcinomas of the seminal vesicles, schwannomas of the heart, optic nerve, and harderian gland, and adenomas of the skin, lung, pituitary, and thyroid at doses 0.5 times the maximum daily dose. Mammary tumors were also induced following 3 cycles of temozolomide at the maximum recommended daily dose.

Temozolomide is a mutagen and a clastogen. In a reverse bacterial mutagenesis assay (Ames assay), temozolomide increased revertant frequency in the absence and presence of metabolic activation. Temozolomide was clastogenic in human lymphocytes in the presence and absence of metabolic activation.

Temozolomide impairs male fertility. Temozolomide caused syncytial cells/immature sperm formation at doses of 50 and 125 mg/m² (0.25 and 0.63 times the human dose of 200 mg/m²) in rats and dogs, respectively, and testicular atrophy in dogs at 125 mg/m².

Toxicology studies in rats and dogs identified a low incidence of hemorrhage, degeneration, and necrosis of the retina at temozolomide doses equal to or greater than 125 mg/m² (0.63 times the human dose of 200 mg/m²). These changes were most commonly seen at doses where mortality was observed.

The efficacy of temozolomide was evaluated in Study MK-7365-051, a randomized (1:1), multicenter, open-label trial. Eligible patients were required to have newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Patients were randomized to receive either radiation therapy alone or concomitant temozolomide 75 mg/m² once daily starting the first day of radiation therapy and continuing until the last day of radiation therapy for 42 days (with a maximum of 49 days), followed by temozolomide 150 mg/m² or 200 mg/m² once daily on Days 1 to 5 of each 28-day cycle, starting 4 weeks after the end of radiation therapy and continuing for 6 cycles. In both arms, focal radiation therapy was delivered as 60 Gy/30 fractions and included radiation to the tumor bed or resection site with a 2- to 3-cm margin. PCP prophylaxis was required during the concomitant phase, regardless of lymphocyte count and continued until recovery of lymphocyte count to grade 1 or less. The major efficacy outcome measure was overall survival.

A total of 573 patients were randomized, 287 to temozolomide and radiation therapy and 286 to radiation therapy alone. At the time of disease progression, temozolomide was administered as salvage therapy in 161 patients of the 282 (57%) in the radiation therapy alone arm and 62 patients of the 277 (22%) in the temozolomide and radiation therapy arm.

The addition of concomitant and maintenance temozolomide to radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival compared to radiotherapy alone (Figure 1). The hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.75) with a log-rank P<0.0001 in favor of the temozolomide arm. The median survival was increased by 2.5 months in the temozolomide arm.

FIGURE 1: Kaplan-Meier Curves for Overall Survival (ITT Population) in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Trial
Figure-1

The efficacy of temozolomide was evaluated in Study MK-7365-006, a single-arm, multicenter trial. Eligible patients had anaplastic astrocytoma at first relapse and a baseline Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of 70 or greater. Patients had previously received radiation therapy and may also have previously received a nitrosourea with or without other chemotherapy. Fifty-four patients had disease progression on prior therapy with both a nitrosourea and procarbazine and their malignancy was considered refractory to chemotherapy (refractory anaplastic astrocytoma population). Temozolomide capsules were given on Days 1 to 5 of each 28-day cycle at a starting dose of 150 mg/m²/day. If ANC was ≥1.5 x 10⁹/L and platelet count was ≥100 x 10⁹/L at the nadir and on Day 1 of the next cycle, the temozolomide dose was increased to 200 mg/m²/day. The major efficacy outcome measure was progression-free survival at 6 months and the additional efficacy outcome measures were overall survival and overall response rate.

In the refractory anaplastic astrocytoma population (n=54), the median age was 42 years (range: 19 to 76); 65% were male; and 72% had a KPS of >80. Sixty-three percent of patients had surgery other than a biopsy at the time of initial diagnosis. Of those patients undergoing resection, 73% underwent a subtotal resection and 27% underwent a gross total resection. Eighteen percent of patients had surgery at the time of first relapse. The median time from initial diagnosis to first relapse was 13.8 months (range: 4.2 months to 6.3 years).

In the refractory anaplastic astrocytoma population, the overall response rate (CR+PR) was 22% (12 of 54 patients) and the complete response rate was 9% (5 of 54 patients). The median duration of all responses was 50 weeks (range: 16 to 114 weeks) and the median duration of complete responses was 64 weeks (range: 52 to 114 weeks). In this population, progression-free survival at 6 months was 45% (95% CI: 31%, 58%) and progression-free survival at 12 months was 29% (95% CI: 16%, 42%). Median progression-free survival was 4.4 months. Overall survival at 6 months was 74% (95% CI: 62%, 86%) and 12-month overall survival was 65% (95% CI: 52%, 78%). Median overall survival was 15.9 months.