Proleukin

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Proleukin is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Metastatic Melanoma

Proleukin is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic melanoma.

 Recommended Evaluation and Testing Before Initiating Proleukin

Conduct baseline hematologic, chemistry, renal and hepatic function tests. Additionally, evaluate cardiac ejection fraction, coronary artery disease as appropriate, pulmonary function with PFTs, and evaluate for renal, hepatic, and CNS impairment prior to initiating treatment with Proleukin [see Contraindications , Warnings and Precautions ].

Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Proleukin [see Warnings and Precautions , Use in Specific Populations ].

Recommended Dosage

Administer Proleukin in an inpatient hospital setting. An intensive care facility with specialists skilled in cardiopulmonary or intensive care medicine must be available [see Warnings and Precautions ].

The recommended dosage of Proleukin for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma is described in Table 1.

Administer Proleukin as an intravenous infusion after dilution [see Dosage and Administration ]. Discontinue Proleukin for unacceptable toxicity [see Dosage and Administration ].

Evaluate patients for response approximately 4 weeks after completion of a course of therapy and again immediately prior to the scheduled start of the next treatment course.

Additional courses of treatment may be administered to patients if there is a treatment response following the last course, and the patient did not experience any adverse reactions in previous course(s) that led to permanent discontinuation [see Dosage and Administration ].

Separate each treatment course by a rest period of at least 7 weeks from the date of hospital discharge.

 Premedication and Supportive Medications

Premedicate patients with an antipyretic immediately prior to beginning Proleukin. Continue antipyretics during treatment as needed for fever [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Administer prophylactic antibiotics per institutional guidelines prior to beginning Proleukin and throughout the treatment course for patients with indwelling central catheters [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Administer prophylactic medication for gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding during each Proleukin treatment course [see Adverse Reactions ].

Additional medications may be needed if patients experience hypotension, dyspnea, rigors, nausea, diarrhea, pruritis, or dermatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ].

 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions

No dose reduction for Proleukin is recommended for adverse reactions. In general, withhold or interrupt a dose or permanently discontinue Proleukin based on the severity of the adverse reaction as described in Table 2.

 Preparation and Administration

Preparation

Reconstitute Proleukin using Sterile Water for Injection, USP. Do not reconstitute or dilute Proleukin with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection.

• Add 1.2 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, by injecting the water along the walls of the vial and not directly on the lyophilized powder. The resulting concentration is 18 million IU (1.1 mg)/mL of Proleukin.
• The prepared solution is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid.
• Slowly swirl the vial; do not shake.
• Withdraw the required dose of Proleukin and discard the vial with any unused portion.
• Use polyvinyl chloride bags for dilution of Proleukin and dilute using 5% Dextrose Injection to a concentration between 0.03 mg/mL and 0.07 mg/mL based on the required dose as follows:

Storage of Diluted Proleukin Infusion Solution

• Store under refrigeration at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) for no more than 48 hours from the time of preparation to the end of the infusion.
• Protect from light.
• Do not freeze.
• Allow the diluted solution to come to room temperature prior to administration.

Administration

• Do not use in-line filters when administering Proleukin.
• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
• Do not co-administer Proleukin with other drugs through the same intravenous line.
• Administer by intravenous infusion over 15 minutes.

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on findings in an animal study and its mechanism of action, Proleukin may cause fetal harm or loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ]. Data on the use of Proleukin in pregnant women are limited and insufficient to assess the drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; however, development of capillary leak syndrome during pregnancy can lead to adverse fetal outcomes (see Clinical Considerations).

Intravenous administration of aldesleukin to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryo lethality at doses 27 times and maternal toxicities at doses 2.1 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose (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%–4% and 15–20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions

Capillary leak syndrome in women who are exposed to Proleukin during pregnancy may result in maternal hypotension and decreased placental perfusion. Severe or prolonged maternal hypotension and decreased placental perfusion can lead to intrauterine growth restriction, perinatal asphyxia, or fetal/neonatal demise. Monitor fetal and neonatal status in pregnant women who develop capillary leak syndrome associated with Proleukin.

Data

Animal Data

Aldesleukin has been shown to have embryolethal effects in rats when given in doses at 27 to 36 times the human dose (scaled by body weight). Significant maternal toxicities were observed in pregnant rats administered aldesleukin by IV injection at doses 2.1 to 36 times higher than the human dose during critical period of organogenesis.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of aldesleukin in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Maternal cytokines are known to be present in human breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from Proleukin in a breastfed child, such as impaired immune function, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment.

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Based on animal data and mechanism of action, Proleukin may cause embryo-fetal harm [see Use in Specific Populations ].

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Proleukin [see Use in Specific Populations ].

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Proleukin.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of Proleukin have not been established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of Proleukin did not include sufficient numbers of patients 65 years of age and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult patients.

 Capillary Leak Syndrome

Severe and life-threatening capillary leak syndrome (CLS) characterized by hypotension, dyspnea, edema, and hypoalbuminemia can occur with Proleukin, and can result in end organ toxicity including cardiac, respiratory, renal, hepatic toxicity, or death. Do not administer Proleukin to patients with significant cardiac, pulmonary, renal, or hepatic impairment. Avoid concomitant use of Proleukin with other products known to cause hypotension including antihypertensive drugs, those that cause renal toxicity, or hepatotoxicity. 

CLS may begin immediately after Proleukin treatment is initiated. Monitor for signs and symptoms of CLS including assessments of vital signs, weight, fluid intake, albumin levels and urine output.

Withhold or discontinue Proleukin for failure to maintain organ perfusion as demonstrated by altered mental status, reduced urine output, oxygen saturation <90%, a fall in the systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg, or onset of cardiac arrhythmias. Initiate standard management for CLS, which may include intensive care [see Dosage and Administration , Use in Specific Populations ].

 Neurologic Toxicity

Proleukin can cause neurologic toxicities including mental status changes, speech difficulties, cortical blindness, limb or gait ataxia, hallucinations, agitation, obtundation, demyelinating polyneuropathy, and coma. Alterations in mental status may progress for several days before recovery begins. Permanent neurologic deficits have occurred. Radiological findings included multiple and, less commonly, single cortical lesions on MRI and evidence of demyelination. One case of possible cerebral vasculitis has been reported.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neurological toxicity during Proleukin treatment. Withhold Proleukin in patients developing moderate to severe lethargy or somnolence; continued administration may result in coma. Permanently discontinue Proleukin for coma or toxic psychosis lasting >48 hours or for repetitive or difficult to control seizures [see Dosage and Administration ].

Evaluate and treat CNS metastases prior to initiation of Proleukin. If possible, avoid concomitant use of Proleukin with other product(s) with a known potential to cause neurotoxicity, and avoid Proleukin in patients with seizure disorders or abnormal intracranial imaging [see Contraindications , Adverse Reactions ]. Concomitant use of Proleukin with other products that cause neurotoxicity may result in a greater risk of severe neurotoxicity. 

 Serious Infections Including Sepsis

Proleukin can cause impaired neutrophil function (reduced chemotaxis) and an increased risk of disseminated infection, including sepsis and bacterial endocarditis. Treat pre-existing bacterial infections prior to initiating Proleukin. Consider antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with indwelling central lines. Monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during treatment and withhold Proleukin based on severity [see Dosage and Administration ].

 Renal Toxicity

Serious renal toxicity, including oliguria and renal failure can occur with Proleukin [see Adverse Reactions ]. Pre-existing renal impairment or coadministration of Proleukin with other products known to cause renal toxicity may increase this risk. If possible, avoid concomitant use of Proleukin with other product(s) with a known potential to cause renal toxicity. Serum creatinine should be ≤1.5 mg/dL before beginning Proleukin. Monitor serum creatinine at baseline and daily throughout each course of therapy. Withhold Proleukin, or permanently discontinue, based on severity [see Dosage and Administration ].

 Immune-mediated Adverse Reactions

Exacerbation of pre-existing autoimmune disease or initial presentation of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders has been reported following treatment with Proleukin. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. These have included exacerbation of Crohn’s disease, colitis, scleroderma, thyroiditis, inflammatory arthritis, diabetes mellitus, oculo-bulbar myasthenia gravis, crescentic IgA glomerulonephritis, cholecystitis, cerebral vasculitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, bullous pemphigoid, myocarditis, myositis, and neuritis including optic neuritis resulting in blindness [see Adverse Reactions ].

Proleukin may increase the risk of allograft rejection in transplant patients [see Contraindications ].

Hypothyroidism, sometimes preceded by hyperthyroidism, has been reported following Proleukin treatment. Evaluate thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment and initiate thyroid replacement therapy as clinically indicated.

Hyperglycemia and/or diabetes mellitus has been reported during Proleukin therapy. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia and initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated.

 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on findings in an animal study and its mechanism of action, Proleukin may cause fetal harm or loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant woman. In pregnant rats, aldesleukin has been shown to have embryolethal effects at doses 27 times and maternal toxicities at doses 2.1 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Proleukin [see Use in Specific Populations ].

 Serious Manifestations of Eosinophilia

Serious manifestations of eosinophilia involving eosinophilic infiltration of cardiac and pulmonary tissues can occur following Proleukin.

 Delayed Adverse Reactions to Iodinated Contrast Media

A review of the literature revealed that 12.6% (range 11-28%) of 501 patients treated with various interleukin-2-containing regimens who were subsequently administered radiographic iodinated contrast media experienced acute, atypical adverse reactions. The onset of symptoms usually occurred within hours (most commonly 1 to 4 hours) following the administration of contrast media. These reactions include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, rash, diarrhea, hypotension, edema, and oliguria. These reactions may resemble the immediate side effects caused by interleukin-2 administration. Most events were reported to occur when contrast media was given within 4 weeks after the last dose of interleukin-2. These events were also reported to occur when contrast media was given several months after interleukin-2 treatment [see Adverse Reactions ].

 Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Proleukin can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions. Permanently discontinue Proleukin in patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction [see Contraindications , Adverse Reactions ].

 Infusion-Related Reactions

Proleukin can cause fevers, chills, or rigors. Premedicate patients with an antipyretic prior to beginning Proleukin and continue during treatment as needed for fever [see Adverse Reactions and Dosage and Administration ].

Clinical Trials Experience

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.

The safety of Proleukin was evaluated in a series of single and multicenter, controlled studies enrolling a total of 525 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC studies) or metastatic melanoma (metastatic melanoma studies) [see Clinical Studies ].

In patients who received Proleukin in these studies, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4% (11/255) of the patients with metastatic RCC, and 2% (6/270) of the patients with metastatic melanoma.

In these studies, >90% of patients had doses withheld for adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration ].

The most common (≥30%) adverse reactions were hypotension, hyperbilirubinemia, dyspnea, rash, diarrhea, oliguria, chills, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, nausea, confusional state, and increased creatinine.

Table 4 summarizes adverse reactions that occurred in these studies.

Additional life-threatening adverse reactions (Grade 4) were reported by <1% of the 525 patients:

• Cardiac disorders: bradycardia, pericardial effusion, ventricular extrasystoles, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia supraventricular, coronary artery disease, atrioventricular block second degree, endocarditis
• Eye disorders: mydriasis, pupillary disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders: intestinal perforation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematemesis, pancreatitis, diarrhea hemorrhagic
• General disorders and administration site conditions: hypothermia
• Infections and infestations: gangrene
• Metabolism and nutrition disorders: hyperuricemia
• Nervous system disorders: syncope, neuropathy peripheral, seizure, generalized tonic-clonic seizure
• Investigations: liver function tests abnormal, blood urea increased
• Psychiatric disorders: agitation, paranoia
• Renal and urinary disorders: renal failure, renal tubular necrosis
• Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: respiratory acidosis, asthma, pulmonary edema, hyperventilation, hypoxia, hemoptysis, hypoventilation, pneumothorax
• Vascular disorders: shock, hemorrhage, phlebitis, thrombosis

Other Clinical Trial Experience

The following serious adverse reactions were reported in patients with RCC, melanoma, or other cancers treated with Proleukin-based regimens (n >1800 patients) using dosages other than the recommended dosage:

• Cardiovascular disorders: transient ischemic attacks, pericarditis
• Gastrointestinal disorders: duodenal ulcer; gastrointestinal necrosis, tracheo-esophageal fistula
• Nervous system disorders: meningitis, brain edema
• Renal and urinary disorders: nephritis (allergic)

In the same clinical population, the following fatal events each occurred with a frequency of <1%: hyperthermia malignant; cardiac arrest; myocardial infarction; pulmonary embolism; cerebrovascular accident; intestinal perforation; hepatic failure or renal failure; severe depression leading to suicide; pulmonary edema; respiratory arrest; respiratory failure. Patients with ECOG PS of 1 or higher had a higher treatment-related mortality and serious adverse events.

Post Marketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Proleukin.  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 drug exposure.

• Blood and lymphatic system disorders: neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, eosinophilia, lymphopenia
• Cardiac disorders: cardiomyopathy, cardiac tamponade
• Endocrine disorders: hyperthyroidism
• Gastrointestinal disorders: gastritis, intestinal obstruction
• General disorders and administration site conditions: injection site necrosis
• Hepatobiliary disorders: hepatitis, hepatosplenomegaly, cholecystitis
• Immune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, urticaria
• Infections and infestations: pneumonia (bacterial, fungal, viral), endocarditis, cellulitis
• Metabolism and nutrition disorders: hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia
• Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myopathy, rhabdomyolysis
• Nervous system disorders: encephalopathy, extrapyramidal disorder, neuralgia
• Psychiatric disorders: insomnia
• Vascular disorders: hypertension, subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage, retroperitoneal hemorrhage

Effect of Other Drugs on Proleukin

Glucocorticoids

Avoid concomitant use of glucocorticoids. Coadministration with glucocorticoids may reduce aldesleukin antitumor effectiveness.

Effect of Proleukin on Other Drugs

Radiographic Iodinated Contrast Media

Monitor for delayed adverse reactions in patients receiving iodinated contrast media following Proleukin. Administration of radiographic iodinated contrast media following administration of interleukin-2 resulted in acute, atypical adverse reactions that resemble the immediate side effects caused by Proleukin in some patients [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Effect on Cytochrome P-450 Substrates

For certain CYP substrates, minimal changes in the concentration may lead to serious adverse reactions. Monitor for toxicity or drug concentration changes of such CYP substrates when co-administered with Proleukin.

Aldesleukin causes release of cytokines [see Clinical Pharmacology ] that may suppress activity of CYP enzymes, resulting in increased exposure of CYP substrates.

Mechanism of Action

Aldesleukin is an interleukin-2 lymphocyte growth factor. The antitumor activity of aldesleukin has not been fully characterized. In vitro studies performed on human cell lines show enhancement of lymphocyte mitogenesis and cytotoxicity, induction of killer cell activity [lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) and natural killer (NK) cells] and interferon gamma production, and proliferation of human interleukin-2-dependent cell lines.

Administration of aldesleukin in animals and humans produces multiple immunological effects in a dose-dependent manner. These effects include activation of cellular immunity and the production of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor, IL-1, and interferon gamma. In vivo experiments in murine melanoma and sarcoma tumor models have shown inhibition of tumor growth.

Pharmacodynamics

Dose-dependent immunological effects including activation of cellular immunity with lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and thrombocytopenia, and the production of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor, IL-1, and gamma interferon were observed following administration of aldesleukin in animals and humans.

Aldesleukin exposure-response relationships and the time course of pharmacodynamic response are unknown.

Pharmacokinetics

Aldesleukin serum concentrations change proportionally with the Proleukin dosage.

Distribution

Aldesleukin is rapidly distributed (distribution half-life of 13 minutes) into the extravascular space following a Proleukin intravenous infusion. 

Elimination

The serum elimination half-life aldesleukin is 85 minutes in patients with cancer following a 5-minute intravenous infusion of Proleukin. The mean clearance rate of aldesleukin is 268 mL/min.

Metabolism

Aldesleukin is metabolized to amino acids in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney.

Excretion

Aldesleukin is primarily excreted in the kidney by both glomerular filtration and peritubular extraction. In the kidney it is metabolized and excreted into urine with little or no aldesleukin present.

Immunogenicity

The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies.

In clinical studies, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), low titers of anti-aldesleukin antibodies were observed in 74% (57 of 77) of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with an every 8-hour Proleukin regimen and in 66% (33 of 50) of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with a variety of intravenous regimens. In a separate study in 13 patients, following the first cycle of therapy, the geometric mean aldesleukin exposure (AUC) on Day 15 compared to Day 1 increased by 68% in 11 patients who developed anti-aldesleukin antibodies while no change was observed in the 2 antibody-negative patients. Overall, neutralizing antibodies were detected in 1 patient. Based on these data, the clinical relevance of anti-aldesleukin antibodies could not be assessed.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

The carcinogenic and genotoxic potential of aldesleukin have not been evaluated.

Animal fertility studies have not been conducted with aldesleukin.

Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

Repeated doses of aldesleukin administered to animals intravenously resulted in dose-dependent extramedullary hematopoiesis and lymphoid hyperplasia.

Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

The efficacy of Proleukin was evaluated in two hundred fifty-five patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in 7 clinical studies conducted at 21 institutions (mRCC studies). Eligible patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) of 0 or 1 and normal organ function as determined by cardiac stress test, pulmonary function tests, and creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL. Studies excluded patients with brain metastases, active infections, organ allografts, and diseases requiring steroid treatment. Not all patients in these studies received the recommended Proleukin dosing regimen.

The major efficacy outcome measure was objective response rate (ORR) determined by investigator assessment per ECOG response criteria for solid tumors (1982).

Efficacy results are summarized in Table 5.

Metastatic Melanoma

The efficacy of Proleukin was evaluated in two hundred seventy patients with metastatic melanoma in 8 clinical studies conducted at 22 institutions (metastatic melanoma studies). Eligible patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) of 0 or 1 and normal organ function as determined by cardiac stress test, pulmonary function tests, and creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL. Studies excluded patients with brain metastases, active infections, organ allografts, and diseases requiring steroid treatment. Not all patients in these studies received the recommended Proleukin dosing regimen.

Patients with metastatic melanoma received a median of 18 of the 28 scheduled doses of Proleukin during the first course of therapy.

The major efficacy outcome measure was objective response rate (ORR) determined by investigator assessment per ECOG response criteria for solid tumors (1982).

Efficacy results are summarized in Table 6.