Metastatic Breast Cancer

ABRAXANE is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

ABRAXANE is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

After failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, the recommended regimen for ABRAXANE is 260 mg/m² administered intravenously over 30 minutes every 3 weeks.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The recommended dose of ABRAXANE is 100 mg/m² administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 21-day cycle. The recommended dose of carboplatin is AUC = 6 mg•min/mL on Day 1 only of each 21-day cycle, beginning immediately after the completion of ABRAXANE administration.

Dosage in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment treated with ABRAXANE may be at increased risk of toxicities known to paclitaxel. Withhold ABRAXANE if AST > 10 x ULN or bilirubin > 5 x ULN. Recommendations for dosage adjustment for the first course of therapy are shown in Table 1.

For metastatic breast cancer, the dose of ABRAXANE can be increased from 130 mg/m² up to 200 mg/m² in patients with severe hepatic impairment in subsequent cycles based on individual tolerance.

For non-small cell lung cancer, reduce the dose of ABRAXANE to 50 mg/m² in patients with severe hepatic impairment. In subsequent cycles, the dose of ABRAXANE may be increased to 75 mg/m² as tolerated.

Monitor patients closely [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Table 1: Recommendations for Starting Dose in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Dose Reduction/Discontinuation Recommendations

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Patients who experience severe neutropenia (neutrophil < 500 cells/mm³ for a week or longer) or severe sensory neuropathy during ABRAXANE therapy should have dosage reduced to 220 mg/m² for subsequent courses of ABRAXANE. For recurrence of severe neutropenia or severe sensory neuropathy, additional dose reduction should be made to 180 mg/m². For Grade 3 sensory neuropathy hold treatment until resolution to Grade 1 or 2, followed by a dose reduction for all subsequent courses of ABRAXANE [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Do not administer ABRAXANE on Day 1 of a cycle until absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is at least 1500 cells/mm³ and platelet count is at least 100,000 cells/mm³ [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].
• In patients who develop severe neutropenia or thrombocytopenia withhold treatment until counts recover to an absolute neutrophil count of at least 1500 cells/mm³ and platelet count of at least 100,000 cells/mm³ on Day 1 or to an absolute neutrophil count of at least 500 cells/mm³ and platelet count of at least 50,000 cells/mm³ on Days 8 or 15 of the cycle. Upon resumption of dosing, permanently reduce ABRAXANE and carboplatin doses as outlined in Table 2.
• Withhold ABRAXANE for Grade 3-4 peripheral neuropathy. Resume ABRAXANE and carboplatin at reduced doses (see Table 2) when peripheral neuropathy improves to Grade 1 or completely resolves [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Table 2: Permanent Dose Reductions for Hematologic and Neurologic Adverse Drug Reactions in NSCLC

Preparation and Administration Precautions

ABRAXANE is a cytotoxic drug and, as with other potentially toxic paclitaxel compounds, caution should be exercised in handling ABRAXANE. The use of gloves is recommended. If ABRAXANE (lyophilized cake or reconstituted suspension) contacts the skin, wash the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. Following topical exposure to paclitaxel, events may include tingling, burning and redness. If ABRAXANE contacts mucous membranes, the membranes should be flushed thoroughly with water.

Given the possibility of extravasation, it is advisable to closely monitor the infusion site for possible infiltration during drug administration. Limiting the infusion of ABRAXANE to 30 minutes, as directed, reduces the likelihood of infusion-related reactions [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Premedication to prevent hypersensitivity reactions is generally not needed prior to the administration of ABRAXANE. Premedication may be needed in patients who have had prior hypersensitivity reactions to ABRAXANE. Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be re-challenged with this drug [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Preparation for Intravenous Administration

ABRAXANE is supplied as a sterile lyophilized powder for reconstitution before use. AVOID ERRORS, READ ENTIRE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO RECONSTITUTION.

1. Aseptically, reconstitute each vial by injecting 20 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP.

2. Slowly inject the 20 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, over a minimum of 1 minute, using the sterile syringe to direct the solution flow onto the INSIDE WALL OF THE VIAL.

3. DO NOT INJECT the 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, directly onto the lyophilized cake as this will result in foaming.

4. Once the injection is complete, allow the vial to sit for a minimum of 5 minutes to ensure proper wetting of the lyophilized cake/powder.

5. Gently swirl and/or invert the vial slowly for at least 2 minutes until complete dissolution of any cake/powder occurs. Avoid generation of foam.

6. If foaming or clumping occurs, stand solution for at least 15 minutes until foam subsides.

Each mL of the reconstituted formulation will contain 5 mg/mL paclitaxel.

Calculate the exact total dosing volume of 5 mg/mL suspension required for the patient: Dosing volume (mL) = Total dose (mg)/5 (mg/mL).

The reconstituted suspension should be milky and homogenous without visible particulates. If particulates or settling are visible, the vial should be gently inverted again to ensure complete resuspension prior to use. Discard the reconstituted suspension if precipitates are observed. Discard any unused portion.

Inject the appropriate amount of reconstituted ABRAXANE into an empty, sterile intravenous bag [plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, PVC or non-PVC type intravenous bag]. The use of specialized DEHP-free solution containers or administration sets is not necessary to prepare or administer ABRAXANE infusions. The use of an in-line filter is not recommended.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.

Stability

Unopened vials of ABRAXANE are stable until the date indicated on the package when stored between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) in the original package. Neither freezing nor refrigeration adversely affects the stability of the product.

Stability of Reconstituted Suspension in the Vial

Reconstituted ABRAXANE in the vial should be used immediately, but may be refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for a maximum of 8 hours if necessary. If not used immediately, each vial of reconstituted suspension should be replaced in the original carton to protect it from bright light. Discard any unused portion.

Stability of Reconstituted Suspension in the Infusion Bag

The suspension for infusion when prepared as recommended in an infusion bag should be used immediately but may be stored at ambient temperature (approximately 25°C) and lighting conditions for up to 4 hours. Discard any unused portion.

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Single use vials containing 100 mg of paclitaxel.

Storage And Handling

Product No.: 103450

NDC No.: 68817-134-50 100 mg of paclitaxel in a single-use vial, individually packaged in a carton.

Storage

Store the vials in original cartons at 20°C to 25°C (68° F to 77°F). Retain in the original package to protect from bright light.

Handling and Disposal

Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered. Several guidelines on this subject have been published [see REFERENCES]. There is no general agreement that all of the procedures recommended in the guidelines are necessary or appropriate.

REFERENCES

1. NIOSH Alert: Preventing occupational exposures to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings. 2004. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-165.

2. OSHA Technical Manual, TED 1-0.15A, Section VI: Chapter 2. Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs. OSHA, 1999. http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_vi/otm_vi_2.html

3. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (2006) ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2006;63:1172-1193.

4. Polovich, M., White, J. M., & Kelleher, L.O. (eds.) 2005. Chemotherapy and biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (2nd. ed.) Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.

Manufactured for: Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ 07901. Revised: October 2012

Last reviewed on RxList: 10/19/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.