detected.
Because trough levels of ipilimumab interfere with the ECL assay results, a subset analysis was performed in the dose cohort with the lowest trough levels. In this analysis, 6.9% of 58 eva luable patients, who were treated with 0.3 mg/kg dose, tested positive for binding antibodies against ipilimumab.
Immunogenicity assay results are highly dependent on several factors including assay sensitivity and specificity, assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of incidence of antibodies to Yervoy with the incidences of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
No formal pharmacokinetic drug interaction studies have been conducted with Yervoy.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Yervoy in pregnant women. Use Yervoy during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
In a combined study of embryo-fetal and peri-postnatal development, pregnant cynomolgus monkeys received ipilimumab every 3 weeks from the onset of organogenesis in the first trimester through parturition, at exposure levels either 2.6 or 7.2 times higher by AUC than the exposures at the clinical dose of 3 mg/kg of ipilimumab. No treatment-related adverse effects on reproduction were detected during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Beginning in the third trimester, the ipilimumab treated groups experienced higher incidences of severe toxicities including abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery (with corresponding lower birth weight), and higher incidences of infant mortality in a dose-related manner compared to controls. [See Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2).]
Human IgG1 is known to cross the placental barrier and ipilimumab is an IgG1; therefore, ipilimumab has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether ipilimumab is secreted in human milk. In monkeys treated at dose levels resulting in exposures 2.6 and 7.2 times higher than those in humans at the recommended dose, ipilimumab was present in milk at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.4 mcg/mL, representing a ratio of up to 0.3% of the serum concentration of the drug. Because many drugs are secreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Yervoy, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue Yervoy, taking into account the importance of Yervoy to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Yervoy have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Of the 511 patients treated with Yervoy at 3 mg/kg, 28% were 65 years and over. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were reported between the elderly patients (65 years and over) and younger patients (less than 65 years).
Renal Impairment
No dose adjustment is needed for patients with renal impairment. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).]
Hepatic Impairment
No dose adjustment is needed for patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin [TB] >1.0 × to 1.5 × the upper limit of normal [ULN] or AST >ULN). Yervoy has not been studied in patients with moderate (TB >1.5 × to 3.0 × ULN |
