These highlights do not include all the information needed to use Campath safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for Campath. Campath (alemtuzumab) Injection for intravenous use Initial U.S. Approval: 2001

Cytopenias : Serious, including fatal, pancytopenia/marrow hypoplasia, autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia can occur in patients receiving Campath. Single doses of Campath greater than 30 mg or cumulative doses greater than 90 mg per week increase the incidence of pancytopenia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1) ] .

Infusion Reactions : Campath administration can result in serious, including fatal, infusion reactions. Carefully monitor patients during infusions and withhold Campath for Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions. Gradually escalate Campath to the recommended dose at the initiation of therapy and after interruption of therapy for 7 or more days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2)  and  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2) ] .

Infections : Serious, including fatal, bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan infections can occur in patients receiving Campath. Administer prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) and herpes virus infections [see  DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.2)  and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3) ] .

Campath is indicated as a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

Continue PCP and herpes viral prophylaxis for a minimum of 2 months after completion of Campath or until the CD4+ count is ≥ 200 cells/µL, whichever occurs later [see  BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3) ] .

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. If particulate matter is present or the solution is discolored, the vial should not be used. DO NOT SHAKE VIAL .

Use aseptic technique during the preparation and administration of Campath. Withdraw the necessary amount of Campath from the vial into a syringe.

Inject syringe contents into 100 mL sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride USP or 5% Dextrose in Water USP. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution. Discard syringe.

The vial contains no preservatives and is intended for single use only. DISCARD VIAL including any unused portion after withdrawal of dose.

Use within 8 hours after dilution. Store diluted Campath at room temperature (15-30°C) or refrigerated (2-8°C). Protect from light.

Campath is compatible with polyvinylchloride (PVC) bags and PVC or polyethylene-lined PVC administration sets. Do not add or simultaneously infuse other drug substances through the same intravenous line.

30 mg/1 mL single use vial

None

Severe, including fatal, autoimmune anemia and thrombocytopenia, and prolonged myelosuppression have been reported in patients receiving Campath.

In addition, hemolytic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, bone marrow aplasia, and hypoplasia have been reported after treatment with Campath at the recommended dose. Single doses of Campath greater than 30 mg or cumulative doses greater than 90 mg per week increase the incidence of pancytopenia.

Withhold Campath for severe cytopenias (except lymphopenia). Discontinue for autoimmune cytopenias or recurrent/persistent severe cytopenias (except lymphopenia) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.3) ] . No data exist on the safety of Campath resumption in patients with autoimmune cytopenias or marrow aplasia [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1) ] .

Adverse reactions occurring during or shortly after Campath infusion include pyrexia, chills/rigors, nausea, hypotension, urticaria, dyspnea, rash, emesis, and bronchospasm.  In clinical trials, the frequency of infusion reactions was highest in the first week of treatment. Monitor for the signs and symptoms listed above and withhold infusion for Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1) ] .

The following serious, including fatal, infusion reactions have been identified in post-marketing reports: syncope, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, acute cardiac insufficiency, cardiac arrest, angioedema, and anaphylactoid shock.

Initiate Campath according to the recommended dose-escalation scheme [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2) ] . Premedicate patients with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to dosing. Institute medical management (e.g., glucocorticoids, epinephrine, meperidine) for infusion reactions as needed [ see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.2) ] . If therapy is interrupted for 7 or more days, reinstitute Campath with gradual dose escalation [see  DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.3) and ADVERSE REACTIONS (6) ] .

Campath treatment results in severe and prolonged lymphopenia with a concomitant increased incidence of opportunistic infections [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1) ] . Administer PCP and herpes viral prophylaxis during Campath therapy and for a minimum of 2 months after completion of Campath or until the CD4+ count is ≥ 200 cells/µL, whichever occurs later [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.2) ] . Prophylaxis does not eliminate these infections.

Routinely monitor patients for CMV infection during Campath treatment and for at least 2 months following completion of treatment. Withhold Campath for serious infections and during antiviral treatment for CMV infection or confirmed CMV viremia (defined as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive CMV in ≥ 2 consecutive samples obtained 1 week apart) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1) ] . Initiate therapeutic ganciclovir (or equivalent) for CMV infection or confirmed CMV viremia [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.3) ] .

Administer only irradiated blood products to avoid transfusion associated   Graft versus Host Disease (TAGVHD), unless emergent circumstances dictate immediate transfusion.

In patients receiving Campath as initial therapy, recovery of CD4+ counts to ≥ 200 cells/µL occurred by 6 months post-treatment; however at 2 months post-treatment, the median was 183 cells/µL. In previously treated patients receiving Campath, the median time to recovery of CD4+ counts to ≥ 200 cells/µL was 2 months; however, full recovery (to baseline) of CD4+ and CD8+ counts may take more than 12 months [see  BOXED WARNING  and ADVERSE REACTIONS (6) ] .

Obtain complete blood counts (CBC) at weekly intervals during Campath therapy and more frequently if worsening anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia occurs. Assess CD4+ counts after treatment until recovery to ≥ 200 cells/µL [see  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3) and ADVERSE REACTIONS (6) ] .

The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following Campath therapy has not been studied. Do not administer live viral vaccines to patients who have recently received Campath. The ability to generate an immune response to any vaccine following Campath therapy has not been studied.

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:

The most common adverse reactions with Campath are: infusion reactions (pyrexia, chills, hypotension, urticaria, nausea, rash, tachycardia, dyspnea), cytopenias (neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), infections (CMV viremia, CMV infection, other infections), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, emesis, abdominal pain), and neurological symptoms (insomnia, anxiety). The most common serious adverse reactions are cytopenias, infusion reactions, and immunosuppression/infections.

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 data below reflect exposure to Campath in 296 patients with CLL of whom 147 were previously untreated and 149 received at least 2 prior chemotherapy regimens. The median duration of exposure was 11.7 weeks for previously untreated patients and 8 weeks for previously treated patients.

Lymphopenia: Severe lymphopenia and a rapid and sustained decrease in lymphocyte subsets occurred in previously untreated and previously treated patients following administration of Campath. In previously untreated patients, the median CD4+ was 0 cells/μL at one month after treatment and 238 cells/μL [25-75% interquartile range 115 to 418 cells/μL at 6 months post-treatment   [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3) ] .

Neutropenia: In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 42% with a median time to onset of 31 days and a median duration of 37 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 64% with a median duration of 28 days. Ten percent of previously untreated patients and 17% of previously treated patients received granulocyte colony stimulating factors.

Anemia: In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anemia was 12% with a median time to onset of 31 days and a median duration of 8 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 anemia was 38%. Seventeen percent of previously untreated patients and 66% of previously treated patients received either erythropoiesis stimulating agents, transfusions or both.

Thrombocytopenia: In previously untreated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was 14% with a median time to onset of 9 days and a median duration of 14 days. In previously treated patients, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was 52% with a median duration of 21 days. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia was reported in 2% of previously treated patients with one fatality.

Infusion reactions: Infusion reactions, which included pyrexia, chills, hypotension, urticaria, and dyspnea, were common. Grade 3 and 4 pyrexia and/or chills occurred in approximately 10% of previously untreated patients and in approximately 35% of previously treated patients. The occurrence of infusion reactions was greatest during the initial week of treatment and decreased with subsequent doses of Campath. All patients were pretreated with antipyretics and antihistamines; additionally, 43% of previously untreated patients received glucocorticoid pre-treatment.

Infections: In the study of previously untreated patients, patients were tested weekly for CMV using a PCR assay from initiation through completion of therapy, and every 2 weeks for the first 2 months following therapy. CMV infection occurred in 16% (23/147) of previously untreated patients; approximately one-third of these infections were serious or life threatening. In studies of previously treated patients in which routine CMV surveillance was not required, CMV infection was documented in 6% (9/149) of patients; nearly all of these infections were serious or life threatening.

Other infections were reported in approximately 50% of patients across all studies. Grade 3 - 5 sepsis ranged from 3% to 10% across studies and was higher in previously treated patients. Grade 3 - 4 febrile neutropenia ranged from 5 to 10% across studies and was higher in previously treated patients. Infection-related fatalities occurred in 2% of previously untreated patients and 16% of previously treated patients. There were 198 episodes of other infection in 109 previously untreated patients; 16% were bacterial, 7% were fungal, 4% were other viral, and in 73%, the organism was not identified.

Cardiac: Cardiac dysrhythmias occurred in approximately 14% of previously untreated patients. The majority were tachycardias and were temporally associated with infusion; dysrhythmias were Grade 3 or 4 in 1% of patients.

Previously Untreated Patients

Table 1 contains selected adverse reactions observed in 294 patients randomized (1:1) to receive Campath or chlorambucil as first line therapy for B-CLL. Campath was administered at a dose of 30 mg intravenously three times weekly for up to 12 weeks. The median duration of therapy was 11.7 weeks with a median weekly dose of 82 mg (25-75% interquartile range: 69 mg – 90 mg).

Previously Treated Patients

Additional safety information was obtained from 3 single arm studies of 149 previously treated patients with CLL administered 30 mg Campath intravenously three times weekly for 4 to 12 weeks (median cumulative dose 673 mg [range 2 – 1106 mg]; median duration of therapy 8.0 weeks). Adverse reactions in these studies not listed in Table 1 that occurred at an incidence rate of > 5% were fatigue, nausea, emesis, musculoskeletal pain, anorexia, dysesthesia, mucositis, and bronchospasm.

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. Using an ELISA assay, anti-human antibodies (HAHA) were detected in 11 of 133 (8.3%) previously untreated patients. In addition, two patients were weakly positive for neutralizing activity. Limited data suggest that the anti-Campath antibodies did not adversely affect tumor response. Four of 211 (1.9%) previously-treated patients were found to have antibodies to Campath following treatment.

The incidence of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to Campath with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

The following adverse reactions were identified during post-approval use of Campath. 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 Campath exposure. Decisions to include these reactions in labeling are typically based on one or more of the following factors: (1) seriousness of the reaction, (2) reported frequency of the reaction, or (3) strength of causal connection to Campath.

Fatal infusion reactions: [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2) ] .

Cardiovascular: congestive heart failure,   cardiomyopathy, decreased ejection fraction (some patients had been previously treated with cardiotoxic agents).

Immune disorders: Goodpasture’s syndrome, Graves’ disease, aplastic anemia, Guillain Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, serum sickness, fatal transfusion associated Graft versus Host Disease.

Infections: Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) including EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), re-activation of latent viruses.

Metabolic: tumor lysis syndrome

Neurologic: optic neuropathy

No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with Campath.

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Campath. IgG antibodies, such as Campath, can cross the placental barrier. It is not known whether Campath can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Campath should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Excretion of Campath in human breast milk has not been studied; it is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. IgG antibodies, such as Campath, can be excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Campath, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the elimination half-life of Campath and the importance of the drug to the mother.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients.

Of 147 previously untreated B-CLL patients treated with Campath, 35% were ≥ age 65 and 4% were ≥ age 75. Of 149 previously treated patients with B-CLL, 44% were ≥ 65 years of age and 10% were ≥ 75 years of age. Clinical studies of Campath did not include sufficient number of subjects age 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.

Across all clinical experience, the reported maximum single dose received was 90 mg. Bone marrow aplasia, infections, or severe infusions reactions occurred in patients who received a dose higher than recommended.

One patient received an 80 mg dose by IV infusion and experienced acute bronchospasm, cough, and dyspnea, followed by anuria and death. Another patient received two 90 mg doses by IV infusion one day apart during the second week of treatment and experienced a rapid onset of bone marrow aplasia.

There is no known specific antidote for Campath overdosage. Treatment consists of drug discontinuation and supportive therapy.

Campath (alemtuzumab) is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal antibody (Campath-1H) directed against the 21-28 kD cell surface glycoprotein, CD52. Campath-1H is an IgG1 kappa antibody with human variable framework and constant regions, and complementarity-determining regions from a murine (rat) monoclonal antibody (Campath-1G). The Campath-1H antibody has an approximate molecular weight of 150 kD. Campath is produced in mammalian cell (Chinese hamster ovary) suspension culture in a medium containing neomycin. Neomycin is not detectable in the final product.

Campath is a sterile, clear, colorless, isotonic solution (pH 6.8-7.4) for injection. Each single use vial of Campath contains 30 mg alemtuzumab, 8.0 mg sodium chloride, 1.44 mg dibasic sodium phosphate, 0.2 mg potassium chloride, 0.2 mg monobasic potassium phosphate, 0.1 mg

Manufacturer

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Active Ingredients

Source

• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• DailyMed
•  Last Updated: 2nd of March 2011