2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Important Dosing Information
Administer ELREXFIO subcutaneously according to the step-up dosing schedule to reduce the incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
Administer pre-treatment medications prior to each dose in the ELREXFIO step-up dosing schedule, which includes step-up dose 1, step-up dose 2, and the first treatment dose as recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3)].
ELREXFIO should only be administered by a qualified healthcare professional with appropriate medical support to manage severe reactions such as CRS and neurologic toxicity, including ICANS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2)].
Due to the risk of CRS, patients should be hospitalized for 48 hours after administration of the first step-up dose, and for 24 hours after administration of the second step-up dose.
2.2 Recommended Dosage
For subcutaneous injection only.
The recommended dosing schedule for ELREXFIO is provided in Table 1. The recommended dosages of ELREXFIO subcutaneous injection are: step-up dose 1 of 12 mg on Day 1, step-up dose 2 of 32 mg on Day 4, followed by the first treatment dose of 76 mg on Day 8, and then 76 mg weekly thereafter through week 24.
For patients who have received at least 24 weeks of treatment with ELREXFIO and have achieved a response [partial response (PR) or better] and maintained this response for at least 2 months, the dose interval should transition to an every two-week schedule.
Continue treatment with ELREXFIO until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Administer pre-treatment medications prior to each dose in the ELREXFIO step-up dosing schedule, which includes step-up dose 1, step-up dose 2, and the first treatment dose as recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Table 1. ELREXFIO Dosing ScheduleNote: See Table 2 for recommendations on restarting ELREXFIO after dose delays. |
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Dosing Schedule | Day | ELREXFIO Dose |
Step-up Dosing Schedule | Day 1* | Step-up dose 1 | 12 mg |
Day 4*† | Step-up dose 2 | 32 mg |
Day 8*‡ | First treatment dose | 76 mg |
Weekly Dosing Schedule | One week after first treatment dose and weekly thereafter§ through week 24 | Subsequent treatment doses | 76 mg |
Biweekly (Every 2 Weeks) Dosing Schedule *Responders only week 25 onward | Week 25 and every 2 weeks thereafter§ | Subsequent treatment doses | 76 mg |
2.3 Recommended Pre-treatment Medications
Administer the following pre-treatment medications approximately 1 hour before the first three doses of ELREXFIO in the step-up dosing schedule, which includes step-up dose 1, step-up dose 2, and the first treatment dose as described in Table 1 to reduce the risk of CRS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]:
- •
- acetaminophen (or equivalent) 650 mg orally
- •
- dexamethasone (or equivalent) 20 mg orally or intravenously
- •
- diphenhydramine (or equivalent) 25 mg orally
2.4 Restarting ELREXFIO After Dosage Delay
If a dose of ELREXFIO is delayed, restart therapy based on the recommendations listed in Table 2 and resume the dosing schedule accordingly [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Administer pre-treatment medications as indicated in Table 2.
Table 2. Recommendation for Restarting Therapy with ELREXFIO After Dosage Delay |
Last Dose Administered | Time Since the Last Dose Administered | Action for Next Dose |
Step-up dose 1 (12 mg) | 2 weeks or less (≤14 days) | Restart ELREXFIO at step-up dose 2 (32 mg).* If tolerated, increase to 76 mg 4 days later. |
Greater than 2 weeks (>14 days) | Restart ELREXFIO step-up dosing schedule at step-up dose 1 (12 mg).* |
Step-up dose 2 (32 mg) | 2 weeks or less (≤14 days) | Restart ELREXFIO at 76 mg.* |
Greater than 2 weeks to less than or equal to 4 weeks (15 days to ≤28 days) | Restart ELREXFIO at step-up dose 2 (32 mg).* If tolerated, increase to 76 mg 1 week later. |
Greater than 4 weeks (>28 days) | Restart ELREXFIO step-up dosing schedule at step-up dose 1 (12 mg).* |
Any treatment dose (76 mg) | 6 weeks or less (≤42 days) | Restart ELREXFIO at 76 mg. |
Greater than 6 weeks to less or equal to 12 weeks (43 days to ≤84 days)† | Restart ELREXFIO at step-up dose 2 (32 mg).* If tolerated, increase to 76 mg 1 week later. |
Greater than 12 weeks (>84 days)† | Restart ELREXFIO step-up dosing schedule at step-up dose 1 (12 mg).* |
2.5 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions
Dosage reductions of ELREXFIO are not recommended.
Dosage delays may be required to manage toxicities related to ELREXFIO [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]. Recommendations on restarting ELREXFIO after a dose delay are provided in Table 2.
See Table 3 and Table 4 for recommended actions for adverse reactions of CRS and ICANS, respectively. See Table 5 for recommended actions for neurologic toxicity excluding ICANS and Table 6 for recommended actions for other adverse reactions following administration of ELREXFIO. Consider further management per current practice guidelines.
Management of CRS, Neurologic Toxicity Including ICANS
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)
Management recommendations for CRS are summarized in Table 3.
Identify CRS based on clinical presentation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Evaluate and treat other causes of fever, hypoxia, and hypotension.
If CRS is suspected, withhold ELREXFIO until CRS resolves. Manage CRS according to the recommendations in Table 3 and consider further management per current practice guidelines. Administer supportive therapy for CRS, which may include intensive care for severe or life-threatening CRS. Consider laboratory testing to monitor for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hematology parameters, as well as pulmonary, cardiac, renal, and hepatic function.
Table 3. Recommendations for Management of CRS |
Grade* | Presenting Symptoms | Actions |
Grade 1 | Temperature ≥100.4 °F (38 °C)† | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until CRS resolves.‡
- •
- Administer pretreatment medications prior to next dose of ELREXFIO.
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Grade 2 | Temperature ≥100.4 °F (38 °C) with either: - •
- Hypotension responsive to fluid and not requiring vasopressors, and/or
- •
- Oxygen requirement of low-flow nasal cannula§ or blow-by
| - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until CRS resolves.‡
- •
- Monitor patients daily for 48 hours following the next dose of ELREXFIO. Instruct patients to remain within proximity of a healthcare facility, and consider hospitalization.
- •
- Administer pretreatment medications prior to next dose of ELREXFIO.
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Grade 3 (First occurrence) | Temperature ≥100.4 °F (38 °C) with either: - •
- Hypotension requiring one vasopressor with or without vasopressin, and/or
- •
- Oxygen requirement of high-flow nasal cannula§, facemask, non-rebreather mask, or Venturi mask
| - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until CRS resolves.‡
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
- •
- Patients should be hospitalized for 48 hours following the next dose of ELREXFIO.
- •
- Administer pretreatment medications prior to next dose of ELREXFIO.
|
Grade 3 (Recurrent) | Temperature ≥100.4 °F (38 °C) with either: - •
- Hypotension requiring one vasopressor with or without vasopressin, and/or
- •
- Oxygen requirement of high-flow nasal cannula§, facemask, non-rebreather mask, or Venturi mask
| - •
- Permanently discontinue therapy with ELREXFIO.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
|
Grade 4 | Temperature ≥100.4 °F (38 °C) with either: - •
- Hypotension requiring multiple vasopressors (excluding vasopressin), and/or
- •
- Oxygen requirement of positive pressure (e.g., continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP], bilevel positive airway pressure [BiPAP], intubation, and mechanical ventilation)
| - •
- Permanently discontinue therapy with ELREXFIO.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
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Neurologic Toxicity Including ICANS
Management recommendations for ICANS and neurologic toxicity are summarized in Table 4 and Table 5.
At the first sign of neurologic toxicity, including ICANS, withhold ELREXFIO and consider neurology evaluation. Rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms. Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care, for severe or life-threatening neurologic toxicities, including ICANS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Manage ICANS according to the recommendations in Table 4 and consider further management per current practice guidelines.
Table 4. Recommendations for Management of ICANS |
Grade* | Presenting Symptoms† | Actions |
Grade 1 | ICE score 7-9‡
Or depressed level of consciousness§: awakens spontaneously. | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until ICANS resolves.¶
- •
- Monitor neurologic symptoms and consider consultation with a neurologist and other specialists for further evaluation and management.
- •
- Consider non-sedating, anti-seizure medications (e.g., levetiracetam) for seizure prophylaxis.
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Grade 2 | ICE score 3-6‡
Or depressed level of consciousness§: awakens to voice. | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until ICANS resolves.¶
- •
- Administer dexamethasone# 10 mg intravenously every 6 hours. Continue dexamethasone use until resolution to Grade 1 or less, then taper.
- •
- Monitor neurologic symptoms and consider consultation with a neurologist and other specialists for further evaluation and management.
- •
- Consider non-sedating, anti-seizure medications (e.g., levetiracetam) for seizure prophylaxis.
- •
- Monitor patients daily for 48 hours following the next dose of ELREXFIO. Instruct patients to remain within proximity of a healthcare facility, and consider hospitalization.
|
Grade 3 (First occurrence) | ICE score 0-2‡
or depressed level of consciousness§: awakens only to tactile stimulus,
or seizures§, either: - •
- any clinical seizure, focal or generalized, that resolves rapidly, or
- •
- non-convulsive seizures on electroencephalogram (EEG) that resolve with intervention,
or raised intracranial pressure: focal/local edema on neuroimaging§ | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until ICANS resolves.¶
- •
- Administer dexamethasone# 10 mg intravenously every 6 hours. Continue dexamethasone use until resolution to Grade 1 or less, then taper.
- •
- Monitor neurologic symptoms and consider consultation with a neurologist and other specialists for further evaluation and management.
- •
- Consider non-sedating, anti-seizure medications (e.g., levetiracetam) for seizure prophylaxis.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
- •
- Patients should be hospitalized for 48 hours following the next dose of ELREXFIO.
|
Grade 3 (recurrent) | ICE score 0-2‡
or depressed level of consciousness§: awakens only to tactile stimulus,
or seizures§, either: - •
- any clinical seizure, focal or generalized, that resolves rapidly, or
- •
- non-convulsive seizures on electroencephalogram (EEG) that resolve with intervention,
or raised intracranial pressure: focal/local edema on neuroimaging§ | - •
- Permanently discontinue ELREXFIO.
- •
- Administer dexamethasone# 10 mg intravenously every 6 hours. Continue dexamethasone use until resolution to Grade 1 or less, then taper.
- •
- Monitor neurologic symptoms and consider consultation with a neurologist and other specialists for further evaluation and management.
- •
- Consider non-sedating, anti-seizure medications (e.g., levetiracetam) for seizure prophylaxis.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
|
Grade 4 | ICE score 0‡
Or, depressed level of consciousness§ either: - •
- patient is unarousable or requires vigorous or repetitive tactile stimuli to arouse, or
- •
- stupor or coma,
or seizures§, either: - •
- life-threatening prolonged seizure (>5 minutes), or
- •
- repetitive clinical or electrical seizures without return to baseline in between,
or motor findings§: - •
- deep focal motor weakness such as hemiparesis or paraparesis,
or raised intracranial pressure/cerebral edema§, with signs/symptoms such as: - •
- diffuse cerebral edema on neuroimaging, or
- •
- decerebrate or decorticate posturing, or
- •
- cranial nerve VI palsy, or
- •
- papilledema, or
- •
- Cushing’s triad
| - •
- Permanently discontinue ELREXFIO.
- •
- Administer dexamethasone# 10 mg intravenously every 6 hours. Continue dexamethasone use until resolution to Grade 1 or less, then taper.
- •
- Alternatively, consider administration of methylprednisolone 1,000 mg per day intravenously for 3 days.
- •
- Monitor neurologic symptoms and consider consultation with a neurologist and other specialists for further evaluation and management.
- •
- Consider non-sedating, anti-seizure medications (e.g., levetiracetam) for seizure prophylaxis.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
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Table 5. Recommendations for Management of Neurologic Toxicity, Excluding ICANSAdverse Reaction | Severity | Actions |
Neurologic Toxicity (excluding ICANS) | Grade 1 | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until neurologic toxicity symptoms resolve or stabilize.
|
Grade 2 Grade 3 (First occurrence) | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until neurologic toxicity symptoms improve to Grade 1 or less.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy.
|
Grade 3 (Recurrent) Grade 4 | - •
- Permanently discontinue ELREXFIO.
- •
- Provide supportive therapy, which may include intensive care.
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Table 6. Recommended Dosage Modifications for Other Adverse Reactions |
Adverse Reactions | Severity | Actions |
Hematologic Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] | Absolute neutrophil count less than 0.5 x 109/L | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until absolute neutrophil count is 0.5 x 109/L or higher.*
|
Febrile neutropenia | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until absolute neutrophil count is 1 x 109/L or higher and fever resolves.*
|
Hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until hemoglobin is 8 g/dL or higher.*
|
Platelet count less than 25,000/mcL Platelet count between 25,000/mcL and 50,000/mcL with bleeding | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until platelet count is 25,000/mcL or higher and no evidence of bleeding.*
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Infections and Other Non-hematologic Adverse Reactions† [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4, 5.6) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)] | Grade 3 | - •
- Withhold ELREXFIO until adverse reaction improves to ≤Grade 1 or baseline.*
|
Grade 4 | - •
- Consider permanent discontinuation of ELREXFIO.
- •
- If ELREXFIO is not permanently discontinued, withhold subsequent treatment doses of ELREXFIO (e.g., doses administered after ELREXFIO step-up dosing schedule) until adverse reaction improves to Grade 1 or less.
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2.6 Preparation and Administration Instructions
ELREXFIO is intended for subcutaneous use by a healthcare provider only.
ELREXFIO should be administered by a healthcare provider with adequate medical personnel and appropriate medical equipment to manage severe reactions, including CRS and neurologic toxicity, including ICANS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2)].
ELREXFIO 76 mg/1.9 mL (40 mg/mL) vial and 44 mg/1.1 mL (40 mg/mL) vial are supplied as ready-to-use solution that do not need dilution prior to administration.
ELREXFIO is a clear to slightly opalescent, and colorless to pale brown liquid solution. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer if solution is discolored or contains particulate matter.
Use aseptic technique to prepare and administer ELREXFIO.
Preparation
ELREXFIO vials are for one-time use in a single patient and do not contain any preservatives.
Prepare ELREXFIO following the instructions below (see Table 7) depending on the required dose. Use a 44 mg/1.1 mL (40 mg/mL) single-dose vial for step-up dose 1 or step-up dose 2.
Table 7. Injection VolumesTotal Dose (mg) | Volume of Injection |
12 mg | 0.3 mL |
32 mg | 0.8 mL |
76 mg | 1.9 mL |
Remove the appropriate strength ELREXFIO vial from refrigerated storage 2 °C to 8 °C (36 °F to 46 °F)]. Once removed from refrigerated storage, equilibrate ELREXFIO to ambient temperature [15 °C to 30 °C (59 °F to 86 °F)]. Do not warm ELREXFIO in any other way.
Withdraw the required injection volume of ELREXFIO from the vial into an appropriately sized syringe with stainless steel injection needles (30G or wider) and polypropylene or polycarbonate syringe material. Discard unused portion.
Administration
Inject the required volume of ELREXFIO into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen (preferred injection site). Alternatively, ELREXFIO may be injected into the subcutaneous tissue at other sites (e.g., thigh).
Do not inject into tattoos or scars or areas where the skin is red, bruised, tender, hard or not intact.
Storage of Prepared Syringe
If the prepared dosing syringe is not used immediately, store syringe between 2 °C (36 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) for a maximum of 4 hours.