Belantamab Mafodotin
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Blenrep
- Brand Names
- Blenrep
- Dosage Form
- LIQUID
- Product Type
- BULK INGREDIENT
⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)
WARNING: OCULAR TOXICITY
BLENREP causes changes in the corneal epithelium resulting in changes in vision, including severe visual impairment, and symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes. In the clinical study, corneal ulcers, including cases with infection, also occurred [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Conduct ophthalmic exams at baseline, before each dose, promptly for new or worsening symptoms, and as clinically indicated. In the clinical study, 83% of patients required a dosage modification due to ocular toxicity. Withhold BLENREP until improvement and resume or permanently discontinue, based on severity [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Because of the risk of ocular toxicity, BLENREP is available only through a restricted program called the BLENREP Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . WARNING: OCULAR TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. BLENREP causes changes in the corneal epithelium resulting in changes in vision, including severe visual impairment, and symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes. In the clinical study, corneal ulcers, including cases with infection, also occurred. ( 5.1 ) Conduct ophthalmic exams at baseline, before each dose, promptly for new or worsening symptoms, and as clinically indicated. In the clinical study, 83% of patients required a dosage modification due to ocular toxicity. Withhold BLENREP until improvement and resume or permanently discontinue, based on severity. ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) BLENREP is available only through a restricted program, called the BLENREP Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). ( 5.2 )Description
11 DESCRIPTION Belantamab mafodotin‑blmf is a B‑cell maturation antigen (BCMA)‑directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor conjugate. Belantamab mafodotin‑blmf is an antibody conjugate composed of 3 components: 1) afucosylated, humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to 2) the microtubule inhibitor mcMMAF via 3) a protease‑resistant maleimidocaproyl linker. The antibody is produced in a mammalian cell line (Chinese Hamster Ovary) using recombinant DNA technology and the microtubule inhibitor and linker are produced by chemical synthesis. Approximately 4 molecules of mafodotin are attached to each antibody molecule. The molecular weight of belantamab mafodotin‑blmf is approximately 152 kDa. Belantamab mafodotin‑blmf has the following structure: BLENREP (belantamab mafodotin‑blmf) for injection is a sterile, preservative‑free, white to yellow, lyophilized powder in a single‑dose vial for reconstitution and further dilution prior to intravenous use. BLENREP is supplied as 70 mg per vial and requires reconstitution with 1.4 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, to obtain a concentration of 50 mg/mL. Each mL of reconstituted solution contains belantamab mafodotin‑blmf (50 mg) and the inactive ingredients, citric acid monohydrate (0.46 mg), edetate disodium (0.017 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.2 mg), sodium citrate (5.88 mg), and trehalose (68.4 mg). The pH of the reconstituted solution is 6.2. Belantamab mafodotin-blmf chemical structure
What Is Belantamab Mafodotin Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE BLENREP is indicated in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent. BLENREP, a B‑cell maturation antigen (BCMA)‑directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor conjugate, is indicated in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The recommended dosage of BLENREP, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, is 2.5 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes once every 3 weeks for 8 cycles, followed by BLENREP 2.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks as a single agent. ( 2.2 ) See Full Prescribing Information for instructions on preparation and administration. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Important Safety Information Ophthalmic exams, including slit lamp exam and assessment of best‑corrected visual acuity (BCVA), should be conducted by an eye care professional, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Conduct ophthalmic exams at baseline, before each dose of BLENREP, promptly for new or worsening symptoms, and as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Counsel patients to promptly inform their healthcare provider of any ocular symptoms. Advise patients to use preservative‑free artificial tears at least 4 times a day starting with the first infusion and continuing until end of treatment, and to avoid wearing contact lenses for the duration of therapy. Bandage contact lenses may be used under the direction of an eye care professional [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage for BLENREP is 2.5 mg/kg of actual body weight once every 3 weeks in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BVd) for the first 8 cycles, followed by BLENREP 2.5 mg/kg of actual body weight once every 3 weeks as a single agent until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. For dosing instructions of agents administered in combination with BLENREP, see Clinical Studies ( 14 ) and respective Prescribing Information, as appropriate. BLENREP is administered as an intravenous infusion over approximately 30 minutes. 2.3 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions In the BVd arm of the clinical study, 98% of patients required a dosage modification for any component of treatment for an adverse reaction, including 87% who required a dosage modification of BLENREP [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Eighty-three percent of patients required a dosage modification of BLENREP for ocular toxicity based on ophthalmic exam findings or other ocular adverse reactions as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . There were high rates of dosage modifications in early treatment cycles. By Cycle 3, 53% of patients had a dosage interruption or reduction, 7% had discontinued treatment, and only 40% received the planned dose of BLENREP. The recommended dosage modifications for ocular toxicity based on ophthalmic exam findings are provided in Tables 1 and 2. Ophthalmic exam findings include both corneal exam findings and change in BCVA as assessed by an eye care professional. The overall grade of ophthalmic exam findings is based on the worst finding in the worst affected eye, based on either corneal exam finding or a change in BCVA. Corneal exam findings may or may not be accompanied...Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
Ocular Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with BLENREP in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone are reduction in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal exam findings, blurred vision, dry eye, photophobia, foreign body sensation in eyes, eye irritation, upper respiratory tract infection, hepatotoxicity, eye pain, diarrhea, fatigue, pneumonia, cataract, and COVID-19. The most common Grade 3 or 4 (≥10%) laboratory abnormalities are decreased platelets, decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, decreased white blood cells, and decreased hemoglobin. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact GlaxoSmithKline at 1-888-825-5249 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma in Combination with Bortezomib and Dexamethasone The safety of BLENREP with bortezomib and dexamethasone (n = 242) compared with daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone (n = 246) was evaluated in DREAMM‑7 in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received at least one prior line of therapy [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Patients received BLENREP 2.5 mg/kg of actual body weight once every 3 weeks in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BVd) for the first 8 cycles, followed by BLENREP as a single agent or daratumumab in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd) for the first 8 cycles, followed by daratumumab as a single agent. Among patients who received BLENREP, 69% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 55% were exposed for greater than one year. The safety of BLENREP in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients who received only one prior line of therapy (n = 125) has not been established. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of patients who received BVd. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients included pneumonia (18%), pyrexia (5%), thrombocytopenia (5%), COVID-19 (5%), upper respiratory tract infection (4%), sepsis (4%), second primary malignancy (3%), and anemia (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 10% of patients who received BVd. Fatal adverse reactions which occurred in >1 patient included pneumonia (4%), sepsis (2%), COVID-19 (1%), respiratory failure (<1%), and intracranial hemorrhage (<1%). Permanent discontinuation of BLENREP due to an adverse reaction occurred in 17% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of BLENREP in ≥3% of patients included ocular toxicity (9%) and pneumonia (4%). Dosage interruptions of BLENREP due to an adverse reaction occurred in 78% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption of BLENREP in ≥3% of patients included ocular toxicity based on ophthalmic exam findings (74%), blurred vision (32%), upper respiratory tract infection (20%), dry eye (14%), photophobia (14%), pneumonia (14%), eye irritation (13%), COVID-19 (12%), foreign body sensation in eyes (12%), eye pain (10%), thrombocytopenia (9%), visual impairment (7%), cataract (5%), diarrhea (4%), and neutropenia (4%). Dosage reductions of BLENREP due to an adverse reaction occurred in 36% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage reductions for BLENREP in ≥3% of patients included ocular toxicity based on ophthalmic exam findings (30%), thrombocytopenia (14%), and blurred vision (10%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were reduction in BCVA, corneal exam findings, blurred vision, dry eye,...Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action, BLENREP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, because it contains a genotoxic compound (the microtubule inhibitor, MMAF) and it targets actively dividing cells [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 ), Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . Human immunoglobulin G (IgG) is known to cross the placenta; therefore, belantamab mafodotin-blmf has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. There are no available data on the use of BLENREP in pregnant women to evaluate for drug-associated risk. No animal reproduction studies were conducted with BLENREP. 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% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data: Animal reproductive or developmental toxicity studies were not conducted with belantamab mafodotin‑blmf. The cytotoxic component of BLENREP, mcMMAF, disrupts microtubule function, is genotoxic, and can be toxic to rapidly dividing cells, suggesting it has the potential to cause embryo‑fetal toxicity.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING BLENREP (belantamab mafodotin‑blmf) for injection is a sterile, preservative‑free, white to yellow lyophilized powder for reconstitution and further dilution prior to intravenous use. BLENREP is supplied in a carton containing one 70 mg single‑dose vial with a rubber stopper (not made with natural rubber latex) and aluminum overseal with removable cap (NDC 0173‑0913‑01). Store vials refrigerated at 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). BLENREP is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.