ARRANON (nelarabine) injection

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T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (T-LBL)

T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (T-LBL)

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is a rare but aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Revised European-American Lymphoma Classification (REAL) and the World Health Organization (WHO) divide lymphomas into two subtypes: B-cell and T-cell. LBL is predominantly (about 80%) of T-cell origin. [12] Approximately 10% to 15% of LBLs have non–T-cell characteristics. [13]

About LBL

  • The incidence of LBL is approximately 2%, with 1.7% incidence of T-cell LBL and <1% incidence of B-cell LBL [12]
  • Age distribution is bimodal with higher rates in patients younger than 20 years and in those older than 50 years [12]
  • In adult studies, the median age LBL accounts for about 30% of lymphomas in children.ranged from 22 years to 37 years [12]
  • The majority of those affected are males (61% to 75%) [12]
  • Accounts for about 30% of lymphomas in children [13]

Although any structure or organ can be involved, most cases of LBL develop from T cells in the thymus and lead to a large mass in the mediastinum. [12]

LBL has cytological and histological features similar to those of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These two cancers are differentiated by the amount of bone marrow involvement. If more than 25% of the bone marrow is involved, the patient is diagnosed as having leukemia and treated accordingly. [12]

LBL can spread very quickly to the bone marrow, other lymph nodes, the CNS, and/or the membranes surrounding the heart and lungs. However, if it hasn’t spread to the bone marrow when it is first diagnosed, the chance of cure with chemotherapy is quite good. Once it involves the bone marrow, only about 40% to 50% of patients can be cured. [14]

Indication

ARRANON is indicated for the treatment of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) whose disease has not responded to or has relapsed following treatment with at least two chemotherapy regimens. This use is based on the induction of complete responses. Randomized trials demonstrating increased survival or other clinical benefit have not been conducted.

Important Safety Information

ARRANON® (nelarabine) injection should be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. This product is for intravenous use only.

Neurologic Events: Severe neurologic events have been reported with the use of ARRANON. These events have included altered mental states including severe somnolence, central nervous system effects including convulsions, and peripheral neuropathy ranging from numbness and paresthesias to motor weakness and paralysis. There have also been reports of events associated with demyelination, and ascending peripheral neuropathies similar in appearance to Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Full recovery from these events has not always occurred with cessation of therapy with ARRANON. Close monitoring for neurologic events is strongly recommended, and ARRANON should be discontinued for neurologic events of NCI Common Toxicity Criteria grade 2 or greater.

In clinical studies of ARRANON, hematologic toxicity was the most common grade 3 (moderate) or 4 (severe) adverse event. For a complete list and incidence of adverse events: pediatric patients; adult patients. Hematologic toxicity included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, or neutropenia with infection.

Other common toxicities included laboratory abnormalities including increased transaminases, gastrointestinal toxicity, fatigue, and asthenia.

Patients treated previously or concurrently with intrathecal chemotherapy or previously with craniospinal irradiation may be at increased risk for neurologic adverse events.

Women of child-bearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving treatment with ARRANON.

Appropriate measures (e.g., hydration, urine alkalinization, and prophylaxis with allopurinol) must be taken to prevent hyperuricemia of tumor lysis syndrome.

Nursing should be discontinued in women who are receiving therapy with ARRANON.

Because the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min), these patients should be closely monitored for toxicities when treated with ARRANON.

Because the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with severe hepatic impairment (bilirubin >3.0 mg/dL), these patients should be closely monitored for toxicities when treated with ARRANON.

Prescribing Information for ARRANON  |  Important Safety Information | Patient Information Leaflet

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