BLEOMYCIN SULFATE USP
Faulding
Antineoplastic
Action And Clinical Pharmacology: Experiments with isolated DNA have shown that bleomycin binds to the DNA molecule and cleaves it. This results in the inhibition of DNA synthesis. There is also evidence of lesser inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis.
Bleomycin exhibits a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo activity. It demonstrates inhibition of DNA synthesis in E. coli, B. subtilis, Ehrlich ascites cells, HeLa cells, PHA stimulated lymphocytes, L-929 fibroblasts, L5178Y cells and Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells, at concentrations within a general range of 4 to 20 µg/mL under typical incubation conditions.
The activity of bleomycin seems to be cell phase specific. Cyclic and continuous administration of bleomycin has been shown to be more effective than bolus dosing in in-vivo systems.
Bleomycin is well absorbed after parenteral, (i.v., s.c., i.m. and intrapleural) but not after oral administration. Tissue distribution was evaluated in mice and was found to be high in skin, kidney, lung, peritoneum, lymphatics and solid tumor and tumor cells in ascites. Bleomycin does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
Several tissues have demonstrated a capacity to degrade bleomycin. The liver and gastrointestinal tract show the highest rate of inactivation. The skin, lungs and kidney show a lower rate which may account for the site-specific toxicity of the drug.
Bleomycin half-life varies with creatinine clearance and is of 2 to 5 hours after i.v. administration to patients with normal kidney function.
Bleomycin is rapidly absorbed after i.m. administration. Bleomycin peak concentration is obtained after approximately 45 minutes with a half-life clearance of about 2.5 hours.
In patients with creatinine clearances greater than 50 mL/min, the composite intraperitoneal (I.P.) plasma half-life, approximately 5.3 hours, is significantly longer than the intrapleural (I.Pl.) and i.v. half-lives, approximately 3.4 and 4.0 hours respectively.
With continuous i.v. infusion, the terminal half-life of bleomycin is 9 hours for adults and about 2.3 hours for children. In children less than 3 years of age, the terminal half-life of bleomycin administered by rapid i.v. injection is 3 hours.
In patients with normal renal function, bleomycin excretion during the first 24 hours is lower in most cases following intracavitary (I.C.) administration than following i.v. administration.
Approximately 45% of bleomycin administered by the I.C. route is absorbed into the systemic circulation.
Pharmacokinetics: Patients with Impaired Renal Function: The serum half-life of bleomycin is markedly prolonged in patients with renal dysfunction. The bleomycin half-life increases as the creatinine clearance decreases.
Indications And Clinical Uses: Bleomycin should be used as first line therapy and/or adjuvant to surgery and radiation therapy. It has been shown to be useful in the following neoplasms:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: skin, larynx and paralarynx, penis, cervix, vulva. Bleomycin in combination with radiotherapy shows improved results in lung cancer and cervical carcinoma.
Lymphomas: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma including reticulum cell sarcoma, and lymphosarcoma.
BACOP, M-BACOP, COP-BLAM and MACOP-B are used as first line therapy in the treatment of diffuse large cell lymphoma.
MOOP/ABVD is used as first line therapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bleomycin is useful in Hodgkin’s patients with disseminated disease (stage IV) no longer treatable by bone marrow depressant agents. Bleomycin added to the widely used MOPP regimen increases the responses as well as survival rates of patients with advanced Hodgkin’s disease; furthermore, bleomycin does not show cross-resistance to MOPP.
Testicular Carcinoma: embryonal cell carcinoma, choricocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma. PEB, PVB and VAB-6 are used as first line therapy for testicular cancer.
Pleurodysis and Pleural Fluid Accumulation: Bleomycin is effectively used in the prevention of pleurodysis and pleural fluid accumulation due to metastic carcinoma, metastatic melanoma, esophageal carcinoma and ovarian cancer.
Other: Bleomycin has been shown to produce responses in some renal carcinomas and soft tissue sarcomas.
Contra-Indications: Patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or an idiosyncratic reaction to the drug. When used as indicated, the physician must weigh carefully the therapeutic benefit versus risk of toxicity which may occur.
Manufacturers’ Warnings In Clinical States: Idiosyncratic reactions similar to anaphylaxis have been reported in 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin. Since these usually occur after the first or second dose, careful monitoring is essential after these doses.
It is recommended that bleomycin be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Since facilities for necessary laboratory studies must be available, hospitalization of patients is recommended.
Patients receiving bleomycin must be observed carefully and frequently during and after therapy. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with significant impairment of renal function or compromised pulmonary function. Patients who are undergoing bleomycin treatment are predisposed to respiratory failure following exposure to high concentrations of O2 (general anesthesia). Since this effect may be observed for up to 1 year after treatment with bleomycin, the oxygen administration to these patients should be kept at the lowest possible concentrations in order to minimize the risk of severe pneumonitis.
Pulmonary toxicities occur in approximately 10% of treated patients. In approximately 1%, the nonspecific pneumonitis induced by bleomycin progresses to pulmonary fibrosis and death. Although this is age and dose related, the toxicity is unpredictable.
A method suggested to lower the incidence of pulmonary toxicity is the continuous i.v. administration of bleomycin.
Renal or hepatic toxicity, beginning as a deterioration in renal or liver function tests, have been reported, infrequently. These toxicities may occur, however, at any time after initiation of therapy.
Pregnancy: Safe use of bleomycin in pregnant women has not been established.
Precautions: General: Bleomycin should be administered preferably to patients who are hospitalized and who can be observed carefully and frequently during and after therapy. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with significant impairment of renal function or compromised pulmonary function due to disease other than malignancy, and in patients over 70 years of age because of the apparent increased danger of pulmonary toxicity.
Frequent roentgenograms are not a preferable method of follow-up or detection of pulmonary toxicity from bleomycin. Current practice consists of frequent physical examination (cough, basal rales and pleuritic chest pain are frequently first signs of toxicity) and baseline evaluation of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity which also allows for the exclusion of patients with low pulmonary reserve, as well as for follow-up of progression of the pneumonitis after cessation of bleomycin therapy.
If pulmonary changes are noted, treatment should be discontinued until it can be determined whether the cause is drug related. Pneumonitis due to bleomycin should be treated with corticosteroids in an effort to prevent progression to pulmonary fibrosis. Infectious pneumonitis should receive appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Adverse Reactions: Skin: 50% of the patients develop either hyperpigmentation of the skin, hyperkeratosis of hands and nails and edema and erythema of the hands and feet. The skin toxicity occurred more frequently at higher doses: 200 to 300 unit range and can be dose limiting. Rash forms on the pressure areas of the body and abdominal skin creases. It is a common side effect (due to accumulation of the bleomycin in the skin) and is reported to occur in 8% of treated patients within a few days to 2 to 3 weeks at doses of 1.25 to 35 mg/m
Pulmonary: Pulmonary toxicity is potentially the most serious side effect, occurring in approximately 10% of treated patients. The most frequent manifestation is pneumonitis occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis which may result in death.
Approximately 1% of patients treated succumb to pulmonary toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity is usually both dose and age related, being more common in patients over 70 years of age receiving over 400 units total dose; however, this toxicity is unpredictable and has been seen occasionally in young patients receiving low doses.
The identification of patients with pulmonary toxicity due to bleomycin has been extremely difficult, due to the lack of specificity of the clinical syndrome, the x-ray changes and even the tissue changes seen on examination of biopsy and autopsy specimens.
Bleomycin-induced pneumonitis apparently produces dyspnea and fine rales that are in no way different from those produced by infectious pneumonias, or the signs and symptoms produced by primary or metastatic lung disease in some patients.
The microscopic tissue changes due to bleomycin toxicity are frequently present as bronchiolar squamous metaplasia, reactive macrophages, atypical alveolar epithelial cells, fibrinous edema and interstitial fibrosis and are in line with interstitial pneumonitis. These microscopic findings are nonspecific.
Serial pulmonary function tests in patients receiving bleomycin therapy reveal some demonstrable alteration in approximately 20%. The most common changes are decrease in total lung volume and decrease in vital capacity. However, there are no predictive correlations between these changes and the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Frequent roentgenograms are not a preferable method of follow-up or detection of pulmonary toxicity from bleomycin. Current practice consists of frequent physical examination (cough, basal rales and pleuritic chest pain are frequently first signs of toxicity) and baseline evaluation of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity which also allows for the exclusion of patients with low pulmonary reserve, as well as for follow-up of progression of the pneumonitis after cessation of bleomycin therapy.
If pulmonary changes are noted, treatment should be discontinued until it can be determined if they are drug related. Sequential measurement of the pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) during treatment with bleomycin may be an indicator of subclinical pulmonary toxicity. It is recommended that the DLCO be monitored monthly if it is to be employed to detect pulmonary toxicities, and thus the drug should be discontinued when the DLCO falls below 30 to 35% of the pretreatment value.
Concurrent or prior lung irradiation will also predispose patients to increased pulmonary toxicity.
The reaction which may be immediate or after several hours delay occurs only after the first or second dose. It consists of hypotension, fever, chills, mental confusion and wheezing.
In order to minimize the incidence of pneumonitis due to bleomycin therapy, it is recommended not to exceed total dose 200 units/m not to exceed 100 units/mif concurrent lung irradiation is also given, not to exceed 100 units/min patients over the age of 70 and to use continuous infusion to avoid peak serum levels.
Fever: Pretreatment with antipyretics or antihistamines is frequently given as fever occurs in 50% of patients with i.v. administration and 25% with i.m. administration.
Gastrointestinal Toxicity: Mucositis and stomatitis occur in 30% of patients.
Other: Fever, chills and vomiting are frequently reported side effects. Anorexia and weight loss are common and may persist long after termination of this medication. Pain at tumor site, phlebitis, and other local reactions are reported infrequently.
There are also isolated reports of Raynaud’s phenomenon occurring in patients with testicular carcinomas treated with a combination of bleomycin and vinblastine. It is currently unknown if the cause for the Raynaud’s phenomenon in these cases is the disease, either drug, or a combination of any or all of these.
Toxicity to the renal, hepatic and CNS is rare, but as with any potent drug, these symptoms should be monitored. It is noteworthy that there has been little evidence of bone marrow or immunological depression to date. This is contrary to the currently available antineoplastic drugs.
Dosage And Administration: Each mg of bleomycin contains 1.5 to 2.0 units of sterile bleomycin.
Because of the possibility of anaphylaxis, all lymphoma patients should be started with 2 units or less for the first 2 doses. If no acute reaction occurs, then the regular dose schedule may be followed.
Bleomycin may be given by the i.m., i.v., intra-arterial, intracavitary or s.c. routes.
The Following Dose Schedule is Recommended: Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Lymphosarcoma, Reticulum Cell Sarcoma, Testicular Carcinoma: 0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m given i.v. or i..m. weekly or twice weekly.
Hodgkin’s Disease: 0.25 to 0.50 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m i.v. or i.m. weekly or twice weekly. After a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily s.c. or 5 units weekly i.v. or i.m. should be given.
Toxicity of bleomycin appears to be dose related with a striking increase when the total dose is over 400 units. Total doses over 400 units should be given with great caution.
Hodgkin’s and testicular improvement are prompt and noted within 2 weeks. If no improvement is seen by this time, chances of improvement are very low. Squamous cell cancers respond more slowly, sometimes requiring as long as 3 weeks before improvement is noted.
Note: When bleomycin is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses. In order to decrease pulmonary toxicities, administration by continuous infusion rather than i.v. bolus is recommended.
Intra-arterial: For intra-arterial infusion/perfusion where increased drug concentrations at the cancer site are desired, the suggested dosage schedule is 30 to 60 units once or twice a week until a total recommended dosage of 300 units has been administered.
Intracavitary: The following dosage schedule is recommended when used as a sclerosing agent to control pleural effusions due to metastatic tumours or to manage pneumothorax (associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and pneumocytis pneumonia): 50 to 60 units of bleomycin diluted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection (not exceeding 1 unit/kg or 40 units/min the case of geriatric patients.). The solution is instilled into the chest through a thoracostomy tube, the tube is then clamped, the patient rotated periodically and the fluid subsequently removed after 24 hours.
Note: Prior to the above administration to patients with effusions, the pleural cavity is drained via the thoracostomy tube (by gravity or suction) since efficacy may be reduced if the bleomycin solution is instilled into the pleural cavity while fluid drainage exceeds 100 mL/24 hours.
Impaired Renal Function: For patients with impaired renal function, the following dosage schedule is recommended.
Patients With Moderate Renal Failure (GFR 10 to 50 mL/min): Reduce to 75% of normal dose at the normal dosage interval.
Patients With GFR Greater than 50 mL/min: No dosage adjustment is required.
Stability and Storage: Store vials between 2 to 8°C, protected from light.
Preparation for Use: Reconstitution: I.M. or S.C.: Dissolve the contents of the vial in 1 to 5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection.
I.V. or Intra-arterial: Dissolve the contents of the vial in 5 to 10 mL of either Sterile Water for Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection.
Intracavitary: Intrapleural: Dissolve the contents of 1 to 8 vials (15 to 120 units) in 100 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection.
Intraperitoneal: Dissolve the contents of 4 to 8 vials (60 to 120 units) in 100 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection.
Reconstituted solutions may be stored at room temperature for 24 hours or refrigerated at 2 to 8°C for up to 48 hours. Unused portions should be discarded after that time.
Warning: As with all parenteral drug products, i.v. admixtures should be inspected visually for clarity, particulate matter, precipitate, discoloration and leakage prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Solutions showing haziness, particulate matter, precipitate, discoloration or leakage should not be used.
Handling and Disposal: 1) Preparation of cytotoxic agents such as bleomycin should be done in a vertical laminar flow hood (Biological Safety Cabinet – Class II). 2) Personnel preparing cytotoxic agents should wear PVC gloves, safety glasses, disposable gowns and masks. 3) All needles, syringes, vials and other materials which have come in contact with bleomycin should be segregated and incinerated at 1 000°C or more. Sealed containers may explode. 4) Personnel regularly involved in the preparation and handling of cytotoxic agents should have biannual blood examinations.
Availability And Storage: Each vial of sterile lyophilized powder contains: bleomycin activity 15 units (as bleomycin sulfate). Single dose, conventional glass vials, boxes of 1. Store between 2 to 8°C, protected from light.
BLEOMYCIN SULFATE USP Faulding Antineoplastic
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