Folotyn

Patient Information

FOLTYN®
(FOH-loh-tin)
(pralatrexate injection)

What is FOLOTYN?

FOLOTYN is a prescription used to treat people with a type of cancer called peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) that does not go away, gets worse, or comes back after use of another cancer treatment. It is not known if FOLOTYN is safe and effective in children.

Before you receive FOLOTYN, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have kidney problems, including end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. FOLOTYN can harm your unborn baby.
  Females who are able to become pregnant:
  • Your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with FOLOTYN.
  • You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 6 months after the last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best birth control methods you can use during this time.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with FOLOTYN.
    Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 3 months after the last dose of FOLOTYN.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FOLOTYN passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 1 week after the last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with FOLOTYN.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how FOLOTYN works.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medicines
• probenecid

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider or pharmacist each time you start a new medicine.

How will I receive FOLOTYN?

• FOLOTYN will be given to you by your healthcare provider as an intravenous (IV) injection into your vein over 3 to 5 minutes.
• FOLOTYN is usually given in cycles, one time each week for 6 weeks, with no treatment on the 7th week.
• Your healthcare provider will treat you with folic acid and vitamin B12 before and during your treatment with FOLOTYN to help reduce the risk of possible side effects.
  • You will take folic acid by mouth for 10 days before your first dose of FOLOTYN. Continue taking folic acid during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 30 days after the last dose.
  • Your healthcare provider will give you a vitamin B12 injection into your muscle (intramuscular). You will get your first vitamin B12 injection 10 weeks before your first dose of FOLOTYN and every 8 to 10 weeks during treatment with FOLOTYN.
• Your healthcare provider will do blood tests before and during treatment with FOLOTYN.

Your healthcare provider may stop treatment, delay treatment, or change your dose of FOLOTYN based on results of your blood tests and if you have certain side effects.

What are the possible side effects of FOLOTYN?

FOLOTYN may cause serious side effects, including:

• Low blood cell counts: Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts before and during treatment with FOLOTYN. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of infection, fever, bleeding or tiredness during treatment with FOLOTYN.
• Redness and sores of the mucous membrane lining of the mouth, lips, throat, digestive tract, and genitals (mucositis). Mucositis is common with FOLOTYN and can be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop redness or painful sores in your mouth or throat, or have trouble speaking, eating or drinking. Your healthcare provider will tell you about ways to reduce your risk of getting mucositis, and how to maintain nutrition and help control the discomfort from mucositis.
• Severe skin reactions. FOLOTYN can cause severe skin reactions that may lead to death. In people with lymphoma, severe skin reactions may happen on and under your skin. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following skin reactions:
  • rash
  • peeling and loss of skin
  • sores
  • blisters
• Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of certain types of cancer cells. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS and treat you if needed.
• Liver problems. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for liver problems during treatment with FOLOTYN.
• Increased risk of serious reactions in people with kidney problems. People with severe kidney problems may have a greater risk for increased serious reactions during treatment with FOLOTYN.

The most common side effects of FOLOTYN include: low platelet blood counts, nausea, and tiredness. These are not all of the possible side effects of FOLOTYN.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of FOLOTYN.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about FOLOTYN. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about FOLOTYN that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in FOLOTYN?

Active ingredient: pralatrexate

Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid.

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Description

FOLOTYN (pralatrexate injection) contains pralatrexate, which is an antineoplastic folate analog. Pralatrexate has the chemical name (2S)-2-[[4-[(1RS)-1-[(2, 4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl]but-3- ynyl]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid. The structural formula is as follows:

 

 

Pralatrexate is a 1:1 racemic mixture of S- and R- diastereomers at the C10 position (indicated with *).

The molecular formula is C₂₃H₂₃N₇O₅ and the molecular weight is 477.48 g/mol.

Pralatrexate is an off-white to yellow solid. It is soluble in aqueous solutions at pH 6.5 or higher. Pralatrexate is practically insoluble in chloroform and ethanol. The pKa values are 3.25, 4.76, and 6.17.

FOLOTYN is supplied as a preservative-free, sterile, isotonic, non-pyrogenic clear yellow aqueous parenteral solution contained in a single-dose clear glass vial (Type I) for intravenous administration. Each 1 mL of solution contains 20 mg of pralatrexate, sufficient sodium chloride to achieve an isotonic (280-300 mOsm) solution, and sufficient sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid if needed, to adjust and maintain the pH at 7.5-8.5. FOLOTYN is supplied as either 20 mg (1 mL) or 40 mg (2 mL) singledose vials at a concentration of 20 mg/mL.

Indications

FOLOTYN is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate [see Clinical Studies]. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).

Dosage And Administration

Important Dosing Information

Pretreatment Vitamin Supplementation

Folic Acid

Instruct patients to take folic acid 1 to 1.25 mg orally once daily beginning 10 days before the first dose of FOLOTYN. Continue folic acid during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 30 days after the last dose [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Vitamin B12

Administer vitamin B12 1 mg intramuscularly within 10 weeks prior to the first dose of FOLOTYN and every 8-10 weeks thereafter. Subsequent vitamin B12 injections may be given the same day as treatment with FOLOTYN [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of FOLOTYN is 30 mg/m² intravenously over 3-5 minutes once weekly for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.

Dosage Modifications For Renal Impairment And End Stage Renal Disease

• Severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m² by MDRD): Reduce the FOLOTYN dose to 15 mg/m² [see Use In Specific Populations].
• End stage renal disease (ESRD: eGFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m² by MDRD) with or without dialysis: Avoid administration. If the potential benefit of administration justifies the potential risk, monitor renal function and reduce the FOLOTYN dose based on adverse reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].

Monitoring And Dosage Modifications For Adverse Reactions

Monitoring

Monitor complete blood cell counts and severity of mucositis at baseline and weekly. Perform serum  chemistry tests, including renal and hepatic function, prior to the start of the first and fourth dose of each cycle.

Recommended Dosage Modifications

Do not administer FOLOTYN until: Â

• Mucositis Grade 1 or less.
• Platelet of 100,000/mcL or greater for first dose and 50,000/mcL or greater for all subsequent doses.
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 1,000/mcL or greater.

Dosage modifications for adverse reactions are provided in Tables 1, 2, and 3.

Table 1 : FOLOTYN Dosage Modifications for Mucositis

Mucositis Gradea on Day of Treatment	Action	Recommended Dose upon Recovery to Grade 0 or 1
		Patients Without Severe Renal Impairment	Patients with Severe Renal Impairment
Grade 2	Omit dose	Continue prior dose	Continue prior dose
Grade 2 recurrence	Omit dose	20 mg/m²	10 mg/m²
Grade 3	Omit dose	20 mg/m²	10 mg/m²
Grade 4	Stop therapy
a Based National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE version 3.0)

 

Table 2 : FOLOTYN Dosage Modifications for Myelosuppression

Blood Count on Day of Treatment	Duration of Toxicity	Action	Recommended Dose Upon Recovery
			Patients Without Severe Renal Impairment	Patients with Severe Renal Impairment
Platelet less than 50,000/mcL	1 week	Omit dose	Continue prior dose	Continue prior dose
	2 weeks	Omit dose	20 mg/m²	10 mg/m²
	3 weeks	Stop therapy
ANC 500 to 1,000/mcL and no fever	1 week	Omit dose	Continue prior dose	Continue prior dose
ANC 500 to 1,000/mcL with fever or ANC less than 500/mcL	1 week	Omit dose, give G-CSF or GM-CSF	Continue prior dose with G-CSF or GM-CSF	Continue prior dose with G-CSF or GM-CSF support
	2 weeks or recurrence	Omit dose, give G-CSFor GM-CSF	20 mg/m² with G-CSF or GM-CSF	10 mg/m² with G-CSF or GM-CSF
	3 weeks or nd 2nd recurrence	Stop therapy
G-CSF=granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; GM-CSF=granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor

 

Table 3 : FOLOTYN Dosage Modifications for All Other Adverse Reactions

Toxicity Gradea on Day of Treatment	Action	Recommended Dose upon Recovery to Grade 2 or Lower
		Patients Without Severe Renal Impairment	Patients with Severe Renal Impairment
Grade 3	Omit dose	20 mg/m²	10 mg/m²
Grade 4	Stop therapy
a Based on NCI CTCAE version 3.0

 

Preparation And Administration

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use any vials exhibiting particulate matter or discoloration.

FOLOTYN is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.¹ If FOLOTYN comes in contact with the skin, immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water. If FOLOTYN comes in contact with mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water.

Aseptically withdraw the calculated dose from the appropriate number of vial(s) into a syringe for immediate use. Do not dilute FOLOTYN.

Administer undiluted FOLOTYN intravenously over 3-5 minutes via the side port of a free-flowing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. After withdrawal of dose, discard vial(s) including any unused portion.

How Supplied

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Injection: 40 mg/2 mL (20 mg/mL) and 20 mg/mL clear yellow sterile solution in single-dose vial

Storage And Handling

FOLOTYN is available in clear glass single-dose vials containing pralatrexate at a concentration of 20 mg/mL as a preservative-free, sterile, clear yellow solution individually packaged for intravenous use in the following presentations:

NDC 72893-003-01: 20 mg of pralatrexate in 1 mL solution in a vial (20 mg / 1 mL)
NDC 72893-005-01: 40 mg of pralatrexate in 2 mL solution in a vial (40 mg / 2 mL)

Store refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F) [see USP Controlled Cold Temperature] in original carton to protect from light.

FOLOTYN is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.¹

REFERENCES

1. “OSHA Hazardous Drugs.” OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardousdrugs/index.html.

Manufactured for: Acrotech Biopharma LLC East Windsor, NJ 08520 1-888-255-6788. Revised: Sep 2020

Side Effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

• Myelosuppression [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Mucositis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Dermatologic Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Hepatic Toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

The safety of FOLOTYN was evaluated in Study PDX-008 [see Clinical Studies]. Patients received FOLOTYN 30 mg/m² once weekly for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles. The median duration of treatment was 70 days (range: 1 day to 1.5 years). The majority of patients (69%, n = 77) remained at the target dose for the duration of treatment. Overall, 85% of scheduled doses were administered.

Forty-four percent of patients (n = 49) experienced a serious adverse event while on study or within 30 days after their last dose of FOLOTYN. The most common serious adverse events (> 3%), regardless of causality, were pyrexia, mucositis, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, dehydration, dyspnea, and thrombocytopenia. One death from cardiopulmonary arrest in a patient with mucositis and febrile neutropenia was reported in this trial. Across clinical trials, deaths from mucositis, febrile neutropenia, sepsis, and pancytopenia occurred in 1.2% of patients who received doses ranging from 30 mg/m² to 325 mg/m².

Twenty-three percent of patients (n = 25) discontinued treatment with FOLOTYN due to adverse reactions. The most frequent adverse reactions reported as the reason for discontinuation of treatment were mucositis (6%) and thrombocytopenia (5%).

The most common adverse reactions (> 35%) were mucositis, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fatigue.

Table 4 summarizes the adverse reactions in Study PDX-008.

Table 4 : Adverse Reactions in (≥ 10%) in Patients Who Received FOLOTYN in Study PDX-008

	FOLOTYN N=111
	All Grades (%)	Grade 3 (%)	Grade 4 (%)
Any Adverse Reaction	100	43	31
Mucositisa	70	17	4
Thrombocytopeniab	41	14	19b
Nausea	40	4	0
Fatigue	36	5	2
Anemia	34	15	2
Constipation	33	0	0
Pyrexia	32	1	1
Edema	30	1	0
Cough	28	1	0
Epistaxis	26	0	0
Vomiting	25	2	0
Neutropenia	24	13	7
Diarrhea	21	2	0
Dyspnea	19	7	0
Hypokalemia	15	4	1
Anorexia	15	3	0
Rash	15	0	0
Pruritus	14	2	0
Pharyngolaryngeal pain	14	1	0
Liver function test abnormalc	13	5	0
Abdominal pain	12	4	0
Pain in extremity	12	0	0
Leukopenia	11	3	4
Back pain	11	3	0
Night sweats	11	0	0
Asthenia	10	1	0
Upper respiratory tract infection	10	1	0
Tachycardia	10	0	0
a Mucositis includes stomatitis or mucosal inflammation of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. b Five patients with platelets < 10,000/mcL. c Liver function test abnormal includes increased ALT, increased AST, and increased transaminases

 

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of FOLOTYN. 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 drug exposure.

Dermatologic Reactions: Toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Drug Interactions

Effects Of Other Drugs On FOLOTYN

Coadministration of FOLOTYN with probenecid increased pralatrexate plasma concentrations [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], which may increase the risk of adverse reactions. Avoid coadministration with probenecid or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If coadministration is unavoidable, monitor for increased risk of adverse reactions.

WarningS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Precautions

Myelosuppression

FOLOTYN can cause myelosuppression, manifested by thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and/or anemia.

Administer vitamin B12 and instruct patients to take folic acid to reduce the risk of treatment-related myelosuppression [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Â

Monitor complete blood counts and omit and/or reduce the dose based on ANC and platelet count prior to each dose [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Mucositis

FOLOTYN can cause mucositis [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Administer vitamin B12 and instruct patients to take folic acid to reduce the risk of mucositis [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Monitor for mucositis weekly and omit and/or reduce the dose for grade 2 or higher mucositis [see  DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Dermatologic Reactions

FOLOTYN can cause severe dermatologic reactions, which may result in death. These dermatologic reactions have been reported in clinical studies (2.1% of 663 patients) and post marketing experience, and have included skin exfoliation, ulceration, and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. They may be progressive and increase in severity with further treatment and may involve skin and subcutaneous sites of known lymphoma.

Monitor closely for dermatologic reactions. Withhold or discontinue FOLOTYN based on severity [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

FOLOTYN can cause tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). Monitor patients who are at increased risk of TLS and treat promptly.

Hepatic Toxicity

FOLOTYN can cause hepatic toxicity and liver function test abnormalities [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Persistent liver function test abnormalities may be indicators of hepatic toxicity and require dose modification or discontinuation.  Monitor liver function tests. Omit dose until recovery, adjust or discontinue therapy based on the severity of the hepatic toxicity [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Risk Of Increased Toxicity With RenalImpairment

Patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² based on MDRD) may be at greater risk for increased exposure and adverse reactions. Reduce FOLOTYN dosage in patients with severe renal impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Serious adverse reactions, including TEN and mucositis, were reported in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis who were administered FOLOTYN. Avoid FOLOTYN in patients with ESRD with or without dialysis. If the potential benefit of administration justifies the potential risk, monitor renal function and reduce the FOLOTYN dose based on adverse reactions [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, FOLOTYN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. FOLOTYN was embryotoxic and fetotoxic in rats and rabbits. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 3 months after the last dose [see Use In Specific Populations].

Patient Counseling Information

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).

Folic Acid And Vitamin B12 Supplementation

Advise patients treated with FOLOTYN to take folic acid and vitamin B12 to reduce the risk of possible side effects [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Myelosuppression

Inform patients of the risk of myelosuppression and to immediately contact their healthcare provider should any signs of infection develop, including fever. Inform patients to contact their healthcare provider if bleeding or symptoms of anemiaoccur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Mucositis

Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of mucositis. Instruct patients on ways to reduce the risk of its development, and on ways to maintain nutrition and control discomfort from mucositis if it occurs [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Dermatologic Reactions

Advise patients about the risks for and the signs and symptoms of dermatologic reactions. Instruct patients to immediately notify their healthcare provider if any skin reactions occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Inform patients about the risk of and the signs and symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome. Patients should be instructed to notify their healthcare provider if they experience these symptoms [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Concomitant Medications

Patients should be instructed to inform their healthcare provider if they are taking any concomitant medications including prescription drugs (such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and probenecid) and nonprescription drugs (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females or reproductive potential to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].

Advise females patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 6 months after the final dose [see Use In Specific Populations].

Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FOLOTYN and for at least 3 months after the final dose [see Use In Specific Populations]

Lactation

Advise females women not to breastfeed during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 1 week after the final dose [see Use In Specific Populations].

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with pralatrexate.

Mutagenesis

Pralatrexate did not cause mutations in the Ames test or the Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosome aberration assay. Nevertheless, these tests do not reliably predict genotoxicity for this class of compounds. Pralatrexate did not cause mutations in the mouse micronucleus assay.

Impairment Of Fertility

No fertility studies have been performed.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], FOLOTYN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are insufficient data on FOLOTYN use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug- associated risk. FOLOTYN was embryotoxic and fetotoxic in rats and rabbits when administered during organogenesis at doses about 1.2% (0.012 times) of the clinical dose on a mg/m² basis. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Pralatrexate was embryotoxic and fetotoxic in rats at intravenous doses of 0.06 mg/kg/day (0.36 mg/m²/day or about 1.2% of the clinical dose on a mg/m² basis) given on gestation days 7 through 20. Treatment with pralatrexate caused a dose-dependent decrease in fetal viability manifested as an increase in late, early, and total resorptions. There was also a dose-dependent increase in post-implantation loss. In rabbits, intravenous doses of 0.03 mg/kg/day (0.36 mg/m²/day) or greater given on gestation days 8 through 21 also caused abortion and fetal lethality. This toxicity manifested as early and total resorptions, post-implantation loss, and a decrease in the total number of live fetuses.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no data on the presence of pralatrexate in human milk or its effects on the breastfed child or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 1 week after the last dose.

Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential

FOLOTYN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use In Specific Populations].

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of FOLOTYN.

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 6 months following the last dose.

Males

Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with FOLOTYN and for 3 months following the last dose.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of FOLOTYN in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

In the Study PDX-008, 36% of patients (n = 40) were 65 years of age and over. No overall differences in efficacy and safety were observed in patients based on age (< 65 years compared with ≥ 65 years). Due to the contribution of renal excretion to overall clearance of pralatrexate (approximately 34%), age-related decline in renal function may lead to a reduction in clearance and a commensurate increase in plasma exposure. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. Since elderly patients may be at higher risk, monitor more closely. Omit dose and subsequently adjust or discontinue therapy for adverse reactions [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Renal Impairment

No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m² based on MDRD). For patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m²), reduce the recommended dose of FOLOTYN [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Serious adverse drug reactions, including TEN and mucositis, have been reported in patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis. Avoid the use of FOLOTYN in patients with ESRD with or without dialysis. If the potential benefit of administration justifies the potential risk, monitor renal function and reduce the FOLOTYN dose based on adverse reactions [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Overdose

No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage of FOLOTYN. If an overdose occurs, general supportive measures should be instituted as deemed necessary by the treating healthcare provider. Based on FOLOTYN’s mechanism of action, consider the prompt administration of leucovorin.

Contraindications

None.

Mechanism Of Action

Pralatrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor that competitively inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. It is also a competitive inhibitor for polyglutamylation by the enzyme folylpolyglutamyl synthetase. This inhibition results in the depletion of thymidine and other biological molecules the synthesis of which depends on single carbon transfer.

Pharmacodynamics

Pralatrexate exposure-response relationship and the time course of pharmacodynamics responses are unknown.

Pharmacokinetics

Pralatrexate is a racemic mixture of S-and R-diastereomers. The pharmacokinetics of pralatrexate at the recommended dosage of 30 mg/m² once weekly have been evaluated in 10 patients with PTCL. Pralatrexate total systemic exposure (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) increased proportionally over a dose range 30 to 325 mg/m² (10.8 times the approved recommended dosage). No accumulation of pralatrexate was observed.

Distribution

Steady-state volume of distribution of pralatrexate S-and R-diastereomers is 105 L and 37 L, respectively. Protein binding of pralatrexate is approximately 67% in vitro.

Elimination

The total systemic clearance of pralatrexate diastereomers was 417 mL/min (S-diastereomer) and 191 mL/min (R-diastereomer). The terminal elimination half-life of pralatrexate was 12-18 hours (coefficient of variance [CV] = 62-120%).

Metabolism

Pralatrexate is not significantly metabolized by CYP450 isozymes or glucuronidases in vitro.

Excretion

Following a single dose of FOLOTYN 30 mg/m², approximately 34% of the pralatrexate dose was excreted unchanged into urine. Following a radiolabeled pralatrexate dose, 39% (CV = 28%) of the dosewas recovered in urine as unchanged pralatrexate and 34% (CV = 88%) in feces as unchanged pralatrexate and/or any metabolites. 10% (CV = 95%) of the dose was exhaled over 24 hours.

Specific Populations

No clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of pralatrexate was observed based on sex. The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of pralatrexate has not been studied.

Patients With Renal Impairment

Following administration of a single dose of FOLOTYN, mean exposures of the pralatrexate S-diastereomer and R-diastereomer were comparable in patients with mild to moderate (eGFR 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m² based on MDRD) renal impairment as compared with severe (eGFR 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m²) renal impairment. The mean fraction of the administered dose excreted as unchanged diastereomers in urine (fe) decreased with declining renal function [see Use In Specific Populations].

Drug Interaction Studies

Clinical Studies

Coadministration of probenecid (an inhibitor of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 [MRP2] in vitro) resulted in delayed clearance of pralatrexate.

In Vitro Studies

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes

Pralatrexate does not induce or inhibit CYP enzymes.

Transporter Systems

Pralatrexate is a substrate for BCRP, MRP2, MRP3, and OATP1B3, but is not a substrate of P-gp, OATP1B1, OCT2, OAT1, or OAT3.

Pralatrexate inhibits MRP2 and MRP3, but does not inhibit P-gp, BCRP, OCT2, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1,or OATP1B3. MRP3 is a transporter that may affect the transport of etoposide and teniposide.

Clinical Studies

The efficacy of FOLOTYN was evaluated in Study PDX-008, an open-label, single-arm, multi-center, international trial that enrolled patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL. One hundred and eleven patients received FOLOTYN 30 mg/m² intravenously over 3 to 5 minutes once weekly by for 6 weeks in 7-week cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Of the 111 patients treated, 109 patients were evaluable for efficacy. Evaluable patients had histologically confirmed PTCL by independent central review using the Revised European American Lymphoma (REAL) World Health Organization (WHO) disease classification, and relapsed or refractory disease after at least one prior treatment.

The major efficacy outcome measure was overall response rate (complete response, complete response unconfirmed, and partial response) as assessed by International Workshop Criteria (IWC). An additional efficacy outcome measure was duration of response. Response assessments were scheduled at the end of cycle 1 and then every other cycle (every 14 weeks). Duration of response was measured from the first day of documented response to disease progression or death. Response and disease progression were evaluated by independent central review using the IWC.

The median age was 59 years (range: 21 to 85); 68% were male; 72% were White, 13% were Black, 8% were Hispanic and 5% were Asian. Patients had a baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 (39%), 1 (44%), or 2 (17%). The median time from initial diagnosis to study entry was 1.3 years (range 24 days to 26.8 years). The median number of prior systemic therapies was 3 (range 1 to 12). Approximately 24% of patients (n = 27) did not have evidence of response to any previous therapy. Approximately 63% of patients (n = 70) did not have evidence of response to their most recent prior therapy before entering the study.

Efficacy results are provided in Table 5.

Table 5 : Efficacy Results for Study PDX-008 per Independent Central Review (IWC)

	Evaluable Patients (N=109)
	N (%)	95% CI	Median Duration of Response	Range of Duration of Response
Overall Response
CR+CRu+PR	29 (27)	19, 36	287 days (9.4 months)	1-503 days
CR/CRu	9 (8)
PR	20 (18)
Responses ≥ 14 weeks
CR+CRu+PR	13 (12)	7, 20	Not Reached	98-503 days
CR/CRu	7 (6)
PR	6 (6)
Fourteen patients went off treatment in cycle 1; 2 patients were unevaluable for response by IWC due to insufficient materials provided to central review. CR = Complete Response, CRu = Complete Response unconfirmed, PR = Partial Response

 

The initial response assessment was scheduled at the end of cycle 1. Of the responders, 66% responded within cycle 1. The median time to first response was 45 days (range 37-349 days).