Source: European Medicines Agency (EU) Revision Year: 2019 Publisher: Pfizer Europe MA EEIG, Boulevard de la Plaine 17, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
Hypersensitivity to crizotinib or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
When assessing either ALK or ROS1 status of a patient, it is important that a well-validated and robust methodology is chosen to avoid false negative or false positive determinations.
Drug-induced hepatotoxicity (including cases with fatal outcome) has been reported in patients treated with crizotinib across clinical trials (see section 4.8). Liver function tests including ALT, AST, and total bilirubin should be monitored once a week during the first 2 months of treatment, then once a month and as clinically indicated, with more frequent repeat testing for Grades 2, 3 or 4 elevations. For patients who develop transaminase elevations, see section 4.2.
Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with crizotinib. Patients with pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis should be monitored. Crizotinib treatment should be withheld if ILD/pneumonitis is suspected. Drug-induced ILD/pneumonitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with ILD-like conditions such as: pneumonitis, radiation pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), alveolitis, lung infiltration, pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pleural effusion, aspiration pneumonia, bronchitis, obliterative bronchiolitis, and bronchiectasis. Other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis should be excluded, and crizotinib should be permanently discontinued in patients diagnosed with treatment-related ILD/pneumonitis (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
QTc prolongation has been observed in clinical studies in patients treated with crizotinib (see sections 4.8 and 5.2) which may lead to an increased risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (e.g. Torsade de Pointes) or sudden death. The benefits and potential risks of crizotinib should be considered before beginning therapy in patients with pre-existing bradycardia, who have a history of or predisposition for QTc prolongation, who are taking antiarrhythmics or other medicinal products that are known to prolong QT interval and in patients with relevant pre-existing cardiac disease and/or electrolyte disturbances. Crizotinib should be administered with caution in these patients and periodic monitoring of electrocardiograms (ECG), electrolytes and renal function is required. When using crizotinib, ECG and electrolytes (e.g. calcium, magnesium, potassium) should be obtained as close as possible prior to the first dose and periodic monitoring with ECGs and electrolytes is recommended, especially at the beginning of treatment in case of vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration or impaired renal function. Correct electrolytes as necessary. If QTc increases by greater than or equal to 60 msec from baseline but QTc is <500 msec, crizotinib should be withheld and cardiologist advice should be sought. If QTc increases to greater than or equal to 500 msec, cardiologist advice must be immediately sought. For patients who develop QTc prolongation, see sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2.
All-causality bradycardia was reported in clinical studies in 13% of patients treated with crizotinib. Symptomatic bradycardia (e.g. syncope, dizziness, hypotension) can occur in patients receiving crizotinib. The full effect of crizotinib on reduction of heart rate may not develop until several weeks after start of treatment. Avoid using crizotinib in combination with other bradycardic agents (e.g. beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem, clonidine, digoxin) to the extent possible, due to the increased risk of symptomatic bradycardia. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure regularly. Dose modification is not required in cases of asymptomatic bradycardia. For management of patients who develop symptomatic bradycardia, see Dose Modification and Undesirable Effects sections (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
In clinical studies with crizotinib and during post marketing surveillance, severe, life-threatening, or fatal adverse reactions of cardiac failure were reported (see section 4.8).
Patients with or without pre-existing cardiac disorders, receiving crizotinib, should be monitored for signs and symptoms of heart failure (dyspnoea, oedema, rapid weight gain from fluid retention). Dosing interruption, dose reduction, or discontinuation should be considered as appropriate if such symptoms are observed.
In clinical studies with crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive NSCLC, Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia has been very commonly (12%) reported. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia has been commonly (3%) reported (see section 4.8). Less than 0.5% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia in clinical studies with crizotinib. Complete blood counts including differential white blood cell counts should be monitored as clinically indicated, with more frequent repeat testing if Grade 3 or 4 abnormalities are observed, or if fever or infection occurs (see section 4.2).
In clinical studies with crizotinib, events of gastrointestinal perforations were reported. There were reports of fatal cases of gastrointestinal perforation during post-marketing use of crizotinib (see section 4.8).
Crizotinib should be used with caution in patients at risk for gastrointestinal perforation (e.g. history of diverticulitis, metastases to the gastrointestinal tract, concomitant use of medicinal products with a recognized risk of gastrointestinal perforation).
Crizotinib should be discontinued in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation. Patients should be informed of the first signs of gastrointestinal perforations and be advised to consult rapidly in case of occurrence.
Blood creatinine increase and creatinine clearance decreased were observed in patients in clinical studies with crizotinib. Renal failure and acute renal failure were reported in patients treated with crizotinib in clinical trials and during post marketing. Cases with fatal outcome, cases requiring hemodialysis and cases of grade 4 hyperkalemia were also observed. Monitoring of patients for renal function at baseline and during therapy with crizotinib is recommended, with particular attention to those who have risk factors or previous history of renal impairment (see section 4.8).
If patients have severe renal impairment not requiring peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis, the dose of crizotinib should be adjusted (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
In clinical studies with crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive NSCLC (N=1722), Grade 4 visual field defect with vision loss has been reported in 4 (0.2%) patients. Optic atrophy and optic nerve disorder have been reported as potential causes of vision loss.
In patients with new onset of severe visual loss (best corrected visual acuity less than 6/60 in one or both eyes), crizotinib treatment should be discontinued (see section 4.2). Ophthalmological evaluation consisting of best corrected visual acuity, retinal photographs, visual fields, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and other evaluations as appropriate for new onset of severe visual loss, should be performed. There is insufficient information to characterize the risks of resumption of crizotinib in patients with a severe visual loss. A decision to resume crizotinib should consider the potential benefit to the patient.
Ophthalmological evaluation is recommended if vision disorder persists or worsens in severity (see section 4.8).
The concomitant use of crizotinib with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or with strong and moderate CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided (see section 4.5).
The concomitant use of crizotinib with CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic indices should be avoided (see section 4.5). Avoid using crizotinib in combination with other bradycardic agents, medicinal products that are known to prolong QT interval and/or antiarrhythmics (see section 4.4 QT interval prolongation, Bradycardia, and section 4.5).
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be avoided during treatment with crizotinib (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).
Non-adenocarcinoma histology
Limited information is available in patients with ALK-positive and ROS1-positive NSCLC with non-adenocarcinoma histology, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (see section 5.1).
Coadministration of crizotinib with strong CYP3A inhibitors is expected to increase crizotinib plasma concentrations. Coadministration of a single 150 mg oral dose of crizotinib in the presence of ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily), a strong CYP3A inhibitor, resulted in increases in crizotinib systemic exposure, with crizotinib area-under-the-plasma-concentration versus time curve from time zero to infinity (AUCinf) and maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) values that were approximately 3.2-fold and 1.4-fold, respectively, those seen when crizotinib was administered alone.
Coadministration of repeated doses of crizotinib (250 mg once daily) with repeated doses of itraconazole (200 mg once daily), a strong CYP3A inhibitor, resulted in increases in crizotinib steady-state AUCtau and Cmax, that were approximately 1.6-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively, those seen when crizotinib was administered alone.
Therefore, the concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors (including but not limited to atazanavir, ritonavir, cobicistat, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, and erythromycin) should be avoided. Unless the potential benefit to the patient outweighs the risk, in which case patients should be closely monitored for crizotinib adverse events (see section 4.4).
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulations predicted a 17% increase in crizotinib steady-state AUC after treatment with the moderate CYP3A inhibitors, diltiazem or verapamil. Caution is therefore recommended in case of coadministration of crizotinib with moderate CYP3A inhibitors.
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may also increase plasma concentrations of crizotinib and should be avoided (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Coadministration of repeated doses of crizotinib (250 mg twice daily) with repeated doses of rifampicin (600 mg once daily), a strong CYP3A4 inducer, resulted in 84% and 79% decreases in crizotinib steady-state AUCtau and Cmax, respectively, compared to when crizotinib was given alone. The concurrent use of strong CYP3A inducers, including but not limited to carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, and St. John’s wort, should be avoided (see section 4.4).
The effect of a moderate inducer including but not limited to efavirenz or rifabutin is not clearly established therefore, their combination with crizotinib should be also avoided (see section 4.4).
The aqueous solubility of crizotinib is pH dependent, with low (acidic) pH resulting in higher solubility. Administration of a single 250 mg crizotinib dose following treatment with esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for 5 days resulted in an approximately 10% decrease in crizotinib total exposure (AUCinf) and no change in peak exposure (Cmax); the extent of the change in total exposure was not clinically meaningful. Therefore, starting dose adjustment is not required when crizotinib is coadministered with agents that increase gastric pH (such as proton-pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or antacids).
Following 28 days of crizotinib dosing at 250 mg taken twice daily in cancer patients, the oral midazolam AUCinf was 3.7-fold of those seen when midazolam was administered alone, suggesting that crizotinib is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A. Therefore, coadministration of crizotinib with CYP3A substrates with narrow therapeutic indices, including but not limited to alfentanil, cisapride, cyclosporine, ergot derivatives, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus should be avoided (see section 4.4). If the combination is needed, then close clinical monitoring should be exercised.
In vitro studies indicated that crizotinib is an inhibitor of CYP2B6. Therefore, crizotinib may have the potential to increase plasma concentrations of coadministered drugs that are metabolized by CYP2B6 (e.g. bupropion, efavirenz).
In vitro studies in human hepatocytes indicated that crizotinib may induce pregnane X receptor (PXR)-and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)-regulated enzymes (e.g. CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, UGT1A1). However, there was no observed induction in vivo when crizotinib was coadministered with the CYP3A probe substrate midazolam. Caution should be exercised in administering crizotinib in combination with medicinal products that are predominantly metabolised by these enzymes. Of note, the effectiveness of concomitant administration of oral contraceptives may be reduced.
In vitro studies indicated that crizotinib is a weak inhibitor of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 and UGT2B7. Therefore, crizotinib may have the potential to increase plasma concentrations of coadministered drugs that are metabolized predominantly by UGT1A1 (e.g. raltegravir, irinotecan) or UGT2B7 (e.g. morphine, naloxone).
Based on an in vitro study, crizotinib is predicted to inhibit intestinal P-gp. Therefore, administration of crizotinib with medicinal products that are substrates of P-gp (e.g. digoxin, dabigatran, colchicine, pravastatin) may increase their therapeutic effect and adverse reactions. Close clinical surveillance is recommended when crizotinib is administered with these medicinal products.
Crizotinib is an inhibitor of OCT1 and OCT2 in vitro. Therefore, crizotinib may have the potential to increase plasma concentrations of coadministered drugs that are substrates of OCT1 or OCT2 (e.g. metformin, procainamide).
In clinical studies, prolonged QT interval was observed with crizotinib. Therefore, the concomitant use of crizotinib with medicinal products known to prolong QT interval or medicinal products able to induce Torsades de pointes (e.g. class IA [quinidine, disopyramide] or class III [e.g. amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide], methadone, cisapride, moxifloxacine, antipsychotics, etc.) should be carefully considered. A monitoring of the QT interval should be made in case of combinations of such medicinal products (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Bradycardia has been reported during clinical studies; therefore, use crizotinib with caution due to the risk of excessive bradycardia when used in combination with other bradycardic agents (e.g. non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem, beta-blockers, clonidine, guanfacine, digoxin, mefloquine, anticholinesterases, pilocarpine) (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving XALKORI.
Adequate contraceptive methods should be used during therapy, and for at least 90 days after completing therapy (see section 4.5).
XALKORI may cause foetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
There are no data in pregnant women using crizotinib. This medicinal product should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the mother requires treatment. Pregnant women, or patients becoming pregnant while receiving crizotinib, or treated male patients as partners of pregnant women, should be apprised of the potential hazard to the foetus.
It is not known whether crizotinib and its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Because of the potential harm to the infant, mothers should be advised to avoid breast-feeding while receiving XALKORI (see section 5.3).
Based on nonclinical safety findings, male and female fertility may be compromised by treatment with XALKORI (see section 5.3). Both men and women should seek advice on fertility preservation before treatment.
Caution should be exercised when driving or operating machines as patients may experience symptomatic bradycardia (e.g. syncope, dizziness, hypotension), vision disorder, or fatigue while taking XALKORI (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 4.8).
The data described below reflect exposure to XALKORI in 1669 patients with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC who participated in 2 randomised Phase 3 studies (Studies 1007 and 1014) and in 2 single-arm studies (Studies 1001 and 1005), and in 53 patients with ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC who participated in single-arm Study 1001, for a total of 1722 patients (see section 5.1). These patients received a starting oral dose of 250 mg taken twice daily continuously. In Study 1014, the median duration of study treatment was 47 weeks for patients in the crizotinib arm (N=171); the median duration of treatment was 23 weeks for patients who crossed over from the chemotherapy arm to receive crizotinib treatment (N=109). In Study 1007, the median duration of study treatment was 48 weeks for patients in the crizotinib arm (N=172). For ALK-positive NSCLC patients in Studies 1001 (N=154) and 1005 (N=1063), the median duration of treatment was 57 and 45 weeks, respectively. For ROS1-positive NSCLC patients in Study 1001 (N=53), the median duration of treatment was 101 weeks.
The most serious adverse reactions in 1722 patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC were hepatotoxicity, ILD/pneumonitis, neutropenia, and QT interval prolongation (see section 4.4). The most common adverse reactions (≥25%) in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive NSCLC were vision disorder, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, oedema, constipation, elevated transaminases, fatigue, decreased appetite, dizziness, and neuropathy.
Table 3 presents adverse reactions reported in 1722 patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC who received crizotinib across 2 randomised Phase 3 studies (1007 and 1014) and 2 single-arm clinical studies (1001 and 1005) (see section 5.1).
The most frequent adverse reactions (≥3%, all-causality frequency) associated with dosing interruptions were neutropenia (11%), elevated transaminases (7%), vomiting (5%), and nausea (4%). The most frequent adverse reactions (≥3%, all-causality frequency) associated with dose reductions were elevated transaminases (4%) and neutropenia (3%). All-causality adverse events associated with permanent treatment discontinuation occurred in 302 (18%) patients of which the most frequent (≥1%) were interstitial lung disease (1%) and elevated transaminases (1%).
The adverse reactions listed in Table 3 are presented by system organ class and frequency categories, defined using the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 3. Adverse reactions reported in crizotinib clinical studies (N=1722):
Very common: Neutropeniaa (22%), Anaemiab (15%), Leukopeniac (15%)
Very common: Decreased appetite (30%)
Common: Hypophosphataemia (6%)
Very common: Neuropathyd (25%), Dysgeusia (21%)
Very common: Vision disordere (63%)
Very common: Dizzinessf (26%), Bradycardiag (13%)
Common: Cardiac failureh (1%), Electrocardiogram QT prolonged (4%), Syncope (3%)
Common: Interstitial lung diseasei (3%)
Very common: Vomiting (51%), Diarrhoea (54%), Nausea (57%), Constipation (43%), Abdominal painj (21%)
Common: Oesophagitisk (2%), Dyspepsia (8%)
Uncommon: Gastrointestinal perforationl (<1%)
Very common: Elevated transaminasesm (32%)
Common: Blood alkaline phosphatase increased (7%)
Uncommon: Hepatic failure (<1%)
Very common: Rash (13%)
Common: Renal cystn (3%), Blood creatinine increasedo (8%)
Uncommon: Acute renal failure (<1%), Renal failure (<1%)
Very common: Oedemap (47%), Fatigue (30%)
Common: Blood testosterone decreasedq (2%)
Event terms that represent the same medical concept or condition were grouped together and reported as a single adverse drug reaction in Table 3. Terms actually reported in the study up to the data cutoff date and contributing to the relevant adverse drug reaction are indicated in parentheses, as listed below.
a Neutropenia (Febrile neutropenia, Neutropenia, Neutrophil count decreased).
b Anaemia (Anaemia, Haemoglobin decreased, Hypochromic anaemia).
c Leukopenia (Leukopenia, White blood cell count decreased).
d Neuropathy (Burning sensation, Dysaesthesia, Formication, Gait disturbance, Hyperaesthesia, Hypoaesthesia, Hypotonia, Motor dysfunction, Muscle atrophy, Muscular weakness, Neuralgia, Neuritis, Neuropathy peripheral, Neurotoxicity, Paraesthesia, Peripheral motor neuropathy, Peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, Peripheral sensory neuropathy, Peroneal nerve palsy, Polyneuropathy, Sensory disturbance, Skin burning sensation).
e Vision disorder (Diplopia, Halo vision, Photophobia, Photopsia, Vision blurred, Visual acuity reduced, Visual brightness, Visual impairment, Visual perseveration, Vitreous floaters).
f Dizziness (Balance disorder, Dizziness, Dizziness postural, Presyncope).
g Bradycardia (Bradycardia, Heart rate decreased, Sinus bradycardia).
h Cardiac failure (Cardiac failure, Cardiac failure congestive, Ejection fraction decreased, Left ventricular failure, Pulmonary oedema). Across clinical studies (n=1722), 19 (1.1%) patients treated with crizotinib had any grade cardiac failure, 8 (0.5%) patients had Grade 3 or 4, and 3 (0.2%) patients had fatal outcome.
i Interstitial lung disease (Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Alveolitis, Interstitial lung disease, Pneumonitis).
j Abdominal pain (Abdominal discomfort, Abdominal pain, Abdominal pain lower, Abdominal pain upper, Abdominal tenderness).
k Oesophagitis (Oesophagitis, Oesophageal ulcer).
l Gastrointestinal perforation (Gastrointestinal perforation, Intestinal perforation, Large intestine perforation).
m Elevated transaminases (Alanine aminotransferase increased, Aspartate aminotransferase increased, Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, Hepatic enzyme increased, Hepatic function abnormal, Liver function test abnormal, Transaminases increased).
n Renal cyst (Renal abscess, Renal cyst, Renal cyst haemorrhage, Renal cyst infection).
° Blood creatinine increased (blood creatinine increased, creatinine renal clearance decreased).
p Oedema (Face oedema, Generalised oedema, Local swelling, Localised oedema, Oedema, Oedema peripheral, Periorbital oedema).
q Blood testosterone decreased (Blood testosterone decreased, Hypogonadism, Secondary hypogonadism).
Drug-induced hepatotoxicity with fatal outcome occurred in 0.1% of 1722 patients treated with crizotinib across clinical trials. Concurrent elevations in ALT and/or AST ≥3 × ULN and total bilirubin ≥2 × ULN without significant elevations of alkaline phosphatase (≤2 × ULN) have been observed in less than 1% patients treated with crizotinib.
Increases to Grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations were observed in 187 (11%) and 95 (6%) of patients, respectively. Seventeen (1%) patients required permanent discontinuation from treatment associated with elevated transaminases, suggesting that these events were generally manageable by dosing modifications as defined in Table 2 (see section 4.2). In randomised Phase 3 Study 1014, increases to Grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations were observed in 15% and 8% of patients receiving crizotinib versus 2% and 1% of patients receiving chemotherapy. In randomised Phase 3 Study 1007, increases to Grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations were observed in 18% and 9% of patients receiving crizotinib and 5% and <1% of patients receiving chemotherapy.
Transaminase elevations generally occurred within the first 2 months of treatment. Across studies with crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive NSCLC, median time to onset of increased Grade 1 or 2 transaminases was 23 days. Median time to onset of increased Grade 3 or 4 transaminases was 43 days.
Grade 3 and 4 transaminase elevations were generally reversible upon dosing interruption. Across studies with crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive NSCLC (N=1722), dose reductions associated with transaminase elevations occurred in 76 (4%) patients. Seventeen (1%) patients required permanent discontinuation from treatment.
Patients should be monitored for hepatotoxicity and managed as recommended in sections 4.2 and 4.4.
Nausea (57%), diarrhoea (54%), vomiting (51%), and constipation (43%) were the most commonly reported all-causality gastrointestinal events. Most events were mild to moderate in severity. Median times to onset for nausea and vomiting were 3 days, and these events declined in frequency after 3 weeks of treatment. Supportive care should include the use of antiemetic medicinal products. Median times to onset for diarrhoea and constipation were 13 and 17 days, respectively. Supportive care for diarrhoea and constipation should include the use of standard antidiarroheal and laxative medicinal products, respectively.
In clinical studies with crizotinib, events of gastrointestinal perforations were reported. There were reports of fatal cases of gastrointestinal perforation during post-marketing use of crizotinib (see section 4.4).
Across studies in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC, QTcF (corrected QT by the Fridericia method) ≥500 msec was recorded in 34 (2.1%) of 1619 patients with at least 1 postbaseline ECG assessment and a maximum increase from baseline in QTcF ≥60 msec was observed in 79 (5.0%) of 1585 patients with a baseline and at least 1 postbaseline ECG assessment.
All-causality Grade 3 or 4 Electrocardiogram QT prolonged was reported in 27 (1.6%) out of 1722 patients (see sections 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.2).
In a single arm ECG substudy (see section 5.2) using blinded manual ECG measurements 11 (21%) patients had an increase from Baseline in QTcF value ≥30 to <60 msec and 1 (2%) patient had an increase from Baseline in QTcF value of ≥60 msec. No patients had a maximum QTcF ≥480 msec. The central tendency analysis indicated that the largest mean change from baseline in QTcF was 12.3 msec (95% CI 5.1-19.5 msec, least squares mean [LS] from Analysis of Variance [ANOVA]) and occurred at 6 hours post-dose on Cycle 2 Day 1. All upper limits of the 90% CI for the LS mean change from Baseline in QTcF at all Cycle 2 Day 1 time points were <20 msec.
QT prolongation can result in arrhythmias and is a risk factor for sudden death. QT prolongation may clinically manifest as bradycardia, dizziness, and syncope. Electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and bradycardia may further increase the risk of QTc prolongation and thus, periodic monitoring of ECG and electrolyte levels is recommended in patients with GI toxicity (see section 4.4).
In studies with crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC, all-causality bradycardia was experienced by 219 (13%) of 1722 patients treated with crizotinib. Most events were mild in severity. A total of 259 (16%) of 1666 patients with at least 1 postbaseline vital sign assessment had a pulse rate <50 bpm.
The use of concomitant medicinal products associated with bradycardia should be carefully evaluated. Patients who develop symptomatic bradycardia should be managed as recommended in the Dose Modification and Warnings and Precautions sections (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 4.5).
Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with crizotinib. Across studies in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive NSCLC (N=1722), 50 (3%) patients treated with crizotinib had any grade all-causality ILD, including 18 (1%) patients with Grade 3 or 4, and 8 (<1%) patients with fatal cases. According to an independent review committee (IRC) assessment of patients with ALK-positive NSCLC (N=1669), 20 (1.2%) patients had ILD/pneumonitis, including 10 (<1%) patients with fatal cases. These cases generally occurred within 3 months after the initiation of treatment. Patients with pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis should be monitored. Other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis should be excluded (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
In clinical studies with crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC (N=1722), Grade 4 visual field defect with vision loss has been reported in 4 (0.2%) patients. Optic atrophy and optic nerve disorder have been reported as potential causes of vision loss (see section 4.4).
All-causality, all grade, vision disorder, most commonly visual impairment, photopsia, vision blurred, and vitreous floaters, was experienced by 1084 (63%) of 1722 patients treated with crizotinib. Of the 1084 patients who experienced vision disorder, 95% had events that were mild in severity. Seven (0.4%) patients had temporary treatment discontinuation and 2 (0.1%) patients had a dose reduction associated with vision disorder. There were no permanent discontinuations associated with vision disorder for any of the 1722 patients treated with crizotinib.
Based on the Visual Symptom Assessment Questionnaire (VSAQ-ALK), patients treated with crizotinib in Study 1007 and Study 1014 reported a higher incidence of visual disturbances compared to patients treated with chemotherapy. The onset of vision disorders generally started within the first week of drug administration. The majority of patients on the crizotinib arm in randomised Phase 3 Studies 1007 and 1014 (>50%) reported visual disturbances; which occurred at a frequency of 4 to 7 days each week, lasted up to 1 minute, and had mild or no impact (scores 0 to 3 out of a maximum score of 10) on daily activities as captured by the VSAQ-ALK questionnaire.
An ophthalmology substudy using specific ophthalmic assessments at specified time points was conducted in 54 patients with NSCLC who received crizotinib 250 mg twice daily. Thirty-eight (70.4%) of the 54 patients experienced an Eye Disorders System Organ Class treatment-emergent all-causality adverse event of which 30 patients had ophthalmic examinations. Of the 30 patients, an ophthalmic abnormality of any type was reported in 14 (36.8%) patients and no ophthalmic finding was seen in 16 (42.1%) patients. The most common findings concerned slit lamp biomicroscopy (21.1%), fundoscopy (15.8%) and visual acuity (13.2%). Pre-existing ophthalmic abnormalities and concomitant medical conditions which could be contributory to ocular findings were noted in many patients, and no conclusive causal relationship to crizotinib could be determined. There were no findings related to aqueous cell count and anterior chamber aqueous flare assessment. No visual disturbances associated with crizotinib appeared to be related to changes in best corrected visual acuity, the vitreous, the retina, or the optic nerve.
In patients with new onset of Grade 4 visual loss, crizotinib treatment should be discontinued and ophthalmological evaluation should be performed. Ophthalmological evaluation is recommended if vision disorder persists or worsens in severity (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
All-causality neuropathy, as defined in Table 3, was experienced by 435 (25%) out of 1722 patients treated with crizotinib. Dysgeusia was also very commonly reported in these studies, and was primarily Grade 1 in severity.
All-causality complex renal cysts were experienced by 52 (3%) of 1722 patients treated with crizotinib. Local cystic invasion beyond the kidney was observed in some patients. Periodic monitoring with imaging and urinalysis should be considered in patients who develop renal cysts.
Across studies in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC (N=1722), Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 212 (12%) patients treated with crizotinib. Median time to onset of any grade neutropenia was 89 days. Neutropenia was associated with dose reduction or permanent treatment discontinuation for 3% and <1% of patients, respectively. Less than 0.5% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia in clinical studies with crizotinib.
Across studies in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC (N=1722), Grade 3 or Grade 4 leukopenia was observed in 48 (3%) patients treated with crizotinib. Median time to onset of any grade leukopenia was 85 days.
Leukopenia was associated with a dose reduction for <0.5% of patients, and no patients permanently discontinued crizotinib treatment associated with leukopenia.
In clinical studies of crizotinib in patients with either ALK-positive or ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC, shifts to Grade 3 or 4 decreases in leukocytes and neutrophils were observed at frequencies of 4% and 13%, respectively.
Complete blood counts including differential white blood cell counts should be monitored as clinically indicated, with more frequent repeat testing if Grade 3 or 4 abnormalities are observed, or if fever or infection occurs. For patients who develop haematologic laboratory abnormalities, see section 4.2.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V.
Not applicable.
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