Fatal Infusion Reactions: Deaths within 24 hours of Rituxan infusion have been reported. These fatal reactions followed an infusion reaction complex, which included hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, or cardiogenic shock. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion reactions occurred in association with the first infusion. (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)
Patients who develop severe infusion reactions should have Rituxan infusion discontinued and receive medical treatment.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Acute renal failure requiring dialysis with instances of fatal outcome has been reported in the setting of TLS following treatment of non‑Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients with Rituxan. (SeeWARNINGS.)
Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions: Severe mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcome, have been reported in association with Rituxan treatment. (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death has been reported in patients treated with Rituxan (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)
The Rituxan® (Rituximab) antibody is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen found on the surface of normal and malignant B lymphocytes. The antibody is an IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin containing murine light- and heavy-chain variable region sequences and human constant region sequences. Rituximab is composed of two heavy chains of 451 amino acids and two light chains of 213 amino acids (based on cDNA analysis) and has an approximate molecular weight of 145 kD. Rituximab has a binding affinity for the CD20 antigen of approximately 8.0 nM.
The chimeric anti-CD20 antibody is produced by mammalian cell (Chinese Hamster Ovary) suspension culture in a nutrient medium containing the antibiotic gentamicin. Gentamicin is not detectable in the final product. The anti‑CD20 antibody is purified by affinity and ion exchange chromatography. The purification process includes specific viral inactivation and removal procedures. Rituximab Drug Product is manufactured from bulk Drug Substance manufactured by Genentech, Inc. (US License No. 1048).
Rituxan is a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free liquid concentrate for intravenous (IV) administration. Rituxan is supplied at a concentration of 10 mg/mL in either 100 mg (10 mL) or 500 mg (50 mL) single-use vials. The product is formulated for IV administration in 9 mg/mL sodium chloride, 7.35 mg/mL sodium citrate dihydrate, 0.7 mg/mL polysorbate 80, and Water for Injection. The pH is adjusted to 6.5.
Rituximab binds specifically to the antigen CD20 (human B‑lymphocyte‑restricted differentiation antigen, Bp35), a hydrophobic transmembrane protein with a molecular weight of approximately 35 kD located on pre‑B and mature B lymphocytes. 1, 2 The antigen is also expressed on > 90% of B‑cell non‑Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), 3 but is not found on hematopoietic stem cells, pro‑B‑cells, normal plasma cells or other normal tissues. 4 CD20 regulates an early step(s) in the activation process for cell cycle initiation and differentiation, 4 and possibly functions as a calcium ion channel. 5 CD20 is not shed from the cell surface and does not internalize upon antibody binding.6 Free CD20 antigen is not found in the circulation. 2
B‑cells are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associated chronic synovitis. In this setting, B‑cells may be acting at multiple sites in the autoimmune/inflammatory process, including through production of rheumatoid factor (RF) and other autoantibodies, antigen presentation, T cell activation, and/or pro‑inflammatory cytokine production. 7
Mechanism of Action: The Fab domain of Rituximab binds to the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, and the Fc domain recruits immune effector functions to mediate B‑cell lysis in vitro. Possible mechanisms of cell lysis include complement‑dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) 8 and antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The antibody has been shown to induce apoptosis in the DHL‑4 human B‑cell lymphoma line. 9
Normal Tissue Cross-reactivity: Rituximab binding was observed on lymphoid cells in the thymus, the white pulp of the spleen, and a majority of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood and lymph nodes. Little or no binding was observed in the non-lymphoid tissues examined.
In patients with NHL given single doses at 10, 50, 100, 250 or 500 mg/m2 as an IV infusion, serum levels and the half-life of Rituximab were proportional to dose. 10 In 14 patients given 375 mg/m2 as an IV infusion for 4 weekly doses, the mean serum half-life was 76.3 hours (range, 31.5 to 152.6 hours) after the first infusion and 205.8 hours (range, 83.9 to 407.0 hours); after the fourth infusion. 11, 12, 13 The wide range of half-lives may reflect the variable tumor burden among patients and the changes in CD20‑positive (normal and malignant) B‑cell populations upon repeated administrations.
Rituxan at a dose of 375 mg/m2 was administered as an IV infusion at weekly intervals for 4 doses to 203 patients with NHL naive to Rituxan. 13, 14 The mean Cmax following the fourth infusion was 486µg/mL (range, 77.5 to 996.6 µg/mL). The peak and trough serum levels of Rituximab were inversely correlated with baseline values for the number of circulating CD20‑positive B‑cells and measures of disease burden. Median steady-state serum levels were higher for responders compared with nonresponders; however, no difference was found in the rate of elimination as measured by serum half-life. Serum levels were higher in patients with International Working Formulation (IWF) subtypes B, C, and D as compared with those with subtype A. 11, 14 Rituximab was detectable in the serum of patients 3 to 6 months after completion of treatment.
Rituxan at a dose of 375 mg/m2 was administered as an IV infusion at weekly intervals for 8 doses to 37 patients with NHL. 15 The mean Cmax after 8 infusions was 550 µg/mL (range, 171–1177 µg/mL). The mean Cmax increased with each successive infusion through the eighth infusion (Table 1).
| Infusion Number | Mean Cmax µg/mL | Range µg/mL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 242.6 | 16.1–581.9 |
| 2 | 357.5 | 106.8–948.6 |
| 3 | 381.3 | 110.5–731.2 |
| 4 | 460.0 | 138.0–835.8 |
| 5 | 475.3 | 156.0–929.1 |
| 6 | 515.4 | 152.7–865.2 |
| 7 | 544.6 | 187.0–936.8 |
| 8 | 550.0 | 170.6–1177.0 |
The pharmacokinetic profile of Rituxan when administered as 6 infusions of 375 mg/m2 in combination with 6 cycles of CHOP chemotherapy was similar to that seen with Rituxan alone. 16
Following the administration of 2 doses of Rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the mean Cmax values were 183 mcg/mL (CV=24%) for the 2 × 500 mg dose and 370 mcg/mL (CV=25%) for the 2× 1000 mg dose, respectively. Following 2× 1000 mg Rituximab dose, mean volume of distribution at steady state was 4.3 L (CV=28%). Mean systemic serum clearance of Rituximab was 0.01 L/h (CV=38%), and mean terminal elimination half‑life after the second dose was 19 days (CV=32%).
Gender: The female patients with RA (n=86) had a 37% lower clearance of Rituximab than male patients with RA (n=25). The gender difference in Rituximab clearance does not necessitate any dose adjustment because safety and efficacy of Rituximab do not appear to be influenced by gender.
The pharmacokinetics of Rituximab have not been studied in children and adolescents. No formal studies were conducted to examine the effects of either renal or hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of Rituximab.
Administration of Rituxan resulted in a rapid and sustained depletion of circulating and tissue‑based B‑cells. Lymph node biopsies performed 14 days after therapy showed a decrease in the percentage of B‑cells in seven of eight patients with NHL who had received single doses of Rituximab ≥100 mg/m2.10 Among the 166 patients in the pivotal NHL study, circulating B‑cells (measured as CD19‑positive cells) were depleted within the first three doses with sustained depletion for up to 6 to 9 months post-treatment in 83% of patients. 14 Of the responding patients assessed (n = 80), 1% failed to show significant depletion of CD19‑positive cells after the third infusion of Rituximab as compared to 19% of the nonresponding patients. B‑cell recovery began at approximately 6 months following completion of treatment. Median B‑cell levels returned to normal by 12 months following completion of treatment. 14
There were sustained and statistically significant reductions in both IgM and IgG serum levels observed from 5 through 11 months following Rituximab administration. However, only 14% of patients had reductions in IgM and/or IgG serum levels, resulting in values below the normal range.14
In RA patients, treatment with Rituxan induced depletion of peripheral B lymphocytes, with all patients demonstrating near complete depletion within 2 weeks after receiving the first dose of Rituxan. The majority of patients showed peripheral B‑cell depletion for at least 6 months, followed by subsequent gradual recovery after that timepoint. A small proportion of patients (4%) had prolonged peripheral B‑cell depletion lasting more than 3 years after a single course of treatment.
In RA studies, total serum immunoglobulin levels, IgM, IgG, and IgA were reduced at 6 months with the greatest change observed in IgM. However, mean immunoglobulin levels remained within normal levels over the 24‑week period. Small proportions of patients experienced decreases in IgM (7%), IgG (2%), and IgA (1%) levels below the lower limit of normal. The clinical consequences of decreases in immunoglobulin levels in RA patients treated with Rituxan are unclear.
Treatment with Rituximab in patients with RA was associated with reduction of certain biologic markers of inflammation such as interleukin-6 (IL 6), C‑reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein (SAA), S100 A8/S100 A9 heterodimer complex (S100 A8/9), anti‑citrullinated peptide (anti‑CCP) and RF.
Rituxan regimens tested include treatment weekly for 4 doses and treatment weekly for 8 doses. Results for studies with a collective enrollment of 296 patients are summarized below (Table 2):
| Study 1 Weekly× 4 N = 166 | Study 2 Weekly× 8 N = 37 | Study 1 and Study 3 Bulky disease, Weekly× 4 N = 39 | Study 3 Retreatment, Weekly × 4 N = 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Response Rate | 48% | 57% | 36% | 38% |
| Complete Response Rate | 6% | 14% | 3% | 10% |
| Median Duration Of
Response (Months) [Range] | 11.2 [1.9 to 42.1+] | 13.4 [2.5 to 36.5+] | 6.9 [2.8 to 25.0+] | 15.0 [3.0 to 25.1+] |
The safety and effectiveness of Rituxan were evaluated in three, randomized, active‑controlled, open‑label, multicenter studies with a collective enrollment of 1854 patients. Patients with previously untreated diffuse large B‑cell NHL received Rituxan in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline‑based chemotherapy regimens.
None.
(See BOXED WARNINGS)
(see BOXED WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS)
Rituxan has caused severe infusion reactions. In some cases, these reactions were fatal. These severe reactions typically occurred during the first infusion with time to onset of 30–120 minutes. Signs and symptoms of severe infusion reactions may include urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, hypoxia, or bronchospasm, and may require interruption of Rituxan administration. The most severe manifestations and sequelae include pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, and anaphylactic and anaphylactoid events. In the reported cases, the following factors were more frequently associated with fatal outcomes: female gender, pulmonary infiltrates, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia or mantle cell lymphoma.
The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following Rituxan therapy has not been studied and vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended. The ability to generate a primary or anamnestic humoral response to vaccination is currently being studied.
Physicians should review the vaccination status of patients with RA being considered for Rituxan treatment and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for adult vaccination with non-live vaccines untended to prevent infectious disease, prior to therapy. For patients with NHL, the benefits of primary and/or booster vaccinations should be weighted against the risks of delay in initiation of Rituxan therapy.
There has been no experience with overdosage in human clinical trials. Single doses of up to 500 mg/m2 have been given in dose‑escalation clinical trials. 10
The recommended dose of Rituxan is 375 mg/m2 IV infusion once weekly for 4 or 8 doses.
DO NOT ADMINISTER AS AN INTRAVENOUS PUSH OR BOLUS
Infusion reactions may occur (see BOXED WARNINGS,WARNINGS, andADVERSE REACTIONS). Premedication consisting of acetaminophen and an antihistamine should be considered before each infusion of Rituxan. Premedication may attenuate infusion reactions. Since transient hypotension may occur during Rituxan infusion, consideration should be given to withholding antihypertensive medications 12 hours prior to Rituxan infusion.
Rituxan® (Rituximab) is supplied as 100 mg and 500 mg of sterile, preservative-free, single-use vials.
Single unit 100 mg carton: Contains one 10 mL vial of Rituxan (10 mg/mL).
NDC 50242‑051‑21
Single unit 500 mg carton: Contains one 50 mL vial of Rituxan (10 mg/mL).
NDC 50242‑053‑06
Jointly Marketed by: Biogen Idec Inc., and Genentech, Inc.
Rituxan®
(Rituximab)
Manufactured by: 4835500
Genentech, Inc.
1 DNA Way
South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990
Initial US Approval November 26, 1997
Revision Date February 21, 2007
©2007 Biogen Idec, Inc. and Genentech,
Inc.
Rituxan®
(ri-tuk'-san)
(Rituximab)
Read this patient information leaflet when you have been prescribed Rituxan and each time you are scheduled to receive a Rituxan infusion. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your treatment with Rituxan.
What is the most important safety information I should know about Rituxan?
Rituxan can cause the following serious side effects, some of which could be life-threatening:
Also, see “What are possible side-effects with Rituxan?” for other serious side effects, some of which could be life-threatening.
What is Rituxan?
Rituxan is a biologic medicine used in adults:
Rituxan has not been studied in children.
How does Rituxan work?
Rituxan works by getting rid of certain B‑cells in the blood. B‑cells are a type of white blood cell found in the blood. B‑cells usually help the body fight infection. B‑cells play an important role in diseases such as NHL and RA. Rituxan may also get rid of healthy B‑cells and this can give you a higher chance for getting infections.
Who should not receive
Rituxan?
Do not receive Rituxan if you ever had an allergic reaction to Rituxan
What should I tell my doctor
before treatment with Rituxan?
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your doctor about all the other medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. If you have RA, tell your doctor if you are taking or took another biologic medicine called a TNF inhibitor or a DMARD (disease modifying anti‑rheumatic drug).
How do I receive Rituxan?
What are possible side effects with Rituxan?
Rituxan can cause the following serious side effects, some of which could be life-threatening side effects, including (See “What is the most important safety information I should know about Rituxan?”)
Other serious side effects with Rituxan include:
Common side effects with Rituxan include:
Fever, chills, shakes, itching, hives, sneezing, swelling, throat irritation or tightness, and cough. These usually occur within 24 hours after the first infusion. Other common side effects include headache, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and aching joints. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse.
What if I still have questions?
If you have any questions about Rituxan or your health, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the Rituxan internet sites at www.Rituxan.com or the companies’ internet sites at www.Gene.com or www.Biogenidec.com or call 1‑877‑4‑Rituxan (877‑474‑8892).
Jointly Marketed by: Biogen Idec Inc. and Genentech, Inc.
Manufactured by:
Genentech, Inc.
1 DNA Way
South San Francisco, CA
94080-4990
©2007 Biogen Idec Inc. and Genentech, Inc.
Patient Information Approval February 21, 2007