Fludarabine – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Mechanism of Action

Fludarabine phosphate is rapidly dephosphorylated to 2-fluoro-ara-A and then phosphorylated intracellularly by deoxycytidine kinase to the active triphosphate2-fluoro-ara-ATP. This metabolite appears to act by inhibiting DNA polymerase alpha, ribonucleotide reductase and DNA primase, thus inhibiting DNA synthesis. The mechanism of action of this antimetabolite is not completely characterized and may be multi-faceted. Fluorinated adenine analog causes inhibition of DNA synthesis by inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase & DNA polymerase.

Fludarabine is a purine antimetabolite. Activity occurs as the result of activation to 2-fluoro-ara-ATP and includes inhibition of DNA synthesis (primarily in the S-phase of cell division by inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase and the DNA polymerases. It is also postulated that fludarabine interferes with RNA by decreased incorporation of uridine and leucine into RNA and protein, respectively. Fludarabine is also active against non-proliferating cells.
or

This review establishes the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the major nucleoside analogs with cytotoxic activity. Cytarabinepentostatin, fludarabine, cladribine & gemcitabine are all prodrugs whose plasma pharmacokinetics do not fully reflect their therapeutic activity; after cellular uptake, these compounds undergo phosphorylation by deoxycytidine kinase before their incorporation into DNA results in cell death. Cytarabine is principally active in the S phase of the cell cycle & is most toxic to replicating cells, whereas pentostatin, fludarabine & cladribine are incorporated into DNA during the process in which strand breaks are repaired & are therefore cytotoxic to slowly replicating cells (although the action of pentostatin results from its inhibition of adenosine deaminase). Gemcitabine is unusual in being highly metabolized in solid tumor cells. The cytotoxic activity of pentostatin, fludarabine and cladribine against the clonal cells of lymphoproliferative disorders is accompanied by damage to normal lymphoid cells, which results in significant & long-lasting immunosuppression. Useful interactions between nucleoside analogs have been defined. Cells that are primed by exposure to fludarabine or cladribine exhibit enhanced accumulation of cytarabine triphosphate (the cytotoxic nucleotide of cytarabine) & an improved therapeutic effect against acute myeloid leukemia & chronic lymphocytic leukemia can be achieved by clinical schedules that exploit this effect. Combinations of alkylating agents & fludarabine or cladribine are also synergistic in producing significantly enhanced activity against refractory lymphoid malignancies, but at the cost of increased hematological toxicity. Developments in the clinical admin of gemcitabine are concentrating on efforts to extend the duration of exposure to the drug as a means of counteracting its rapid catabolism in circulation. Future developments with this group of agents will further explore the use of fludarabine-based combination therapies to produce a transient period of myelosuppression & immunosuppression that is sufficient to permit the engraftment of allogeneic hemopoietic stem cells & also exploit the immunological benefits of graft-versus-tumor reactions. In addition, the clinical spectrum of activity of gemcitabine is also being extended by combining the drug with other active chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, & by early studies of its role as a radiosensitizer.

Indications

  • For the treatment of adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have not responded to or whose disease has progressed during treatment with at least one standard alkylating-agent-containing regimen
  • Fludarabine is a purine analog and antineoplastic agent used in the therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in immunosuppressive regimens in preparation for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).
  • Fludarabine phosphate is approved to treat: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is used in adults with B-cell CLL that did not respond to or that got worse during or after treatment with standard therapy. Fludarabine phosphate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
  • Fludarabine is indicated for the treatment of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have not responded to or whose disease has progressed during treatment with at least one standard alkylating agent-containing regimen.
  • Fludarabine is indicated for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
  • Fludarabine phosphate is a purine analog now commonly used in the treatment of low-grade lymphoid malignancies.
  • For the treatment of adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have not responded to or whose disease has progressed during treatment with at least one standard alkylating-agent-containing regimen; the safety and effectiveness of this drug in previously untreated or non-refractory patients with CLL have not been established.
  • B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • prolymphocytic leukemia
  • small lymphocytic lymphoma refractory
  • Refractory Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Use in Cancer

Fludarabine phosphate is approved to treat:

Fludarabine phosphate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity, Concomitant pentostatin: risk of fatal pulmonary toxicity, Severe renal impairment.
  • a bacterial infection
  • shingles
  • an infection due to a fungus
  • a bad infection
  • destruction of red blood cells by body’s own antibodies
  • acquired hemolytic anemia, an anemia due to destruction of red cells
  • a type of blood disorder with a decrease in all types of blood cells called pancytopenia
  • decreased function of bone marrow
  • anemia
  • low platelet count and bleeding from immune response
  • low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils
  • confusion
  • sudden blindness and pain upon moving the eye
  • optic neuropathy, a disease of the optic nerve
  • abnormal heart rhythm
  • sudden and serious symptoms of heart failure called acute decompensated heart failure
  • inflammation in the lungs due to an allergic reaction
  • a type of inflammation of the lung called interstitial pneumonitis
  • uric acid kidney stones
  • severe renal impairment
  • mild to moderate kidney impairment
  • coma
  • seizures
  • visible water retention
  • abnormal liver function tests
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • a low platelet count due to an autoimmune reaction
  • progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a type of brain infection
  • acquired factor VIII deficiency disease
  • Evans syndrome, an autoimmune condition affecting blood cel

Dosage

Strengths: 10 mg; 25 mg/mL; 50 mg

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

  • 25 mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes for 5 days every 28 days; following a maximal tumor response, 3 additional cycles are recommended
  • The optimal duration of treatment has not been clearly established.
  • The dose may be decreased or delayed for hematologic or nonhematologic toxicity.
  • Physicians should consider delaying or discontinuing the drug if neurotoxicity occurs.

US BOXED WARNINGS:

  • This drug should be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic therapy.
  • This drug can severely suppress bone marrow function.
  • When used at high doses in dose-ranging studies in patients with acute leukemia it was associated with severe neurologic effects, including blindness, coma, and death. This severe central nervous system toxicity occurred in 36% of patients treated with doses approximately 4 times greater (96 mg/m2/day for 5 to 7 days) than the recommended dose. Similar severe central nervous system toxicity, including coma, seizures, agitation, and confusion have been reported in patients treated at doses in the range of the dose recommended for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
  • Instances of life-threatening and sometimes fatal autoimmune phenomena (e.g., hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenia/thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Evan’s syndrome, acquired hemophilia) have been reported after one or more cycles of therapy. Patients should be monitored for hemolysis.

Administration advice:

  • Caution should be exercised in the handling and preparation of this drug.
  • The use of latex gloves and safety glasses is recommended to avoid exposure in case of breakage of the vial or other accidental spillage.
  • If the solution contacts the skin or mucous membranes, wash thoroughly with soap and water; rinse your eyes thoroughly with plain water.
  • Avoid exposure by inhalation or by direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • Abdominal pain
  • increased sweating
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • mouth sores
  • hair loss
  • numbness, burning, pain, or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
  • muscle or joint pain
  • headache
  • depression
  • sleep problems
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • hearing loss
  • pain along the side of the body
  • swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • rash
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • peeling or blistering skin

More common

  • Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • body aches or pain
  • burning or stinging of the skin
  • chest pain
  • cough or hoarseness
  • cough producing mucus
  • diarrhea
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • difficulty in breathing
  • ear congestion
  • fever or chills
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • headache
  • joint pain
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle aches and pains
  • nasal congestion
  • nausea
  • painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
  • painful or difficult urination
  • rapid weight gain
  • runny nose
  • shivering
  • shortness of breath
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • stuffy nose
  • sweating
  • tightness in the chest
  • tingling of hands or feet
  • trouble sleeping
  • troubled breathing
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusual weight gain or loss
  • vomiting
  • wheezing

Rare

  • Bladder pain
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • Back pain
  • bloody, black, or tarry stools
  • blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • convulsions
  • coughing up blood
  • difficult or fast breathing
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • high fever
  • irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  • pale skin
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • swollen glands
  • unexplained bleeding or bruising
  • unusual bleeding or bruising

Drug Interactions

Pregnancy and Lactation

FDA Pregnancy Category D

AU TGA pregnancy category: D

Pregnancy

Based on its mechanism of action this drug can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Adequate methods of contraception should be encouraged. Women of childbearing potential and fertile males should take contraceptive measures during therapy and at for at least 6 months after. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus.

Lactation

It is not known whether fludarabine phosphate is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions including tumorigenicity in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Other uses for this medicine

Fludarabine injection is also sometimes used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL; cancer that begins in a type of white blood cell that normally fights infection) and mycosis fungoides (a type of lymphoma that affects the skin). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving fludarabine injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fludarabine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in fludarabine injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medication listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or cytarabine (Cytosar-U, DepoCyt). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.Also tell your doctor about all the other chemotherapy medications you have received and if you have ever been treated with radiation therapy (cancer treatment that uses waves of high energy particles to kill cancer cells). Before you receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the future, tell your doctor that you have been treated with fludarabine.
  • you should know that fludarabine injection may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you should not assume that you or your partner cannot become pregnant. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you should tell your doctor before you begin receiving this medication. You should not plan to have children while receiving fludarabine injection or for at least 6 months after treatments. Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy during this time. Talk to your doctor for further details. Fludarabine injection may harm the fetus.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving fludarabine injection.
  • you should know that fludarabine injection may cause tiredness, weakness, confusion, agitation, seizures, and vision changes. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
  • talk to your doctor before you receive any vaccinations during your treatment with fludarabine injection.
  • you should know that you may develop a serious or life-threatening reaction if you need to receive a blood transfusion during your treatment with fludarabine injection or at any time after your treatment. Be sure to tell your doctor that you are receiving or have received fludarabine injection before you receive a blood transfusion.

References

  1. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020038s032lbl.pdf
  2. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/fludarabinephosphate
  3. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Fludarabine
  4. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Fludarabine-phosphate
  5. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/fludarabine-injection.html
  6. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01073
  7. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/fludarabine-injection.html
  8. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692003.html
  9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fludarabine
  10. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8784/fludarabine-intravenous/details/list-contraindications
  11. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/fludarabine-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20072542
  12. CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Chemical Lists
  13. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  14. Guide to Pharmacology Target Classification
  15. NORMAN Suspect List Exchange Classification
  16. PubChem
  17. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification
    Target-based classification of drugs
  18. NCBI

h

      RxHarun
      Logo