Donate to the Palestine's children, safe the people of Gaza.  >>>Donate Link...... Your contribution will help to save the life of Gaza people, who trapped in war conflict & urgently needed food, water, health care and more.

Bendamustine – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Bendamustine Hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of bendamustine, a bifunctional mechlorethamine derivative with alkylator and antimetabolite activities. Bendamustine possesses three active moieties: an alkylating group; a benzimidazole ring, which may act as a purine analogue; and a butyric acid side chain. Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown this agent appears to act primarily as an alkylator. Bendamustine metabolites alkylate and crosslink macromolecules, resulting in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis inhibition, and, subsequently, apoptosis. Bendamustine may differ from other alkylators in that it may be more potent in activating p53-dependent stress pathways and inducing apoptosis; it may induce mitotic catastrophe; and it may activate a base excision DNA repair pathway rather than an alkyltransferase DNA repair mechanism. Accordingly, this agent may be more efficacious and less susceptible to drug resistance than other alkylators.

Mechanism of Action

Bendamustine is a bifunctional mechlorethamine derivative capable of forming electrophilic alkyl groups that covalently bond to other molecules. Through this function as an alkylating agent, bendamustine causes intra- and inter-strand crosslinks between DNA bases resulting in cell death. It is active against both active and quiescent cells, although the exact mechanism of action is unknown.

Multiple myeloma is a fatal hematological disease caused by the malignant transformation of plasma cells. Bendamustine has been proven to be a potent alternative to melphalan in phase 3 studies, yet its molecular mode of action is still poorly understood. The four-myeloma cell lines NCI-H929, OPM-2, RPMI-8226, and U266 were cultured in vitro. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry after annexin V FITC and propidium iodide staining. The cell cycle distribution of cells was determined by DNA staining with propidium iodide. Intracellular levels of (phosphorylated) proteins were determined by western blot. /It was shown/ that bendamustine induces apoptosis with an IC50 of 35-65 mg/ml and with cleavage of caspase 3. Incubation with 10-30 mg/ml results in G2 cell cycle arrest in all four-cell lines. The primary DNA-damage signaling kinases ATM and Chk2, but not ATR and Chk1, are activated. The Chk2 substrate Cdc25A phosphatase is degraded and Cdc2 is inhibited by inhibitory phosphorylation of Tyr15 accompanied by increased cyclin B levels. Additionally, p53 activation occurs as phosphorylation of Ser15, the phosphorylation site for ATM. p53 promotes Cdc2 inhibition by upregulation of p21. Targeting of p38 MAPK by the selective inhibitor SB202190 significantly increases bendamustine-induced apoptosis. Additionally, SB202190 completely abrogates G2 cell cycle arrest. Bendamustine induces ATM-Chk2-Cdc2-mediated G2 arrest and p53-mediated apoptosis. Inhibition of p38 MAPK augments apoptosis and abrogates G2 arrest and can be considered a new therapeutic strategy in combination with bendamustine.

Indications

  • Bendamustine is indicated for use in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and indolent B-cell non-Ho
  • Bendamustine is a parenterally administered alkylating agent used alone and in combination with other antineoplastic agents in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and refractory forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • B-cellnon-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is indolent (slow-growing) and got worse during or within 6 months after treatment with rituximab.
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
  • Bendamustine hydrochloride is used for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is designated an orphan drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in this condition.
  • Bendamustine administered as monotherapy is active in rituximab-refractory indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, predominantly in patients with nontransformed or with sensitive disease characteristics. Therefore, bendamustine may be considered a reasonable choice for rituximab-refractory, indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; bendamustine may also may be considered an alternative in patients who are not candidates for radioimmunotherapy due to either patient selection (i.e., a clinical contraindication) or accessibility issues.
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
  • Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Refractory
  • Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
  • Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM)
  • Recurrent multiple myeloma
  • Refractory indolent B cell non-hodgkin lymphoma

Use in Cancer

Bendamustine hydrochloride is approved to treat:

Bendamustine hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Contraindications

  • are allergic to bendamustine hydrochloride or any ingredients of this medication, including mannitol
  • a bad infection
  • malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer
  • dehydration
  • high levels of potassium in the blood
  • anemia
  • decreased blood platelets
  • low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils
  • abnormal liver function tests
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • tobacco smoking
  • progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a type of brain infection

Dosage

Strengths: 25 mg/mL; 25 mg; 100 mg; 90 mg/mL

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

  • 100 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 2 of a 28-day cycle
  • Duration of Therapy: Up to 6 cycles
  • Administer this drug via IV infusion over 30 minutes; consult the manufacturer’s product information for a specific IV infusion time period.
  • Efficacy of this drug relative to first-line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established.
  • This drug is available in two formulations, a solution and a lyophilized powder; do not mix or combine the two formulations.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

  • 120 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 2 of a 21-day cycle
  • Duration of Therapy: Up to 8 cycles
  • Administer this drug via IV infusion over 60 minutes; consult the manufacturer product information for specific IV infusion time period.
  • This drug is available in two formulations, a solution and a lyophilized powder; do not mix or combine the two formulations.

Renal Dose Adjustments

  • Mild to Moderate Renal Dysfunction: Use with caution.
  • Severe Renal Dysfunction (CrCl less than 30 mL/min): Not recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

  • Mild Liver Dysfunction: Use with caution.
  • Moderate Liver Dysfunction (AST or ALT 2.5 to 10 x Upper Limit of Normal and Total Bilirubin 1.5 to 3 x ULN): Not recommended.
  • Severe Liver Dysfunction (Total Bilirubin greater than 3 x ULN): Not recommended.

Dose Adjustments

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL):

  • Grade 4 Hematologic Toxicity or Clinically Significant Grade 2 or Greater Non-Hematologic Toxicity: Delay treatment; reinitiate therapy at a physician’s discretion once non-hematologic toxicity has recovered to Grade 1 or less and/or absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 1 x 10(9)/L or greater and platelets 75 x 10(9)/L or greater; dose reduction may be warranted.

CLL:
Grade 3 or Greater Hematologic Toxicity: Reduce dose to 50 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle.

  • If Grade 3 or greater toxicity recurs, reduce dose to 25 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle.
  • Dose re-escalation in subsequent cycles may be considered per physician discretion.

Clinically Significant Grade 3 or Greater Non-Hematologic Toxicity: Reduce dose to 50 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle.

  • Dose re-escalation in subsequent cycles may be considered per physician discretion.

NHL:
Grade 4 Hematologic Toxicity or Grade 3 or Greater Non-Hematologic Toxicity: Reduce dose to 90 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle.

  • If Grade 4 hematologic or Grade 3 or greater non-hematologic toxicity recurs, reduce dose to 60 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • heartburn
  • constipation
  • stomach pain or swelling
  • sores or white patches in the mouth
  • dry mouth
  • bad taste in the mouth or difficulty tasting food
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • headache
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • back, bone, joint, arm or leg pain
  • dry skin
  • sweating
  • night sweats

More common

  • pain in the place where the medication was injected
  • hives
  • rash
  • itching
  • blistering or peeling skin
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • fast heartbeat
  • excessive tiredness or weakness
  • pale skin
  • fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
  • nausea; vomiting; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or light colored stool; tenderness on the right upper side of the stomach

Rare

  • dehydration (thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, less urine output)
  • difficulty breathing
  • fever (over 38°C, or as instructed by your physician or clinic)
  • lumps or discoloured patches on the skin
  • signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
  • signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
  • signs of increased uric acid in the body (gout; e.g., joint pain, swelling and warmth of joints)
  • signs of heart problems (e.g., fast, irregular heartbeat or pulse, chest pain, sudden weight gain, difficulty breathing, leg swelling)
  • signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine, change of urine colour)
  • signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
  • skin growths or changes to existing skin growths or sores
  • skin rash
  • symptoms of extravasation (leakage of drug from the veins; redness, pain, swelling or infection at the site of infusion)
  • symptoms of an infection such as fever, chills, or painful and difficult urination
  • symptoms of a new cancer (e.g., weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, loss of appetite, coughing up blood, persistent cough, fever, frequent infections, bone pain)
  • symptoms of irregular heartbeat (e.g., chest pain, dizziness, rapid, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath)
  • symptoms of low potassium levels in the blood (e.g., weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat)
  • symptoms of a lung infection (e.g., shortness of breath, cough, chest pain)
  • symptoms of scarring of the lung (e.g., shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, infection)
  • symptoms of severely increased blood pressure (e.g., chest pain, blurred vision, dizziness, excessive tiredness, headache, stronger or faster heart beat)

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools, spitting up of blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
  • signs of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating)
  • symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the eyelids, throat, and mouth
  • signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort
  • symptoms of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) (e.g., memory loss, trouble thinking, difficulty walking, loss of sight)
  • symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome (e.g., producing less urine, cloudy urine, kidney problems, muscle spasms, nausea, shortness of breath)

Bendamustine therapy is associated with minor transient serum enzyme elevations during treatment and to rare instances of clinically apparent liver injury, with jaundice generally arising as a part of a generalized hypersensitivity syndrome. Bendamustine also has potent immunosuppressive activity and can cause reactivation of chronic hepatitis B that can be severe and even fatal.

Drug Interaction

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy category D

Pregnancy

There is a possibility of birth defects if either the man or woman is taking bendamustine at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Use effective birth control starting 2 weeks before receiving this medication and for at least 4 weeks after receiving your last dose. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Lactation

No information is available on the use of bendamustine during breastfeeding. Most sources consider breastfeeding to be contraindicated during maternal antineoplastic drug therapy, especially alkylating agents such as bendamustine.[1] Based on the half-life of the drug and its metabolites, the drug should be eliminated from the milk by 24 to 48 hours after the last dose. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during bendamustine therapy and for at least 1 week after the last dose.

How should this medicine be used?

For chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the usual adult dose is 100 mg per square metre of body surface area. It is given intravenously (directly into a vein) over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 2 of a 28-day cycle, up to 6 cycles.

For non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the usual dose is 120 mg per square metre of body surface area. It is given intravenously (directly into a vein) over 60 minutes of Days 1 and 2 of a 21-day cycle, up to 8 cycles.

Bendamustine comes as a solution (liquid) or as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein) over 10 minutes or infused intravenously over 30 or 60 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient clinic. When bendamustine injection is used to treat CLL, it is usually injected once a day for 2 days, followed by 26 days when the medication is not given. This treatment period is called a cycle, and the cycle may be repeated every 28 days for as long as 6 cycles. When bendamustine injection is used to treat NHL, it is usually injected once a day for 2 days, followed by 19 days when the medication is not given. This treatment cycle may be repeated every 21 days for up to 8 cycles.

Your doctor may need to delay your treatment and adjust your dose if you experience certain side effects. Your doctor may also give you other medication(s) to prevent or treat certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with bendamustine injection.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving bendamustine injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bendamustine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in bendamustine injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: ciprofloxacin (Cipro), fluvoxamine (Luvox, and omeprazole (Prilosec). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may interact with bendamustine, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had cytomegalovirus infection (CMV; a viral infection that may cause symptoms in patients with weak immune systems), hepatitis B virus infection (HBV; an ongoing liver infection), tuberculosis (TB; a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body), herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past), or kidney or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are receiving bendamustine injection. You should use birth control to prevent pregnancy in yourself or your partner during your treatment with bendamustine injection and for 3 months afterwards. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner becomes pregnant while receiving bendamustine injection, call your doctor. Bendamustine injection can harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with bendamustine.
  • you should know that bendamustine injection may make you tired. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
  • tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.

Low red blood cell count: This medication can reduce the number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells help provide oxygen to different tissues in the body. Tell your doctor of any signs that your red blood cell count is low. Such symptoms may include feeling unusually tired, decreased levels of alertness, loss of appetite, paler-than-normal skin, trouble breathing, or rapid heartbeat.

Blood clotting: This medication can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won’t stop bleeding.

Blood pressure: Bendamustine can cause increased blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure or are taking medications to control blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Extravasation: When bendamustine leaks into tissue surrounding a vein, symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain can occur around the place of injection. This is called extravasation. If you develop symptoms of extravasation, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.

Heart problems: Bendamustine can cause heart problems such as heart failure, chest pain, heart attack, and abnormal heart rhythms. If you have heart problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people who have contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection such as fever or chills.

Infertility: Men treated with bendamustine may develop infertility that may last for several years after stopping treatment. Talk to your doctor about infertility management options.

Infusion reaction: When bendamustine is given, you may experience an infusion reaction (fever, chills, skin rash or itchiness). If you experience an infusion reaction, your doctor may prescribe medications (e.g., antihistamines, acetaminophen, corticosteroids) to be given before future infusions to prevent another reaction.

Kidney problems: If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver problems: Bendamustine can affect your liver function. If you have severe liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): There have been reports of PML after using bendamustine. PML is a rare disorder that causes nerve damage in the brain. If you experience memory loss, vision changes, trouble thinking, personality changes or difficulty walking, contact your doctor immediately.

Secondary cancer: This medication can increase the risk of developing leukemia, lung cancer, or certain types of skin cancer. If you are concerned about this, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

Surgery: If you need surgery, tell your doctor or anesthetist that you are taking this medication.

Tumour lysis syndrome: Bendamustine, like many other cancer medications, causes many cancer cells to be suddenly killed when treatment is first started. This can overwhelm the body with waste products from the cells. As a result, the body may not be able to keep up with getting rid of all the waste. When this happens, you may have nausea, shortness of breath, cloudy urine, or joint pain. This is called tumour lysis syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe some medications to help your body get rid of the waste products. Make sure you understand how to use these medications and report any of these signs or symptoms to your doctor immediately.

References

  1. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bendamustine
  2. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bendamustine-hydrochloride
  3. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608034.html
  4. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB06769
  5. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/bendamustine.html
  6. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-150260/bendamustine-intravenous/details/list-contraindications
  7. https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/treanda
  8. ChemIDplus Chemical Information Classification
  9. CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Chemical Lists
  10. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  11. LICENSE
    Data: CC-BY 4.0; Code (hosted by ECI, LCSB): Artistic-2.0
    NORMAN Suspect List Exchange Classification
  12. PubChem
  13. BENDAMUSTIN;4-[6-BIS-(CHLOROETHYL)-AMINO-3-METHYLBENZIMIDAZOLYL-(2)]-BUTYRIC-ACID
    YTKUWDBFDASYHO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  14. Bendamustine Hydrochloride
    Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  15. LICENSE
    Academic users may freely use the KEGG website. Non-academic use of KEGG generally requires a commercial license
    Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification
  16. NCBI

To Get Daily Health Newsletter

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Download Mobile Apps
Follow us on Social Media
© 2012 - 2025; All rights reserved by authors. Powered by Mediarx International LTD, a subsidiary company of Rx Foundation.
RxHarun
Logo