Midostaurin – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Indications

  • Investigated for use/treatment in adult patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are FLT3 mutation-positive, aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), systemic mastocytosis with associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN), or mast cell leukemia (MCL).
  • Midostaurin is an antineoplastic agent used to treat high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with specific mutations, aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), systemic mastocytosis with associated hematologic neoplasm (SM-AHN), or mast cell leukemia (MCL).
  • Rydapt is indicated: in combination with standard daunorubicin and cytarabine induction and high dose cytarabine consolidation chemotherapy, and for patients in complete response followed by Rydapt single agent maintenance therapy, for adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are FLT3 mutation-positive as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), systemic mastocytosis with associated hematological neoplasm (SM AHN), or mast cell leukemia (MCL).
  • Midostaurin is an orally available small molecule inhibitor of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) which is used as an antineoplastic agent in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with FLT3 mutations.
  • In combination with standard cytarabine and daunorubicin induction and cytarabine consolidation
    chemotherapy, for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are FLT3
    mutation-positive, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  • Aggressive Systemic Mastocytosis
  • Mast Cell Leukemia (MCL)
  • Systemic Mastocytosis

Use in Cancer

Midostaurin is approved to treat:

  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is used with cytarabine and daunorubicin hydrochloride in newly diagnosed adults whose cancer has a mutation in the FLT3 gene.
  • Aggressive systemic mastocytosissystemic mastocytosis with associated hematologic neoplasm (SM-AHN), or mast cell leukemia in adults.

Midostaurin is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

Contraindications

  • abnormal EKG with QT changes from birth
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • lung tissue problem

Dosage

Strengths: 25 mg

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • 50 mg orally twice a day at approximately 12-hour intervals on Days 8 to 21 of each cycle of induction AND on Days 8 to 21 of each cycle of consolidation.
  • This drug is not indicated as single-agent induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.
  • Information on FDA-approved tests for the detection of FLT3 mutation in AML is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics

Systemic Mastocytosis

  • 100 mg orally twice a day at approximately 12-hour intervals
  • Monitor for toxicity at least weekly for the first 4 weeks, every other week for the next 8 weeks, and monthly thereafter while on treatment.
  • Treatment should be continued until the disease progresses or has unacceptable toxicity.
  • For the treatment of adult patients with aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), systemic mastocytosis with associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN), or mast cell leukemia (MCL)

Leukemia

  • 100 mg orally twice a day at approximately 12-hour intervals
  • Monitor for toxicity at least weekly for the first 4 weeks, every other week for the next 8 weeks, and monthly thereafter while on treatment.
  • Treatment should be continued until the disease progresses or has unacceptable toxicity.
  • For the treatment of adult patients with aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), systemic mastocytosis with associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN), or mast cell leukemia (MCL)

Dose Adjustments

FOR PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC MASTOCYTOSIS:

ABSOLUTE NEUTROPHIL COUNT (ANC) LESS THAN 1 x 10(9)/L WITHOUT MCL OR ANC LESS THAN 0.5 x 10(9)/L WITH BASELINE ANC VALUE of 0.5 to 1.5 x 10(9)/L:

  • Interrupt treatment until ANC 1 x 10(9)/L or greater, then resume treatment at 50 mg twice a day; increase to 100 mg twice a day if tolerated.
  • Discontinue treatment if low ANC persists for more than 21 days and is suspected to be drug-related.

PLATELET COUNT LESS THAN 50 X 10(9)/L WITHOUT MCL OR PLATELET COUNT LESS THAN 25 x 10(9)/L WITH BASELINE PLATELET COUNT of 25 to 75 x 10(9)/L:

  • Interrupt treatment until platelet count 50 x 10(9)/L or greater, then resume treatment at 50 mg twice a day; increase to 100 mg twice a day if tolerated.
  • Discontinue treatment if low platelet count persists for more than 21 days and is suspected to be drug-related.

HEMOGLOBIN LESS THAN 8 g/L WITHOUT MCL OR LIFE-THREATENING ANEMIA WITH BASELINE HEMOGLOBIN VALUE of 8 to 10 g/L:

  • Interrupt treatment until hemoglobin 8 g/L or greater, then resume treatment at 50 mg twice a day; increase to 100 mg twice a day if tolerated.
  • Discontinue treatment if low hemoglobin persists for more than 21 days and is suspected to be drug-related.

GRADE 3/4 NAUSEA AND/OR VOMITING DESPITE OPTIMAL ANTI-EMETIC THERAPY: Interrupt treatment for 3 days (6 doses), then resume treatment at 50 mg twice a day; increase to 100 mg twice a day if tolerated.

OTHER GRADE 3/4 NON-HEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITIES: Interrupt treatment until the event has resolved to Grade 2 or less, then resume treatment at 50 mg twice a day; increase to 100 mg twice a day if tolerated.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • nosebleeds
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • constipation
  • hemorrhoids
  • increased sweating
  • stomach pain
  • white patches or sores on the lips or in the mouth and throat
  • swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • back, bone, joint, limb, or muscle pain
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • fever, cough, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
  • rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • flushing
  • swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • hives
  • rash
  • itching
  • new or worsening cough
  • wheezing
  • vomiting blood or vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • burning or pain when urinating

More common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • bloody urine
  • body aches or pain
  • bone, joint, or muscle pain
  • chest pain or tightness
  • cough
  • decreased frequency or amount of urine
  • dizziness
  • ear congestion
  • fever or chills
  • headache
  • increased thirst
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • stomach pain
  • swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
  • trouble breathing
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • weight gain

Rare

  • Chills
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • thickening of bronchial secretions
  • Bloody nose
  • blurred vision
  • cracked lips
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  • difficulty with moving
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dry mouth
  • flushed, dry skin
  • fruit-like breath odor
  • headache
  • increased hunger
  • increased sweating
  • increased thirst
  • increased urination
  • muscle stiffness
  • small red or purple spots on the skin
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
  • sweating
  • trouble sleeping
  • unexplained weight loss

Drug Interactions

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Avoid St. John’s Wort. This herb induces the CYP3A4 metabolism of midostaurin and may reduce its serum concentration.
  • Exercise caution with grapefruit products. Grapefruit inhibits the CYP3A4 metabolism of midostaurin, which may increase its serum concentration.
  • Take with food. Taking midostaurin with food increases the AUC, but it also prolongs the Tmax and reduces Cmax.

Pregnancy and Lactations

AU TGA pregnancy category: D
US FDA pregnancy category: Not Assigned

Pregnancy

Lactation

No information is available on the clinical use of midostaurin during breastfeeding. Because midostaurin and its active metabolites are 99.8% bound to plasma proteins, the amount in milk is likely to be low. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during midostaurin therapy and for at least 4 months after the last dose. Avoiding breastfeeding is particularly important when midostaurin is given with other cancer chemotherapy agents.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Midostaurin is used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat certain types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Midostaurin is also used to certain types of mastocytosis (a blood disorder in which there are too many mast cells [a certain kind of white blood cell]). Midostaurin is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of mast and cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?

Midostaurin comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food twice a day. Take midostaurin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take midostaurin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the capsules whole; do not open or crush them.

If you vomit after taking midostaurin, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.

Your doctor may decrease your dose of midostaurin or tell you to stop taking midostaurin for a period of time or permanently during your treatment. This depends on the side effects you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Continue to take midostaurin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking midostaurin without talking to your doctor.

Your doctor may tell you to take medication to prevent nausea and vomiting before each dose of midostaurin.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking midostaurin,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to midostaurin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in midostaurin capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: boceprevir (no longer available in the U.S.; Victrelis); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac, others); enzalutamide (Xtandi); idelalisib (Zydelig); itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox); ketoconazole (Nizoral); medications used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as cobicistat (Tybost, in Evotaz, in Genvoya, in Prezcobix, in Stribild), elvitegravir (Vitekta), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra, in Technivie, in Viekira), saquinavir (Invirase) and tipranavir (Aptivus); mitotane (Lysodren); nefazodone; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); posaconazole (Noxafil); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); troleandomycin (not available in the U.S.); and voriconazole (Vfend). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with midostaurin, 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 what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat, QT prolongation (a heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), lung, liver, or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are a female, you should not become pregnant while you are taking midostaurin and for up to 4 months after your final dose. You will need to have a negative pregnancy test within 7 days before you start taking midostaurin. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you are male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment and continue to use birth control for 4 months after your final dose. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking midostaurin, call your doctor immediately. Midostaurin may harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking midostaurin and for 4 months after your final dose.
  • you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men and women.
References