Search Results
نشرة الممارس الصحي | نشرة معلومات المريض بالعربية | نشرة معلومات المريض بالانجليزية | صور الدواء | بيانات الدواء |
---|
Fuxran contains the active substance fulvestrant, which belongs to the group of estrogen blockers.
Estrogens, a type of female sex hormones, can in some cases be involved in the growth of breast cancer.
Fuxran is used either:
· Alone, to treat postmenopausal women with a type of breast cancer called estrogen receptor positive breast cancer that is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), or
· In combination with palbociclib to treat women with a type of breast cancer called hormone
receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer, that is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Women who have not reached menopause will also be treated with a medicine called a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.
When Fuxran is given in combination with palbociclib, it is important that you also read the package leaflet for palbociclib. If you have any questions about palbociclib, please ask your doctor.
Do not use Fuxran:
· If you are allergic to fulvestrant or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
· If you are pregnant or breast-feeding
· If you have severe liver problems
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Fuxran if any of these apply to you:
· Kidney or liver problems
· Low numbers of platelets (which help blood clotting) or bleeding disorders
· Previous problems with blood clots
· Osteoporosis (loss of bone density)
· Alcoholism
Children and adolescents
Fuxran is not indicated in children and adolescents under 18 years.
Other medicines and Fuxran
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
In particular, you should tell your doctor if you are using anticoagulants (medicines to prevent blood clots).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
You must not use Fuxran if you are pregnant. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective contraception while being treated with Fuxran.
You must not breast-feed while on treatment with Fuxran.
Driving and using machines
Fuxran is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you feel tired after treatment do not drive or use machines.
Fuxran contains ethanol.
This medicinal product contains 12 vol % ethanol (alcohol), i.e. up to 1000 mg per dose, equivalent to 20 ml beer or 8 ml wine per dose.
Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism.
To be taken into account in pregnant or breast-feeding women, children and high-risk groups such as patients with liver impairment, or epilepsy.
Fuxran contains benzyl alcohol.
This medicinal product contains100mg benzyl alcohol in each ml. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions.
Benzyl alcohol has been linked with the risk of severe side effects including breathing problems (called “gasping syndrome”) in young children.
Do not give to your newborn baby (up to 4 weeks old), unless recommended by your doctor.
Do not use for more than a week in young children (less than 3 years old), unless advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build up in your body and may cause side effects (called “metabolic acidosis”).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you have a liver or kidney disease. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build up in your body and may cause side effects (called “metabolic acidosis”).
Fuxran contains benzyl benzoate.
This medicinal product contains 150mg benzyl benzoate per ml.
Benzyl benzoate may increase jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) in newborn babies (up to 4 weeks old).
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is 500 mg fulvestrant (two 250 mg injections) given once a month with an additional 500 mg dose given 2 weeks after the initial dose.
Your doctor or nurse will give you Fuxran as a slow intramuscular injection, one into each of your buttocks.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
You may need immediate medical treatment if you experience any of the following side effects:
· Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat that may be signs of anaphylactic reactions
· Thromboembolism (increased risk of blood clots)*
· Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
· Liver failure
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you notice any of the following side effects: Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
· Injection site reactions, such as pain and/or inflammation
· Abnormal levels of liver enzymes (in blood tests)*
· Nausea (feeling sick)
· Weakness, tiredness*
· Joint and musculoskeletal pain
· Hot flushes
· Skin rash
· Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat
All other side effects:
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
· Headache
· Vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite*
· Urinary tract infections
· Back pain*
· Increase of bilirubin (bile pigment produced by the liver)
· Thromboembolism (increased risk of blood clots)*
· Decreased levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia)
· Vaginal bleeding
· Lower back pain irradiating to leg on one side (sciatica)
· Sudden weakness, numbness, tingling, or loss of movement in your leg, especially on only one side of your body, sudden problems with walking or balance (peripheral neuropathy)
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
· thick, whitish vaginal discharge and candidiasis (infection)
· Bruising and bleeding at the site of injection
· Increase of gamma-GT, a liver enzyme seen in a blood test
· Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
· Liver failure
· Numbness, tingling and pain
· Anaphylactic reactions
* Includes side effects for which the exact role of Fuxran cannot be assessed due to the underlying disease.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C)
Store the pre-filled syringe in the original package in order to protect from light
Your healthcare professional will be responsible for the correct storage, use and disposal of Fulvestrant.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or syringe label after the abbreviation EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not use this medicine if you notice that the device or content has deteriorated in any way, such as damage to the syringe, cloudy solution, floating particles, or change in the colour of the solution.
Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is fulvestrant.
Each pre-filled syringe contains 250 mg fulvestrant in 5 ml solution (50 mg/ml).
· The other excipients are ethanol (96 per cent), benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate and castor oil.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Sandoz Pharmaceuticals AG,
Switzerland
Manufacturer
Fareva Unterach GmbH
4866 Unterach ,AUSTRIA
يحتوي عقار فوكسران على المادة الفعّالة فولفيسترانت، وهي مادة تنتمي إلى مجموعة من الأدوية تُسمى حاصرات الإستروجين.
قد تشترك الإستروجينات، وهي نوع من أنواع الهرمونات الجنسية الأنثوية، في بعض الأحيان في نمو سرطان الثدي.
يُستَخدَم عقار فوكسران إما:
· وحده، لعلاج السيدات بعد سن انقطاع الطمث ممن يعانين من نوع من سرطان الثدي يُدعى سرطان الثدي الإيجابي لمستقبل الإستروجين المتقدم موضعيًّا أو الذي قد انتشر إلى أجزاء أخرى من الجسم (النقيلي)، أو
· بمصاحبة بالبوسيكليب لعلاج السيدات المُصابات بأحد أنواع سرطان الثدي ويُسمى
سرطان الثدي الإيجابي لمستقبل الهرمون السلبي لمستقبل عامل نمو البشرة البشري-٢، المتقدم موضعيًّا أو الذي قد انتشر إلى أجزاء أخرى من الجسم (النقيلي). سيتم أيضًا علاج السيدات اللاتي لم يبلغن سن انقطاع الطمث بدواء يسمى ناهض الهرمون المُطلِق للهرمون الملوتن.
عند إعطاء عقار فوكسران بمصاحبة بالبوسيكليب، من المُهِم أن تقرئي أيضًا نشرة العبوة الخاصة ببالبوسيكليب. إذا كانت لديكِ أيّة أسئلة بشأن بالبوسيكليب، فيُرجى طرحها على طبيبكِ.
لا تستخدمي عقار فوكسران في الحالات الآتية:
· إذا كنتِ تُعانين من حساسية تجاه فولفيسترانت أو أيٍّ من المكونات الأخرى بهذا الدواء (المُدرجة في قسم 6).
· إذا كنتِ حاملًا أو مرضعًا
· إذا كان لديكِ مشاكل شديدة بالكبد.
تحذيرات واحتياطات
تحدَّثي إلى طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي أو الممرض(ة) قبل استخدام عقار فوكسران إذا انطبق عليكِ أي مما يلي:
· مشاكل بالكُلى أو الكبد.
· انخفاض أعداد الصفائح الدَّموية (التي تُساعِد في تجلُّط الدَّم) أو اضطرابات نزفية.
· مشاكل سابقة متعلقة بجلطات دموية.
· هشاشة العظام (فقدان كثافة العظام).
· إدمان الكحوليات.
الأطفال والمراهقون
لا يُوصى بعقار فوكسران في الأطفال والمراهقين تحت سن 18 عامًا.
تناوُل أدوية أخرى مع عقار فوكسران
يُرجى إبلاغ طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي الخاص بكِ إذا كنتِ تتناولين أو تناولتِ مؤخرًا أو قد تتناولين أيَّة أدوية أخرى.
بالأخص، أخبري طبيبكِ إذا كنتِ تستخدمين مضادات التخثر (أدوية تمنع تجلط الدم).
الحمل والرضاعة الطبيعية
إذا كنتِ حاملًا أو مرضعًا، أو تعتقدين أنكِ حامل أو تخططين لذلك، فاستشيري طبيبكِ قبل تناوُل هذا الدَّواء.
يجب عليكِ عدم استخدام عقار فوكسران إذا كنتِ حاملًا. إذا كنتِ قادرة على الحَمْل، فيجب عليكِ استخدام وسيلة فعَّالة لمنع الحَمْل أثناء العلاج بعقار فوكسران.
يجب ألا تمارسي الرضاعة الطبيعية أثناء العلاج بعقار فوكسران.
القيادة واستخدام الآلات
من غير المتوقع أن يُؤثر عقار فوكسران في قدرتكِ على القيادة أو استخدام الآلات. مع ذلك، إذا شعرتِ بتعب بعد العلاج فلا تقودي المركبات أو تستخدمي الآلات.
عقار فوكسران يحتوي على الإيثانول.
يحتوي هذا المنتج الدَّوائي على 12٪ بالحجم من الإيثانول (الكحول)، أي ما يصل إلى 1000 مجم لكل جرعة، بما يُعادِل 20 مللي لتر بيرة أو 8 مللي لتر نبيذ لكل الجرعة.
هذا العقار ضار لأولئك اللاتي يُعانين من إدمان الكحوليات.
يؤخذ ذلك في الاعتبار في السيدات الحوامل أو المرضعات والأطفال الفئات المُعَرَّضة لخطورة مرتفعة مثل المرضى المُصابين بقصور كبدي أو صَرَع.
يحتوي عقار فوكسران على كحول بنزيلي.
يحتوي هذا المُنتَج الدَّوائي على 100 مجم من الكحول البنزيلي في كل مللي لتر. قد يُسبب الكحول البنزيلي تفاعلات حساسية.
ارتبط الكحول البنزيلي باحتمالية التعرض لخطر الإصابة بآثار جانبية شديدة تشمل مشاكل في التنفس (ما يُسمى بـ"متلازمة اللهاث") في صغار الأطفال.
لا تعطي العقار للأطفال حديثي الولادة (حتى سن 4 أسابيع)، ما لم يوص طبيبك بذلك.
لا تستخدمه لأكثر من أسبوع في صغار الأطفال (ممن تقل أعمارهم عن 3 أعوام)، ما لم ينصحك الطبيب أو الصيدلي بذلك.
استشيري طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي الخاص بكِ إذا كنتِ حاملًا أو تُرضعين. ذلك لاحتمالية تراكم كميات كبيرة من الكحول البنزيلي في جسمكِ وهو ما قد يُسبب آثارًا جانبية (ما يُسمى بـ "الحُماض الاستقلابي").
استشيري طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي الخاص بكِ إذا كنت تُعانين من مرض كبدي أو كُلوي. ذلك لاحتمالية تراكم كميات كبيرة من الكحول البنزيلي في جسمكِ وهو ما قد يُسبب آثارًا جانبية (ما يُسمى بـ"الحُماض الاستقلابي").
يحتوي عقار فوكسران على بنزوات البنزيل.
يحتوي هذا المنتج الدَّوائي على 150 مجم من بنزوات البنزيل لكل مللي لتر.
قد يؤدي بنزوات البنزيل إلى زيادة اليرقان (اصفرار الجلد والعينين) في حديثي الولادة (حتى سن 4 أسابيع).
دائمًا استخدمي هذا الدَّواء بالضبط كما أخبركِ طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي الخاص بكِ. راجعي طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي الخاص بكِ إذا لم تكوني متأكدة من كيفية الاستخدام.
الجرعة المُوصى بها هي 500 مجم من فولفيسترانت (حقنتان قدرهما 250 مجم) تُعطى مرة واحدة في الشهر مع جرعة إضافية قدرها 500 مجم تُعطى بعد أسبوعين من الجرعة المبدئية.
سيعطيكِ طبيبكِ أو الممرض(ة) الخاص(ة) بكِ عقار فوكسران في هيئة حَقْن بطيء في العضل، واحدة في كل ردف من ردفيكِ.
إذا كانت لديكِ أية أسئلة إضافية حول استخدام هذا الدَّواء، فاستشيري طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي أو الممرض(ة) الخاص(ة) بكِ.
مثله مثل كافة الأدوية، قد يُسبب هذا الدَّواء آثارًا جانبية، على الرَّغم من عدم حدوثها لدى الجميع.
قد تحتاجين لعلاج طبي فوري إذا لاحظتِ أيًّا من الآثار الجانبية التَّالية:
· تفاعلات حساسية (فرط حساسية)، تشمل تورُّم الوجه و/أو الشفتين و/أو اللسان و/أو الحَلْق، وهي أمور قد تمثل علامات تشير إلى الإصابة بتفاعلات تأقية.
· الانصمام الخثاري (ارتفاع احتمالية التعرُّض لخطر الإصابة بجلطات دموية)*
· التهاب الكبد
· فشل الكبد
أخبِري طبيبكِ أو الصيدلي أو الممرض(ة) إذا لاحظتِ أيًّا من الآثار الجانبية الآتية: آثار جانبية شائعة جدًّا (قد تُؤثر على أكثر من 1 من بين كل 10 أشخاص)
· تفاعلات بموضع الحقن مثل الألم و/أو الالتهاب
· مستويات غير طبيعية من إنزيمات الكبد (في اختبارات الدَّم)*
· غثيان (الشعور بالإعياء).
· ضعف، تعب*
· آلام العضلات والعظام والمفاصل.
· هبات ساخنة.
· طفح جلدي.
· تفاعلات حساسية (فرط حساسية)، تشمل تورُّم الوجه و/أو الشفتين و/أو اللسان و/أو الحَلْق.
كل الآثار الجانبية الأخرى:
آثار جانبية شائعة (قد تُؤثر في ما يصل إلى 1 من كل 10 أشخاص)
· صداع.
· قيء أو إسهال أو فقدان شهية*
· عدوى المسالك البولية.
· آلام بالظهر*
· زيادة البيليروبين (صبغة موجودة في العصارة الصفراوية ينتجها الكبد).
· الانصمام الخثاري (ارتفاع احتمالية التعرُّض لخطر الإصابة بجلطات دموية)*
· انخفاض مستويات الصفائح الدَّموية (نقص الصَّفائح الدَّموية).
· نزيف مهبلي.
· ألم أسفل الظهر يشع على الساق على أحد الجانبين (عرق النسا)
· ضعف مفاجئ أو تنميل أو وخز أو فقدان الحركة في الساق، لا سيَّما على أحد جانبي الجسم فقط، مشاكل مفاجئة في المشي أو التَّوازن (اعتلال الأعصاب الطرفية).
آثار جانبية غير شائعة (قد تُؤثر في ما يصل إلى 1 من كل 100 شخص)
· إفرازات مهبلية سميكة مائلة إلى اللون الأبيض وداء المبيضات (عدوى).
· كدمات ونزيف في موضع الحَقْن.
· زيادة في ناقلة جاما-جلوتاميل، وهو إنزيم كبدي يُلاحَظ في اختبار الدَّم.
· التهاب الكبد.
· فشل الكبد.
· تنميل ووخز وألم.
· تَفاعُلات تَأقِيّة (حساسية).
* تتضمن آثارًا جانبيةً لا يُمكِن تقييم دور عقار فوكسران الدقيق فيها، بسبب المرض الكامن.
الإبلاغ عن الآثار الجانبية
إذا ظهرت لديكِ أية آثار جانبية، فتحدَّثي إلى طبيبكِ. ويشمل ذلك أية آثار جانبية مُحتمَلة، غير المُدرجة في هذه النَّشرة. بإبلاغكِ عن الآثار الجانبية، يمكنكِ المساعدة في توفير معلومات إضافية حول أمان استخدام هذا الدَّواء.
يُحفظ هذا الدَّواء بعيدًا عن رؤية ومُتناوَل الأطفال. يحفظ في الثلاجة (عند 2—8 درجة مئوية).
تُخزن السرنجات المعبأة مسبقًا في العبوة الأصلية للحماية من الضوء.
سيكون أخصائي الرعاية الصحية المتابع لحالتكِ هو المسؤول عن صحة التَّخزين والاستخدام والتخلُّص من فولفيسترانت.
لا تستخدمي هذا الدَّواء بعد تاريخ انتهاء الصلاحية المدون على العبوة الكرتونية أو ملصق السرنجة بعد كلمة "EXP" المختصرة. يُشير تاريخ انتهاء الصَّلاحية إلى اليوم الأخير من ذلك الشهر.
لا تستخدمي هذا الدَّواء إذا لاحظتِ تدهور حالة الجهاز أو المحتوى بأي حال من الأحوال، مثل وجود تلف بالسرنجة، كون المحلول غائمًا، وجود جسيمات عائمة، أو وجود تغيُّر في لون المحلول.
لا تتخلصي من الأدوية عن طريق إلقائها في مياه الصرف أو مع المخلفات المنزلية. استشيري الصيدلي الخاص بكِ عن كيفية التَّخلص من الأدوية التي لم تعودي تستخدمينها. ستساعد هذه الإجراءات في الحفاظ على البيئة.
· المادة الفعالة هي فولفيسترانت.
تحتوي كل سرنجة معبأة مسبقًا على 250 مجم فولفيسترانت في 5 مللي لتر محلول (50 مجم/مللي لتر).
· السواغات الأخرى هي إيثانول (96 في المائة)، كحول بنزيلي، بنزوات البنزيل وزيت الخروع.
عقار فوكسران هو عبارة عن محلول صافٍ وعديم اللون أو مائل إلى اللون الأصفر، لزج، مُخَصص للحَقْن، يتوفر في سرنجات معبأة مسبقًا.
يتوفر عقار فوكسران في سرنجة معبأة مسبقًا أو سرنجتين معبأتين مسبقًا للاستخدام مرّة واحدة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تتوفر إبرة معقمة.
قد لا يتم تسويق جميع أحجام العبوات.
مالك حق التَّسويق
شركة ساندوز للأدوية شركة مساهمة،
سويسرا
جهة التَّصنيع
شركة فاريفا أونتراخ المحدودة
4866 أونتراخ، النمسا
Fuxran is indicated
· as monotherapy for the treatment of estrogen receptor positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women:
- not previously treated with endocrine therapy, or
- with disease relapse on or after adjuvant antiestrogen therapy, or disease progression on antiestrogen therapy.
· in combination with palbociclib for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in women who have received prior endocrine therapy (see section 5.1).
In pre- or perimenopausal women, the combination treatment with palbociclib should be combined with a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.
Posology
Adult females (including Elderly)
The recommended dose is 500 mg at intervals of one month, with an additional 500 mg dose given two weeks after the initial dose.
When Fuxran is used in combination with palbociclib, please also refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics of palbociclib.
Prior to the start of treatment with the combination of Fuxran plus palbociclib, and throughout its duration, pre/perimenopausal women should be treated with LHRH agonists according to local clinical practice.
Special population
Renal impairment
No dose adjustments are recommended for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≥30 ml/min). Safety and efficacy have not been evaluated in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min), and, therefore, caution is recommended in these patients (see section 4.4).
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustments are recommended for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. However, as fulvestrant exposure may be increased, Fuxran should be used with caution in these patients. There are no data in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Fuxran in children from birth to 18 years of age have not been established. Currently available data are described in sections 5.1 and 5.2, but no recommendation on a posology can be made.
Method of administration
Fuxran should be administered as two consecutive 5 ml injections by slow intramuscular injection (1-2 minutes/injection), one in each buttock (gluteal area).
Caution should be taken if injecting Fulvestrant at the dorsogluteal site due to the proximity of the underlying sciatic nerve.
For detailed instructions for administration, see section 6.6
Fuxran should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2, 4.3 and 5.2).
Fuxran should be used with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min).
Due to the intramuscular route of administration, Fuxran should be used with caution if treating patients with bleeding diatheses, thrombocytopenia or those taking anticoagulant treatment.
Thromboembolic events are commonly observed in women with advanced breast cancer and have been observed in clinical studies with Fuxran (see section 4.8). This should be taken into consideration when prescribing Fuxran to patients at risk.
Injection site related events including sciatica, neuralgia, neuropathic pain, and peripheral neuropathy have been reported with fulvestrant injection. Caution should be taken while administering fulvestrant at the dorsogluteal injection site due to the proximity of the underlying sciatic nerve (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).
There are no long-term data on the effect of fulvestrant on bone. Due to the mechanism of action of fulvestrant, there is a potential risk of osteoporosis.
The efficacy and safety of Fuxran (either as monotherapy or in combination with palbociclib) have not been studied in patients with critical visceral disease.
When Fuxran is combined with palbociclib, please also refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics of palbociclib.
Interference with oestradiol antibody assays
Due to the structural similarity of fulvestrant and oestradiol, fulvestrant may interfere with antibody based- oestradiol assays and may result in falsely increased levels of oestradiol.
Paediatric population
Fuxran is not recommended for use in children and adolescents as safety and efficacy have not been established in this group of patients (see section 5.1).
Excipients
This medicinal product contains 12 vol % ethanol (alcohol), i.e. up to 1000 mg per dose, equivalent to 20 ml beer or 8 ml wine per dose.
Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism.
To be taken into account in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and high risk groups such as patients with liver or kidney impairment, or epilepsy.
This medicinal product contains 100 mg benzyl alcohol per ml. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions.
Benzyl alcohol has been linked with the risk of severe side effects including breathing problems (called “gasping syndrome”) in young children.
High volumes should be used with caution and only if necessary, especially in subjects with liver or kidney impairment because of the risk of accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis).
This medicinal product contains 150 mg benzyl benzoate per ml. Benzyl benzoate may increase jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) in newborn babies (up to 4 weeks old).
A clinical interaction study with midazolam (substrate of CYP3A4) demonstrated that fulvestrant does not inhibit CYP3A4. Clinical interaction studies with rifampicin (inducer of CYP3A4) and ketoconazole (inhibitor of CYP3A4) showed no clinically relevant change in fulvestrant clearance.
Dose adjustment is therefore not necessary in patients who are receiving fulvestrant and CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers concomitantly.
Women of childbearing potential
Patients of child-bearing potential should be advised to use effective contraception while on treatment.
Pregnancy
Fuxran is contraindicated in pregnancy (see section 4.3). Fulvestrant has been shown to cross the placenta after single intramuscular doses in rat and rabbit. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity including an increased incidence of foetal abnormalities and deaths (see section 5.3). If pregnancy occurs while taking {nationally completed name}, the patient must be informed of the potential hazard to the foetus and potential risk for loss of pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Breastfeeding must be discontinued during treatment with {nationally completed name}. Fulvestrant is excreted in milk in lactating rats. It is not known whether fulvestrant is excreted in human milk.
Considering the potential for serious adverse reactions due to fulvestrant in breast-fed infants, use during lactation is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
Fertility
The effects of Fuxran on fertility in humans has not been studied.
Fuxran has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines. However, since asthenia has been reported very commonly with {nationally completed name}, caution should be observed by those patients who experience this adverse reaction when driving or operating machinery.
Summary of the safety profile
Monotherapy
This section provides information based on all adverse reactions from clinical studies, post-marketing studies or spontaneous reports. In the pooled dataset of fulvestrant monotherapy, the most frequently reported adverse reactions were injection site reactions, asthenia, nausea, and increased hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP).
In Table 1, the following frequency categories for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were calculated based on the fulvestrant 500 mg treatment group in pooled safety analyses of studies that compared fulvestrant 500mg with fulvestrant 250mg [CONFIRM (Study D6997C00002), FINDER 1 (Study D6997C00004), FINDER 2 (Study D6997C00006), and NEWEST (Study D6997C00003) studies], or from FALCON (Study D699BC00001) alone that compared fulvestrant 500 mg with anastrozole 1 mg.
Where frequencies differ between the pooled safety analysis and FALCON, the highest frequency is presented. The frequencies in Table 1 were based on all reported adverse drug reactions, regardless of the investigator assessment of causality. The median duration of fulvestrant 500 mg treatment across the pooled dataset (including the studies mentioned above plus FALCON) was 6.5 months.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse reactions listed below are classified according to frequency and System Organ Class (SOC). Frequency groupings are defined according to the following convention: Very common (≥1/10), Common (≥1/100 to <1/10), Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100). Within each frequency grouping adverse reactions are reported in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1 Adverse Drug Reactions reported in patients treated with fulvestrant monotherapy
Adverse reactions by system organ class and frequency
Infections and infestations Common Urinary tract infections
Blood and lymphatic system
disorders Common Reduced platelet counte
Immune system disorders Very common Hypersensitivity reactionse
Uncommon Anaphylactic reactions
Metabolism and nutrition disorders Common Anorexiaa
Nervous system disorders Common Headache
Vascular disorders Very common hot flushes e Common Venous thromboembolisma,
Gastrointestinal disorders Very common Nausea Common Vomiting, diarrhoea
Hepatobiliary disorders Very common Increased hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP)a Common Elevated bilirubina Uncommon Hepatic failurec.f, hepatitisf, elevated gamma-GTf
Skin and subcutaneous tissue
disorders Very common Rashe
Musculoskeletal and connective
tissue disorders Very common Joint and musculoskeletal paind Common Back paina
Reproductive system and breast
disorders Common Vaginal haemorrhagee Uncommon Vaginal moniliasisf, leukorrheaf
General disorders and administration
site conditions Very common Astheniaa, injection site reactionsb Common neuropathy peripheral,e, sciaticae Uncommon Injection site haemorrhagef, injection site haematomaf, neuralgiac.f
a Includes adverse drug reactions for which the exact contribution of fulvestrant cannot be assessed due to the underlying disease.
b The term injection site reactions does not include the terms injection site haemorrhage, injection site haematoma, sciatica, neuralgia and neuropathy peripheral.
c The event was not observed in major clinical studies (CONFIRM, FINDER 1, FINDER 2, NEWEST). The frequency has been calculated using the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for the point estimate.
This is calculated as 3/560 (where 560 is the number of patients in the major clinical studies), which equates to a frequency category of 'uncommon'.
d Includes: arthralgia, and less frequently musculoskeletal pain, myalgia and pain in extremity.
e Frequency category differs between pooled safety dataset and FALCON.
f ADR was not observed in FALCON.
Description of selected adverse reactions
The descriptions included below are based on the safety analysis set of 228 patients who received at least one (1) dose of fulvestrant and 232 patients who received at least one (1) dose of anastrozole, respectively in the Phase 3 FALCON study.
Joint and musculoskeletal pain
In the FALCON study, the number of patients who reported an adverse reaction of joint and musculoskeletal pain was 65 (31.2%) and 48 (24.1%) for fulvestrant and anastrozole arms, respectively. Of the 65 patients in the fulvestrant arm, 40% (26/65) of patients reported joint and musculoskeletal pain within the first month of treatment, and 66.2% (43/65) of patients within the first 3 months of treatment. No patients reported events that were CTCAE Grade ≥3 or that required a dose reduction, dose interruption, or discontinued treatment due to these adverse reactions.
Combination therapy with palbociclib
The overall safety profile of fulvestrant when used in combination with palbociclib is based on data from 517 patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in the randomised PALOMA3 study (see section 5.1). The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions of any grade reported in patients receiving fulvestrant in combination with palbociclib were neutropenia, leukopenia, infections, fatigue, nausea, anaemia, stomatitis, diarrhoea, and thrombocytopenia. The most common (≥2%) Grade ≥3
adverse reactions were neutropenia, leukopenia, anaemia, infections, AST increased, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue.
Table 2 reports the adverse reactions from PALOMA3.
Median duration of exposure to fulvestrant was 11.2 months in the fulvestrant + palbociclib arm and 4.9 months in the fulvestrant + placebo arm. Median duration of exposure to palbociclib in the fulvestrant + palbociclib arm was 10.8 months.
Table 2 Adverse reactions based on PALOMA3 Study (N=517)
System Organ Class Frequency Preferred Terma Fulvestrant + Palbociclib (N=345) Fulvestrant + placebo (N=172) All Grades n (%) Grade ≥ 3 n (%) All Grades n (%) Grade ≥ 3 n (%)
Infections and infestations
Very common
Infectionsb 163 (47.2) 11 (3.2) 54 (31.4) 5 (2.9)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Very common
Neutropeniac 287 (83.2) 228 (66.1) 7 (4.1) 1 (0.6)
Leukopeniad 183 (53.0) 105 (30.4) 9 (5.2) 2 (1.2)
Anaemiae 102 (29.6) 12 (3.5) 22 (12.8) 3 (1.7)
Thrombocytopeniaf 78 (22.6) 8 (2.3) 0 (0.0) 0
Uncommon
Febrile neutropenia 3 (0.9) 3 (0.9) 1 (0.6) 1 (0.6)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Very common
Decreased appetite 55 (15.9) 3 (0.9) 14 (8.1) 1 (0.6)
Nervous system disorders
Common
Dysgeusia 23 (6.7) 0 5 (2.9) 0
Eye disorders
Common
Lacrimation increased 22 (6.4) 0 2 (1.2) 0
Vision blurred 20 (5.8) 0 3 (1.7) 0
Dry eye 13 (3.8) 0 3 (1.7) 0
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Common
Epistaxis 23 (6.7) 0 3 (1.7) 0
Gastrointestinal disorders
Very common
Nausea 117 (33.9) 0 48 (27.9) 1 (0.6)
Stomatitisg 97 (28.1) 2 (0.6) 22 (12.8) 0
Diarrhoea 81 (23.5) 0 33 (19.2) 2 (1.2)
Vomiting 65 (18.8) 2 (0.6) 26 (15.1) 1 (0.6)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Very common
Alopecia 62 (18.0) 0 11 (6.4) 0
Rashh 58 (16.8) 2 (0.6) 11 (6.4) 0
Common
Dry skin 21 (6.1) 0 2 (1.2) 0
General disorders and administration site conditions
Very common
Fatigue 142 (41.2) 8 (2.3) 50 (29.1) 2 (1.2)
Pyrexia 44 (12.8) 1 (0.3) 9 (5.2) 0
Common
Asthenia 26 (7.5) 0 9 (5.2) 1 (0.6)
Investigations
Common
AST increased 26 (7.5) 10 (2.9) 9 (5.2) 3 (1.7)
ALT increased 20 (5.8) 6 (1.7) 6 (3.5) 0
ALT=alanine aminotransferase; AST=aspartate aminotransferase; N/n=number of patients
a Preferred Terms (PTs) are listed according to MedDRA 17.1.
b Infections includes all PTs that are part of the System Organ Class Infections and infestations.
c Neutropenia includes the following PTs: Neutropenia, Neutrophil count decreased.
d Leukopenia includes the following PTs: Leukopenia, White blood cell count decreased.
e Anaemia includes the following PTs: Anaemia, Haemoglobin decreased, Haematocrit decreased.
f Thrombocytopenia includes the following PTs: Thrombocytopenia, Platelet count decreased.
g Stomatitis includes the following PTs: Aphthous stomatitis, Cheilitis, Glossitis, Glossodynia, Mouth ulceration, Mucosal inflammation, Oral pain, Oropharyngeal discomfort, Oropharyngeal pain, Stomatitis.
h Rash includes the following PTs: Rash, Rash maculo-papular, Rash pruritic, Rash erythematous, Rash papular, Dermatitis, Dermatitis acneiform, Toxic skin eruption.
Description of selected adverse reactions
Neutropenia
In patients receiving fulvestrant in combination with palbociclib in the PALOMA3 study, neutropenia of any grade was reported in 287 (83.2%) patients, with Grade 3 neutropenia being reported in 191 (55.4%) patients, and Grade 4 neutropenia being reported in 37 (10.7%) patients. In the fulvestrant + placebo arm (n=172), neutropenia of any grade was reported in 7 (4.1%) patients, with Grade 3 neutropenia reported in 1 (0.6%) patient. There were no reports of Grade 4 neutropenia in the fulvestrant + placebo arm.
In patients receiving fulvestrant in combination with palbociclib, the median time to first episode of any grade neutropenia was 15 days (range: 13-317) and the median duration of Grade ≥3 neutropenia was 7 days. Febrile neutropenia has been reported in 0.9% patients receiving fulvestrant in combination with palbociclib.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
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.
There are isolated reports of overdose with fulvestrant in humans. If overdose occurs, symptomatic supportive treatment is recommended. Animal studies suggest that no effects other than those related directly or indirectly to anti-estrogenic activity were evident with higher doses of fulvestrant (see section 5.3).
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Endocrine therapy, Anti-oestrogens, ATC code: L02BA03
Mechanism of action and pharmacodynamic effects
Fulvestrant is a competitive oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist with an affinity comparable to oestradiol.
Fulvestrant blocks the trophic actions of oestrogens without any partial agonist (oestrogen-like) activity. The mechanism of action is associated with down-regulation of oestrogen receptor protein levels.
Clinical studies in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer have shown that fulvestrant significantly down-regulates ER protein in ER positive tumours compared with placebo. There was also a significant decrease in progesterone receptor expression consistent with a lack of intrinsic oestrogen agonist effects. It has also been shown that fulvestrant 500 mg downregulates ER and the proliferation marker Ki67, to a greater degree than fulvestrant 250 mg in breast tumours in postmenopausal neoadjuvant setting.
Clinical safety and efficacy in advanced breast cancer
Monotherapy
A phase III clinical study was completed in 736 postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who had disease recurrence on or after adjuvant endocrine therapy or progression following endocrine therapy for advanced disease. The study included 423 patients whose disease had recurred or progressed during anti- estrogen therapy (AE subgroup) and 313 patients whose disease had recurred or progressed during aromatase inhibitor therapy (AI subgroup). This study compared the efficacy and safety of fulvestrant 500 mg (n=362) with fulvestrant 250 mg (n=374). Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint; key secondary efficacy endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR) and overall survival (OS). Efficacy results for the CONFIRM study are summarized in Table 3.
Table 3 Summary of results of the primary efficacy endpoint (PFS) and key secondary efficacy endpoints in the CONFIRM study
Variable Type of estimate; treatment
Fulvestrant
500 mg (N=362)
Fulvestrant
250 mg (N=374)
Comparison between groups
(Fulvestrant 500 mg/ Fulvestrant250 mg)
Hazard ratio 95% CI p-value
comparison PFS K-M median
in months; hazard ratio
All Patients 6.5 5.5 0.80 0.68, 0.94 0.006
-AE subgroup (n=423) 8.6 5.8 0.76 0.62, 0.94 0.013
-AI subgroup (n=313)a 5.4 4.1 0.85 0.67, 1.08 0.195
OSb K-M median in months; hazard ratio
All Patients 26.4 22.3 0.81 0.69, 0.96 0.016c
-AE subgroup (n=423) 30.6 23.9 0.79 0.63, 0.99 0.038c
-AI subgroup (n=313)a 24.1 20.8 0.86 0.67, 1.11 0.241c
Variable Type of Fulvestrant Fulvestrant Comparison between groups
estimate; 500 mg 250 mg (Fulvestrant 500 mg/Fulvestrant 250 mg)
treatment (N=362) (N=374) Absolute 95% CI
comparison difference in %
ORRd % of patients
with OR;
absolute
difference in
%
All Patients 13.8 14.6 -0.8 -5.8, 6.3
-AE subgroup (n=296) 18.1 19.1 -1.0 -8.2, 9.3
-AI subgroup (n=205)a 7.3 8.3 -1.0 -5.5, 9.8
CBRe % of patients
with CB;
absolute
difference in
%
All Patients 45.6 39.6 6.0 -1.1, 13.3
-AE subgroup (n=423) 52.4 45.1 7.3 -2.2, 16.6
-AI subgroup (n=313)a 36.2 32.3 3.9 -6.1, 15.2
a. Fulvestrant is indicated in patients whose disease had recurred or progressed on an anti-estrogen therapy. The results in the AI subgroup are inconclusive.
b. OS is presented for the final survival analyses at 75% maturity.
c. Nominal p-value with no adjustments made for multiplicity between the initial overall survival analyses at 50% maturity and the updated survival analyses at 75% maturity.
d. ORR was assessed in patients who were evaluable for response at baseline (ie, those with measurable disease at baseline: 240 patients in the fulvestrant 500 mg group and 261 patients in the fulvestrant 250 mg group).
e. Patients with a best objective response of complete response, partial response or stable disease
≥24 weeks.
PFS:Progression-free survival; ORR:Objective response rate; OR:Objective response; CBR:Clinical benefit rate; CB:Clinical benefit; OS:Overall survival; K-M:Kaplan-Meier; CI:Confidence interval; AI:Aromatase inhibitor; AE:Anti-estrogen.
A Phase 3, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, multicentre study of Fulvestrant 500 mg versus anastrozole 1 mg was conducted in postmenopausal women with ER-positive and/or PgR-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had not previously been treated with any hormonal therapy. A total of 462 patients were randomised 1:1 sequentially to receive either fulvestrant 500 mg or anastrozole 1 mg.
Randomisation was stratified by disease setting (locally advanced or metastatic), prior chemotherapy for advanced disease, and measurable disease.
The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was investigator assessed progression-free survival (PFS) evaluated according to RECIST 1.1 (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours). Key secondary efficacy endpoints included overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR).
Patients enrolled in this study had a median age of 63 years (range 36-90). The majority of patients (87.0%) had metastatic disease at baseline. Fifty-five percent (55.0%) of patients had visceral metastasis at baseline. A total of 17.1% of patients received a prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced disease; 84.2% of patients had measurable disease.
Consistent results were observed across the majority of pre-specified patient subgroups. For the subgroup of patients with disease limited to non-visceral metastasis (n=208), the HR was 0.592 (95% CI: 0.419, 0.837) for the Fulvestrant arm compared to the anastrozole arm. For the subgroup of patients with visceral metastasis (n=254), the HR was 0.993 (95% CI: 0.740, 1.331) for the Fulvestrant arm compared to the anastrozole arm. The efficacy results of the FALCON study are presented in Table 4 and Figure 1.
Table 4 Summary of results of the primary efficacy endpoint (PFS) and key secondary efficacy endpoints (Investigator Assessment, Intent-To-Treat Population) ─ FALCON study
Fulvestrant 500 mg (N=230) Anastrozole 1 mg (N=232)
Progression-Free Survival
Number of PFS Events (%) 143 (62.2%) 166 (71.6%)
PFS Hazard Ratio (95% CI) and HR 0.797 (0.637 - 0.999)
p-value p = 0.0486
PFS Median [months (95% CI)] 16.6 (13.8, 21.0) 13.8 (12.0, 16.6)
Number of OS Events* 67 (29.1%) 75 (32.3%)
OS Hazard Ratio (95% CI) and HR 0.875 (0.629 – 1.217)
p-value p = 0.4277
ORR** 89 (46.1%) 88 (44.9%)
ORR Odds Ratio (95% CI) and OR 1.074 (0.716 – 1.614)
p-value p = 0.7290
Median DoR (months) 20.0 13.2
CBR 180 (78.3%) 172 (74.1%)
CBR Odds Ratio (95% CI) and OR 1.253 (0.815 – 1.932)
p-value
*(31% maturity)-not final OS analysis
**for patients with measurable disease
Figure 1 Kaplan-Meier Plot of Progression-Free Survival (Investigator Assessment, Intent-To- Treat Population)
— FALCON Study
Time from randomisation (months)
Number of patients at risk
FUL500 230 187 171 150 124 110 96 81 63 44 24 11 2 0
ANAS1 232 194 162 139 120 102 84 60 45 31 22 10 0 0
Two Phase 3 clinical studies were completed in a total of 851 postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who had disease recurrence on or after adjuvant endocrine therapy or progression following endocrine therapy for advanced disease. Seventy seven percent (77%) of the study population had estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. These studies compared the safety and efficacy of monthly administration of Fulvestrant 250 mg versus the daily administration of 1 mg anastrozole (aromatase inhibitor). Overall, Fulvestrant at the 250 mg monthly dose was at least as effective as anastrozole in terms of progression-free survival, objective response, and time to death. There were no statistically significant differences in any of these endpoints between the two treatment groups. Progression-free survival was the primary endpoint. Combined analysis of both studies showed that 83% of patients who received Fulvestrant progressed, compared with 85% of patients who received anastrozole. Combined analysis of both studies showed the hazard ratio of Fulvestrant 250 mg to anastrozole for progression- free survival was 0.95 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.10). The objective response rate for Fulvestrant 250 mg was 19.2% compared with 16.5% for anastrozole. The median time to death was 27.4 months for patients treated with Fulvestrant and 27.6 months for patients treated with anastrozole. The hazard ratio of Fulvestrant 250 mg to anastrozole for time to death was 1.01 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.19).
Combination therapy with palbociclib
A Phase 3, international, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study of Fulvestrant 500 mg plus palbociclib 125 mg versus Fulvestrant 500 mg plus placebo was conducted in women with HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced breast cancer not amenable to resection or radiation therapy with curative intent or metastatic breast cancer, regardless of their menopausal status, whose disease progressed after prior endocrine therapy in the (neo) adjuvant or metastatic setting.
A total of 521 pre/peri- and postmenopausal women who had progressed on or within 12 months from completion of adjuvant endocrine therapy on or within 1 month from prior endocrine therapy for advanced disease, were randomised 2:1 to Fulvestrant plus palbociclib or Fulvestrant plus placebo and stratified by documented sensitivity to prior hormonal therapy, menopausal status at study entry (pre/peri- versus postmenopausal), and presence of visceral metastases. Pre/perimenopausal women received the LHRH agonist goserelin. Patients with advanced/metastatic, symptomatic, visceral spread, that were at risk of life-threatening complications in the short term (including patients with
massive uncontrolled effusions [pleural, pericardial, peritoneal], pulmonary lymphangitis, and over 50% liver involvement), were not eligible for enrolment into the study.
Patients continued to receive assigned treatment until objective disease progression, symptomatic deterioration, unacceptable toxicity, death, or withdrawal of consent, whichever occurred first.
Crossover between treatment arms was not allowed.
Patients were well matched for baseline demographics and prognostic characteristics between the Fulvestrant plus palbociclib arm and the Fulvestrant plus placebo arm. The median age of patients enrolled in this study was 57 years (range 29, 88). In each treatment arm the majority of patients were White, had documented sensitivity to prior hormonal therapy, and were postmenopausal.
Approximately 20% of patients were pre/perimenopausal. All patients had received prior systemic therapy and most patients in each treatment arm had received a previous chemotherapy regimen for their primary diagnosis. More than half (62%) had an ECOG PS of 0, 60% had visceral metastases, and 60% had received more than 1 prior hormonal regimen for their primary diagnosis.
The primary endpoint of the study was investigator-assessed PFS evaluated according to RECIST 1.1. Supportive PFS analyses were based on an Independent Central Radiology Review. Secondary endpoints included OR, CBR, OS, safety, and time-to-deterioration (TTD) in pain endpoint.
The study met its primary endpoint of prolonging investigator-assessed PFS at the interim analysis conducted on 82% of the planned PFS events; the results crossed the pre-specified Haybittle-Peto efficacy boundary (α=0.00135), demonstrating a statistically significant prolongation in PFS and a clinically meaningful treatment effect. A more mature update of efficacy data is reported in Table 5.
Table 5 Efficacy results – PALOMA3 study (Investigator assessment, intent-to-treat population)
Updated Analysis (23 October 2015 cut-off) Fulvestrant plus palbociclib (N=347) Fulvestrant plus placebo (N=174)
Progression-Free Survival
Median [months (95% CI)] 11.2 (9.5, 12.9) 4.6 (3.5, 5.6)
Hazard ratio (95%
CI) and p-value 0.497 (0.398, 0.620), p <0.000001
Secondary end points*
OR [% (95% CI)] 26.2 (21.7, 31.2) 13.8 (9.0, 19.8)
OR (measurable disease)
[% (95% CI)] 33.7 (28.1, 39.7) 17.4 (11.5, 24.8)
DOR (measurable
disease) [months (95% 9.2 (7.2, 10.4) 7.4 (3.9, NE)
CBR [% (95% CI)] 68.0 (62.8, 72.9) 39.7 (32.3, 47.3)
*Response endpoints based on confirmed and unconfirmed responses.
N=number of patients; CI=confidence interval; NE=not estimable; OR=objective response; CBR=clinical benefit response; DOR=duration of response 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 palbociclib+fulvestrant placebo+fulvestrant 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 Number of patients at Time (Month)
Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier plot of progression-free survival (investigator assessment, intent-to-treat population) – PALOMA3 study
PAL+FUL 347 276 245 215 189 168 137 69 38 12 2 1
PCB+FUL 174 112 83 62 51 43 29 15 11 4 1
FUL=fulvestrant; PAL=palbociclib; PCB=placebo.
A reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in the Fulvestrant plus palbociclib arm was observed in all individual patient subgroups defined by stratification factors and baseline characteristics. This was evident for pre/perimenopausal women (HR of 0.46 [95% CI: 0.28, 0.75]) and postmenopausal women (HR of 0.52 [95% CI: 0.40, 0.66]) and patients with visceral site of metastatic disease (HR of 0.50 [95% CI: 0.38, 0.65]) and non-visceral site of metastatic disease (HR of
0.48 [95% CI: 0.33, 0.71]). Benefit was also observed regardless of lines of prior therapy in the metastatic setting, whether 0 (HR of 0.59 [95% CI: 0.37, 0.93]), 1 (HR of 0.46 [95% CI: 0.32, 0.64]), 2 (HR of 0.48 [95% CI: 0.30, 0.76]), or ≥3 lines (HR of 0.59 [95% CI: 0.28, 1.22]). Additional efficacy measures (OR and TTR) assessed in the sub-groups of patients with or without visceral disease are displayed in Table 6.
Table 6 Efficacy results in visceral and non-visceral disease from PALOMA3 study (intent- to-treat population)
Visceral Disease Non-visceral Disease
Fulvestrant plus palbociclib Fulvestrant plus placebo Fulvestrant plus palbociclib Fulvestrant plus placebo (N=69)
OR [% (95% CI)] 35.0 (28.5, 41.9) 13.3 (7.5, 21.4) 13.5 (8.3, 20.2) 14.5 (7.2, 25.0)
TTR*, Median
[months (range)] 3.8 (3.5, 16.7) 5.4 (3.5, 16.7) 3.7 (1.9, 13.7) 3.6 (3.4, 3.7)
*Response results based on confirmed and unconfirmed responses.
N=number of patients; CI=confidence interval; OR= objective response; TTR=time to first tumour response.
Patient-reported symptoms were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and its Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). A total of 335 patients in the Fulvestrant plus palbociclib arm and 166 patients in the Fulvestrant plus placebo arm completed the questionnaire at baseline and at least 1 post-baseline visit.
Time-to-Deterioration was pre-specified as time between baseline and first occurrence of ≥10 points increase from baseline in pain symptom scores. Addition of palbociclib to fulvestrant resulted in a symptom benefit by significantly delaying Time-to-Deterioration in pain symptom compared with fulvestrant plus placebo (median 8.0 months versus 2.8 months; HR of 0.64 [95% CI: 0.49, 0.85]; p<0.001).
Effects on the postmenopausal endometrium
Preclinical data do not suggest a stimulatory effect of fulvestrant on the postmenopausal endometrium (see section 5.3). A 2-week study in healthy postmenopausal volunteers treated with 20 micrograms per day ethinylestradiol showed that pre-treatment with fulvestrant 250 mg resulted in significantly reduced stimulation of the postmenopausal endometrium, compared to pre-treatment with placebo, as judged by ultrasound measurement of endometrium thickness.
Neoadjuvant treatment for up to 16 weeks in breast cancer patients treated with either fulvestrant 500 mg or fulvestrant 250 mg did not result in clinically significant changes in endometrial thickness, indicating a lack of agonist effect. There is no evidence of adverse endometrial effects in the breast cancer patients studied. No data are available regarding endometrial morphology.
In two short-term studies (1 and 12 weeks) in premenopausal patients with benign gynaecologic disease, no significant differences in endometrial thickness were observed by ultrasound measurement between fulvestrant and placebo groups.
Effects on bone
There are no long-term data on the effect of fulvestrant on bone. Neoadjuvant treatment for up to 16 weeks in breast cancer patients with either fulvestrant 500 mg or fulvestrant 250 mg did not result in clinically significant changes in serum bone-turnover markers.
Paediatric population
Fulvestrant is not indicated for use in children. The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with fulvestrant in all subsets of the paediatric population in breast cancer (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).
An open-label phase II study investigated the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of fulvestrant in 30 girls aged 1 to 8 years with Progressive Precocious Puberty associated with McCune Albright Syndrome (MAS). The paediatric patients received 4 mg/kg monthly intramuscular dose of fulvestrant. This 12-month study investigated a range of MAS endpoints and showed a reduction in the frequency of vaginal bleeding and a reduction in the rate of bone age advancement. The steady- state trough concentrations of fulvestrant in children in this study were consistent with that in adults (see section 5.2). There were no new safety concerns arising from this small study, but 5-year data are yet not available.
Absorption
After administration of fulvestrant long-acting intramuscular injection, fulvestrant is slowly absorbed and maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) are reached after about 5 days. Administration of fulvestrant 500 mg regimen achieves exposure levels at, or close to, steady state within the first month of dosing (mean [CV]: AUC 475 [33.4%] ng.days/ml, Cmax 25.1 [35.1%] ng/ml, Cmin 16.3 [25.9%] ng/ml, respectively). At steady state, fulvestrant plasma concentrations are maintained within a relatively narrow range with up to an approximately 3-fold difference between maximum and trough concentrations. After intramuscular administration, the exposure is approximately dose proportional in the dose range 50 to 500 mg.
Distribution
Fulvestrant is subject to extensive and rapid distribution. The large apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) of approximately 3 to 5 l/kg suggests that distribution is largely extravascular.
Fulvestrant is highly (99%) bound to plasma proteins. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions are the major binding components. No interaction studies were conducted on competitive protein binding. The role of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has not been determined.
Biotransformation
The metabolism of fulvestrant has not been fully evaluated, but involves combinations of a number of possible biotransformation pathways analogous to those of endogenous steroids. Identified metabolites (includes 17-ketone, sulphone, 3-sulphate, 3- and 17-glucuronide metabolites) are either less active or exhibit similar activity to fulvestrant in anti-oestrogen models. Studies using human liver preparations and recombinant human enzymes indicate that CYP3A4 is the only P450 isoenzyme involved in the oxidation of fulvestrant; however non-P450 routes appear to be more predominant in vivo. In vitro data suggest that fulvestrant does not inhibit CYP450 isoenzymes.
Elimination
Fulvestrant is eliminated mainly in metabolised form. The major route of excretion is via the faeces, with less than 1% being excreted in the urine. Fulvestrant has a high clearance, 11±1.7 ml/min/kg, suggesting a high hepatic extraction ratio. The terminal half-life (t1/2) after intramuscular administration is governed by the absorption rate and was estimated to be 50 days.
Special populations
In a population pharmacokinetic analysis of data from phase III studies, no difference in fulvestrant's pharmacokinetic profile was detected with regard to age (range 33 to 89 years), weight (40-127 kg) or race.
Renal impairment
Mild to moderate impairment of renal function did not influence the pharmacokinetics of fulvestrant to any clinically relevant extent.
Hepatic impairment
The pharmacokinetics of fulvestrant has been evaluated in a single-dose clinical study conducted in women with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A and B). A high dose of a shorter duration intramuscular injection formulation was used. There was up to about 2.5-fold
increase in AUC in subjects with hepatic impairment compared to healthy women. In patients administered fulvestrant, an increase in exposure of this magnitude is expected to be well tolerated. Women with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) were not evaluated.
Paediatric population
The pharmacokinetics of fulvestrant has been evaluated in a clinical study conducted in 30 girls with Progressive Precocious Puberty associated with McCune Albright Syndrome (see section 5.1). The paediatric patients were aged 1 to 8 years and received 4 mg/kg monthly intramuscular dose of fulvestrant. The geometric mean (standard deviation) steady state trough concentration (Cmin,ss) and AUCss was 4.2 (0.9) ng/mL and 3680 (1020) ng*hr/mL, respectively. Although the data collected were limited, the steady-state trough concentrations of fulvestrant in children appear to be consistent with those in adults.
The acute toxicity of fulvestrant is low.
Fulvestrant and other formulations of fulvestrant were well tolerated in animal species used in multiple dose studies. Local reactions, including myositis and granulomata at the injection site were attributed to the vehicle but the severity of myositis in rabbits increased with fulvestrant, compared to the saline control. In toxicity studies with multiple intramuscular doses of fulvestrant in rats and dogs, the anti-oestrogenic activity of fulvestrant was responsible for most of the effects seen, particularly in the female reproductive system, but also in other organs sensitive to hormones in both sexes. Arteritis involving a range of different tissues was seen in some dogs after chronic (12 months) dosing.
In dog studies following oral and intravenous administration, effects on the cardiovascular system (slight elevations of the S-T segment of the ECG [oral], and sinus arrest in one dog [intravenous]) were seen. These occurred at exposure levels higher than in patients (Cmax >15 times) and are likely to be of limited significance for human safety at the clinical dose.
Fulvestrant showed no genotoxic potential.
Fulvestrant showed effects upon reproduction and embryo/foetal development consistent with its anti- oestrogenic activity, at doses similar to the clinical dose. In rats, a reversible reduction in female fertility and embryonic survival, dystocia and an increased incidence of foetal abnormalities including tarsal flexure were observed. Rabbits given fulvestrant failed to maintain pregnancy. Increases in placental weight and post-implantation loss of foetuses were seen. There was an increased incidence of foetal variations in rabbits (backwards displacement of the pelvic girdle and 27 pre-sacral vertebrae).
A two-year oncogenicity study in rats (intramuscular administration of fulvestrant) showed increased incidence of ovarian benign granulosa cell tumours in female rats at the high dose, 10 mg/rat/15 days and an increased incidence of testicular Leydig cell tumours in males. In a two-year mouse oncogenicity study (daily oral administration) there was an increased incidence of ovarian sex cord stromal tumours (both benign and malignant) at doses of 150 and 500 mg/kg/day. At the no-effect level for these findings, systemic exposure levels (AUC) were, in rats, approximately 1.5-fold the expected human exposure levels in females and 0.8-fold in males, and in mice, approximately 0.8-fold the expected human exposure levels in both males and females. Induction of such tumours is consistent with pharmacology-related endocrine feedback alterations in gonadotropin levels caused by
anti-estrogens in cycling animals. Therefore these findings are not considered to be relevant to the use of fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.
Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)
Environmental risk assessment studies have shown that fulvestrant may have potential to cause adverse effects to the aquatic environment (see section 6.6).
Ethanol (96 per cent)
Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl benzoate
Castor oil
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C)
Store the pre-filled syringe in the original package in order to protect from light
Fuxran is provided in one or two single-use pre-filled syringes, consisting of a siliconised type1 glass barrel fitted with:
a tamper evident closure connector, a siliconised brombutyl rubber plunger, a bromobutyl/synthetic isoprene rubber tip-cap, a polystyrene plunger rod, a polypropylene back stop.
Additionally to each pre-filled syringe a sterile needle is provided. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Instructions for administration
Administer the injection according to the local guidelines for performing large volume intramuscular injections.
NOTE: Due to the proximity of the underlying sciatic nerve, caution should be taken if administering [Nationally completed name] at the dorsogluteal injection site (see section 4.4).
Warning - Do not autoclave safety needle before use. Hands must remain behind the needle at all times during use and disposal.
Syringes are supplied with safety needle BD SafetyGlide® or Terumo SurGuard®.
Instructions for safety needle BD SafetyGlide®
For each of the two syringes:
· Carefully remove the needle and syringe from the packaging.
· Remove the protective cap from the tip of the syringe barrel
· Peel open the safety needle (BD SafetyGlide) outer packaging. Attach the safety needle to the Luer-Lock
· Twist to lock the needle to the Luer connector. Twist until firmly seated.
· Pull shield straight off needle to avoid damaging needle point.
· Remove needle sheath.
· While holding the syringe with the needle pointing upward, gently push in the plunger until the medicine is up to the top of the syringe. There should be no air within the barrel
· Administer intramuscularly slowly (1-2 minutes/injection) into the buttock. For user convenience, the needle bevel- up position is oriented to t
· After injection, immediately apply a single-finger stroke to the activation assisted lever arm to activate the shielding mechanism
NOTE: Activate away from self and others. Listen for click and visually confirm needle tip is fully covered.
Instructions for safety needle Terumo SurGuard®
For each of the two syringes:
· Carefully remove the needle and syringe from the packaging.
· Remove the protective cap from the tip of the syringe barrel
· Tighten the syringe to the needle using aseptic technique. Grip the base of the needle, not the sheath, and turn the syringe clockwise.
· Move the safety shield away from the needle and toward the syringe barrel to the angle shown. Then remove the needle cap.
· While holding the syringe with the needle pointing upward, gently push in the plunger until the medicine is up to the top of the syringe. There should be no air within the barrel
· Administer intramuscularly slowly (1-2 minutes/injection) into the buttock.
· After completing the injection, remove the needle from the skin and
use a one-handed technique to activate the safety mechanism using any of the three methods:
oFinger activation
o Thumb activation
o Surface activation
Activation is verified by an audible and/or tactile “click”, and can be visually confirmed. If uncertain that the safety shield is fully engaged, repeat this step.
Disposal
Pre-filled syringes are for single use only.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.