Indications

Levagen is a kinase inhibitor that is indicated:

• Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Levagen is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
• Renal Cell Carcinoma: Levagen is indicated in combination with Everolimus for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Levagen is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• Endometrial Carcinoma: Levagen, in combination with Pembrolizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.

* রেজিস্টার্ড চিকিৎসকের পরামর্শ মোতাবেক ঔষধ সেবন করুন'

Pharmacology

Lenvatinib is a kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). Lenvatinib inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4; platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR ), KIT, and RET. Lenvatinib also exhibited antiproliferative activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines dependent on activated FGFR signaling with concurrent inhibition of FGF-receptor substrate 2 (FRS2 ) phosphorylation.

Absorption: The time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) typically occurred from 1 to 4 hours post-dose. Administration with a high-fat meal (approximately 900 calories of which approximately 55% were from fat, 15% from protein, and 30% from carbohydrates) did not affect the extent of absorption, but decreased the rate of absorption and delayed the median Tmax from 2 hours to 4 hours.

Distribution: In vitro binding of Lenvatinib to human plasma proteins ranged from 98% to 99% at concentrations of 0.3 to 30 μg/mL. The blood-to-plasma concentration ratio ranged from 0.59 to 0.61 at concentrations of 0.1 to 10 μg/mL in vitro.

Metabolism: The main metabolic pathways for Lenvatinib in humans were identified as enzymatic (CYP3A and aldehyde oxidase) and non-enzymatic processes. Excretion: Ten days after a single administration of radiolabeled Lenvatinib, approximately 64% and 25% of the radiolabel were eliminated in the feces and urine, respectively.

Elimination: The terminal elimination half-life of Lenvatinib was approximately 28 hours.

Dosage

Important Dosage Information: The dose reduction is needed for certain patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Lenvatinib should be taken once daily, with or without food, at the same time each day. If a dose is missed and cannot be taken within 12 hours, skip that dose and take the next dose at the usual time of administration.

Recommended Dosage for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC): The recommended dosage of Lenvatinib is 24 mg orally once daily until disease progression or until unacceptable toxicity.

Recommended Dosage for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): The recommended dosage of Lenvatinib is 18 mg in combination with 5 mg Everolimus orally once daily until disease progression or until unacceptable toxicity.

Recommended Dosage for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): The recommended dosage of Lenvatinib is based on actual body weight: 12 mg for patients greater than or equal to 60 kg or 8 mg for patients less than 60 kg. Lenvatinib should be taken orally once daily until disease progression or until unacceptable toxicity.

Recommended Dosage for Endometrial Carcinoma: The recommended dosage of Lenvatinib is 20 mg orally once daily, in combination with Pembrolizumab 200 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks, until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression.

* রেজিস্টার্ড চিকিৎসকের পরামর্শ মোতাবেক ঔষধ সেবন করুন'

Administration

Lenvatinib capsules can be swallowed whole or dissolved in a small glass of liquid. To dissolve in liquid, put capsules into 1 tablespoon of water or apple juice without breaking or crushing the capsules. Leave the capsules in the water or apple juice for at least 10 minutes. Stir for at least 3 minutes. After drinking the mixture, add 1 tablespoon of water or apple juice to the glass, swirl the contents a few times and swallow the water or apple juice.

* রেজিস্টার্ড চিকিৎসকের পরামর্শ মোতাবেক ঔষধ সেবন করুন'

Interaction

Drugs That Prolong the QT Interval: Levagen has been reported to prolong the QT/QTc interval. Avoid coadministration of Levagen with medicinal products with a known potential to prolong the QT/QTc interval.

Contraindications

It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Lenvatinib or to any component of the formulation.

Side Effects

Hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, arterial thromboembolic events, hepatotoxicity, renal failure and impairment, proteinuria, diarrhea, fistula formation and gastrointestinal perforation, QT Interval Prolongation, hypocalcemia, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, hemorrhagic events, impairment of thyroid stimulating hormone suppression/thyroid dysfunction, wound healing complications.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Use in Pregnancy: Based on the mechanism of action, Lenvatinib can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Pregnant women should be advised of the potential risk to a fetus. Females of reproductive potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment with Lenvatinib and for at least 30 days after the last dose.

Use in Lactation: It is not known whether Lenvatinib is present in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, women should be advised to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment with Lenvatinib and for at least 1 week after the last dose.

Precautions & Warnings

Hypertension: Control blood pressure prior to initiating Levagen. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose when hypertension is controlled or permanently discontinue Levagen is based on severity.

Cardiac Dysfunction: Serious and fatal cardiac dysfunction can occur with Levagen. Monitor patients for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen based on severity.

Arterial Thromboembolic Events: Permanently discontinue Levagen following an arterial thrombotic event. The safety of resuming Levagen after an arterial thromboembolic event has not been established and Levagen has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolic event within the previous 6 months.

Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver function prior to initiating Levagen, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Monitor patients with HCC closely for signs of hepatic failure, including hepatic encephalopathy. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen based on severity.

Renal Failure or Impairment: Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen for renal failure or impairment based on severity.

Proteinuria: Monitor for proteinuria prior to initiating Levagen and periodically during treatment. If urine dipstick proteinuria greater than or equal to 2+ is detected, obtain a 24-hour urine protein. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen based on severity.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction and diarrhea recurred despite dose reduction. Promptly initiate management of diarrhea. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen based on severity.

Fistula Formation and Gastrointestinal Perforation: Permanently discontinue Levagen in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation of any severity or Grade 3 or 4 fistula.

QT Interval Prolongation: Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or those who are taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose of Levagen upon recovery based on severity.

Hypocalcemia: Hypocalcemia improved or resolved following calcium supplementation, with or without dose interruption or dose reduction.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome: Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen depending on severity and persistence of neurologic symptoms.

Hemorrhagic Events: Consider the risk of severe or fatal hemorrhage associated with tumor invasion or infiltration of major blood vessels (e.g. carotid artery). Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue Levagen based on the severity.

Impairment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression/Thyroid Dysfunction: Monitor thyroid function prior to initiating Levagen and at least monthly during treatment. Treat hypothyroidism according to standard medical practice.

Wound Healing Complications: Wound healing complications, including fistula formation and wound dehiscence, can occur with Levagen. Withhold Levagen for at least 6 days prior to scheduled surgery. Resume Levagen after surgery based on clinical judgment of adequate wound healing. Permanently discontinue Levagen in patients with wound healing complications.

Use in Special Populations

Dosage Modifications for Severe Renal Impairment: The recommended dosage of Levagen for patients with DTC, RCC, or endometrial carcinoma and severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation using actual body weight) is:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer: 14 mg orally once daily
• Renal cell carcinoma: 10 mg orally once daily
• Endometrial carcinoma: 10 mg orally once daily

Dosage Modifications for Severe Hepatic Impairment: The recommended dosage of Levagen for patients with DTC, RCC, or endometrial carcinoma and severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) is:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer: 14 mg taken orally once daily
• Renal cell carcinoma: 10 mg taken orally once daily
• Endometrial carcinoma: 10 mg orally once daily Or as directed by the registered physician.

Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Overdose Effects

Due to the high plasma protein binding, Levagen is not expected to be dialyzable. Death due to multiorgan dysfunction occurred in a patient who received a single dose of Levagen 120 mg orally.

Therapeutic Class

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

Storage Conditions

Store below 30°C in a dry place. Protect from light. Keep out of the reach of children.