Vimizim Drug Information
Generic name: ELOSULFASE ALFA
Hydrolytic Lysosomal Glycosaminoglycan-specific Enzyme [EPC]
Uses of Vimizim
VIMIZIM (elosulfase alfa) is indicated for patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA; Morquio A syndrome). VIMIZIM is a hydrolytic lysosomal glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-specific enzyme indicated for patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA; Morquio A syndrome).
Dosage & Administration of Vimizim
Important Administration Instructions Administration of VIMIZIM should be supervised by a healthcare provider knowledgeable in the management of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Initiate VIMIZIM in a healthcare setting with appropriate medical monitoring and support measures, including access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This product must be diluted prior to administration and administered using a low-protein binding infusion set equipped with a low-protein binding 0.2 micrometer (µm) in-line filter.
Consider pre-medicating with antihistamines, with or without antipyretics, 30 to 60 minutes prior to the start of the infusion.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage of VIMIZIM is 2 mg/kg administered intravenously over a minimum range of 3.5 to 4.5 hours (based on infusion volume) once every week.
Administration Modifications Due to Hypersensitivity Reaction In the event of a severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis), discontinue the VIMIZIM infusion and immediately initiate appropriate medical treatment, including use of epinephrine. In the event of a mild to moderate hypersensitivity reaction, consider slowing or temporarily interrupting the infusion, or administering additional antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids.
Preparation Instructions
Use aseptic technique during preparation. Determine the number of VIMIZIM vials based on the patient's actual body weight in kg and the recommended dose. Remove vials from the refrigerator.
Select the appropriate size 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP infusion bag and calculate the infusion volume based on patient's actual body weight: For patients who weigh less than 25 kg, the final infusion volume should be 100 mL For patients who weigh 25 kg or more, the final infusion volume should be 250 mL. Withdraw and discard a volume of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP from either the 100 mL or 250 mL infusion bag equal to the volume of VIMIZIM to be added. Withdraw the required volume of VIMIZIM from the vial(s) and add to the 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP infusion bag.
Gently rotate the infusion bag to mix the diluted solution. Avoid vigorous shaking or agitation. Discard unused portion remaining in the vial(s).
Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration. The solution should be clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to pale yellow. The diluted VIMIZIM solution may contain proteinaceous particles in the form of translucent fibers which will be removed by the in-line filter during infusion.
Discard if opaque particles are present or the solution is discolored.
Administration Instructions Use an infusion set equipped with a low-protein binding 0.2 micrometer (µm) in-line filter to administer VIMIZIM. Do not infuse with other products in the infusion tubing. Compatibility with other products has not been evaluated.
Table 1. Intravenous Infusion Rate for VIMIZIM Based on Patient Weight Table 2. Minimum Infusion Time for VIMIZIM Based on Patient Weight Patient Weight (kg) Minimum Infusion Time (hours) Less than 25 kg 3.5 hours 25 kg or more 4.5 hours
Storage of the Diluted Solution If the diluted
VIMIZIM solution is not used immediately: Store the diluted solution refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 24 hours or at room temperature between 23°C to 27°C (73°F to 81°F) for up to 24 hours. Diluted VIMIZIM solution must be used within 48 hours, inclusive of total infusion time. Discard if not used within 48 hours.
Do not freeze or shake.
| Patient Weight (kg) | Infusion rate (mL/hour) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Rate (first 15 minutes) | Subsequent Rate (next 15 minutes) | Subsequent Rate Increments If tolerated, the infusion rate can be increased incrementally up to the maximum infusion rate. | Maximum Infusion Rate | |
| Less than 25 kg | 3 mL/hour | 6 mL/hour | 6 mL/hour every 15 minutes | 36 mL/hour |
| 25 kg or more | 6 mL/hour | 12 mL/hour | 12 mL/hour every 15 minutes | 72 mL/hour |
| Patient Weight (kg) | Minimum Infusion Time (hours) |
|---|---|
| Less than 25 kg | 3.5 hours |
| 25 kg or more | 4.5 hours |
Side Effects of Vimizim
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of VIMIZIM was conducted in 176 patients with MPS IVA, ages 5 to 57 years old. Approximately half of the patients (49%) were male.
The majority of patients (78%) were non-Hispanic. Patients were randomized to three treatment groups: VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week (n=58), VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once every other week (n=59), or placebo (n=59). All patients were treated with antihistamines prior to each infusion.
Table 3 summarizes the most common adverse reactions that occurred in the placebo-controlled trial with an incidence of ≥ 10% in patients treated with VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week and with a higher incidence than in the placebo-treated patients. Table 3: Adverse Reactions That Occurred in the Placebo-Controlled Trial in At Least 10% of Patients in the VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg Once Per Week Group and with a Higher Incidence than in the Extension Trial An open-label extension trial was conducted in 173 patients who completed the placebo-controlled trial. No new adverse reactions were reported.
Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, including
VIMIZIM, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease.
For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other elosulfase alfa products may be misleading. All patients treated with VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week in the placebo-controlled trial developed anti-drug antibodies by Week 4. Anti-drug antibody titers were sustained or increased for the duration of VIMIZIM treatment.
Because all patients developed anti-drug antibodies, associations between antibody titers and reductions in treatment effect or the occurrence of anaphylaxis or other hypersensitivity reactions could not be determined. All patients treated with VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week tested positive for neutralizing antibodies capable of inhibiting the drug from binding to the mannose-6-phosphate receptor at least once during the trial. Binding to this receptor is required for VIMIZIM to be taken into cells where it is active.
Neutralizing antibody titers were not determined in the patients. Therefore, the possibility of an association between neutralizing antibody titer and treatment effect cannot be assessed.
| Adverse Reaction | VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| N= 58 n (%) | N= 59 n (%) | |
| Pyrexia | 19 (33%) | 8 (14%) |
| Vomiting | 18 (31%) | 4 (7%) |
| Headache | 15 (26%) | 9 (15%) |
| Nausea | 14 (24%) | 4 (7%) |
| Abdominal pain | 12 (21%) | 1 (2%) |
| Chills | 6 (10%) | 1 (2%) |
| Fatigue | 6 (10%) | 2 (3%) |
Warnings & Cautions for Vimizim
Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis
Life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients treated with enzyme replacement therapies, including VIMIZIM. In premarketing clinical trials, 18 of 235 (7.7%) patients treated with VIMIZIM experienced signs and symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis. These 18 patients experienced 26 anaphylactic reactions during infusion with signs and symptoms including cough, erythema, throat tightness, urticaria, flushing, cyanosis, hypotension, rash, dyspnea, chest discomfort, and gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, abdominal pain, retching, and vomiting) in conjunction with urticaria.
These cases of anaphylaxis occurred as early as 30 minutes from the start of infusion and up to three hours after infusion. Anaphylaxis occurred as late into treatment as the 47 th infusion. In clinical trials with VIMIZIM, 44 of 235 (18.7%) patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Hypersensitivity reactions have occurred as early as 30 minutes from the start of infusion but as late as six days after infusion. Frequent symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions (occurring in more than 2 patients) included anaphylactic reactions, urticaria, peripheral edema, cough, dyspnea, and flushing. Anaphylaxis has occurred during the early course of enzyme replacement therapy and after extended duration of therapy.
Administration of VIMIZIM should be supervised by a healthcare provider knowledgeable in the management of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Initiate VIMIZIM in a healthcare setting with appropriate medical monitoring and support measures, including access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment. Observe patients closely for an appropriate period of time after administration of VIMIZIM, taking into account the time to onset of anaphylaxis seen in premarketing clinical trials.
Because of the potential for hypersensitivity reactions, administer antihistamines with or without antipyretics prior to infusion. Management of hypersensitivity reactions should be based on the severity of the reaction and include slowing or temporarily interrupting the infusion, and/or administering additional antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids for mild to moderate reactions. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) occurs, discontinue VIMIZIM and immediately initiate appropriate medical treatment, including use of epinephrine.
Inform patients of the symptoms of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and to seek immediate medical care should symptoms occur. Consider the risks and benefits of re-administering VIMIZIM following a severe reaction.
Risk of Acute Respiratory Complications Patients with acute febrile or respiratory illness at the time of VIMIZIM infusion may be at higher risk of life-threatening complications from hypersensitivity reactions. Careful consideration should be given to the patient's clinical status prior to administration of VIMIZIM and consider delaying the VIMIZIM infusion. Sleep apnea is common in MPS IVA patients.
Evaluation of airway patency should be considered prior to initiation of treatment with VIMIZIM. Patients using supplemental oxygen or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during sleep should have these treatments readily available during infusion in the event of an acute reaction, or extreme drowsiness/sleep induced by antihistamine use.
Spinal or Cervical Cord Compression Spinal or cervical cord compression (SCC) is a known and serious complication of MPS IVA and may occur as part of the natural history of the disease. In clinical trials, SCC was observed both in patients receiving VIMIZIM and patients receiving placebo. Patients with MPS IVA should be monitored for signs and symptoms of SCC (including back pain, paralysis of limbs below the level of compression, urinary and fecal incontinence) and given appropriate clinical care.
Pregnancy Safety for Vimizim
Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published case reports, a registry with a pregnancy sub-study and pharmacovigilance reports with VIMIZIM use during pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Limitations of the available data include a small number of exposed cases and missing data. In animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in rats given daily administration of elosulfase alfa up to 33 times the human steady-state AUC (area under the concentration-time curve) at the recommended human weekly dose pre-mating and through the period of organogenesis.
No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in rabbits given daily administration of elosulfase alfa at doses up to 8 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose during organogenesis, which produced maternal toxicity. A dose-dependent increase in stillbirths was observed when elosulfase alfa was administered daily in rats during organogenesis through lactation at doses 5 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended human weekly dose. An increase in pup mortality was observed at doses producing maternal toxicity.
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is respectively.
Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and embryo/fetal risk Pregnancy can exacerbate preexisting clinical manifestations of MPS and lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. Data Animal Data All reproductive studies with rats included pre-treatment with diphenhydramine to prevent or minimize hypersensitivity reactions. The effects of elosulfase alfa were evaluated based on comparison to a control group treated with diphenhydramine alone.
Daily intravenous administration of up to 20 mg/kg elosulfase alfa in rats (33 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose of 2 mg/kg) during a 15-day pre-mating period, mating, and the period of organogenesis, produced no maternal toxicity or effects on embryo-fetal development. Daily intravenous administration of up to 10 mg/kg in rabbits (8 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose) during the period of organogenesis had no effects on embryo-fetal development. However, maternal toxicity (gross changes in liver) was observed in rabbits given doses of 1 mg/kg/day and higher (0.1 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose).
Elosulfase alfa produced an increase in the percentage of stillbirths when administered daily to rats at intravenous doses of 6 mg/kg and higher (5 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose) during the period of organogenesis through lactation. Daily intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg (33 times the human steady-state AUC at the recommended weekly dose) produced maternal toxicity and an increase in mortality of offspring during the lactation period. This study lacked a full evaluation of neurodevelopmental milestones; however, no effects of elosulfase alfa were noted in tests for learning and memory.
Pediatric Use of Vimizim
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of VIMIZIM have been established in pediatric patients 5 years of age and older. Use of VIMIZIM in patients 5 years of age and older is supported by an adequate and well-controlled trial in pediatric and adult patients. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below 5 years of age have not been established.
Clinical Studies of Vimizim
The safety and efficacy of VIMIZIM were assessed in a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 176 patients with MPS IVA. The age of patients ranged from 5 to 57 years. At baseline, all enrolled patients could walk more than 30 meters (m) but less than 325 m in six minutes.
Patients received VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week (n=58), VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once every other week (n=59), or placebo (n=59). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in the distance walked in six minutes (six-minute walk test, 6-MWT) at Week 24. The other endpoints included changes from baseline in the rate of stair climbing in three minutes (three-minute stair climb test, 3-MSCT) and changes from baseline in urine KS levels at Week 24.
There was no difference in the rate of stair climbing between patients who received VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week and those who received placebo. Patients who received VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once every other week performed similarly in the 6-MWT and 3-MSCT as those who received placebo. The reduction in urinary KS levels from baseline, a measure of pharmacodynamic effect, was greater in the VIMIZIM treatment groups compared to placebo.
The relationship between urinary KS and other measures of clinical response has not been established. Table 5: Results from Extension Trial Patients who participated in the placebo-controlled trial were eligible to continue treatment in an open-label extension trial. One hundred seventy-three of 176 patients enrolled in the extension trial in which patients received VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week (n=86) or VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once every other week (n=87).
In patients who continued to receive VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week for another 48 weeks (for a total of 72-week exposure), walking ability showed no further improvement beyond the first 24 weeks of treatment in the placebo-controlled trial.
| VIMIZIM 2 mg/kg once per week | Placebo | VIMIZIM vs. Placebo | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | Week 24 | Change | Baseline | Week 24 | Change | Mean Difference in Changes | |
| N | 58 | 57 One patient in the VIMIZIM group dropped out after 1 infusion | 57 | 59 | 59 | 59 | |
| Six-Minute Walk Test (Meters) | |||||||
| Mean ± SD | 203.9 ± 76.32 | 243.3 ± 83.53 | 36.5 ± 58.49 | 211.9 ± 69.88 | 225.4 ± 83.22 | 13.5 ± 50.63 | 23.0 Observed VIMIZIM mean change – Placebo mean change (CI 95, 2.9, 43.1) |
| Median | 216.5 | 251.0 | 20.0 | 228.9 | 229.4 | 9.9 | 22.5 ANCOVA Model-based VIMIZIM mean change – Placebo mean change, adjusted for baseline 6MWT categories (less than or equal to 200 meters, greater than 200 meters) and age groups (5-11, 12-18, 19 or older) (CI 95, 4.0, 40.9) |
| Min, Max | 42.4, 321.5 | 52.0, 399.9 | -57.8, 228.7 | 36.2, 312.2 | 50.6, 501.0 | -99.2, 220.5 | (p = 0.0174), p-value based on the model-based difference in means |
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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