Crizanlizumab is an intravenous P-selectin blocker indicated to reduce the frequency of vasoocclusive crises (VOC) in persons with sickle cell disease. In the SUSTAIN trial (n = 198), the median annual VOC rate was 1.63 for those receiving crizanlizumab 5 mg/kg, compared to 2.98 in the placebo group (indicating a 45.3% lower rate in the crizanlizumab group, p = 0.01). Additionally, 36% of crizanlizumab-treated subjects did not experience VOC during the study, and it delayed time to first experienced VOC after treatment initiation from 1.4 to 4.1 months. Common adverse reactions include back pain, nausea, fever, and arthralgia. Monitor patients for infusion-related reactions. Crizanlizumab may interfere with automated platelet counts (platelet clumping), which can lead to unevaluable or falsely decreased platelet counts; run tests promptly or use citrate tubes.
General Administration Information
For storage information, see the specific product information within the How Supplied section.
Route-Specific Administration
Injectable Administration
-Visually inspect parenteral products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Crizanlizumab is clear to opalescent, colorless, or may have a slightly brownish-yellow tint. Do not use if particles are present in the solution.
-Crizanlizumab should be prepared and administered by a healthcare professional.
-If a dose is missed, administer as soon as possible. If the drug is administered within 2 weeks after the missed dose, continue dosing according to the patient's original schedule. If the drug is administered more than 2 weeks after the missed dose, continue dosing every 4 weeks thereafter.
Intravenous Administration
Dilution
-Bring vials to room temperature for a maximum of 4 hours prior to the start of preparation (piercing the first vial).
-Dilute in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection to a total volume of 100 mL. The volume of crizanlizumab added to the infusion bag/container should not exceed 96 mL.
-Infusion bags/containers must be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP).
-Gently invert the infusion bag/container to mix the dilute solution. Do not shake.
-Administer diluted solution as soon as possible
-Storage: Prepared solution may be stored at room temperature up to 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) for no more than 4.5 hours or under refrigeration at 2 to 8 degrees C (36 to 46 degrees F) for no more than 24 hours from the start of preparation to the completion of the infusion. This includes the storage of diluted solution and the time to warm to room temperature. Protect from light during refrigerated storage. Vials are single-dose; discard unused drug.
Administration
-Infuse over 30 minutes through an IV line containing a sterile, nonpyrogenic 0.2-micron inline filter.
-After administration, flush the line with at least 25 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection.
-No incompatibilities have been observed with infusion sets composed of PVC, PE-lined PVC, polyurethane (PU), and in-line filter membranes composed of polyethersulfone (PES, neutral and positively charged), positively charged polyamide (PA), and polysulphone (PSU).
-Do not mix or coadminister with other drugs through the same IV line.
Nausea (18%), arthralgia (18%), back pain (15%), and fever (11%) were among the most common adverse reactions reported in patients receiving crizanlizumab during clinical trials. Fever was reported as a serious adverse reaction in 3% of patients.
Oropharyngeal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, pruritus (pruritus and vulvovaginal pruritus), musculoskeletal chest pain (unspecified), and myalgia were reported in less than 10% of crizanlizumab-treated patients in clinical trials. Abdominal pain was reported in 12% of crizanlizumab-treated patients.
Infusion-related reactions (3%) were observed in crizanlizumab-treated patients during clinical trials. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, pruritus, urticaria, sweating, shortness of breath, or wheezing. For mild to moderate infusion-related reactions, temporarily stop the infusion or reduce the rate of infusion and initiate symptomatic treatment (e.g., acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, antihistamines, intravenous fluids and/or oxygen therapy); consider premedication and/or reduce the rate of infusion for subsequent doses. For severe infusion-related reactions, discontinue crizanlizumab and institute appropriate medical care; consider permanent discontinuation of crizanlizumab. Infusion site reactions including extravasation and infusion site pain and swelling were reported in less than 10% of crizanlizumab-treated patients.
As with all therapeutic proteins, antibody formation may occur. In a single-arm, open-label, multiple-dose study, 0 of 45 patients with sickle cell disease tested positive for treatment-induced anti-crizanlizumab antibodies. In a single-dose study of healthy subjects, 1 of 61 (1.6%) evaluable subjects tested positive for treatment-induced antibodies.
Laboratory test interference with automated platelet counts (platelet clumping) has been observed after administration of crizanlizumab, particularly when blood samples were collected in tubes containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This may lead to unevaluable or falsely decreased platelet counts. Run blood samples within 4 hours of blood collection or collect blood samples in tubes containing citrate. Estimate platelet count via peripheral blood smear when needed.
Crizanlizumab crosses the placental barrier and has the potential to cause fetal harm when administered during human pregnancy. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Use crizanlizumab during pregnancy only if the expected benefit to the patient justifies the potential risk to the fetus. There are insufficient human data on crizanlizumab use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. However, administration to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys from the onset of organogenesis through delivery resulted in a non-dose related increase in fetal loss (abortions/stillbirths) at doses approximately 2.8 times the human clinical exposure. No maternal toxicity was observed and there were no effects on infant growth and development through 6-months postpartum that were attributable to crizanlizumab. Women with sickle cell disease have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and fetus. Pregnant women are at greater risk for vasoocclusive crisis, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and maternal mortality. Fetal complications include an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality.
There is no data on the presence of crizanlizumab in human or animal milk, the effects on the breast-fed child, or the effects on milk production. Maternal IgG is present in human milk. The effects of local gastrointestinal exposure and limited systemic exposure to crizanlizumab in the breast-fed child are unknown. Consider the benefits of breast-feeding, the risk of potential infant drug exposure, and the risk of an untreated or inadequately treated condition. If a breast-feeding infant experiences an adverse effect related to a maternally ingested drug, healthcare providers are encouraged to report the adverse effect to the FDA.
For the treatment of sickle cell disease to reduce the frequency of vasoocclusive crises:
Intravenous dosage:
Adults: 5 mg/kg/dose IV at weeks 0 and 2, then 5 mg/kg/dose IV every 4 weeks. Crizanlizumab may be given with or without hydroxyurea.
Adolescents 16 to 17 years: 5 mg/kg/dose IV at weeks 0 and 2, then 5 mg/kg/dose IV every 4 weeks. Crizanlizumab may be given with or without hydroxyurea.
Maximum Dosage Limits:
-Adults
5 mg/kg/dose IV.
-Geriatric
5 mg/kg/dose IV.
-Adolescents
16 to 17 years: 5 mg/kg/dose IV.
13 to 15 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.
-Children
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
-Infants
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
-Neonates
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment Dosing
Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in hepatic impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.
Patients with Renal Impairment Dosing
Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in renal impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.
*non-FDA-approved indication
There are no drug interactions associated with Crizanlizumab products.
Crizanlizumab, a humanized IgG2 kappa monoclonal antibody, inhibits adhesion of sickled red blood cells by binding to P-selectin and preventing interaction with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1). Binding P-selectin on the surface of activated endothelium and platelets blocks interactions between endothelial cells, platelets, red blood cells, and leukocytes. Crizanlizumab can also dissociate preformed P-selectin/PSGL-1 complex.
Crizanlizumab is administered intravenously. Mean Vd is 4.26 L after a single dose. Crizanlizumab is expected to be metabolized into small peptides by catabolic pathways. Mean clearance and elimination half-life is 11.7 mL/hour and 10.6 days, respectively, in healthy subjects. Mean elimination half-life in persons with sickle cell disease is 11.2 days.
Crizanlizumab inhibits P-selectin in a dose-dependent fashion.
Affected cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and drug transporters: none
-Route-Specific Pharmacokinetics
Intravenous Route
Mean Cmax, AUClast, and AUCinfinity were 0.16 mg/mL, 33.6 mg/mL x hour, and 34.6 mg/mL x hour, respectively, in healthy volunteers during pharmacokinetic trials. These parameters increased disproportionally over the dosage range of 0.2 to 8 mg/kg (0.04 to 1.6 times the recommended dosage) in healthy volunteers.
-Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of crizanlizumab is unknown.
Renal Impairment
The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of crizanlizumab is unknown.