1. Name Of The Medicinal Product
Lysodren 500 mg tablets
2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition
Each tablet contains 500 mg of mitotane.
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. Pharmaceutical Form
Tablet.
White, biconvex, round, scored tablets.
4. Clinical Particulars
4.1 Therapeutic Indications
Symptomatic treatment of advanced (unresectable, metastatic or relapsed) adrenal cortical carcinoma.
The effect of Lysodren on non-functional adrenal cortical carcinoma is not established.
4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration
Treatment should be initiated and followed by a suitably experienced specialist.
Posology
Treatment in adults should be started with 2 - 3 g mitotane per day and increased progressively (e.g. at two
If it is urgent to control Cushing's symptoms in highly symptomatic patients, higher starting doses between 4 - 6 g daily could be necessary and daily dose increased more rapidly (e.g. every week). A starting dose higher than 6 g/day is generally not recommended.
Dose adjustments, monitoring and discontinuation
Dose adjustment is aimed to reach a therapeutic window (mitotane plasma levels between 14 and 20 mg/l) which ensures optimal use of Lysodren with acceptable safety. Indeed, neurologic toxicity has been associated with levels above 20 mg/l and therefore this threshold should not be reached. Weaker evidence has suggested that mitotane plasma levels above 14 mg/l may result in enhanced efficacy. Mitotane plasma levels higher than 20 mg/l may be associated with severe undesirable effects and offer no further benefit in terms of efficacy. Mitotane plasma levels should therefore be monitored in order to adjust the Lysodren dose and to avoid reaching toxic levels.
Dosing should be individually adjusted based on mitotane plasma levels monitoring and clinical tolerance until mitotane plasma levels reach the therapeutic window 14 – 20 mg/l. The target plasma concentration is usually reached within a period of 3 to 5 months.
Mitotane plasma levels should be assessed after each dose adjustment and at frequent (e.g. every two weeks) intervals, until the optimal maintenance dose is reached. Monitoring should be more frequent (e.g. every week) when a high starting dose has been used. It should be taken into account that dose adjustments do not produce immediate changes in plasma levels of mitotane (section 4.4). In addition, because of tissue accumulation, mitotane plasma levels should be monitored regularly (e.g. monthly) once the maintenance dose has been reached.
Regular monitoring (e.g. every two months) of mitotane plasma levels is also necessary after interruption of treatment. Treatment can be resumed when mitotane plasma levels will be ranged between 14
If serious adverse reactions occur, such as neurotoxicity, treatment with mitotane may need to be transiently interrupted. In case of mild toxicity, the dose should be reduced until the maximum tolerated dose is attained.
Treatment with Lysodren should be continued as long as clinical benefits are observed. If no clinical benefits are observed after 3 months at optimal dose, treatment should be permanently discontinued.
Special populations
Paediatric patients
The experience in children is limited.
The paediatric posology of mitotane has not been well characterised but appears equivalent to that of adults after correction for body surface.
Treatment should be initiated at 1.5 to 3.5 g/m2/day in children and adolescents with the objective of reaching 4 g/m2/day. Mitotane plasma levels should be monitored as for adults, with particular attention when plasma levels reach 10 mg/l as a quick increase in plasma levels may be observed. Dose may be reduced after 2 or 3 months according to the mitotane plasma levels or in case of serious toxicity.
Hepatic impairment
Since mitotane is mainly metabolised through the liver, mitotane plasma levels are expected to increase if liver function is impaired. There is no experience in the use of mitotane in patients with hepatic impairment, so data are insufficient to give a dose recommendation in this group. The use of mitotane in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended. In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment, caution should be exercised and monitoring of liver biochemistry should be performed. Monitoring of mitotane plasma levels is specially recommended in these patients (see section 4.4).
Renal impairment
There is no experience in the use of mitotane in patients with renal impairment, so data are insufficient to give a dose recommendation in this group. The use of mitotane in patients with severe renal impairment is not recommended and, in cases of mild to moderate renal impairment, caution should be exercised. Monitoring of mitotane plasma levels is specially recommended in these patients (see section 4.4).
Elderly patients (
There is no experience on the use of mitotane in elderly patients, so data are insufficient to give a dose recommendation in this group. Caution should be exercised and frequent monitoring of mitotane plasma levels is highly recommended.
Method of administration
The total daily dose may be divided in two or three doses according to patient's convenience. Tablets should be taken with water during meals containing fat-rich food (see section 4.5). Patients should be advised not to use any tablets showing signs of deterioration, and caregivers to wear disposable gloves when handling the tablets.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
Lactation (see section 4.6)
Concomitant use with spironolactone (see section 4.5)
4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use
Before the initiation of the treatment: Large metastatic masses should be surgically removed as far as possible before starting mitotane treatment, in order to minimise the risk of infarction and haemorrhage in the tumour due to a rapid cytotoxic effect of mitotane.
Risk of adrenal insufficiency: All patients with non functional tumour and 75% of patients with functional tumour show signs of adrenal insufficiency. Therefore, steroid replacement may be necessary in these patients. Since mitotane increases plasma levels of steroid binding proteins, free cortisol and corticotropin (ACTH) determinations are necessary for optimal dosing of steroid substitution (see section 4.8).
Shock, severe trauma or infection: Mitotane should be temporarily discontinued immediately following shock, severe trauma or infection, since adrenal suppression is its prime action. Exogenous steroids should be administered in such circumstances, since the depressed adrenal gland may not immediately start to secrete steroids. Because of an increased risk of acute adrenocortical insufficiency, patients should be instructed to contact their physician immediately if injury, infection, or any other concomitant illness occurs. Patients should carry with them the Lysodren Patient Card provided with the package leaflet indicating that they are prone to adrenal insufficiency and that, in case of emergency care, adequate precautionary measures should be taken.
Monitoring of plasma levels: Mitotane plasma levels should be monitored in order to adjust the mitotane dose, particularly if high starting doses are considered necessary. Dose adjustments may be necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic levels in the window between 14 and 20 mg/l and avoid specific adverse reactions (see section 4.2).
Hepatic or renal impairment: There are insufficient data to support the use of mitotane in patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment. In patients with mild or moderate hepatic or renal impairment, caution should be exercised and monitoring of mitotane plasma levels is particularly recommended (see section 4.2).
Mitotane tissue accumulation: Fat tissue can act as a reservoir for mitotane, resulting in a prolonged half-life and potential accumulation of mitotane. Consequently, despite a constant dose, mitotane levels may increase. Therefore, monitoring of mitotane plasma levels (e.g. every two months) is also necessary after interruption of treatment, as prolonged release of mitotane can occur. Caution and close monitoring of mitotane plasma levels are highly recommended when treating overweight patients.
Central nervous system disorders: Long-term continuous administration of high doses of mitotane may lead to reversible brain damage and impairment of function. Behavioural and neurological assessments should be made at regular intervals, especially when mitotane plasma levels exceed 20 mg/l (see section 4.8).
Bleeding time: Prolonged bleeding time has been reported in patients treated with mitotane and this should be taken into account when surgery is considered (see section 4.8).
Warfarin and coumarin-like anticoagulants: Physicians should closely monitor patients for a change in anticoagulant dose requirements when administering mitotane to patients on coumarin-like anticoagulants (see section 4.5).
Substances metabolised through cytochrome P450: Mitotane is a hepatic enzyme inducer and it should be used with caution in case of concomitant use of medicinal products influenced by hepatic enzyme induction (see section 4.5).
Women of childbearing potential: Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment with mitotane (see section 4.6).
Paediatric patients: In children and adolescents, neuro-psychological retardation can be observed during mitotane treatment. In such cases, thyroid function should be investigated in order to identify a possible thyroid impairment linked to mitotane treatment.
4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction
Spironolactone: Mitotane must not be given in combination with spironolactone, since this active substance may block the action of mitotane (see section 4.3).
Warfarin and coumarin-like anticoagulants: Mitotane has been reported to accelerate the metabolism of warfarin through hepatic microsomal enzyme induction, leading to an increase in dose requirements for warfarin. Therefore, physicians should closely monitor patients for a change in anticoagulant dose requirements when administering mitotane to patients on coumarin
Substances metabolised through cytochrome P450: Mitotane has been shown to have an inductive effect on cytochrome P450 enzymes. Therefore, the plasma concentrations of the substances metabolised via cytochrome P450 may be modified. In the absence of information on the specific P450 isoenzymes involved, caution should be taken when co-prescribing active substances metabolised by this route such as, among others, anticonvulsants, rifabutin, rifampicin, griseofulvin and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Medicinal products active on central nervous system: Mitotane can cause central nervous system undesirable effects at high concentrations (see section 4.8). Although no specific information on pharmacodynamic interactions in the central nervous system is available, this should be borne in mind when co-prescribing medicinal products with central nervous system depressant action.
Fat-rich food: Data with various mitotane formulations suggest that administration with fat-rich food enhances absorption of mitotane.
Hormone binding protein: Mitotane has been shown to increase plasma levels of hormone binding proteins (e.g. sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)). This should be taken into account when interpreting the results of hormonal assays and may result in gynaecomastia.
4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation
Pregnancy
Data on a limited number of exposed pregnancies indicate abnormalities on the adrenals of the foetus after exposure to mitotane. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with mitotane. Animal studies with similar substances have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Lysodren should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed and if the clinical benefit clearly outweighs any potential risk to the foetus.
Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and after discontinuation of treatment as long as mitotane plasma levels are detectable. The prolonged elimination of mitotane from the body after discontinuation of Lysodren should be considered.
Lactation
Due to the lipophilic nature of mitotane, it is likely to be excreted in breast milk. Breast
4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines
Lysodren has a major influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Ambulatory patients should be warned not to drive or use machines.
4.8 Undesirable Effects
Safety data are based on literature (mainly retrospective studies). More than 80 % of patients treated with mitotane have shown at least one type of undesirable effect. Adverse reactions listed below are classified according to frequency and system organ class. Frequency groupings are defined according to the following convention: Very common (
Table 1: Frequency of adverse reactions identified from literature data
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Gastrointestinal disorders are the most frequently reported (10 to 100 % of patients) and are reversible when the dose is reduced. Some of these effects (anorexia) may constitute the hallmark of initial central nervous system impairment.
Nervous system undesirable effects occur in approximately 40 % of patients. Other undesirable central nervous effects have been reported in literature such as memory defects, aggressiveness, central vestibular syndrome, dysarthria, or Parkinson syndrome. Serious undesirable effects appear linked to the cumulative exposure to mitotane and are most likely to occur when mitotane plasma levels are at 20 mg/l or above. At high doses and after prolonged utilization, brain function impairment can occur. Nervous system undesirable effects appear reversible after cessation of mitotane treatment and decrease in plasma levels (see section 4.4).
Skin rashes which have been reported in 5 to 25 % of patients do not seem to be dose related.
Leucopoenia has been reported in 8 to 12 % of patients. Prolonged bleeding time appears a frequent finding (90 %): although the exact mechanism of such an effect is unknown and its relation with mitotane or with the underlying disease is uncertain, it should be taken into account when surgery is considered.
The activity of liver enzymes (gamma-GT, aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) is commonly increased. Autoimmune hepatitis has been reported in 7 % of patients with no other information on mechanism. Liver enzymes levels normalize when the mitotane dose is decreased. A case of cholestatic hepatitis has been reported. Therefore, the possibility of mitotane-induced liver damage cannot be excluded.
Paediatric patients
Neuro-psychological retardation may be observed during mitotane treatment. In such cases, thyroid function should be investigated in order to identify a possible thyroid impairment linked to mitotane treatment. Hypothyroidism and growth retardation may be also observed.
4.9 Overdose
Mitotane overdose may lead to central nervous system impairment especially if mitotane plasma levels are above 20 mg/l. No proven antidotes have been established for mitotane overdose. The patient should be followed closely, taking into account that impairment is reversible, but given the long half
It is recommended to increase frequency of mitotane plasma level monitoring (e.g. every two weeks) in patients at risk of overdose (e.g. in case of renal or hepatic impairment, obese patients or patients with a recent weight loss).
5. Pharmacological Properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other antineoplastic agents, ATC code: L01XX23
Mechanism of action
Mitotane is an adrenal cytotoxic active substance, although it can apparently also cause adrenal inhibition without cellular destruction. Its biochemical mechanism of action is unknown. Available data suggest that mitotane modifies the peripheral metabolism of steroids and that it also directly suppresses the adrenal cortex. The administration of mitotane alters the extra-adrenal metabolism of cortisol in humans, leading to a reduction in measurable 17-hydroxy corticosteroids, even though plasma levels of corticosteroids do not fall. Mitotane apparently causes increased formation of 6-beta-hydroxy cholesterol.
Clinical efficacy
Mitotane has not been studied in a comprehensive clinical development program. Available clinical information comes mainly from published data in patients with inoperable or metastatic adrenal carcinoma. In terms of overall survival, four studies conclude that mitotane treatment does not increase the survival rate whereas five find an increase in the survival rate. Among the latter, three studies find such an increase only in patients in whom mitotane plasma is above 14 mg/l. In terms of total or partial tumour and/or metastasis regression, eleven studies have shown some degree of improvement and sometimes occasional prolonged remissions. However, in several studies, the objective criteria for evaluating tumour response are missing or not reported. There are nevertheless some studies which provide accurate information on tumour regression or disappearance and demonstrate that the threshold of 14 mg/l appears necessary to induce an objective tumour regression. In addition, mitotane induces a state of adrenal insufficiency which leads to the disappearance of Cushing syndrome in patients with secreting adrenal carcinoma and necessitates substitution hormonotherapy.
Paediatric patients
Clinical information comes mainly from a prospective trial (n= 24 patients) in children and adolescents aged at diagnosis from 5 months to 16 years (median age: 4 years) who had an unresectable primary tumour or who presented a tumour recurrence or a metastasic disease; most of the children (75%) presented with endocrine symptoms. Mitotane was given alone or combined with chemotherapy with various agents. Overall, the disease-free interval was 7 months (2 to 16 months). There were recurrences in 40% of children; the survival rate at 5 years was 49%.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties
Absorption
In a study performed in 8 patients with adrenal carcinoma treated with 2 to 3 g daily of mitotane, a highly significant correlation was found between plasma mitotane concentration and the total mitotane dose. The target plasma mitotane concentration (14 mg/l) was reached in all patients within 3 to 5 months and the total mitotane dose ranged between 283 and 387 g (median value: 363 g). The threshold of 20 mg/l was reached for cumulative amounts of mitotane of approximately 500 g. In another study, 3 patients with adrenal carcinoma received Lysodren according to a precise protocol allowing fast introduction of a high dose if the product was well tolerated: 3 g (as 3 intakes) on day 1, 4.5 g on day 2, 6 g on day 3, 7.5 g on day 4 and 9 g on day 5. This dose of Lysodren was continued or decreased in function of side effects and plasma mitotane levels. There was a positive linear correlation between the cumulative dose of Lysodren and the plasma levels of mitotane. In two of the 3 patients, plasma levels of more than 14 mg/l were achieved within 15 days and in one of them levels above 20 mg/l were achieved within approximately 30 days. In addition, in both studies, in some patients, the plasma mitotane levels continued to rise despite maintenance or a decrease of the daily dose of mitotane.
Distribution
Autopsy data from patients show that mitotane is found in most tissues of the body, with fat as the primary site of storage.
Metabolism
Metabolism studies in man have identified the corresponding acid, 1,1-(o,p'-dichlorodiphenyl) acetic acid (o,p'-DDA), as the major circulating metabolite, together with smaller quantities of the 1,1-(o,p'-dichlorodiphenyl)-2,2 dichloroethene (o,p'-DDE) analogue of mitotane. No unchanged mitotane has been found in bile or in urine, where o,p'-DDA predominates, together with several of its hydroxylated metabolites. For induction with cytochrome P450, see section 4.5.
Excretion
After intravenous administration, 25% of the dose was excreted as metabolites within 24 hours. Following discontinuation of mitotane treatment, it is slowly released from storage sites in fat, leading to reported terminal plasma half-lives ranging from 18 to 159 days.
5.3 Preclinical Safety Data
Non-clinical data on the general toxicity of mitotane is limited.
Reproductive toxicity studies have not been performed with mitotane. However, dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane (DDT) and other polychlorinated biphenyl analogues are known to have deleterious effects on fertility, pregnancy and development, and mitotane could be expected to share these properties.
The genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of mitotane has not been investigated.
6. Pharmaceutical Particulars
6.1 List Of Excipients
Maize starch
Microcrystalline cellulose (E 460)
Macrogol 3350
Silica colloidal anhydrous
6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
6.3 Shelf Life
3 years.
After opening: 1 year.
6.4 Special Precautions For Storage
Store in the original container.
6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container
Square opaque white HDPE bottle containing 100 tablets.
Pack size of 1 bottle.
6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling
This medicinal product should not be handled by persons other than the patient and his/her caregivers, and especially not by pregnant women. Caregivers should wear disposable gloves when handling the tablets.
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements for cytotoxic medicinal products.
7. Marketing Authorisation Holder
Laboratoire HRA Pharma
15 rue Béranger
75003 Paris
France
8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)
EU/1/04/273/001
9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation
Date of first autorisation : 28/04/2004
Date of last renewal : 28/04/2009
10. Date Of Revision Of The Text
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) http://www.emea.europa.eu/
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