DRUG NAMETENIPOSIDE

:

SYNONYM(S):

VM-26, PTG

COMMON TRADE NAME(S):

VUMON(r)

CLASSIFICATION

:

Miscellaneous

Special pediatric considerations are noted when applicable, otherwise adult provisions apply.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

:

[1]

Podophyllin resin derivatives have been used as medicaments for over 250 years. In 1861 Bentley reported cytotoxic activity for podophyllin, which in a later report (1942) was useful as a topical solution in oil for treating condyloma acuminatum. Teniposide is a semisynthetic podophyllotoxin derived from the root of Podophyllum peltatum (the May apple or mandrake). It is known to cause single-strand breaks in DNA. Teniposide also causes DNA damage through inhibition of the enzyme topoisomerase II and activation of oxidation-reduction reactions to produce derivatives that bind directly to DNA. Topoisomerase II carries out breakage and reunion reactions of DNA which are necessary for normal cellular function. Teniposide is cell cycle phase-specific with predominant activity occurring in late S phase and G2.

PHARMACOKINETICS

:

[2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]

Oral Absorption not studied
Distribution high concentrations in liver, kidneys, small intestines and adrenals; found in ascitic fluid
cross blood brain barrier? yes (CSF: plasma ratio 1-3%)
Vd 28.45% of body weight adults: 7.5-30 L/m 2 children: 3-10 L/m 2
PPB 99.4%
Metabolism primary route of elimination is by hepatic metabolism (86%)
active metabolite(s) yes
inactive metabolite(s) yes
Excretion 0-10% excreted in feces within 3 days
urine 44.5% within 72 hours, 21.3% unchanged
t1/2 a 45 minutes
t1/2 b 2.8-4 hours
t1/2 g 6.1-21.2 hours
Cl 7-17 mL/min/m 2

Teniposide

USES

:

[1,7]

Less frequent uses include: Hodgkin's disease Lung cancer, small cell Retinoblastoma Health Protection Branch approved indication.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

:

[7]

Teniposide is contraindicated in patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to teniposide or other drugs formulated in Cremophor EL (polyethoxylated castor oil). Animal studies have shown that teniposide is potentially carcinogenic. Its safe use in pregnancy and its effect on fertility have not been established. Breast feeding is not recommended due to the potential secretion into breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS

:

[7,14,15,16,17,18]

ORGAN SITE SIDE EFFECT ONSET
cardiovascular hypotension (with rapid IV infusion, rare if given over >= 30 minutes) I
dermatologic alopecia (31%, mild) E
extravasation hazard (refer to Appendix 2) IRRITANT I
gastrointestinal nausea and vomiting (4-11%, mild) I
diarrhea (1%) E
anorexia (1%) E
stomatitis (3%, dose-limiting with 72 hour continuous infusion) E
hematologic myelosuppression nadir 5-14 days, recovery 22-28 days E
hepatic elevated liver function tests (2%) E
hypersensitivity Type I (anaphylactoid), (5% overall, 15% neuroblastoma) I
Type II (hemolytic anemia, rare) I
injection site chemical phlebitis I
neoplastic acute myelogenous leukemia L
ORGAN SITE SIDE EFFECT ONSET
neurologic peripheral neuropathy (rare, more common and severe with previous vincristine) E
renal/metabolic nephrotoxicity (2%) E

Dose-limiting side effects are underlined. I = immediate (onset in hours to days); E = early (days to weeks); D = delayed (weeks to months); L = late (months to years) The incidence of Type 1 hypersensitivity reactions varies from 2-11%. No fatalities have been reported but hypotension and bronchospasm can occur with the first dose. There is a significant risk of hypersensitivity reactions in children treated with epipodophyllotoxins. One investigator reported a frequency of 3.6-6.5% with teniposide. Teniposide appears to cause more reactions than etoposide, possibly due to the presence of the surfactant Cremophor EL in the teniposide preparation. The most common symptoms of hypersensitivity have been flushing and chills. More severe reactions may produce bronchospasm, cyanosis and/or hypotension. Other symptoms described include urticaria, chest pain, sweating and pallor. Most symptoms can be relieved by discontinuing the teniposide infusion and administering an antihistamine. Pretreatment with an antihistamine and a corticosteroid may allow those patients who have reacted to tolerate a rechallenge. The use of teniposide in children has been associated with the development of secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). This secondary AML typically presents 2 to 4 years after the primary diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia or other malignancies in children treated with epipodophyllotoxins. The risk for development of secondary AML is approximately 6% and appears to be related to treatment frequency; once weekly or twice weekly dosing schedules show a higher risk than doses given less frequently.

INTERACTIONS

:

[19]

AGENT EFFECT MECHANISM MANAGEMENT
phenytoin, phenobarbital increased teniposide clearance by 2 to 3 fold, possibly resulting in decreased antineoplastic effect possibly by induction of hepatic microsomal enzyme oxidation system higher doses of teniposide may be required

SOLUTION PREPARATION AND COMPATIBILITY

:

[9,20,21,22,23,24]

For basic information on solution preparation and compatibility, see Chemotherapy Chart in Appendix.

PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION

:

[7,25]

BCCA administration guideline noted in bold, italics
Subcutaneous not used due to corrosive nature
Intramuscular not used due to corrosive nature

Teniposide

Direct intravenous not recommended, hypotension
Intermittent infusion Start infusion slowly and stay with the patient for the first 10 minutes to observe for reactions. 0.2 mg/mL in D5W or NS over 30-60 minutes. In children, dilute to 1 mg/mL (D5W or NS) and infuse over 30-45 minutes.
Continuous infusion in appropriate volume usually 3-5 days
Intraperitoneal investigational, late peritonitis
Intrapleural not recommended, avoid extravasation
Intrathecal no information available on this route
Intra-arterial no information available on this route
Intravesical investigational, severe chemical cystitis

DOSAGE GUIDELINES

:

[7,10,11,25,26,27]

Refer to protocol by which patient is being treated. Numerous dosing schedules exist and depend on disease, response and concomitant therapy. Guidelines for dosing also include consideration of white blood cell count. Dosage may be reduced and/or delayed in patients with bone marrow depression due to cytotoxic/radiation therapy.

Adults: Intravenous: twice weekly (biw): 150-200 mg/m2 q1w: 50-180 mg/m2 q3w: 100 mg/m2 q3w: 45-160 mg/m2/day x 2-5 days q4w: 30 mg/m2/day x 5-10 days 300-750 mg/m2 over 72 hours

Dosage in myelosuppression:

modify according to protocol by which patient is being treated; if no guidelines

available, refer to Appendix 6 "Dosage Modification for Myelosuppression"

Dosage in renal failure:

adjustment required, no details found

Dosage in hepatic failure: Bilirubin umol/L % usual dose

25-51 50% >51 25% Children: q7-10w: 150-165 mg/m2/dose twice weekly (biw)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

:

  1. Haskell CM, ed. Cancer treatment, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1990.

  2. Clark PI, Slevin ML. The clinical pharmacology of etoposide and teniposide. Clin Pharmacokin 1987; 12:223-52.

  3. Reynolds JEF, ed. Martindale: The extra pharmacopoeia, 28th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 1982:227.

  4. Pinedo HM, Chabner BA, eds. Cancer chemotherapy/7: The EORTC cancer chemotherapy annual. New York: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc, 1985; 98-104.

  5. Torti FM, Lum BL. The biology and treatment of superficial bladder cancer. J Clin Onc 1984; 2:505-31.

  6. Knoben JE, Anderson PO, eds. Handbook of clinical drug data, 5th ed. Hamilton: Drug Intelligence Publications Inc,

1984:363.

Krogh CME, ed. Compendium of pharmaceuticals and specialties, 28th ed. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmaceutical Association, 1993:1334.

Balis FM, Poplack DG. Central nervous system pharmacology of antileukemia drugs. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 1989; 11(1):74-86.

Dorr RT, Von Hoff DD, eds. Cancer chemotherapy handbook, 2nd ed. Norwalk: Appleton & Lange, 1994:882-9.

Budman DR. Investigational drugs. In: Perry MC, ed. The chemotherapy source book. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1992:374-6,439-96,556-7.

Chabner B. Pharmacologic principles of cancer treatment. Philadelphia; WB Saunders Co, 1982:259,445.

Knoester PD, Underberg WJM, Beijnen JH. Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anticancer agents in pediatric patients (Review). Anticancer Res 1993; 13:1795-1808.

Crom WR, Glynn-Barnhart AM, Rodman JH, et al. Pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs in children. Clin Pharmacokin 1987; 12:168-213.

Murphy SB. Secondary acute myeloid leukemia following treatment with epipodophyllotoxins (editorial). J Clin Oncol 1993; 11:199-201.

Pui CH, Ribeiro RC, Hancock ML, et al. Acute myeloid leukemia in children treated with epipodophyllotoxins for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. N Engl J Med 1989; 321:136-42.

Siddall SJ, Martin J, Nunn AJ. Anaphylactic reactions to teniposide. Lancet 1989; 1:394.

Kellie SJ, Crist WM, Pui C, et al. Hypersensitivity reactions to epipodophyllotoxins in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer 1991; 67:1070-75.

O'Dwyer PJ, King SA, Fortner CL, et al. Hypersensitivity reactions to teniposide (VM-26): An analysis. J Clin Oncol 1986; 4:1262-69.

Baker DK, Relling MV, Pui C, et al. Increased teniposide clearance with concomitant anticonvulsant therapy. J Clin Oncol 1992; 10:311-15.

Trissel LA. Handbook on injectable drugs, 7th ed. Bethesda: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 1992.

Bristol Laboratories of Canada. Vumon package insert. Candiac, Quebec.

Anonymous. Teniposide granted marketing approval (News). Am J Hosp Pharm 1993; 12:6.

Physicians Desk Reference, 48th ed. Montvale NJ: Medical Economics Data Production Co, 1994:674-7.

Trissel LA, Tramonte SM, Grilley BJ. Visual compatability of ondansetron hydrochloride with selected drugs during simulated Y-site injection. Am J Hosp Pharm 1991; 48:988-92.

Kastrup EK, et al, eds. Facts and comparisons: loose-leaf drug information service. St. Louis: JB Lippincott Co, 1993:679e.

Toogood IR, Tiedemann K, Stevens M, et al. Effective multi-agent chemotherapy for advanced abdominal lymphoma and FAB L3 leukemia of childhood. Med Pediatr Oncol 1993; 21:103-20.

Sadowitz PD, Smith SD, Shuster J, et al. Treatment of late bone marrow relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A Pediatric Oncology Group study. Blood 1993; 81:602-9.