Summary of the safety profile
The most frequent reported adverse reactions with loncastuximab tesirine were γ‑glutamyltransferase increased (35.8%), neutropenia (34.9%), fatigue (30.2%), anaemia (28.8%), thrombocytopenia (28.4%), nausea (26.5%), peripheral oedema (23.3%), and rash (20.0%).The most frequent severe adverse reactions (≥ Grade 3) were neutropenia (24.2%), γ‑glutamyltransferase increased (17.2%), thrombocytopenia (15.8%), anaemia (11.6%) and infections (9.8%).
The most frequent serious adverse reactions were febrile neutropenia (3.3%), abdominal pain, dyspnoea and pleural effusion (1.9% each). Lung infection was identified as an adverse reaction associated with fatal outcome (0.5%).
The most frequent adverse reactions leading to treatment withdrawal were γ‑glutamyltransferase increased (8.8%), peripheral oedema (2.8%), thrombocytopenia (1.9%), pleural and pericardial effusion (1.4% each).
The frequency of dose modification or interruption due to adverse reactions was 47.4%. The most frequent adverse reaction leading to dose reduction was γ-glutamyltransferase increased (3.3%), and the most frequent adverse reactions leading to dose delay were γ-glutamyltransferase increased (17.7%), neutropenia (11.2%) and thrombocytopenia (7.9%).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
The frequencies of adverse reactions are based on 215 patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, who received Zynlonta alone as an intravenous infusion at the recommended initial dose (0.15 mg/kg) in two monotherapy studies, of whom 145 patients participated in the Phase 2 pivotal study ADCT‑402-201 (LOTIS-2) and 70 patients participated in the Phase 1 study (ADCT-402-101). These patients were exposed to Zynlonta during a median of 45 days (range 1 to 569 days).
Unless otherwise stated, the frequencies of adverse reactions are based on all-cause adverse event frequencies in the clinical studies, where a proportion of the events for an adverse reaction may have other causes than the medicinal product, such as the disease, other medicinal products or unrelated causes.
Adverse reactions are presented according to the MedDRA system organ class (SOC) and classified, by frequency, as very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000), very rare (<1/10 000), and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented by seriousness from highest to lowest.
Table 2: Adverse reactions reported for Zynlonta in adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL
| MedDRA SOC | Very common | Common | Uncommon | Not knownd |
| Infections and infestations | | Pneumoniaa (includes lung infection) Upper respiratory tract infection Sepsis Lower respiratory tract infection | | |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | Anaemia Neutropenia Thrombocytopenia | Febrile neutropenia | | |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Decreased appetite | Fluid retention | Fluid overload | |
| Nervous system disorders | | Lethargy | | |
| Cardiac disorders | | Pericardial effusion | Pericarditis | |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Pleural effusion Dyspnoeab | | | |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Abdominal painc Diarrhoea Nausea Vomiting Constipation | Ascites | | |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Rash Pruritus Erythema | Bullous dermatitis Photosensitivity reaction Swelling face Maculopapular rash Pruritic rash Skin hyperpigmentation | Pustular rash | Telangiectasia Blister Rash vesicular Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | | Neck pain Pain in extremity Back pain Musculoskeletal pain Myalgia Musculoskeletal chest pain | Musculoskeletal discomfort Limb discomfort | |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Oedema peripheral Fatigue | Face oedema Asthenia Peripheral swelling Swelling Non-cardiac chest pain | Generalised oedema Oedema | |
| Investigations | γ‑glutamyltransferase increased Aspartate aminotransferase increased Alanine aminotransferase increased Blood alkaline phosphatase increased | | | |
| a Grade 5 associated adverse reactions b Dyspnoea includes dyspnoea, and dyspnoea exertional c Abdominal pain includes abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain lower, and abdominal pain upper d These adverse drug reactions have been identified from the post-marketing reports for Zynlonta. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. |
Description of selected adverse reactions
Effusion and oedema
Serious effusion and oedema occurred in patients treated with Zynlonta. Grade ≥3 oedema and effusion occurred in 5.6% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 pericardial effusion occurred in 1.4% of patients. Grade 3 pleural effusion occurred in 2.8%, Grade 3 peripheral oedema and ascites in 1.4% each, and Grade 3 peripheral swelling in 0.5% of patients (see section 4.4). Effusion and oedema led to discontinuation of treatment in 5.1% of patients. There were no fatal events of effusion or oedema. Median time to onset for Grade ≥3 effusion and oedema was 115 days and 101 days, respectively (see section 4.4).
Myelosuppression
Treatment with Zynlonta can cause severe myelosuppression. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 24.2%, Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 15.8%, and Grade 3 or 4 anaemia in 11.6% of patients. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 3.3% of patients (see section 4.4). Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia led to discontinuation of treatment in 1.9% and 0.5% of patients, respectively. No patients discontinued treatment due to anaemia (see section 4.4). Median time to onset for Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia was 36.0 days, 28.5 days, and 22.0 days, respectively (see section 4.4).
Infections
Fatal and serious infections, including opportunistic infections and sepsis, occurred in patients treated with Zynlonta. Grade ≥3 infections occurred in 9.8% of patients with an associated fatal infection in 0.5% of patients (see section 4.4). Infections led to discontinuation of treatment in 0.9% of patients.
Cutaneous reactions
Severe cutaneous reactions occurred in patients treated with Zynlonta. Grade 3 cutaneous reactions occurred in 3.7% and included photosensitivity reaction (1.4%), rash (0.9%), rash pustular (0.5%), rash maculo-papular (0.5%), and erythema (0.5%) (see section 4.4). There were no Grade 4 or Grade 5 cutaneous reactions. Three (3) patients (1.4%) discontinued Zynlonta due to Grade 1-2 cutaneous reactions, and no patients discontinued Zynlonta due to a severe cutaneous reaction. Median time to onset for Grade 3 photosensitivity reactions was 32.0 days and for Grade 3 non-photosensitivity cutaneous reactions was 56.0 days (see section 4.4).
Serious cutaneous reactions have been reported in patients treated with Zynlonta. In clinical studies with Zynlonta oral and topical corticosteroids and anti-pruritic therapy were used to treat cutaneous reactions (see section 4.4).
Liver function tests
Abnormal liver function tests of severity Grade ≥3 occurred in 19.5% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 γ‑glutamyltransferase (GGT) increased in 17.2% of patients. GGT increase resulted in dose delay, dose reduction, and treatment withdrawal in 17.7%, 3.3%, and 8.8% of patients, respectively. Grade 3 alanine aminotransferase increased occurred in 2.8%, blood alkaline phosphatase increased in 1.4%, and aspartate aminotransferase increased in 0.9% of patients. Increased blood bilirubin was noted in 2.8% of patients, with Grade 3 occurring in 1.4% of patients.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.