Spexotras is intended for use in combination with dabrafenib dispersible tablets as there are limited efficacy data for trametinib monotherapy and for dabrafenib monotherapy in BRAF V600 mutation-positive glioma. The dabrafenib dispersible tablets SmPC must be consulted prior to initiation of treatment. For additional information on warnings and precautions associated with dabrafenib treatment, please refer to the dabrafenib dispersible tablets SmPC.
BRAF V600E testing
The efficacy and safety of trametinib in combination with dabrafenib have not been evaluated in patients whose glioma tested negative for the BRAF V600E mutation.
New malignancies
New malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous, can occur when trametinib is used in combination with dabrafenib.
Cutaneous malignancies
Cutaneous malignancies such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) including kerathoacanthoma and new primary melanoma have been observed in adult patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). It is recommended that skin examination be performed prior to initiation of therapy with trametinib and monthly throughout treatment and for up to six months after treatment. Monitoring should continue for 6 months following discontinuation of trametinib or until initiation of another anti-neoplastic therapy.
Suspicious skin lesions should be managed with dermatological excision and do not require treatment modifications. Patients should be instructed to inform their physicians immediately if new skin lesions develop.
Non-cutaneous malignancies
Based on its mechanism of action, dabrafenib may increase the risk of non-cutaneous malignancies when RAS mutations are present. Please refer to the dabrafenib dispersible tablets SmPC (section 4.4). No dose modification of trametinib is required for RAS mutation-positive malignancies when taken in combination with dabrafenib.
Haemorrhage
Haemorrhagic events have been reported in adult and paediatric patients taking trametinib in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). Major haemorrhagic events and fatal haemorrhages have occurred in adult patients taking trametinib in combination with dabrafenib. The potential for these events in patients with low platelet counts (<75 000/mm3) has not been established as such patients were excluded from clinical studies. The risk of haemorrhage may be increased with concomitant use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. If haemorrhage occurs, patients should be treated as clinically indicated.
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction/Left ventricular dysfunction
Trametinib in combination with dabrafenib has been reported to decrease LVEF in both adult and paediatric patients (see section 4.8). In clinical studies in paediatric patients, the median time to onset of the first occurrence of LVEF decrease was around one month. In clinical studies in adult patients, the median time to onset of the first occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac failure and LVEF decrease was between 2 and 5 months.
Trametinib should be used with caution in patients with impaired left ventricular function. Patients with left ventricular dysfunction, New York Heart Association Class II, III, or IV heart failure, acute coronary syndrome within the past 6 months, clinically significant uncontrolled arrhythmias, and uncontrolled hypertension were excluded from clinical studies; safety of use in this population is therefore unknown. LVEF should be evaluated in all patients prior to initiation of treatment with trametinib, one month after initiation of therapy, and then at approximately 3-monthly intervals while on treatment (see section 4.2 regarding dose modification).
In patients receiving trametinib in combination with dabrafenib, there have been occasional reports of acute, severe left ventricular dysfunction due to myocarditis. Full recovery was observed when stopping treatment. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of myocarditis in patients who develop new or worsening cardiac signs or symptoms.
Pyrexia
Fever has been reported in adult and paediatric clinical studies with trametinib (see section 4.8). The incidence and severity of pyrexia are increased with the combination therapy (see dabrafenib dispersible tablets SmPC section 4.4). In patients receiving trametinib in combination with dabrafenib, pyrexia may be accompanied by severe rigors, dehydration and hypotension which in some cases can lead to acute renal insufficiency. In paediatric patients who received trametinib in combination with dabrafenib, the median time to onset of the first occurrence of pyrexia was 1.5 months.
Therapy with trametinib and dabrafenib should be interrupted if the patient's temperature is ≥38°C (see section 5.1). In case of recurrence, therapy can also be interrupted at the first symptom of pyrexia. Treatment with anti-pyretics such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen/paracetamol should be initiated. The use of oral corticosteroids should be considered in those instances in which anti-pyretics are insufficient. Patients should be evaluated for signs and symptoms of infection. Therapy can be restarted once the fever resolves. If fever is associated with other severe signs or symptoms, therapy should be restarted at a reduced dose once fever resolves and as clinically appropriate (see section 4.2).
Blood pressure changes
Both hypertension and hypotension have been reported in patients in clinical studies with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). Blood pressure should be measured at baseline and monitored during treatment, with control of hypertension by standard therapy as appropriate.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis
In a Phase III study in adult patients, 2.4% (5/211) of patients treated with trametinib monotherapy developed ILD or pneumonitis; all five patients required hospitalisation. The median time to onset of the first presentation of ILD or pneumonitis was 160 days (range: 60 to 172 days). In two studies in adult patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib, 1% of patients developed pneumonitis or ILD (see section 4.8).
Trametinib must be withheld in patients with suspected ILD or pneumonitis, including patients presenting with new or progressive pulmonary symptoms and findings including cough, dyspnoea, hypoxia, pleural effusion or infiltrates, pending clinical investigations. Trametinib should be permanently discontinued in patients diagnosed with treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis (see section 4.2). Therapy with dabrafenib may be continued at the same dose.
Visual impairment
Disorders associated with visual disturbance, including RPED and RVO, may occur with trametinib, in some cases with a time to onset of several months. Symptoms such as blurred vision, decreased acuity and other visual phenomena have been reported in adult clinical studies with trametinib. In clinical studies, uveitis and iridocyclitis have also been reported in adult and paediatric patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib.
Trametinib is not recommended in patients with a history of RVO. The safety of trametinib in patients with predisposing factors for RVO, including uncontrolled glaucoma or ocular hypertension, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, or a history of hyperviscosity or hypercoagulability syndromes, has not been established.
If patients report new visual disturbances, such as diminished central vision, blurred vision or loss of vision at any time while on trametinib therapy, a prompt ophthalmological assessment is recommended. If RPED is diagnosed, the dose modification schedule in Table 4 should be followed (see section 4.2); if uveitis is diagnosed, please refer to the dabrafenib dispersible tablets SmPC (section 4.4). In patients who are diagnosed with RVO, treatment with trametinib should be permanently discontinued.
No dose modification of dabrafenib is required when taken in combination with trametinib following diagnosis of RVO or RPED. No dose modification of trametinib is required when taken in combination with dabrafenib following diagnosis of uveitis.
Rash
Rash has been observed in 49% of paediatric patients in clinical studies when trametinib is used in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). The majority of these cases were Grade 1 or 2 and did not require any dose interruptions or dose reductions.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions
Cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported during treatment with trametinib/dabrafenib combination therapy in adult patients. Before initiating treatment, patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for skin reactions. If signs and symptoms suggestive of SCARs appear, treatment should be withdrawn.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis has been reported in adult patients taking trametinib. In some cases, patients were able to continue trametinib. In more severe cases, hospitalisation, interruption or permanent discontinuation of therapy was required. Signs or symptoms of rhabdomyolysis should warrant an appropriate clinical evaluation and treatment as indicated.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis has been reported in adult and paediatric patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib in clinical studies (see section 4.8). Unexplained abdominal pain should be promptly investigated to include measurement of serum amylase and lipase. Patients should be closely monitored when restarting treatment after an episode of pancreatitis.
Renal failure
Renal failure has been identified in ≤1% of adult patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib. Observed cases in adult patients were generally associated with pyrexia and dehydration and responded well to dose interruption and general supportive measures. Granulomatous nephritis has also been reported in adult patients. Patients should be routinely monitored for serum creatinine while on therapy. If creatinine increases, treatment may need to be interrupted as clinically appropriate. Trametinib has not been studied in patients with renal insufficiency (defined as creatinine >1.5 x ULN) therefore caution should be used in this setting (see section 5.2).
Hepatic events
Hepatic adverse reactions have been reported in adult and paediatric patients in clinical studies with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). It is recommended that patients have liver function monitored every four weeks for 6 months after treatment initiation. Liver monitoring may be continued thereafter as clinically indicated.
Hepatic impairment
As metabolism and biliary excretion are the primary routes of elimination of trametinib, administration of trametinib should be undertaken with caution in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
Deep vein thrombosis/Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis can occur. If patients develop symptoms of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis such as shortness of breath, chest pain or arm or leg swelling, they should immediately seek medical care. Permanently discontinue treatment for life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Colitis and enterocolitis have been reported in paediatric patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). Colitis and gastrointestinal perforation, including fatal outcome, have been reported in adult patients. Trametinib should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal perforation, including history of diverticulitis, metastases to the gastrointestinal tract and concomitant use of medicinal products with a recognised risk of gastrointestinal perforation.
Sarcoidosis
Cases of sarcoidosis have been reported in adult patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib, mostly involving the skin, lung, eye and lymph nodes. In the majority of the cases, treatment with trametinib and dabrafenib was maintained. In case of a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, relevant treatment should be considered.
Women of childbearing potential/Fertility in males
Before initiating treatment in women of childbearing potential, appropriate advice on effective methods of contraception should be provided. Women of childbearing potential must use effective methods of contraception during therapy and for 16 weeks after the last dose of Spexotras. Male patients taking trametinib in combination with dabrafenib should be informed of the potential risk for impaired spermatogenesis, which may be irreversible (see section 4.6).
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
In post-marketing experience, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been observed in adult patients treated with trametinib in combination with dabrafenib. Caution should be taken when trametinib is administered in combination with dabrafenib. If HLH is confirmed, administration of trametinib and dabrafenib should be discontinued and treatment for HLH initiated.
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS)
The occurrence of TLS, which may be fatal, has been associated with the use of trametinib in combination with dabrafenib (see section 4.8). Risk factors for TLS include high tumour burden, pre‑existing chronic renal insufficiency, oliguria, dehydration, hypotension and acidic urine. Patients with risk factors for TLS should be closely monitored and prophylactic hydration should be considered. TLS should be treated promptly, as clinically indicated.
Excipients
Sulfobutylbetadex sodium
Spexotras oral solution contains the cyclodextrin sulfobutylbetadex sodium (100 mg/ml). Cyclodextrins (CDs) are excipients which can influence the properties of the active substance and other medicines. In preclinical studies in animals that were administered CDs intravenously, there were observations of renal toxicity and ototoxicity. Safety aspects of CDs have been considered during the development and safety assessment of the medicinal product. There are limited safety data on the effects of CDs in children <2 years of age.
Methyl parahydroxybenzoate
This medicinal product contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate, which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
Sodium
This medicinal product contains 1.98 mg sodium per ml of Spexotras oral solution, equivalent to 4% of the WHO recommended maximum daily dietary intake of 2 g sodium for an adult at the maximum daily trametinib dose of 2 mg (40 ml).
Potassium
This medicinal product contains potassium, less than 1 mmol (39 mg) per maximum daily dose, i.e. essentially 'potassium-free'.