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Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.

IMAT

Cancer Type:
Sarcoma, 
Soft Tissue
Intent: Palliative
Regimen Category: Evidence-Informed
Funding:
ODB - General Benefit
    iMAtinib - Refer to listed Health Canada indications for generic imatinib formulations. Patients must meet generic substitution policies for access to Gleevec.
A - Regimen Name

IMAT Regimen
Imatinib


Disease Site
Sarcoma
Soft Tissue

(Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans - DFSP)


Intent
Palliative

Regimen Category
Evidence-Informed :

Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR).  Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.


Rationale and Uses

In patients with unresectable, recurrent and/or metastatic DFSP


Supplementary Public Funding

iMAtinib
ODB - General Benefit (iMAtinib - Refer to listed Health Canada indications for generic imatinib formulations. Patients must meet generic substitution policies for access to Gleevec.) (ODB Formulary )

 
B - Drug Regimen

iMAtinib
400* mg PO BID

(Total daily dose = 800mg; Outpatient prescription in multiples of 100mg and 400mg tablets)
*The 800 mg daily dose should be given as 400 mg BID, to reduce iron exposure.

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C - Cycle Frequency

Continue treatment in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression.

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Minimal – No routine prophylaxis; PRN recommended

Other Supportive Care:

  • Patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome should have appropriate prophylaxis and be monitored closely.
  • Patients should be tested for HBV infection prior to initiating treatment.  Carriers of HBV must be monitored for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy.

Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.

 
E - Dose Modifications

Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated. The following recommendations have been adapted from clinical trials or product monographs and could be considered.

Dose levels are 200mg, 300mg, 400mg, 600mg, and 800mg. 

Indication

Daily Starting Dose

Escalate?

Hepatic Impairment

Renal Impairment (Clcr, ml/min)

 
Mild-Mod4
Severe5
20-59
<20
DFSP
800mg
 
1

2, 3

1
Discontinue
  1. Start at 400 mg.  For mild renal impairment only (Clcr = 40-59 mL/min), may consider escalation (if applicable in table) if inadequate efficacy providing lower dose well-tolerated.
  2. Initially, start at 200 mg.  If no toxicity may ↑ to 300mg.
  3. While on treatment:  Hold until bilirubin < 1.5 x ULN and AST/ALT < 2.5 x ULN and then restart by ↓ 1 dose level
  4. bilirubin >1.5 - 3 x ULN or AST/ALT > ULN with bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN
  5. bilirubin > 3 x ULN or AST/ALT > 5 x ULN

Dosage with toxicity

Toxicity Action
Fluid retention (grade 3,4 ) Hold until ≤ grade 1; resume with 1 dose level ↓
Rash (grade 3, 4) Hold until ≤ grade 1; resume with 1 dose level ↓ or discontinue
Hypotension / Hypersensitivity reaction Hold, treat supportively, consider steroids
Bleeding Hold; consider discontinuing if severe
Pneumonitis Hold, investigate, consider discontinuing if confirmed
DRESS Consider discontinuing

 

 

Dosage with myelosuppression:

 

ANC

(x 109/L)

Platelets

(x 109/L)

Action

Starting dose 800mg

< 1

< 50

  •  Hold until ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and platelets ≥ 75 x 109/L and then resume treatment with one dose level ↓
  • If recurs, hold until recovery; resume by further ↓ one dose level



Hepatic Impairment

Imatinib is excreted via the liver and increased exposure is likely in the presence of hepatic impairment.  See dosage table.


Renal Impairment

Imatinib is not excreted via the kidney to a significant extent; however, increased exposure and adverse effects are correlated with renal impairment.   Exercise caution in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.  See dosage table.


 
F - Adverse Effects

Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects


Most Common Side Effects

Less Common Side Effects, but may be Severe or Life-Threatening
  • Fluid retention (may be severe)
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • ↑ LFTs (May be severe)
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash (may be severe)
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • CNS (dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, depression)
  • Cough, dyspnea
  • Abnormal electrolytes
  • Myelosuppression ± infection, bleeding (may be severe, including CNS, GI hemorrhage)
  • Hypersensitivity reaction
  • Arrhythmia
  • Hemolysis
  • GI obstruction
  • GI perforation
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pneumonitis
  • Renal failure
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Arterial thromboembolism
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Cardiotoxicity
  • Subdural hemorrhage
  • Tumour lysis syndrome
  • DRESS
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Hypothyroidism (not usually severe)
  • Atypical infections (including HBV reactivation)
 
G - Interactions
Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details
 
H - Drug Administration and Special Precautions

Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details

 
I - Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.

Recommended Clinical Monitoring

  • Brain imaging for patients suspected of having subdural hemorrhage; as clinically indicated
  • CBC; weekly for first month, biweekly for second month, and as indicated thereafter (e.g. every 2 to 3 months)
  • Electrolytes and serum creatinine; baseline and regular
  • INR for patients taking warfarin, especially when starting treatment and with imatinib dose adjustments; baseline and regular
  • Liver function tests; baseline and monthly or as clinically indicated
  • LVEF, in patients with known underlying heart disease or in elderly patients; baseline and as clinically indicated
  • Platelet counts and prothrombin time when imatinib is used concurrently with anticoagulants, prostacyclins, or other medications that increase bleeding risk; baseline and periodic
  • TSH levels in patients with previous thyroidectomy or patients on replacement therapy; baseline and regular
  • Serum or urine pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential; within one week before starting treatment
  • HBV infection status: Prior to starting treatment; consult infectious disease if positive
  • For carriers of HBV:  signs and symptoms of active HBV infection; At each visit during treatment and for several months after treatment discontinues
  • Clinical assessment of fluid retention, bleeding, infection, cardiac effects, thromboembolism, rhabdomyolysis, tumour lysis syndrome and gastrointestinal effects, pneumonitis, rash; regular
  • Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version

Suggested Clinical Monitoring

  • EKG and troponin in patients with hypereosinophilia and cardiac involvement

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J - Administrative Information

Outpatient prescription for home administration


 
K - References

BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors [GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate), TASIGNA (nilotinib), BOSULIF (bosutinib), SPRYCEL (dasatinib), ICLUSIG (ponatinib hydrochloride)] - Risk of Hepatitis B Reactivation. Health Canada, May 4, 2016. [Accessed May 13, 2016]. Available from: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2016/58222a-eng.php

Imatinib drug monograph, Cancer Care Ontario

Lebbé C, Kerob D, Porcher R, et al. Imatinib mesylate as a preoperative therapy in dermatofibrosarcoma: Results of a multicentric phase II study on 25 patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007 (ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings); 25(18S): 10032.

McArthur GA, Demetri GD, van Oosterom A, et al. Molecular and clinical analysis of locally advanced dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treated with imatinib: imatinib target exploration consortium study B2225. JCO 2005; 23(4); 866-73.

April 2024 Changed imatinib to ODB general benefit


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M - Disclaimer

Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph.  Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.