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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.

A - Regimen Name

VRNS Regimen
Vorinostat


Disease Site
Hematologic - Lymphoma - T-cell

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL)


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

Treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) who have progressive, persistent or recurrent disease after prior systemic therapies.

 
B - Drug Regimen

vorinostat
400 mg PO Daily
(This drug is not currently publicly funded for this regimen and intent)
(Outpatient prescription in 100 mg capsules)
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C - Cycle Frequency

CONTINUOUS TREATMENT

Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Minimal – No routine prophylaxis; PRN recommended

Other Supportive Care:

Patients should be instructed to drink at least 2 L/day of fluids for adequate hydration.

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 are in use at some centres.

 

Dosage with toxicity

Suggested dose levels are 400 mg daily, 300 mg daily, and 300 mg daily for 5 consecutive days per week.

Toxicity
Action
 
Dose
Grade 3
Hold #/*
 
↓ 1 dose level
Grade 4
Hold #; or discontinue
 
If re-start, ↓ 1 dose level
* consider hold for Platelets 10-25 x 109 /L and/or Hemoglobin 65-80 g/L if considered related to vorinostat.
# until recovery to ≤ grade 1



Hepatic Impairment

Although hepatic impairment did not produce statistically significant differences in pharmacokinetics, tolerability decreased with increasing severity of hepatic impairment.

 

Bilirubin
 
AST
Action
1 to 1.5 x ULN
 
 
Caution; reduce dose to 300 mg daily
≤ ULN
and
> ULN
Caution; reduce dose to 300 mg daily
1.5 to ≤ 3 x ULN
and
any
Not recommended for use
> 3 x ULN
and
any
Contraindicated

Renal Impairment

No data available.  Treat with caution in renal impairment as the 2 major metabolites are excreted in urine.


 
F - Adverse Effects
Refer to vorinostat drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects

Most Common Side Effects 

Less Common Side Effects, but may be
Severe or Life-Threatening

  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Anorexia, weight loss
  • Dysgeusia, dry mouth
  • Alopecia
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Creatinine increased
  • Constipation
  • Proteinuria
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Arterial thromboembolism
  • Myelosuppression (infection, bleeding)
  • Secondary malignancy
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Hypersensitivity
  • QT interval prolonged
  • Vasculitis
  • GI fistula, perforation
 
G - Interactions
Refer to vorinostat drug monograph(s) for additional details
 
H - Drug Administration and Special Precautions
Refer to vorinostat 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

  • CBC, electrolytes (including Ca, Mg, K) and blood glucose; baseline, then every 2 weeks during the first 2 months, then monthly thereafter
  • ECG; baseline and periodic
  • Liver and renal function tests; baseline and regular
  • Clinical toxicity assessment of dehydration, hyperglycemia, fatigue, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular toxicities; at each visit
  • Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version


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J - Administrative Information

Outpatient prescription for home administration


 
K - References

Duvic M, Talpur R, Ni X, et al. Phase 2 trial of oral vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) for refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Blood 2007; 109: 31-9.

Olsen EA, Kim YH, Kuzel TM, et al. Phase IIB multicenter trial of vorinostat in patients with persistent, progressive, or treatment refractory cutaneous t-cell lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25: 3109-15.

Vorinostat drug monograph, Cancer Care Ontario.

June 2019 Updated emetic risk category


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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.