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
Palliative
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.
Treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL)
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
)
Refer to the specific ALL treatment protocol for imatinib dosing details.
| iMAtinib | 400-600* mg | PO | Daily |
*Dose may be increased to 400 mg PO BID if tolerated and appropriate (Disease site group recommendation)
Treatment days and duration of treatment depend on the ALL treatment protocol used.
Minimal – No routine prophylaxis; PRN recommended
Low
Other Supportive Care:
- Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
- Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.
- Patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome should have appropriate prophylaxis and be monitored closely.
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated.
Dosage with toxicity
Suggested dose levels are 800mg, 600mg, 400mg, 300mg, 200mg.
| 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. |
| Bilirubin 3 x ULN OR AST or ALT > 5 x ULN |
Hold*; resume with 1 dose level ↓. |
| Hypotension / Hypersensitivity reaction | Hold, treat supportively, consider steroids. |
| Bleeding | Hold; consider discontinuing if severe. |
| Pneumonitis | Hold, investigate, consider discontinuing if confirmed. |
| DRESS | Consider discontinuing. |
*Hold until bilirubin < 1.5 x ULN, and AST or ALT < 2.5 x ULN.
| ANC (x 109/L) |
Platelets (x 109/L) |
Action |
|
< 0.5 |
<10 |
|
Hepatic Impairment
Imatinib is excreted via the liver and increased exposure is likely in the presence of hepatic impairment.
Starting Dose:
|
Hepatic Impairment |
Recommended Imatinib Starting Dose |
|
Mild |
400 mg daily |
|
Moderate |
400 mg daily |
|
Severe |
200 mg daily; |
Toxicity During Treatment: Refer to Dosage with Toxicity section.
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.
Starting Dose:
|
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) |
Recommended Imatinib Starting Dose |
|
40-59 |
400 mg daily.* Use with caution. |
|
20-29 |
400 mg daily.*† Use with caution. |
|
<20 or on hemodialysis |
Not recommended for use |
* May adjust dose based on toxicity, or for lack of efficacy if lower dose was tolerated.
† Doses ≥ 800 mg daily have not been studied.
Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects.
The following adverse effects were reported in patients with newly diagnosed CML. As per the imatinib product monograph, adverse reactions for Ph+ALL were similar to those reported for CML.
|
Very common (≥ 50%) |
Common (25-49%) |
Less common (10-24%) |
Uncommon (< 10%), but may be severe or life-threatening |
|
|
|
|
Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details.
- Imatinib is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. Inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 may affect imatinib exposure, and should be used with caution.
- Imatinib inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 and may affect the concentration of substrates of these enzymes. Caution if used with drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.
- Imatinib inhibits CYP2C9 at high doses, and may affect the concentration of CYP2C9 substrates (e.g. warfarin). Caution and monitor closely.
- Imatinib can increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants through an additive effect. Consider the use of LMWH rather than warfarin if anticoagulation is required.
- Imatinib inhibits o-glucuronidation of acetaminophen and can increase acetaminophen exposure, increasing risk of hepatotoxicity (fatal case reported). Caution, and monitor LFTs.
Refer to iMAtinib drug monograph(s) for additional details.
Administration
- Tablets should be administered whole with meal(s) and a large glass of water to reduce gastric irritation.
- Doses < 800mg should be given once daily; total daily doses of 800mg should be given as 400mg twice daily to reduce exposure to iron.
- If unable to swallow the tablet:
- The 400 mg tablet may be broken into two pieces; administer each piece with water, one after the other.
- Alternatively, tablet may be dispersed in water or apple juice (use 50 mL for 100 mg tablet, and 200 mL for a 400 mg tablet) immediately before drinking this mixture. Then, rinse the container with water or apple juice and drink this, to ensure no trace of the tablet is left.
- Avoid grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, their juices or products during treatment.
- If a dose is missed, the patient should skip this dose and take the next dose at the usual time.
- If vomiting occurs after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose. Take the next dose at the usual time.
- Store at room temperature.
Contraindications:
- Patients with hypersensitivity to imatinib or to any other components of this product
Warnings/Precautions:
- Severe fluid retention may occur, especially with higher doses. Patients should be weighed and monitored regularly. Patients with pre-existing cardiac disease, risk factors for cardiac failure or the elderly should be monitored carefully and be treated appropriately.
- Severe bleeding, including GI, CNS and intra-tumoural, have been reported during clinical trials and post-marketing. Use caution with the concomitant use of imatinib and other drugs that may increase bleeding (e.g. anticoagulants, antiplatelets or prostacyclins). Consider the use of LMWH rather than warfarin if anticoagulation is required.
Pregnancy/Lactation:
- This regimen is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by patients and their partners while on treatment and after the last treatment dose. Recommended methods and duration of contraception may differ depending on the treatment. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for more information.
- Breastfeeding is not recommended during this treatment and after the last treatment dose. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for recommendations after the last treatment dose (if available).
- Effects on fertility: Yes.
Fertility may be affected in patients who produce sperm.
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline for monitoring during and after treatment.
Recommended Clinical Monitoring
- CBC; baseline, weekly for first month, biweekly for second month, and as indicated thereafter (e.g. every 2 to 3 months)
- Liver function tests; baseline and monthly or as clinically indicated
- Electrolytes, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance; baseline and monthly or as clinically indicated
- INR for patients taking warfarin, especially when starting treatment and with imatinib dose adjustments; baseline and regular
- 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
- Brain imaging for patients suspected of having subdural hemorrhage; as clinically indicated
- Serum or urine pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential; within one week before starting treatment
- Clinical assessment of fluid retention (including weight monitoring), bleeding, infection, cardiac effects, thromboembolism, rhabdomyolysis, tumour lysis syndrome, osteonecrosis, gastrointestinal effects, pneumonitis, and rash; at each visit
-
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
back to top
Couban S, Savoie L, Mourad YA, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive or BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Canadian consensus. Curr Oncol. 2014 Apr;21(2):e265-309.
Imatinib drug monograph, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).
Lee S, Kim YJ, Min CK, et al. The effect of first-line imatinib interim therapy on the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adults with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 2005 May 1;105(9):3449-57.
Ottmann OG, Druker BJ, Sawyers CL, et al. A phase 2 study of imatinib in patients with relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoid leukemias. Blood. 2002 Sep 15;100(6):1965-71.
Yanada M, Takeuchi J, Sugiura I, et al; Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group. High complete remission rate and promising outcome by combination of imatinib and chemotherapy for newly diagnosed BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a phase II study by the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jan 20;24(3):460-6.
December 2024 Modified Dose modifications, Adverse effects, Warnings/precautions, Pregnancy/lactation and Monitoring sections
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.