1.1 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

ASPARLAS is indicated as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in pediatric and young adult patients age 1 month to 21 years.

2.1 Recommended Dosage

The recommended dose of ASPARLAS is 2,500 units/m2 given intravenously no more frequently than every 21 days.

2.2 Dose Modifications

Monitor patients at least weekly, with bilirubin, transaminases, glucose and clinical examinations until recovery from the cycle of therapy. If an adverse reaction should occur, modify treatment according to Table 1.

2.3 Preparation and Administration

ASPARLAS is a clear and colorless solution. Visually inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter, cloudiness, or discoloration prior to administration. If any of these are present, discard the vial. Do not administer if ASPARLAS has been shaken or vigorously agitated, frozen, or stored at room temperature for more than 48 hours.

• Dilute ASPARLAS in 100 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP using sterile/aseptic technique. Discard any unused portion left in a vial.
• After dilution, administer immediately into a running infusion of either 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose, respectively.
• Administer the dose over a period of 1 hour.
• Do not infuse other drugs through the same intravenous line during administration of ASPARLAS.
• The diluted solution may be stored for up to 4 hours at room temperature (15°C to 25°C [59°F to 77°F]) or refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 24 hours.
• Protect from light. Do not shake or freeze.

5.1 Hypersensitivity

Grade 3 and 4 hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported in clinical trials with ASPARLAS with an incidence between 7 to 21% [see Contraindications (4), Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Hypersensitivity reactions observed with other asparaginases include angioedema, lip swelling, eye swelling, erythema, blood pressure decreased, bronchospasm, dyspnea, pruritus and rash.

Because of the risk of serious allergic reactions (e.g., life-threatening anaphylaxis), administer ASPARLAS in a clinical setting with resuscitation equipment and other agents necessary to treat anaphylaxis (e.g., epinephrine, oxygen, intravenous steroids, antihistamines) [see Dosage and Administration (2)] and observe patients for 1 hour after administration. Discontinue ASPARLAS in patients with serious hypersensitivity reactions.

5.2 Pancreatitis

Cases of pancreatitis have been reported in clinical trials with ASPARLAS with an incidence between 12 to 16% [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis have been reported with other asparaginases.

Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of pancreatitis, which, if left untreated, could be fatal. Assess serum amylase and/or lipase levels to identify early signs of pancreatic inflammation. Discontinue ASPARLAS if pancreatitis is suspected; if pancreatitis is confirmed, do not resume ASPARLAS [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

5.3 Thrombosis

Serious thrombotic events, including sagittal sinus thrombosis, have been reported in clinical trials with ASPARLAS with an incidence of 9 to 12%. Discontinue ASPARLAS in patients experiencing serious thrombotic events [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

5.4 Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage associated with increased prothrombin time (PT), increased partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and hypofibrinogenemia have been reported in patients receiving ASPARLAS [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Evaluate patients with signs and symptoms of hemorrhage with coagulation parameters including PT, PTT, fibrinogen. Consider appropriate replacement therapy in patients with severe or symptomatic coagulopathy [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

5.5 Hepatotoxicity

Hepatotoxicity and abnormal liver function, including elevations of transaminase, bilirubin (direct and indirect), reduced serum albumin, and plasma can occur. Evaluate bilirubin and transaminases at least weekly, during cycles of treatment that include ASPARLAS through 6 weeks after the last dose of ASPARLAS. In the event of serious liver toxicity, discontinue treatment with ASPARLAS and provide supportive care [see Dosage and Administration (2.2),Contraindications (4), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The safety of ASPARLAS was investigated in Study DFCI 11-001, an open-label, randomized, active-controlled multicenter clinical trial that treated 237 children and adolescents with newly-diagnosed ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma, with ASPARLAS 2,500 U/m2 (n=118) or pegaspargase 2,500 U/m2 (n=119) as part of a Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium backbone therapy. The median age on enrollment was 5 years (range, 1-20) years. The majority of patients were male (62%) and white (70%). Most patients were considered standard risk (SR, 59%) and had B-cell lineage ALL (87%).

The median number of doses during the study was 11 doses for ASPARLAS (administered every three weeks) and 16 doses for pegaspargase (administered every two weeks). The median duration of exposure was 8 months for both ASPARLAS and pegaspargase.

There was 1 fatal adverse reaction (multi-organ failure in the setting of chronic pancreatitis associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst).

Table 2 summarizes the incidence of selected Grades ≥3 adverse reactions that occurred in 2 or more patients receiving ASPARLAS. Because not all grade 1 and 2 adverse reactions were collected prospectively, only grade 3 and 4 adverse events are presented in Table 2.

In the subgroup of patients with B-cell lineage ALL, the complete remission rate in the ASPARLAS arm was 98% (95/97), compared to 99% in the pegaspargase arm; the Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival of the treatment arms were comparable.

6.2 Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity.

8.1 Pregnancy

8.2 Lactation

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Based on published literature studies in pregnant animals, ASPARLAS can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of ASPARLAS in the treatment of ALL have been established in pediatric patients 1 month to < 17 years (no data for the age group < 1 month old). Use of ASPARLAS in these age groups is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled trial with additional safety from a second trial. The trials included 208 children with ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma treated with ASPARLAS; there were 19 infants (1 month to < 2 years old), 128 children (2 years to < 12 years old), and 61 adolescents (12 years to < 17 years old). There were no clinically meaningful differences in safety or nadir serum asparaginase activity across age groups [see Adverse reactions (6.1), Clinical Studies (14)].

12.1 Mechanism of Action

L-asparaginase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the amino acid L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The pharmacological effect of ASPARLAS is thought to be based on selective killing of leukemic cells due to depletion of plasma L-asparagine. Leukemic cells with low expression of asparagine synthetase have a reduced ability to synthesize L-asparagine, and therefore depend on an exogenous source of L-asparagine for survival.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Calaspargase pegol-mknl pharmacodynamic (PD) response was assessed through measurement of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) asparagine concentrations via an LC-MS/MS assay.

Asparagine concentrations in plasma (N=41) were maintained below the assay limit of quantification for more than 18 days following a single dose of ASPARLAS 2,500 U/m2 during the induction phase. Mean CSF asparagine concentrations decreased from a pretreatment concentration of 0.8 µg/mL (N=10) to 0.2 µg/mL on Day 4 (N=37) and remained decreased at 0.2 µg/mL (N=35) 25 days after the administration of a single dose of ASPARLAS 2,500 U/m2 in the induction phase.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Calaspargase pegol-mknl pharmacokinetics (PK) were assessed through measurement of plasma asparaginase activity via a coupled enzymatic assay.

The plasma asparaginase activity pharmacokinetics were characterized in 43 patients (1 to 26 years) with newly diagnosed high risk B-precursor ALL treated with a multidrug backbone therapy. Table 3 summarizes the plasma asparaginase activity pharmacokinetic parameters after a single dose of ASPARLAS 2,500 U/m2 in the induction phase.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and impairment of fertility studies have not been conducted with calaspargase pegol-mknl.

14.1 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

The determination of efficacy was based on a demonstration of the achievement and maintenance of nadir serum asparaginase activity (NSAA) above the level of 0.1 U/mL using ASPARLAS 2500 U/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks. The pharmacokinetics of ASPARLAS were studied when used in combination with multiagent chemotherapy in 124 patients with B cell lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Among these patients, the median age was 11.5 years (range 1 – 26); 62 (50%) were male, 102 (82%) white, 6 (5%) Asian, 5 (4%) Black or African American, 2 (2%) Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 9 (7%) other or unknown. The results showed that 123 (99%, 95% CI: 96% - 100%) of the 124 patients maintained NSAA > 0.1 U/mL at weeks 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30.

Store ASPARLAS refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton to protect from light. Do not shake or freeze product. Unopened vials may be stored at room temperature (15°C to 25°C [59°F to 77°F]) for no more than 48 hours.

Hypersensitivity

Inform patients on the possibility of serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Instruct the patient on the symptoms of allergic reactions and to seek medical advice immediately if they experience such symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Pancreatitis

Instruct patients on the signs and symptoms of pancreatitis and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe abdominal pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Instruct patients on the risk of hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Advise patients to seek medical advice if they experience excessive thirst or any increase in the volume or frequency of urination [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Thombosis

Instruct patients on the risk of thrombosis and to seek medical advice immediately if they experience severe headache, arm or leg swelling, shortness of breath, or chest pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Hemorrhage

Advise patients to report any unusual bleeding or bruising to their physician [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

Hepatotoxicity

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for jaundice, severe nausea or vomiting, or easy bruising or bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Pregnancy and Lactation

Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraceptive methods while receiving ASPARLAS and for at least 3 months after the last dose. Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider immediately in the event of a pregnancy or if pregnancy is suspected during ASPARLAS treatment. Since there is a potential for an indirect interaction between ASPARLAS and oral contraceptives, the concomitant use of ASPARLAS and oral contraceptives is not recommended [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment with ASPARLAS and for at least 3 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].