talimogene laherparepvec (Rx)

Brand and Other Names:Imlygic

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

solution for intralesional injection

  • 10^6 (1 million) plaque-forming units (PFU) per mL (available as 1-mL single-use vial)
  • 10^8 (100 million) PFU per mL solution (available as 1-mL single-use vial)

Melanoma

Genetically modified oncolytic viral therapy indicated for the local treatment of unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, and nodal lesions in patients with melanoma recurrence after initial surgery

Administer by injection into cutaneous, subcutaneous, and/or nodal lesions that are visible, palpable, or detectable by ultrasound guidance (see Administration)

Total injection volume

  • The total injection volume for each treatment visit should not exceed 4 mL for all injected lesions combined
  • It may not be possible to inject all lesions at each treatment visit or over the full course of treatment
  • Previously injected and/or uninjected lesion(s) may be injected at subsequent treatment visits

Dose

  • Initial dose: Up to 4 mL at a concentration of 10^6 (1 million) PFU per mL
  • Second dose: Up to 4 mL at a concentration of 10^8 (100 million) PFU per mL administered 3 weeks after initial treatment
  • All subsequent treatments (including reinitiation): Up to 4 mL at a concentration of 10^8 (100 million) PFU per mL administered 2 weeks after previous treatment
  • Continue treatment for at least 6 months unless other treatment is required or until there are no injectable lesions to treat
  • Reinitiate treatment if new unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, or nodal lesions appear after a complete response

Prioritize lesions to be injected

  • Initial injection: Inject largest lesion(s) first; prioritize injection of remaining lesion(s) based on lesion size until maximum injection volume is reached or until all injectable lesion(s) have been treated
  • Second and all subsequent injections: Inject any new lesion(s) (lesions that have developed since the previous treatment) first; prioritize injection of remaining lesion(s) based on lesion size until maximum injection volume is reached or until all injectable lesion(s) have been treated

Determine dose volume for each lesion

  • Lesion sizes are based on the longest dimension
  • When lesions are clustered together, inject them as a single lesion according the following:
  • >5 cm: Up to 4 mL/lesion
  • >2.5 to 5 cm: Up to 2 mL/lesion
  • >1.5 to 2.5 cm: Up to 1 mL/lesion
  • >0.5 to 1.5 cm: Up to 0.5 mL/lesion
  • <0.5 cm: Up to 0.1 mL/lesion

Dosage Modifications

Hepatic or renal impairment: No clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of hepatic or renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of talimogene laherparepvec

Dosing Considerations

Limitations of use: Has not been shown to improve overall survival or have an effect on visceral metastases

Safety and efficacy not established

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and talimogene laherparepvec

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

            All Interactions Sort By:
             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (2)

            • ifosfamide

              ifosfamide, talimogene laherparepvec. Either increases effects of the other by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Contraindicated. Patients on concomitant immunosuppressants or with impaired immune systems are contraindicated to receive talimogene laherparepvec because of increased risk for serious infections.

            • ublituximab

              ublituximab and talimogene laherparepvec both increase immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Contraindicated. Talimogene laherparepvec is a live, attenuated herpes simplex virus and may cause life-threatening disseminated herpetic infection in patients who are immunocompromised

            Serious - Use Alternative (7)

            • acyclovir

              acyclovir decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            • acyclovir topical

              acyclovir topical decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            • famciclovir

              famciclovir decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            • ganciclovir

              ganciclovir decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            • penciclovir

              penciclovir decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            • valacyclovir

              valacyclovir decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            • valganciclovir

              valganciclovir decreases effects of talimogene laherparepvec by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Although no drug interactions studies have been performed, antiherpetic viral agents may interfere with the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec.

            Monitor Closely (0)

              Minor (0)

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                Adverse Effects

                >10%

                Fatigue, all grades (50.3%)

                Chills, all grades (48.6%)

                Pyrexia, all grades (42.8%)

                Nausea, all grades (35.6%)

                Influenzalike illness, all grades (30.5%)

                Injection site pain, all grades (27.7%)

                Vomiting, all grades (21.2%)

                Diarrhea, all grades (18.8%)

                Headache, all grades (18.8%)

                Myalgia, all grades (17.5%)

                Arthralgia, all grades (17.1%)

                Pain in extremity, all grades (16.4%)

                Constipation, all grades (11.6%)

                1-10%

                Dizziness, all grades (9.6%)

                Abdominal pain, all grades (8.9%)

                Oropharyngeal pain, all grades (5.8%)

                Weight decreased, all grades (5.8%)

                Fatigue, grade 3 (2.1%)

                Vomiting, grade 3 (1.7%)

                Pain in extremity, grade 3 (1.4%)

                <1%

                Influenzalike illness, grade 3

                Injection site pain, grade 3

                Nausea, grade 3

                Diarrhea, grade 3

                Abdominal pain, grade 3

                Myalgia, grade 3

                Arthralgia, grade 3

                Headache, grade 3

                Weight decreased, grade 3

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                Warnings

                Contraindications

                Immunocompromised patients; talimogene laherparepvec is a live, attenuated herpes simplex virus and may cause life-threatening disseminated herpetic infection in patients who are immunocompromised; do not administer to immunocompromised patients, including those with a history of primary or acquired immunodeficient states, leukemia, lymphoma, AIDS or other clinical manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency viruses, and those on immunosuppressive therapy

                Pregnant women

                Cautions

                Accidental exposure may lead to transmission of herpetic infection; accidental needle stick and splash-back to the eyes have been reported in healthcare providers during preparation and administration; use universal chemotherapy handling precautions

                Healthcare providers, close contacts (household members, caregivers, sex partners, or persons sharing the same bed), pregnant women, and newborns should avoid direct contact with injected lesions, dressings, or body fluids of treated patients

                Healthcare providers who are immunocompromised or pregnant should not prepare or administer talimogene laherparepvec (see Contraindications)

                Herpetic infections, including cold sores and herpetic keratitis, reported in treated patients; disseminated herpetic infection may also occur in immunocompromised patients (see Contraindications)

                Injection site complications, including necrosis or ulceration of tumor tissue, may occur during treatment; cellulitis and systemic bacterial infection have been reported; careful wound care and infection precautions are recommended, particularly if tissue necrosis results in open wounds; consider the risks and benefits before continuing treatment

                Treatment may result in immune-mediated events, including glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, pneumonitis, worsening psoriasis, and vitiligo; consider the risks and benefits before initiating treatment

                Plasmacytoma has been reported in proximity to the injection site after administration in a patient with smoldering multiple myeloma; consider risks and benefits in patients with multiple myeloma or in whom plasmacytoma develops during treatmen

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                Pregnancy

                Pregnancy

                Contraindicated in pregnancy because of the risk of transmitting wild-type HSV-1 cross the placental barrier and the risk of transmission during birth owing to viral shedding

                Female patients of childbearing potential should use an effective method of contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment

                Infections with wild-type HSV-1 have been associated with serious adverse effects, including multiorgan failure and death, if a fetus or neonate contracts the wild-type herpes infection

                No effects on embryo-fetal development have been observed in a study conducted in pregnant mice; the design of the study limits application of the animal data to humans

                Lactation

                Unknown if distributed in human breast milk; because medicinal products can be found in human milk, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug while nursing

                Pregnancy Categories

                A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                NA: Information not available.

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                Pharmacology

                Mechanism of Action

                Exact mechanism of action is unknown

                Genetically modified, live, attenuated herpes simplex virus programmed to replicate within tumors and to produce the immune stimulatory protein GM-CSF

                Causes lysis of tumors, followed by release of tumor-derived antigens, which together with virally derived GM-CSF may promote an antitumor immune response

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                Administration

                Handling

                Healthcare providers who are immunocompromised or pregnant should not prepare or administer talimogene laherparepvec and should not come into direct contact with the injection sites, dressings, or body fluids of treated patients

                Avoid accidental exposure and follow universal biohazard precautions for preparation, administration, handling, and disposal

                Preparation

                Thawing

                • Determine total volume required for injection (up to 4 mL)
                • Thaw frozen vials at room temperature (20-25ºC [68-77ºF]) until liquid (~30-70 minutes, depending on ambient temperature)
                • Do not expose the vial to higher temperatures
                • Keep the vial in original carton during thawing
                • Swirl gently; do NOT shake
                • After thawing, administer immediately or store refrigerated (see Storage)

                Prepare syringes

                • Prepare sterile syringes and needles
                • A detachable needle of 18-26 gauge may be used for withdrawal and a detachable needle of 22-26 gauge may be used for injection
                • Small-unit syringes (eg, 0.5-mL insulin syringes) are recommended for better injection control
                • Using aseptic technique, remove the vial cap and withdraw the product from the vial into the syringe(s), noting the total volume
                • Avoid generating aerosols when loading syringes with product, and use a biologic safety cabinet if available

                Intralesional Administration

                For intralesional injection only; do not administer IV

                Administer by injection into cutaneous, subcutaneous, and/or nodal lesions that are visible, palpable, or detectable by ultrasound guidance

                Preinjection preparation

                • Clean the lesion and surrounding areas with an alcohol swab and let dry
                • Treat the injection site with a topical or local anesthetic agent, if necessary
                • Do not inject anesthetic agent directly into the lesion
                • Inject anesthetic agent around the periphery of the lesion

                Injection

                • Inject intralesionally into cutaneous, subcutaneous, and/or nodal lesions that are visible, palpable, or detectable by ultrasound guidance
                • Using a single insertion point, inject solution along multiple tracks as far as the radial reach of the needle allows within the lesion to achieve even and complete dispersion
                • Multiple insertion points may be used if a lesion is larger than the radial reach of the needle
                • Inject evenly and completely within the lesion by pulling the needle back without exiting the lesion
                • Redirect the needle as many times as necessary while injecting the remainder of the dose
                • Continue until the full dose is evenly and completely dispersed
                • When removing the needle, withdraw it from the lesion slowly to avoid leakage of solution at the insertion point
                • Repeat preinjection preparation and the above injection procedure for other lesions to be injected
                • Use a new needle any time the needle is completely removed from a lesion and each time a different lesion is injected

                Postinjection

                • Apply pressure to the injection site(s) with sterile gauze for at least 30 seconds
                • Swab the injection site(s) and surrounding area with alcohol
                • Change gloves and cover the injected lesion(s) with an absorbent pad and dry occlusive dressing
                • Wipe the exterior of occlusive dressing with alcohol
                • Advise patients to keep the injection site(s) covered for at least the first week after each treatment visit or longer if the injection site is weeping or oozing
                • Instruct patients to replace the dressing if it falls off
                • The patient should avoid touching or scratching the injection sites or the occlusive dressing as it may lead to inadvertent transfer of injection solution to other parts of the body

                Storage

                Store and transport frozen at -90°C to -70°C (-130°F to -94°F)

                Protect from light

                Store frozen in the carton until use

                Thaw immediately prior to administration (see Preparation)

                Do not draw thawed solution into a syringe until immediately prior to administration

                Thawed vials

                • After thawing at room temperature (see Preparation), administer immediately or store in its original vial and carton, protected from light in a refrigerator (2-8°C [36° to 46°F])
                • Do not refreeze after thawing
                • Discard (according to chemotherapy guidelines) any vial left in the refrigerator longer than the specified times listed below
                • 10^6 (1 million) PFU per mL: Do not exceed 12 hr of refrigeration storage
                • 10^8 (1 million) PFU per mL: Do not exceed 48 hr of refrigeration storage
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                Patient Handout

                A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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                Formulary

                FormularyPatient Discounts

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                • Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop.

                The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.

                Tier Description
                1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
                2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
                3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
                4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.
                Code Definition
                PA Prior Authorization
                Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
                QL Quantity Limits
                Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
                ST Step Therapy
                Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
                OR Other Restrictions
                Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.
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                Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.