Bendamustine

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Bendamustine is indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Efficacy relative to first line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established.Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Bendamustineis ... Read moreChronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Bendamustine is indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Efficacy relative to first line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established.Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Bendamustineis indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen.Also indicated in Multiple myeloma.

N/A

Patient with history of hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions); jaundice, severe bone marrow suppression, low leukocyte or platelet count. Severe hepatic impairment. Major surgery <30 days prior to treatment.

Bendamustine is a bifunctional mechlorethamine derivative capable of forming electrophilic alkyl groups that covalently bond to other molecules. Through this function as an alkylating agent, bendamustine causes intra- and inter-strand crosslinks between DNA bases resulting in cell death. It is active against both active and quiescent cells, although the exact mechanism of action is unknown.

May increase plasma levels with CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g. ciprofloxacin, fluvoxamine). May reduce plasma levels with CYP1A2 inducers (e.g. omeprazole and tobacco smoking).

Malignant and pre-malignant disease; pyrexia, nausea, vomiting, cough, headache, fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, anorexia, wt decrease, rash, stomatitis, lymphopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, neutropenia.

Symptoms: Cardiotoxicity, thrombocytopenia. Management: May perform bone marrow transplantation and transfusions to control haematological effects. It is dialysable to a small extent.

Pregnancy category D. There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).

Mild to moderate hepatic and renal impairment. Pregnancy and lactation.

Hepatic Impairment: Moderate: Reduce dose by 30%.