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INDICATION

  • NULOJIX (in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil [MMF], and corticosteroids) is indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in adults receiving a kidney transplant
  • Use NULOJIX only in patients who are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositive
  • Use of NULOJIX for prophylaxis of organ rejection in transplanted organs other than kidney has not been established

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NULOJIX® (belatacept) regimen demonstrated superior cGFR* at Month 12, sustained through Month 36 vs CsA regimen

Mean calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR)1

*cGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.1

Predefined secondary endpoint.2

Predefined tertiary endpoint.2

CI=confidence interval.

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD)

    • NULOJIX patients are at increased risk for developing PTLD, predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS)
    • Recipients without immunity to EBV (ie, seronegative) are at particularly increased risk; therefore, NULOJIX is contraindicated in transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown serostatus
    • Monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms
    • As the total burden of immunosuppression is a risk factor for PTLD, higher than recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX or concomitant immunosuppressive agents are not recommended
    • Other known risk factors for PTLD include cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and T cell-depleting therapy
      • CMV prophylaxis is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation
      • Use T cell-depleting therapy to treat acute rejection cautiously
    • Patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seronegative may be at increased risk of PTLD
      • Since CMV seronegative patients are at increased risk for CMV disease (a known risk factor for PTLD), the clinical significance of CMV serology for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX

    Distribution of patients by cGFR at Month 12 and Month 362-4

    *CKD=chronic kidney disease.

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Management of Immunosuppression

    • Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX
      • Patients should be managed in facilities with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources
      • The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient

    Renal function for patients receiving a kidney from living or standard criteria donors1,5,6

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Other Malignancies and Serious Infections:

    • Increased susceptibility to infection and possible development of malignancies may result from immunosuppression
    • Patients should avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and sunlight
    • Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk for bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections and tuberculosis. Some infections were fatal
      • Polyoma virus-associated nephropathy can lead to deteriorating renal function and graft loss; consider reduction in immunosuppression, weighing risk to the graft
      • Tuberculosis was more frequently observed in patients receiving NULOJIX. Evaluate for tuberculosis and initiate treatment for latent infection prior to NULOJIX use
      • CMV and Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis is recommended after transplantation

    Liver Transplant:

    • Use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to increased risk of graft loss and death in a clinical trial with more frequent administration of NULOJIX than studied in kidney transplant, along with MMF and corticosteroids

    Evaluating outcomes in patients with BPAR

    Kidney function at Month 12 and Month 361,3

    The difference in mean cGFR between patients with and without history of BPAR was:

    • At Month 12, 19 mL/min/1.73 m2 among NULOJIX® regimen-treated patients compared to 7 mL/min/1.73 m2 among cyclosporine regimen-treated patients1
    • At Month 36, 25 mL/min/1.73 m2 among NULOJIX regimen-treated patients compared to 6 mL/min/1.73 m2 among cyclosporine regimen-treated patients3

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization

    • In NULOJIX postmarketing experience, corticosteroid minimization to 5 mg/day between Day 3 and Week 6 post-transplant was associated with an increased rate and grade of acute rejection, particularly Grade III
      • These Grade III rejections occurred in patients with 4-6 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches
      • Graft loss was a consequence of Grade III rejection in some patients
    • Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience
      • Median (25th-75th percentile) corticosteroid doses were tapered to about 15 mg (10-20 mg)/day by the first 6 weeks and remained at about 10 mg (5-10 mg)/day for the first 6 months post-transplant

    Graft loss and/or death at Month 12 and Month 361,3

    The relationship between BPAR, GFR, and patient and graft survival is unclear due to the limited number of patients who experienced BPAR, differences in renal hemodynamics (and, consequently, GFR) across maintenance immunosuppression regimens, and the high rate of switching treatment regimens after BPAR.1

     

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Immunizations:

    • Avoid use of live vaccines during NULOJIX treatment

    Coadministration with Anti-Thymocyte Globulin:

    • In de novo kidney transplant recipients, especially those with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, coadministration (at the same or nearly the same time) with anti-thymocyte globulin may pose a risk for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft. If anti-thymocyte globulin (or any other cell-depleting induction treatment) and NULOJIX will be administered concomitantly, a 12-hour interval between the two administrations is suggested

    Risk of Rejection with Conversion From a Calcineurin Inhibitor (CNI) Based Maintenance Regimen:

    • Conversion of patients from a CNI based maintenance regimen increases the risk of acute rejection. Conversion of stable kidney transplant recipients from a CNI based maintenance regimen to a NULOJIX based maintenance regimen is not recommended unless the patient is CNI intolerant

    Pregnancy:

    • The data with NULOJIX use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. NULOJIX is known to cross the placenta of animals. To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women who have received NULOJIX, or whose partners have received NULOJIX, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to register pregnant patients in the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPR) by calling 1-877-955-6877

    Lactation:

    • There are no data on the presence of NULOJIX in human milk or the effects on breastfed infants or human milk production to inform risk of NULOJIX to an infant during lactation. NULOJIX is excreted in rat milk and it is possible that the drug will be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for NULOJIX, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from NULOJIX or from the underlying maternal conditions

    References

    1. NULOJIX [prescribing information]. Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
    2. Data on file. NULO 077. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Princeton, NJ.
    3. Data on file. NULO 027. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Princeton, NJ.
    4. Data on file. NULO 028. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Princeton, NJ.
    5. Data on file. NULO 076. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Princeton, NJ.
    6. Florman S, Becker T, Bresnahan B, et al. Three-year outcomes by donor type in phase III studies of belatacept vs cyclosporine in kidney transplantation (BENEFIT & BENEFIT-EXT). Presented at: 12th American Transplant Congress; June 2-6, 2012; Boston, MA.

    NULOJIX® (belatacept) regimen demonstrated superior cGFR* at Month 12, sustained through Month 36 vs CsA regimen

    Mean calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR)1

    *cGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.1

    Predefined secondary endpoint.2

    Predefined tertiary endpoint.2

    CI=confidence interval.

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Most Common Adverse Reactions (≥20%) through 3 years:

    • Anemia (45%), diarrhea (39%), urinary tract infection (37%), peripheral edema (34%), constipation (33%), hypertension (32%), pyrexia (28%), graft dysfunction (25%), cough (24%), nausea (24%), vomiting (22%), headache (21%), hypokalemia (21%), hyperkalemia (20%), and leukopenia (20%). No new adverse reactions were observed in the long-term extension (years 4-7) studies

    Distribution of patients by cGFR at Month 12 and Month 363

    *CKD=chronic kidney disease.

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD)

    • NULOJIX patients are at increased risk for developing PTLD, predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS)
    • Recipients without immunity to EBV (ie, seronegative) are at particularly increased risk; therefore, NULOJIX is contraindicated in transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown serostatus
    • Monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms
    • As the total burden of immunosuppression is a risk factor for PTLD, higher than recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX or concomitant immunosuppressive agents are not recommended
    • Other known risk factors for PTLD include cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and T cell–depleting therapy
      • CMV prophylaxis is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation
      • Use T cell-depleting therapy to treat acute rejection cautiously
    • Patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seronegative may be at increased risk of PTLD
      • Since CMV seronegative patients are at increased risk for CMV disease (a known risk factor for PTLD), the clinical significance of CMV serology for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX

    Evaluating outcomes in patients with BPAR

    Kidney function at Month 12 and Month 361,3

    The difference in mean cGFR between patients with and without history of BPAR was:

    • At Month 12, 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 among NULOJIX  regimen-treated patients compared to 14 mL/min/1.73 m2 among cyclosporine regimen-treated patients1
    • At Month 36, 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 among NULOJIX regimen-treated patients compared to 12 mL/min/1.73 m2 among cyclosporine regimen-treated patients3

    Graft loss and/or death at Month 12 and Month 361,3

    The relationship between BPAR, GFR, and patient and graft survival is unclear due to the limited number of patients who experienced BPAR, differences in renal hemodynamics (and, consequently, GFR) across maintenance immunosuppression regimens, and the high rate of switching treatment regimens after BPAR.1

     

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Management of Immunosuppression

    • Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX
      • Patients should be managed in facilities with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources
      • The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient

    References

    1. NULOJIX [prescribing information]. Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
    2. Data on file. NULO 077. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Princeton, NJ.
    3. Data on file. NULO 022. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Princeton, NJ.
    More Important Safety Information

    SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    • NULOJIX is associated with increased risk for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly in the central nervous system (CNS)
      • NULOJIX is contraindicated in patients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown serostatus because the risk of PTLD is particularly increased in patients who are EBV seronegative
      • NULOJIX is to be used only in patients who are EBV seropositive
      • Patients should be monitored for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms
      • Higher than recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX and concomitant immunosuppressives is not recommended
    • Immunosuppression may result in increased susceptibility to infection and development of malignancies
    • NULOJIX should be prescribed only by physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients
    • Use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to an increased risk of graft loss and death

    Management of Immunosuppression

    • Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX
      • Patients should be managed in facilities with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources
      • The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient

    Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)

    • NULOJIX patients are at increased risk for PML, often a rapidly progressive and fatal opportunistic infection
      • In clinical trials, two cases were reported in patients receiving NULOJIX at higher cumulative doses and more frequently than the recommended regimen, along with MMF and corticosteroids; one occurred in a kidney transplant recipient and one occurred in a liver transplant recipient
    • As PML has been associated with high levels of immunosuppression, higher than recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX and concomitant immunosuppressive agents, including MMF, are not recommended
    • Monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms
      • PML is usually diagnosed by brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid testing for JC viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction, and/or brain biopsy
      • Consultation with a specialist should be considered
      • If PML is diagnosed, consider reduction or withdrawal of immunosuppression, weighing risk to the allograft

    Other Malignancies and Serious Infections

    • Increased susceptibility to infection and possible development of malignancies may result from immunosuppression
    • Patients should avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and sunlight
    • Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk for bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections and tuberculosis. Some infections were fatal
      • Polyoma virus-associated nephropathy can lead to deteriorating renal function and graft loss; consider reduction in immunosuppression, weighing risk to the graft
      • Tuberculosis was more frequently observed in patients receiving NULOJIX. Evaluate for tuberculosis and initiate treatment for latent infection prior to NULOJIX use
      • CMV and Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis is recommended after transplantation

    Liver Transplant: use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to increased risk of graft loss and death in a clinical trial with more frequent administration of NULOJIX than studied in kidney transplant, along with MMF and corticosteroids

    Immunizations: avoid use of live vaccines during NULOJIX treatment

    Coadministration with Anti-Thymocyte Globulin: in de novo kidney transplant recipients, especially those with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, coadministration (at the same or nearly the same time) with anti-thymocyte globulin may pose a risk for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft. If anti-thymocyte globulin (or any other cell-depleting induction treatment) and NULOJIX will be administered concomitantly, a 12-hour interval between the two administrations is suggested

    Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization

    • In NULOJIX postmarketing experience, corticosteroid minimization to 5 mg/day between Day 3 and Week 6 post-transplant was associated with an increased rate and grade of acute rejection, particularly Grade III
      • These Grade III rejections occurred in patients with 4-6 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches
      • Graft loss was a consequence of Grade III rejection in some patients
    • Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience
      • Median (25th-75th percentile) corticosteroid doses were tapered to about 15 mg (10-20 mg)/day by the first 6 weeks and remained at about 10 mg (5-10 mg)/day for the first 6 months post-transplant

    Pregnancy: the data with NULOJIX use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. NULOJIX is known to cross the placenta of animals. To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women who have received NULOJIX, or whose partners have received NULOJIX, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to register pregnant patients in the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPR) by 1-877-955-6877 1-877-955-6877

     
    Close

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD)

    • NULOJIX patients are at increased risk for developing PTLD, predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS)
    • Recipients without immunity to EBV (ie, seronegative) are at particularly increased risk; therefore, NULOJIX is contraindicated in transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown serostatus
    • Monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms
    • As the total burden of immunosuppression is a risk factor for PTLD, higher than recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX or concomitant immunosuppressive agents are not recommended
    • Other known risk factors for PTLD include cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and T cell-depleting therapy
      • CMV prophylaxis is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation
      • Use T cell-depleting therapy to treat acute rejection cautiously
    • Patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seronegative may be at increased risk of PTLD
      • Since CMV seronegative patients are at increased risk for CMV disease (a known risk factor for PTLD), the clinical significance of CMV serology for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX

    Management of Immunosuppression

    • Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of kidney transplant patients should prescribe NULOJIX
      • Patients should be managed in facilities with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources
      • The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient

    Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)

    • NULOJIX patients are at increased risk for PML, often a rapidly progressive and fatal opportunistic infection
      • In clinical trials, two cases were reported in patients receiving NULOJIX at higher cumulative doses and more frequently than the recommended regimen, along with MMF and corticosteroids; one occurred in a kidney transplant recipient and one occurred in a liver transplant recipient
    • As PML has been associated with high levels of immunosuppression, higher than recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX and concomitant immunosuppressive agents, including MMF, are not recommended
    • Monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms
      • PML is usually diagnosed by brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid testing for JC viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction, and/or brain biopsy
      • Consultation with a specialist should be considered
      • If PML is diagnosed, consider reduction or withdrawal of immunosuppression, weighing risk to the allograft

    Other Malignancies and Serious Infections

    • Increased susceptibility to infection and possible development of malignancies may result from immunosuppression
    • Patients should avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and sunlight
    • Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk for bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections and tuberculosis. Some infections were fatal
      • Polyoma virus-associated nephropathy can lead to deteriorating renal function and graft loss; consider reduction in immunosuppression, weighing risk to the graft
      • Tuberculosis was more frequently observed in patients receiving NULOJIX. Evaluate for tuberculosis and initiate treatment for latent infection prior to NULOJIX use
      • CMV and Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis is recommended after transplantation

    Liver Transplant: use in liver transplant patients is not recommended due to increased risk of graft loss and death in a clinical trial with more frequent administration of NULOJIX than studied in kidney transplant, along with MMF and corticosteroids

    Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization

    • In NULOJIX postmarketing experience, corticosteroid minimization to 5 mg/day between Day 3 and Week 6 post-transplant was associated with an increased rate and grade of acute rejection, particularly Grade III
      • These Grade III rejections occurred in patients with 4-6 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches
      • Graft loss was a consequence of Grade III rejection in some patients
    • Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience
      • Median (25th-75th percentile) corticosteroid doses were tapered to about 15 mg (10-20 mg)/day by the first 6 weeks and remained at about 10 mg (5-10 mg)/day for the first 6 months post-transplant

    Immunizations: avoid use of live vaccines during NULOJIX treatment

    Coadministration with Anti-Thymocyte Globulin: in de novo kidney transplant recipients, especially those with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, coadministration (at the same or nearly the same time) with anti-thymocyte globulin may pose a risk for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft. If anti-thymocyte globulin (or any other cell-depleting induction treatment) and NULOJIX will be administered concomitantly, a 12-hour interval between the two administrations is suggested

    Risk of Rejection with Conversion From a Calcineurin Inhibitor (CNI) Based Maintenance Regimen: conversion of patients from a CNI based maintenance regimen increases the risk of acute rejection. Conversion of stable kidney transplant recipients from a CNI based maintenance regimen to a NULOJIX based maintenance regimen is not recommended unless the patient is CNI intolerant

    Pregnancy: the data with NULOJIX use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. NULOJIX is known to cross the placenta of animals. To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women who have received NULOJIX, or whose partners have received NULOJIX, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to register pregnant patients in the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPR) by calling 1-877-955-6877

    Lactation: there are no data on the presence of NULOJIX in human milk or the effects on breastfed infants or human milk production to inform risk of NULOJIX to an infant during lactation. NULOJIX is excreted in rat milk and it is possible that the drug will be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for NULOJIX, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from NULOJIX or from the underlying maternal conditions

    Most Common Adverse Reactions (≥20%) through 3 years: anemia (45%), diarrhea (39%), urinary tract infection (37%), peripheral edema (34%), constipation (33%), hypertension (32%), pyrexia (28%), graft dysfunction (25%), cough (24%), nausea (24%), vomiting (22%), headache (21%), hypokalemia (21%), hyperkalemia (20%), and leukopenia (20%). No new adverse reactions were observed in the long-term extension (years 4-7) studies

    Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS.

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