Chlorambucil

Class: Antineoplastic Agents
VA Class: AN100
CAS Number: 305-03-3
Brands: Leukeran

• 
  

  May severely suppress bone marrow function.¹⁰⁷ (See Hematologic Effects under Cautions.)

  
  


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  Known carcinogen.¹⁰⁷ (See Carcinogenicity under Cautions.)

  
  


• 
  

  May cause fetal harm.¹⁰⁷ (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions.)

  
  


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  May cause male or female infertility.¹⁰⁷ (See Fertility under Cautions.)

  
  

Introduction

Antineoplastic agent; nitrogen mustard derivative; alkylating agent.¹⁰⁷

Uses for Chlorambucil

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Treatment of choice (with or without corticosteroids) for adult CLL.^{106 108}

Hodgkin’s Disease

Treatment of adult Hodgkin’s disease;¹⁰⁷ combination regimen that does not include chlorambucil currently is preferred.¹⁰⁶

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Treatment (with or without corticosteroids) of indolent, noncontiguous stage II–IV adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (e.g., follicular lymphoma).^b

Not curative; rate of relapse is constant over time, even in complete responders.^b

Optimal treatment as yet unknown; defer treatment in asymptomatic patient and monitor carefully.^b

Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia

Drug of choice (with or without prednisone) for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia†.^{a b d}

Minimal-change Nephrotic Syndrome

Has been used for the treatment of childhood minimal-change nephrotic syndrome†.^a

Second-line agent; use only in those with severe, corticosteroid-dependent or frequently relapsing disease who are intolerant of corticosteroid therapy or whose disease is corticosteroid resistant.^a

Some clinicians prefer cyclophosphamide to chlorambucil.^a

Chlorambucil Dosage and Administration

General

• 
  

  Optimize results and minimize adverse effects by basing dose on clinical and hematologic response, patient tolerance, and other chemotherapy or irradiation being used.¹⁰⁷

  
  


• 
  

  Consult specialized references for procedures for proper handling and disposal of antineoplastic drugs.¹⁰⁷

  
  

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer continuously (as single daily doses) or intermittently (daily for 7 or 10 days every 6 weeks or as biweekly or once-monthly pulse doses).^{107 a d}

May administer high doses in intermittent regimens at bedtime with antiemetics to minimize adverse GI effects.^a

Dosage

Pediatric Patients

Minimal-change Nephrotic Syndrome†

Oral

Usual dosage: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg once daily with varying dosages of prednisone for 8–12 weeks; additional course of therapy may be necessary.^a

Adults

Reduce initial dosage if administered within 4 weeks after full course of radiation therapy or myelosuppressive drugs or if pretreatment leukocyte or platelet counts are depressed from bone marrow disease.^{107 a}

CLL

Oral

Continuous regimen: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg (4–10 mg daily for average patient) given as a single daily dose; usually requires only 0.1 mg/kg daily.¹⁰⁷

Biweekly (once every 2 weeks) regimen: initially, 0.4 mg/kg; increase doses by 0.1 mg/kg every 2 weeks until a response and/or myelosuppression occurs.^a Adjust subsequent dosages to produce mild myelosuppression.^a

Once-monthly regimen: initially, 0.4 mg/kg; increase doses by 0.2 mg/kg every 4 weeks until a response and/or myelosuppression occurs.^a Adjust subsequent dosages to produce mild myelosuppression.^a

Therapy usually continued for 3–12 months regardless of regimen and schedule used.^a Generally discontinued after 1 year and restarted when the disease relapses (in patients who achieved a complete remission) or continued as needed (in those who achieved only a partial response).^a

Hodgkin’s Disease

Oral

Usual dosage: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg given as a single daily dose for 3–6 weeks; usually requires 0.2 mg/kg daily.¹⁰⁷

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Oral

Usual dosage: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg given as a single daily dose for 3–6 weeks; usually requires only 0.1 mg/kg daily.¹⁰⁷

Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia†

Oral

Continuous therapy: 0.1 mg/kg daily.^d

Intermittent therapy: 0.3 mg/kg daily for 7 days every 6 weeks.^d

Combination therapy: chlorambucil (8 mg/m² daily) and prednisone (40 mg/m² daily) for 10 days every 6 weeks.^{a d}

Therapy usually continued for at least several months regardless of regimen used; optimal duration unknown.^d

Prescribing Limits

Pediatric Patients

Minimal-change Nephrotic Syndrome†

Oral

Maximum total dosage during a single course of therapy: 8.2–14 mg/kg.^a

Adults

Oral

Daily dose should not exceed 0.1 mg/kg (about 6 mg for average patient) in the presence of lymphocytic infiltration of the bone marrow or hypoplastic bone marrow.¹⁰⁷

Cautions for Chlorambucil

Contraindications

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  Known hypersensitivity to chlorambucil or any ingredient in the formulation.¹⁰⁷

  
  


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  Disease resistant to prior chlorambucil therapy.¹⁰⁷

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Carcinogenicity

Possible leukemia or secondary malignancies; assess risk/benefits of therapy.¹⁰⁷

Not recommended by manufacturer for the treatment of nonmalignant diseases.¹⁰⁷

Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

May cause fetal harm (e.g., unilateral renal agenesis); avoid pregnancy during therapy.¹⁰⁷ If used during pregnancy or if patient becomes pregnant, apprise of potential fetal hazard.¹⁰⁷

Fertility

High incidence of sterility (generally irreversible^d ) in prepubertal and pubertal males; potential for prolonged or permanent azoospermia in adult males.¹⁰⁷

Amenorrhea reported in females.¹⁰⁷

Sensitivity Reactions

Possible angioedema, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and urticaria.¹⁰⁷

Potential for cross-sensitivity (rash) between chlorambucil and other alkylating agents.^a

Discontinue promptly if skin reaction develops.¹⁰⁷

General Precautions

Hematologic Effects

Slowly progressive lymphopenia is common; return to normal lymphocyte counts generally occurs rapidly after completion of therapy.¹⁰⁷

Possible dose-dependent, reversible neutropenia after third week of continuous therapy and continuing for up to 10 days after last dose.¹⁰⁷

Risk of irreversible bone marrow damage increases rapidly with total dose ≥6.5 mg/kg in 1 course of continuous dosing regimen.^{107 a}

Adverse hematologic effects may be less severe with intermittent dosing than with continuous dosing.^a

If leukocyte count falls abruptly or leukocyte or platelet counts fall below normal values, decrease chlorambucil dosage; discontinue drug for more severe depression.¹⁰⁷

Seizures

Possible increased risk of seizures in children with nephrotic syndrome and patients receiving high pulse doses of chlorambucil.¹⁰⁷

Use with caution in patients with a history of seizures or head trauma or those receiving other potentially epileptogenic drugs.¹⁰⁷

Prior Irradiation or Myelosuppressive Therapy

Possible additive myelosuppressive effects; do not administer at full dosages within 4 weeks after a full course of radiation therapy or myelosuppressive drugs.¹⁰⁷

Adequate Patient Evaluation and Monitoring

Monitor hematologic status carefully.¹⁰⁷

Perform weekly CBC; do not allow >2 weeks to elapse between clinical/hematologic evaluations.¹⁰⁷ During first 3–6 weeks of continuous therapy, obtain WBC count 3 or 4 days after each weekly CBC.¹⁰⁷

Immunization

Avoid administration of live vaccines to immunocompromised patients.¹⁰⁷

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category D.¹⁰⁷ (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions.)

Lactation

Not known whether chlorambucil is distributed into milk; discontinue nursing or the drug.¹⁰⁷

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients;¹⁰⁷ however, has been used when benefits thought to outweigh risks.^a

Possible increased risk of seizures in children with nephrotic syndrome; use with caution in those with a history of seizure disorder or head trauma or receiving concomitant therapy with drugs that lower seizure threshold.¹⁰⁷

Geriatric Use

Insufficient experience in patients ≥65 years of age to determine whether geriatric patients respond differently than younger adults;¹⁰⁷ titrate dosage carefully, due to greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, and/or cardiac function and of concomitant disease and drug therapy observed in the elderly.¹⁰⁷

Common Adverse Effects

Bone marrow suppression.¹⁰⁷

Chlorambucil Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Rapidly and completely absorbed from GI tract.¹⁰⁷

Distribution

Extent

Not fully characterized.¹⁰⁷

Apparently crosses the placenta.¹⁰⁷ Not known whether the drug or its metabolites are distributed into milk.¹⁰⁷

Plasma Protein Binding

Approximately 99% (mainly albumin).¹⁰⁷

Elimination

Metabolism

Rapidly and extensively metabolized in the liver, principally to phenylacetic acid mustard (pharmacologically active).¹⁰⁷ Chlorambucil and phenylacetic acid mustard converted to mono- and dihydroxy derivatives.¹⁰⁷

Elimination Route

Excreted in urine (15–60%) almost completely as metabolites.¹⁰⁷

Half-life

Chlorambucil: 1.3–1.5 hours.¹⁰⁷

Phenylacetic acid mustard: 1.8 hours.¹⁰⁷

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

2–8°C.¹⁰⁷

ActionsActions

• 
  

  Interferes with DNA replication and transcription of RNA; ultimately results in disruption of nucleic acid function.^a

  
  


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  Possesses some immunosuppressive activity, principally due to suppression of lymphocytes.^a

  
  


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  The slowest acting and generally least toxic of the currently available nitrogen mustard derivatives.^a

  
  

Advice to Patients

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  Risk of hypersensitivity, drug fever, myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity, infertility, seizures, GI toxicity, and secondary malignancies.¹⁰⁷

  
  


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  Importance of informing clinicians if rash, bleeding, fever, jaundice, persistent cough, seizures, nausea, vomiting, amenorrhea, or unusual lumps or masses occur.¹⁰⁷

  
  


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  Importance of women informing their clinician if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed; necessity for clinicians to advise women to avoid pregnancy.¹⁰⁷

  
  


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  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as concomitant illnesses.¹⁰⁷

  
  


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  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.¹⁰⁷ (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Chlorambucil

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Oral	Tablets, film-coated	2 mg	Leukeran	GlaxoSmithKline

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 03/2011. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Leukeran 2MG Tablets (GLAXO SMITH KLINE): 30/$119.27 or 90/$327.65

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions July 2006. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

References

Only references cited for selected revisions after 1984 are available electronically.

100. Ponticelli C, Zucchelli P, Imbasciati E et al. Controlled trial of methylprednisolone and chlorambucil in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. N Engl J Med. 1984; 310:946-50. [IDIS 183239] [PubMed 6366560]

101. Godfrey WA, Epstein WV, O’Connor GR et al. The use of chlorambucil in intractable idiopathic uveitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1974; 78:415-28. [IDIS 45882] [PubMed 4472398]

102. Mamo JG, Azzam SA. Treatment of Behcet’s disease with chlorambucil. Arch Ophthalmol. 1970; 84:446-50. [IDIS 14388] [PubMed 5492448]

103. Mamo JG. Treatment of Behcet disease with chlorambucil. Arch Ophthalmol. 1976; 94:580-3. [IDIS 69536] [PubMed 1267637]

104. O’Duffy JD, Robertson DM, Goldstein NP. Chlorambucil in the treatment of uveitis and meningoencephalitis of Behcet’s disease. Am J Med. 1984; 76:75-84. [IDIS 180408] [PubMed 6691363]

105. Ponticelli C, Zucchelli P, Passerini P et al. A randomized trial of methylprednisolone and chlorambucil in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. N Engl J Med. 1989; 320:8-13. [IDIS 249967] [PubMed 2642605]

106. Anon. Drugs of choice for cancer. Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2003; 1:41-52. [PubMed 15529105]

107. GlaxoSmithKline. Leukeran (chlorambucil) tablets prescribing information. Research Triangle Park, NC; 2004 Nov.

108. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. From: CancerNet/PDQ. Physician data query (database). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2001 Jun.

109. Dighiero G, Maloum K, Desablens B et al. Chlorambucil in indolent chronic lymphocytic leukemia. French Cooperative Group on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. N Engl J Med. 1998; 338:1506-14. [IDIS 405094] [PubMed 9593789]

110. CLL Trialists’ Collaborative Group. Chemotherapeutic options in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a meta-analysis of the randomized trials. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1999; 91:861-8. [PubMed 10340906]

111. Adult non-Hogkin’s lymphoma. From: CancerNet/PDQ. Physician data query (database). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2001 Oct.

112. Mycosis fungoides and the Sezary syndrome. From: CancerNet/PDQ. Physician data query (database). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2001 Sep.

a. AHFS drug information 2005. McEvoy GK, ed. Chlorambucil. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2005:944-8.

b. Adult non-Hogkin’s lymphoma. From: CancerNet/PDQ. Physician data query (database). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2003 Sep 26.

d. Dimopoulos M. Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia therapy. Hema 99. From the American Society of Hematology website. Accessed 2003 Dec 15.

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