Welireg (belzutifan)

Antineoplastic - Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) Inhibitors Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Belzutifan, a hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2alpha) inhibitor, is an antineoplastic agent.

Belzutifan, a hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2alpha) inhibitor, is an antineoplastic agent. In von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, the lack of functional VHL proteins results in an accumulation of HIF-2alpha, a transcriptional factor that plays a role in oxygen sensing by regulating genes that promote adaptation to hypoxia. Under normal oxygen levels, HIF-2alpha is targeted for ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation by VHL protein.

Absence of functional VHL protein results in stabilization and accumulation of HIF-2alpha, which subsequently interacts with HIF-1beta to form a transcriptional complex that induces expression of downstream genes (e.g., genes associated with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, tumor growth). Belzutifan binds to HIF-2alpha and, in conditions of hypoxia or impairment of VHL protein function, blocks formation of the HIF-2alpha-HIF-1beta transcriptional complex, resulting in reduced transcription and expression of HIF-2alpha target genes. In vitro, belzutifan demonstrated anti-tumor activity in mouse xenograft models of renal cell carcinoma.

The peak plasma concentration and systemic exposure to belzutifan are dose proportional over the oral dose range of 20-120 mg. Steady state concentrations are achieved in approximately 3 days. Peak plasma concentrations of belzutifan are reached in a median of 1-2 hours following oral administration.

The exposure of belzutifan in pediatric patients >=12 years of age is predicted to be within range of that observed in adults at the recommended dosage. Administration of belzutifan with a high-fat, high-calorie meal delayed time to peak plasma concentration by approximately 2 hours, but had no clinically significant effect on peak plasma concentration or AUC. Belzutifan is 45% plasma protein bound.

The half-life of belzutifan is 14 hours. Belzutifan is metabolized primarily by UGT2B17 and CYP2C19, and to a lesser extent by CYP3A4.

Age, sex, race, and body weight (range 40-166 kg) do not have clinically important effects on belzutifan exposure.

USES: This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as kidney cancer, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma). It is also used to treat people with a certain inherited disorder (von Hippel-Lindau disease) who need treatment for tumors/cancers caused by the disease (such as in the kidneys, pancreas, brain/spinal cord). Belzutifan works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer/tumor cells.

Generic name: belzutifan
Drug class: Antineoplastic - Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) Inhibitors
Therapeutic class: Antineoplastics

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Welireg:

  • Malignant Paraganglioma
  • Malignant Pheochromocytoma
  • Neoplasm Associated With Von Hippel-Lindau Disease
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

Also known as: Carcinoma Of Kidney, Grawitz Tumor, Hypernephroid Carcinoma, Hypernephroma, Kidney Adenocarcinoma, Neoplasm Associated With Vhl Disease, Neoplasm Associated With Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome, Nephroid Carcinoma, Renal Adenocarcinoma, Renal Carcinoma, Renal Cell Adenocarcinoma.

Dosing

If adverse reactions occur during belzutifan therapy, temporary interruption of therapy, dosage reduction, and/or permanent discontinuance of the drug may be necessary. If dosage reduction is required, the dosage of belzutifan should be reduced as described in Table 1.

Table 1: Recommended Dosage Reduction for Belzutifan Toxicity

Dose Reduction Level Dosage Reduction after Recovery from Toxicity (Initial Dosage = 120 mg once daily) First Resume at 80 mg once daily Second Resume at 40 mg once daily Third Permanently discontinue drug

If an adverse reaction occurs, modify dosage accordingly (see Table 2).

Table 2. Dosage Modification for Belzutifan Toxicity

Adverse Reaction and Severity Modification Anemia Hemoglobin <8 g/dL or anemia Withhold therapy until hemoglobin requiring RBC transfusion >=8 g/dL, and then resume at the same or reduced dosage or discontinue drug depending on severity Life-threatening severity or anemia Withhold therapy until hemoglobin requiring urgent intervention >=8 g/dL, and then resume at reduced dosage or permanently discontinue drug Hypoxia Decreased oxygen saturation with Consider withholding therapy until exercise (e.g., pulse oximeter <88%) hypoxia resolves, and then resume at same or reduced dosage depending on severity Decreased oxygen saturation at rest Withhold therapy until hypoxia (e.g., pulse oximeter <88% or PaO2 resolves, and then resume at reduced <=55 mm Hg) or hypoxia requiring dosage or permanently discontinue urgent intervention indicated drug depending on severity Life-threatening or recurrent Permanently discontinue drug symptomatic hypoxia Other Toxicity Grade 3 Withhold therapy until toxicity improves to grade 2 or less, and then consider resuming at reduced dosage If grade 3 toxicity recurs on a reduced dosage, permanently discontinue drug Grade 4 Permanently discontinue drug

Drug interactions

Belzutifan is metabolized primarily by UGT2B17 and CYP2C19, and to a lesser extent by CYP3A4.

In vitro, belzutifan does not inhibit CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 3A4. In vitro studies also indicate that belzutifan does not induce CYP1A2 or 2B6.

Belzutifan is a substrate of P-gp, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3. Belzutifan is not a substrate of BCRP. Belzutifan inhibits MATE2K, but does not inhibit P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OAT1, OAT3, OCT2 or MATE1.

Contraindications

*None.

Adverse reactions

The most common (>=25%) adverse reactions in patients with VHL disease include decreased hemoglobin, fatigue, increased serum creatinine, headache, dizziness, increased glucose levels, and nausea.

The most common (>=25%) adverse reactions in patients with advanced RCC include decreased hemoglobin, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, increased serum creatinine, decreased lymphocytes, increased alanine aminotransferase, decreased sodium, increased potassium, and increased aspartate aminotransferase.

The most common (>=25%) adverse reactions in patients with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma include anemia, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, decreased lymphocytes, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased calcium, dyspnea, increased potassium, decreased leukocytes, headache, increased alkaline phosphatase, dizziness, and nausea.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Malignant paraganglioma
C75.5ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of aortic body and other paraganglia
Malignant pheochromocytoma
C74.1ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of medulla of adrenal gland
C74.10ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of medulla of unspecified adrenal gland
C74.11ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of medulla of right adrenal gland
C74.12ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of medulla of left adrenal gland
Neoplasm associated with von hippel-lindau disease
Q85.8ICD10CMOther phakomatoses, not elsewhere classified
Q85.83ICD10CMVon hippel-lindau syndrome
Q85.89ICD10CMOther phakomatoses, not elsewhere classified
Renal cell carcinoma
C64ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of kidney, except renal pelvis
C64.1ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of right kidney, except renal pelvis
C64.2ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of left kidney, except renal pelvis
C64.9ICD10CMMalignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvis

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data