LEQEMBI
LECANEMAB
Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE LEQEMBI is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment with LEQEMBI should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease, the population in which treatment was initiated in clinical trials.
Structured Monograph
Clinical summary
Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE LEQEMBI is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment with LEQEMBI should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease, the population in which treatment was initiated in clinical trials. LEQEMBI is an amyloid beta-directed antibody indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment with LEQEMBI should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease, the population in which treatment was initiated in clinical trials. ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Confirm the presence of amyloid beta pathology prior to initiating treatment. ( 2.1 ) Obtain a recent baseline brain MRI prior to initiating treatment. ( 2.4 , 5.1 ) Obtain an MRI within approximately one week prior to the 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th , and 14 th infusions. If radiographically observed ARIA occurs, treatment recommendations are based on type, severity, and presence of symptoms. ( 2.4 , 5.1 ) Recommended starting dosage: 10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks administered after dilution as an intravenous infusion over approximately one hour. ( 2.2 ) After 18 months, continue treatment once every 2 weeks or transition to an intravenous or subcutaneous maintenance dosage. ( 2.2 ) Recommended maintenance dosage: Intravenous infusion: 10 mg/kg once every 4 weeks ( 2.2 , 2.5 ) Subcutaneous injection: 360 mg administered once a week using the LEQEMBI IQLIK autoinjector ( 2.2 , 2.6 ). See Full Prescribing Information for preparation and administration instructions. ( 2.5 , 2.6 ) 2.1 Patient Selection Confirm the presence of amyloid beta pathology prior to initiating treatment [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage Initiate LEQEMBI as an intravenous infusion using the starting dosage (see Table 1). After 18 months, the starting dosage may be continued or a transition to maintenance dosage regimen may be considered, which can be administered by either intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection (see Table 1). If transitioning from starting dosage to a maintenance dosage regimen, administer the first maintenance dose two weeks after the last starting dose. Table 1: Starting and Maintenance Dosage Regimens Route of Administration Dose Frequency Infusion Rate (if Intravenous) Starting Dosage Intravenous Only (LEQEMBI) 10 mg/kg Once every 2 weeks Over approximately one hour Maintenance Dosage Intravenous (LEQEMBI) 10 mg/kg Once every 4 weeks Over approximately one hour Subcutaneous (LEQEMBI IQLIK) 360 mg Once every week ------------------------ For intravenous infusion, use LEQEMBI vials. LEQEMBI vials must be diluted before administration [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )]. For subcutaneous administration, use LEQEMBI IQLIK [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 )]. 2.3 Switching Between Maintenance Dosage Regimens During maintenance dosage regimen, patients may switch the route of administration (intravenous LEQEMBI or subcutaneous LEQEMBI IQLIK). This transition should be initiated at 1 week following the last maintenance dose of either the intravenous or subcutaneous dosing regimen. Thereafter, follow the dosing schedule for the newly assigned maintenance dosage regimen. 2.4 Monitoring and Dosing Interruption for Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities LEQEMBI can cause amyloid related imaging abnormalities -edema (ARIA-E) and -hemosiderin deposition (ARIA-H) [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Monitoring for ARIA Obtain a recent baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to initiating treatment with LEQEMBI. Obtain an MRI prior to the 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th , and 14 th infusions. In general, the MRI should be performed within approximately one week before the scheduled infusion of LEQEMBI and reviewed prior to proceeding with the infusion. If a patient experiences symptoms suggestive of ARIA, clinical evaluation should be performed, including an MRI if indicated. Recommendations for Dosing Interruptions in Patients with ARIA ARIA-E The recommendations for dosing interruptions for patients with ARIA-E are provided in Table 2. Table 2: Dosing Recommendations for Patients with ARIA-E Clinical Symptom Severity 1 ARIA-E Severity on MRI 2 Mild Moderate Severe Asymptomatic May continue dosing Suspend dosing 3 Suspend dosing 3 Mild May continue dosing based on clinical judgment Suspend dosing 3 Moderate or Severe Suspend dosing 3 1 Clinical Symptom Severity Categories: Mild: discomfort noticed, but no disruption of normal daily activity. Moderate: discomfort sufficient to reduce or affect normal daily activity. Severe: incapacitating, with inability to work or to perform normal daily activity. 2 See Table 4 for MRI radiographic severity [Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 3 Suspend until MRI demonstrates radiographic resolution and symptoms, if present, resolve; consider a follow-up MRI to assess for resolution 2 to 4 months after initial identification.
Boxed Warning
WARNING: AMYLOID RELATED IMAGING ABNORMALITIES Monoclonal antibodies directed against aggregated forms of beta amyloid, including LEQEMBI, can cause amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), characterized as ARIA with edema (ARIA-E) and ARIA with hemosiderin deposition (ARIA-H). Incidence and timing of ARIA vary among treatments. ARIA usually occurs early in treatment and is usually asymptomatic, although serious and life-threatening events can occur. ARIA can be fatal. Serious intracerebral hemorrhage s > 1 cm, some of which have been fatal, have been observed in patients treated with this class of medications. Because ARIA-E can cause focal neurologic deficits that can mimic an ischemic stroke, treating clinicians should consider whether such symptoms could be due to ARIA-E before giving thrombolytic therapy to a patient being treated with LEQEMBI [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. ApoE ε4 Homozygotes Patients who are apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) homozygotes (approximately 15% of Alzheimer’s disease patients) treated with this class of medications, including LEQEMBI, have a higher incidence of ARIA, including symptomatic, serious, and severe radiographic ARIA, compared to heterozygotes and noncarriers. Testing for ApoE ε4 status should be performed prior to initiation of treatment to inform the risk of developing ARIA. Prior to testing, prescribers should discuss with patients the risk of ARIA across genotypes and the implications of genetic testing results. Prescribers should inform patients that if genotype testing is not performed they can still be treated with LEQEMBI; however, it cannot be determined if they are ApoE ε4 homozygotes and at higher risk for ARIA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Consider the benefit of LEQEMBI for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and potential risk of serious adverse events associated with ARIA when deciding to initiate treatment with LEQEMBI [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. WARNING: AMYLOID RELATED IMAGING ABNORMALITIES See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Monoclonal antibodies directed against aggregated forms of beta amyloid, including LEQEMBI, can cause amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), as ARIA with edema (ARIA-E) and ARIA with hemosiderin deposition (ARIA-H). ARIA is usually asymptomatic, although serious and life-threatening events can occur. ARIA can be fatal. Serious intracerebral hemorrhages > 1 cm have occurred in patients treated with this class of medications. ARIA-E can cause focal neurologic deficits that can mimic ischemic stroke. ( 5.1 , 6.1 ) ApoE ε4 Homozygotes Patients treated with this class of medications, including LEQEMBI, who are ApoE ε4 homozygotes have a higher incidence of ARIA, including symptomatic and serious ARIA, compared to heterozygotes and noncarriers. Testing for ApoE ε4 status should be performed prior to initiation of treatment to inform the risk of developing ARIA. Prior to testing, the risk of ARIA across genotypes and implications of genetic testing results should be discussed with patients. ( 5.1 ) Consider the benefit for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and risk of ARIA when deciding to treat with LEQEMBI. ( 5.1 , 14 )
Monitoring
- • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA): Enhanced clinical vigilance for ARIA is recommended during the first 14 weeks of treatment with LEQEMBI.
- • Risk of ARIA, including symptomatic ARIA, was increased in apolipoprotein E ε4 homozygotes compared to heterozygotes and noncarriers.
- • The risk of ARIA-E and ARIA-H is increased in patients with pretreatment microhemorrhages and/or superficial siderosis.
- • If a patient experiences symptoms suggestive of ARIA, clinical evaluation should be performed, including MRI scanning if indicated.
Interaction Notes
- • Review official label interaction section.