Blincyto

Pronunciation: blin-sye-toe
Generic name: blinatumomab
Dosage form: injection for intravenous infusion
Drug class: CD19 monoclonal antibodies

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 17, 2024.

What is Blincyto?

Blincyto (blinatumomab) may be used to treat adults and children aged 1 month and older with certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a cancer of the blood in which a particular kind of white blood cell is growing out of control), specifically:

• B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in remission when only a small number of cancer cells remain in the body (minimal residual disease)
• B-cell precursor ALL that has come back or did not respond to previous treatments
• Philadelphia-chromosome negative B-cell precursor ALL in the consolidation phase of chemotherapy treatment with multiple phases.

Blincyto is usually given after other cancer treatments have been tried without success.

Blincyto is a bispecific CD19-directed CD3 T-cell engager that works like a bridge. One end binds to a protein called CD19 found on leukemia cells. The other end fits onto a different protein (CD3) found on the surface of T cells. This connects the T-cell to the leukemia cell, which activates the T-cell, killing the leukemia cell.

Blincyto was FDA-approved on December 3, 2014.

Blincyto side effects

The most common side effects of Blincyto affecting 20% or more people who take it include:

• fever
• reactions related to the infusion of the medicine such as face swelling, low blood pressure, and high blood pressure (infusion-related reactions)
• headache
• muscle, joint, and bone pain
• low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
• nausea
• low red blood cell count (anemia)
• low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• infection
• diarrhea.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel weak, nauseated, light-headed, tired, chilled, or feverish, or you have a headache, muscle pain, skin rash, wheezing, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Serious side effects

Blincyto may cause serious side effects.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Blincyto: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A serious side effect of blinatumomab is called cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Tell your caregivers right away if you have signs of this condition: fever, chills, trouble breathing, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling light-headed. Your caregivers will have medication available to quickly treat CRS if it occurs.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate

• low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Some side effects may occur during the Blincyto injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, chilled or feverish, or if you have a headache, skin rash, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Blincyto may affect your nerves. Tell your caregivers or seek emergency medical attention if you have signs of life-threatening nerve problems, such as:

• slurred speech

• confusion

• problems with balance

• a seizure (convulsions) or

• loss of consciousness.

Blincyto may cause life-threatening infections that may lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider
right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of an infection.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. It can be life-threatening
and may lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of TLS during treatment with Blincyto, including:

• nausea and vomiting
• confusion
• shortness of breath
• irregular heartbeat
• dark or cloudy urine
• reduced amount of urine
• unusual tiredness
• muscle cramps.

Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) are common with Blincyto treatment and may sometimes be life-threatening. They can increase your risk of infection. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your white blood cell counts during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get a fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Abnormal liver blood tests. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before you start
Blincyto and during treatment.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis may happen in people treated with Blincyto and
corticosteroids. It may be severe and lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have severe
stomach-area pain that does not go away. The pain may happen with or without nausea and vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

methotrexate, imatinib, doxorubicin, mercaptopurine, Gleevec, Sprycel

Warnings

Some side effects may occur during the Blincyto injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, chilled or feverish, or if you have a headache, skin rash, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Blincyto may harm an unborn baby and should not be taken by females who are pregnant.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Blincyto if you are allergic to blinatumomab, Blincyto, or any inactive ingredients in the injection.

To make sure Blincyto is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• nerve problems (neurologic disorder), such as seizures, confusion, trouble speaking, or problems with balance
• Down syndrome
• chemotherapy, or radiation treatment to your brain
• any type of infection
• reacted to a previous blinatumomab injection
• have recently received a vaccine or if you are scheduled for a booster dose
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting Blincyto. Do not use Blincyto if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using Blincyto and for at least 48 hours after your last dose.

Breastfeeding

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine and for at least 48 hours after your last dose.

How is Blincyto given?

Blincyto is given around the clock (continuous) using an infusion pump. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. The medicine enters the body through a catheter placed into a vein.

• You may receive your first dose of Blincyto in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects. You may also need to be in a hospital if you start using the medicine again after not using it for a short time.

Your injections will be prepared at the pharmacy and you will receive the medicine in IV bags. Keep the IV bags in their original package and do not open the package. Store it in the refrigerator, protected from light. Do not freeze. Each IV bag will be unpackaged and prepared by a healthcare provider.

• Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use Blincyto if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Blincyto is usually given around the clock. Your doctor will determine how often you need to use this medicine, and for how long.

Do not change the settings on your infusion pump without the assistance of a healthcare professional.

You may be given medication to prevent certain side effects while you are receiving Blincyto.

When it is time to change IV bags, call your doctor or pharmacist if you do not have a new IV bag ready to attach to the infusion pump.

Be sure to keep the skin clean around your catheter (IV) to reduce the risk of infection.

Blincyto can increase your risk of bleeding or infection by changing the way your immune system works. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since dosing and infusion pump programming is administered by a healthcare professional, you are not likely to miss a dose.

Call your pharmacist for new medicine if you do not receive your IV bags on time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include fever, tremors, and headache.

What should I avoid while using Blincyto?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Blincyto, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles). Ask your doctor how soon it is safe for you to receive a vaccine after you stop using this medicine.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Blincyto will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What other drugs will affect Blincyto?

Other drugs may interact with blinatumomab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with Blincyto, but starting Blincyto treatment causes the short-lived release of cytokines that may suppress CYP450 enzymes and affect medications with a narrow therapeutic index, such as warfarin.

Storage

Intravenous (IV) bags containing Blincyto for infusion will arrive in a special package.

• Do not open the package.
• Do not freeze the package.

The package containing Blincyto will be opened by your healthcare provider and stored in the refrigerator at
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not throw away (dispose of) any Blincyto in your household trash. Talk with your healthcare provider about the disposal of Blincyto and used supplies.

Keep out of reach of children.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: blinatumomab
Inactive ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, lysine hydrochloride, polysorbate 80, trehalose dihydrate, sodium hydroxide, and preservative-free sterile water for injection.
Inactive ingredients of IV Solution Stabilizer: citric acid monohydrate, lysine hydrochloride, polysorbate 80, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection.

Manufacturer

Amgen Inc.

Popular FAQ

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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