West London Cancer Network

2.05Protocol Name:Fludarabine (single agent)

Indications

  • CLL (NICE TAG No. 119, February 2007)
  • Mantle Cell lymphoma
  • Advanced stage indolent and follicular lymphoma

Pre-treatment Evaluation

  • Document histological sub-type of lymphoproliferative disorder according to WHO Classification.
  • Document FBC (with film), U&E, creatinine, LFTs, calcium, glucose, serum protein electrophoresis, immunoglobulin levels and a direct antiglobulin test (DAT).
  • If staging is relevant this should include documentation of B symptoms, CT of chest, abdomen & pelvis and bone marrow aspirate & trephine.
  • Document WHO performance status of patient.
  • A positive DATis a relative contraindication to fludarabine therapy
  • Document height, weight and body surface area.
  • Consider ECG ± echocardiogram if clinical suspicion of cardiac dysfunction.
  • Give adequate verbal and written information for patients and relatives concerning patient’s disease, treatment strategy and side effects.
  • Obtain written consent from patient or guardian.
  • If appropriate, discuss the possibility of pregnancy with female patients of child-bearing age and the need for contraception with both male and female patients.
  • If appropriate, discuss potential risk of infertility with patient and relatives.
  • Consider intravenous hydration in patients with bulk disease.
  • Allopurinol should be given for the first 2 cycles of chemotherapy.
  • Significant pleural effusions or ascites should be drained to a minimum prior to commencement of fludarabine.
  • All cellular blood components should be irradiated to prevent the rare occurrence of transfusion associated graft versus host disease.

Caution- patients with a positive DAT/ AIHA

- Patients with a positive DAT without haemolysis must be monitored closely throughout treatment.

- Haemolysis on fludarabine is a contraindication to further treatment with this agent.

- Patients haemolysing before treatment should be treated with steroids/before initiating chemotherapy. If haemolysis is mild, use 2 to 3 weeks of steroids.

Drug Regimen(OPCS code: X70.5)

Days / Drug / Dose / Route / Comments
1-5 / Fludarabine / 25mg/m² / IV / Intravenous bolus in 10-100mls 0.9% saline over 15-30 minutes

Alternative ORAL schedule(OPCS code: X70.4)

Days / Drug / Dose / Route / Comments
1 – 5 / Fludarabine / 40mg/ m² * / PO / Once daily after breakfast

* appropriate rounding to available tablet size (fludarabine 10mg tablets)

Cycle Frequency

Repeat every 28 days

Dose Modifications

Renal impairment:

  • Reduce by up to 50% doses if renal impairment

(creatinine clearance between 30-60ml/min).

  • Do notgive if creatinine clearance <30ml/min.

Haematological toxicity:

Patients with good prognosis - consider maintaining dose intensity with GSCF.

GCSF should be administered in doses sufficient to allow full dose of treatment on

schedule. However use of GCSF should be in accordance with the local protocol/
ASCO guidance – therefore only for maintenance of full dose after an episode of febrile neutropenia or prolonged neutropenia that has led to a dose reduction.

Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia may be due to disease.

If a fall in counts is considered to be due to treatment (and GCSF is not

appropriate) then, the following guidelines should be followed.

- At the time of the next cycle: If neutrophils <1 x 109/l or platelets <75 x 109/l, delay treatment for 1 week.

- If these values are not improved after a delay of 2 weeks treatment should proceed at 50% of the dose.

- If neutrophils are below 0.5 x 109/l or platelets below 50 x 109/l by the time a new course is due, delay treatment until counts rise to at least these levels, with dose modifications as above if necessary.

Investigations prior to subsequent cycles

  • FBC, U+E, Creat and LFTs
  • Clinical assessment of response to be documented in notes
  • Assuming clinical response, restage after cycle 3 and again after cycle 6

Treatment Duration

  • Maximum 6 cycles

Concurrent Medication

  • Allopurinol 300mg od PO (100mg if creatinine clearance <20mls/min) for first 2 cycles
  • Oral systemic PCP prophylaxis should be given according to local protocol throughout treatment and for 6 months after completion of chemotherapy
  • Consider aciclovir antiviral prophylaxis if previous history of VZV or HSV reactivation

Anti-emetics

This regimen has mild emetic potential - refer to local protocol.

** Issue patient with DOH/National Blood Service Irradiated Blood Products information sheet:**

References

MRC CLL4 Trial

NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 119, February 2007

Patient information

Written by: Dr G Hughes, Dr E Kanfer, Dr D Macdonald, Dr M Sekhar and Melanie Schenck
Revised by: Sasha Marks andStephanie Kirschke, September 2009
Authorised by: WLCN Haematology TWG, September 2009
Date for review by Haematology TWG: September 2010

2.05 Fludarabine Version 2.3Page 1 of 3