17-08-2016
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
GLIADEL
WAFER
only
(polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant)
DESCRIPTION
GLIADEL
Wafer (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) is a sterile, off-white to
pale yellow wafer approximately 1.45 cm in diameter and 1 mm thick. Each wafer
contains 192.3 mg of polideprosan (a biodegradable polyanhydride copolymer and 7.7 mg
of carmustine [1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, or BCNU]). Carmustine is a
nitrosourea oncolytic agent. The copolymer, polifeprosan 20, consists of poly[bis(p-
carboxyphenoxy) propane: sebacic acid] in a 20:80 molar ratio and is used to control the
local delivery of carmustine. Carmustine is homogeneously distributed in the copolymer
matrix.
The structural formula for polifeprosan 20 is:
The structural formula for carmustine is:
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
GLIADEL
Wafer is designed to deliver carmustine directly into the surgical cavity
created when a brain tumor is resected. On exposure to the aqueous environment of the
resection cavity, the anhydride bonds in the copolymer are hydrolyzed, releasing
carmustine, carboxyphenoxypropane, and sebacic acid. The carmustine released from
GLIADEL
Wafer diffuses into the surrounding brain tissue and produces an
antineoplastic effect by alkylating DNA and RNA.
NCNHCH
Carmustine has been shown to degrade both spontaneously and metabolically. The
production of an alkylating moiety, hypothesized to be chloroethyl carbonium ion, leads
to the formation of DNA cross-links.
The tumoricidal activity of GLIADEL
Wafer is dependent on release of carmustine to
the tumor cavity in concentrations sufficient for effective cytotoxicity.
More than 70% of the copolymer degrades by three weeks. The metabolic disposition
and excretion of the monomers differ. Carboxyphenoxypropane is eliminated by the
kidney and sebacic acid, an endogenous fatty acid, is metabolized by the liver and expired
as CO
in animals.
The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the copolymer in humans is
unknown. Carmustine concentrations delivered by GLIADEL
Wafer in human brain
tissue have not been determined. Plasma levels of carmustine after GLIADEL
Wafer
implant were not determined. In rabbits implanted with wafers containing 3.85%
carmustine, no detectible levels of carmustine were found in the plasma or cerebrospinal
fluid.
Following an intravenous infusion of carmustine at doses ranging from 30 to 170 mg/m
the average terminal half-life, clearance, and steady-state volume of distribution were 22
minutes, 56 mL/min/kg, and 3.25 L/kg, respectively. Approximately 60% of the
intravenous 200 mg/m
dose of
C-carmustine was excreted in the urine over 96 hours
and 6% was expired as CO
GLIADEL
Wafers are biodegradable in human brain when implanted into the cavity
after tumor resection. The rate of biodegradation is variable from patient to patient.
During the biodegradation process, a wafer remnant may be observed on brain imaging
scans or at re-operation even though extensive degradation of all components has
occurred. Data obtained from review of CT scans obtained 49 days after implantation of
GLIADEL
Wafer demonstrated that images consistent with wafers were visible to
varying degrees in the scans of 11 of 18 patients. Data obtained at re-operation and
autopsies have demonstrated wafer remnants up to 232 days after GLIADEL
Wafer
implantation.
Wafer remnants removed at re-operation from two patients with recurrent malignant
glioma, one at 64 days and the second at 92 days after implantation, were analyzed for
content. The following table presents the results of analyses completed on these
remnants.
COMPOSITION OF WAFER REMNANTS REMOVED FROM
TWO PATIENTS ON RE-OPERATION
Component
Patient A
Patient B
Days After GLIADEL
Wafer Implantation
Anhydride Bonds
None detected
None detected
Water Content (% of wafer remnant weight)
95-97%
74-86%
Carmustine Content (% of initial)
<0.0004%
0.034%
Carboxyphenoxypropane Content (% of initial)
Sebacic Acid Content (% of initial)
The wafer remnants consisted mostly of water and monomeric components with minimal
detectable carmustine present.
CLINICAL STUDIES
Primary Surgery
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in adult
patients with newly-diagnosed high-grade malignant glioma undergoing initial
craniotomy for tumor resection. This trial determined the safety and efficacy of
GLIADEL
Wafer implants plus surgery and radiation therapy compared to placebo
implants plus surgery and radiation therapy. Two hundred and forty patients with newly-
diagnosed malignant glioma were enrolled. The most common tumor type was
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) (n=207), followed by anaplastic oligoastrocytoma
(n=11), anaplastic oligodendroglioma (n=11), and anaplastic astrocytoma (n=2).
GLIADEL
Wafers were implanted at the time of the surgery in 120 patients and placebo
wafers were implanted in 120 patients. The majority of patients received 6-8 wafers.
Wafer
There were 17
patients (14.2%) in the
Wafer group and 12 patients (10.0%) in the placebo
group who received systemic chemotherapy during the study. All six patients with
anaplastic oligodendroglioma received chemotherapy within 30 days of
Wafer implantation. Patients were followed for at least three years or until death. Only
one patient was lost to follow-up. Median survival increased from 11.6 months with
placebo to 13.8 months with GLIADEL
Wafer (p-value <0.05, log-rank test). The
hazard ratio for GLIADEL
Wafer treatment was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.56-0.95).
Kaplan-Meier Overall Survival Curves for Patients Undergoing
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G
G
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m
a
a
Months From Implant Surgery
Survival %
_______
GLIADEL
----------- Placebo
Log-
Rank
p<0.05
When only patients with Glioblastoma multiforme were included in the analysis, the
hazard ratio with GLIADEL
Wafer treatment was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.59-1.03, p=0.08,
log-rank test).
Surgery for Recurrent Disease
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in adult
patients with recurrent malignant glioma. This trial determined the safety and efficacy of
Ninety-five percent of the patients treated with GLIADEL
Wafer had 7-8 wafers
implanted.
a who had failed initial surgery
and radiation therapy, the six-month survival rate after repeat surgery increased from 47%
(53/112) for patients receiving placebo to 60% (66/110) for patients treated with
GLIADEL
r. Median survival increased by 33%, from 24 weeks (5.5 months) with
placebo to 32 weeks (7.4 months) with GLIADEL
r treatment. In patients with
GBM, the six-month survival rate increased from 36% (26/73) with placebo to 56%
(40/72) with GLIADEL
treatment. Median survival of GBM patients increased
by 41% from 20 weeks (4.6 months) with placebo to 28 weeks (6.4 months) with
GLIADEL
r treatment. In patients with pathologic diagnoses other than GBM at
the time of surgery for tumor recurrence, GLIADEL
r produced no survival
prolongation.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
For use as an adjunct to surgery to prolong survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma
multiforme for whom surgical resection is indicated.
Gliadel implant is indicated in newly-diagnosed high-grade malignant glioma patients as an
adjunct to surgery and radiation.
Gliadel implant is indicated for use as an adjunct to surgery in patients with Recurrent
histogically proved glioblastoma multiforme for whom surgical resection is indicated.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
GLIADEL
Wafer contains carmustine. GLIADEL
Wafer should not be given to
individuals who have demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity to carmustine or any of the
components of GLIADEL
Wafer.
WARNINGS
Patients undergoing craniotomy for malignant glioma and implantation of GLIADEL
Wafer should be monitored closely for known complications of craniotomy, including
seizures, intracranial infections, abnormal wound healing, and brain edema. Cases of
intracerebral mass effect unresponsive to corticosteroids have been described in patients
treated with GLIADEL
Wafer, including one case leading to brain herniation.
Pregnancy: There are no studies assessing the reproductive toxicity of GLIADEL
Wafer.
Carmustine, the active component of GLIADEL
Wafer, can cause fetal harm when
administered to a pregnant woman. Carmustine has been shown to be embryotoxic and
teratogenic in rats at i.p. doses of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 8 mg/kg/day when given on gestation days
6 through 15. Carmustine caused fetal malformations (anophthalmia, micrognathia,
omphalocele) at 1.0 mg/kg/day (about 1/6 the recommended human dose (eight wafers of
7.7 mg carmustine/wafer) on a mg/m
basis). Carmustine was embryotoxic in rabbits at
i.v. doses of 4.0 mg/kg/day (about 1.2 times the recommended human dose on a mg/m
basis). Embryotoxicity was characterized by increased embryo-fetal deaths, reduced
numbers of litters, and reduced litter sizes.
There are no studies of GLIADEL
Wafer in pregnant women. If GLIADEL
Wafer is
used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant after GLIADEL
Wafer
implantation, the patient must be warned of the potential hazard to the fetus.
PRECAUTIONS
General: Communication between the surgical resection cavity and the ventricular system
should be avoided to prevent the wafers from migrating into the ventricular system and
causing obstructive hydrocephalus. If a communication larger than the diameter of a wafer
exists, it should be closed prior to wafer implantation.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head may demonstrate
enhancement in the brain tissue surrounding the resection cavity after implantation of
GLIADEL
Wafers. This enhancement may represent edema and inflammation caused by
GLIADEL
Wafer or tumor progression.
Therapeutic Interactions: Interactions of GLIADEL
Wafer with other drugs have not
been formally evaluated.
The short-term and long-term toxicity profiles of GLIADEL
r when given in
conjunction with chemotherapy have not been fully explored.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: No carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity or impairment of fertility studies have been conducted with GLIADEL
Wafer. Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and impairment of fertility studies have been
conducted with carmustine, the active component of GLIADEL
Wafer. Carmustine was
given three times a week for six months, followed by 12 months observation, to Swiss
mice at i.p. doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg (about 1/5 and 1/3 the recommended human dose
(eight wafers of 7.7 mg carmustine/wafer) on a mg/m
basis) and to SD rats at i.p. dose of
1.5 mg/kg (about 1/4 the recommended human dose on a mg/m
basis). There were
increases in tumor incidence in all treated animals, predominantly subcutaneous and lung
neoplasms. Mutagenesis: Carmustine was mutagenic in vitro (Ames assay, human
lymphoblast HGPRT assay) and clastogenic both in vitro (V79 hamster cell micronucleus
assay) and in vivo (SCE assay in rodent brain tumors, mouse bone marrow micronucleus
assay). Impairment of Fertility: Carmustine caused testicular degeneration at i.p. doses of
8 mg/kg/week for eight weeks (about 1.3 times the recommended human dose on a mg/m
basis) in male rats.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category D: see WARNINGS.
Nursing Mothers: It is not known if either carmustine, carboxyphenoxypropane, or
sebacic acid is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk
and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from carmustine in nursing
infants, it is recommended that patients receiving GLIADEL
Wafer discontinue nursing.
Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of GLIADEL
Wafer in pediatric patients
have not been established.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Adverse reactions for the trials are described in the tables below.
Primary Surgery
C
C
O
O
M
M
M
M
O
O
N
N
A
A
D
D
V
V
E
E
R
R
S
S
E
E
E
E
V
V
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S
O
O
B
B
S
S
E
E
R
R
V
V
E
E
D
D
I
I
N
N
>
>
5
5
%
%
O
O
F
F
P
P
A
A
T
T
I
I
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S
R
R
E
E
C
C
E
E
I
I
V
V
I
I
N
N
G
G
G
G
L
L
I
I
A
A
D
D
E
E
L
L
W
W
A
A
F
F
E
E
R
R
A
A
T
T
I
I
N
N
I
I
T
T
I
I
A
A
L
L
S
S
U
U
R
R
G
G
E
E
R
R
Y
Y
Body System
Adverse event
GLIADEL
®
Wafer N=120
n (%)
Placebo N=120
n (%)
Body as a whole
Aggravation reaction*
98 (82)
95 (79)
Headache
33 (28)
44 (37)
Asthenia
26 (22)
18 (15)
Infection
22 (18)
24 (20)
Fever
21 (18)
21 (18)
Pain
16 (13)
18 (15)
Abdominal pain
10 (8)
2 (2)
Back pain
8 (7)
4 (3)
Face edema
7 (6)
6 (5)
Abscess
6 (5)
3 (3)
Accidental injury
6 (5)
8 (7)
Chest pain
6 (5)
Allergic reaction
2 (2)
6 (5)
Cardiovascular system
Deep thrombophlebitis
12 (10)
11 (9)
Pulmonary embolus
10 (8)
10 (8)
Hemorrhage
8 (7)
7 (6)
Digestive system
Nausea
26 (22)
20 (17)
Vomiting
25 (21)
19 (16)
Constipation
23 (19)
14 (12)
Diarrhea
6 (5)
5 (4)
Liver function tests abnormal
1 (1)
6 (5)
Endocrine system
Diabetes mellitus
6 (5)
5 (4)
Cushings syndrome
4 (3)
6 (5)
Metabolic and nutritional disorders
Healing abnormal
19 (16)
14 (12)
Peripheral edema
11 (9)
11 (9)
Musculoskeletal system
Myasthenia
5 (4)
6 (5)
Nervous system
Hemiplegia
49 (41)
53 (44)
Convulsion
40 (33)
45 (38)
Confusion
28 (23)
25 (21)
Brain edema
27 (23)
23 (19)
Aphasia
21 (18)
22 (18)
Depression
19 (16)
12 (10)
Somnolence
13 (11)
18 (15)
Speech disorder
13 (11)
10 (8)
Amnesia
11 (9)
12 (10)
C
C
O
O
M
M
M
M
O
O
N
N
A
A
D
D
V
V
E
E
R
R
S
S
E
E
E
E
V
V
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S
O
O
B
B
S
S
E
E
R
R
V
V
E
E
D
D
I
I
N
N
>
>
5
5
%
%
O
O
F
F
P
P
A
A
T
T
I
I
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S
R
R
E
E
C
C
E
E
I
I
V
V
I
I
N
N
G
G
G
G
L
L
I
I
A
A
D
D
E
E
L
L
W
W
A
A
F
F
E
E
R
R
A
A
T
T
I
I
N
N
I
I
T
T
I
I
A
A
L
L
S
S
U
U
R
R
G
G
E
E
R
R
Y
Y
Body System
Adverse event
GLIADEL
®
Wafer N=120
n (%)
Placebo N=120
n (%)
*Adverse events coded to the COSTART term
aggravation reaction
were usually events
involving tumor/disease progression or general deterioration of condition (e.g.
condition/health/Karnofsky/neurological/physical deterioration).
Nervous system (continued)
Intracranial hypertension
11 (9)
2 (2)
Personality disorder
10 (8)
9 (8)
Anxiety
8 (7)
5 (4)
Facial paralysis
8 (7)
5 (4)
Neuropathy
8 (7)
12 (10)
Ataxia
7 (6)
5 (4)
Hypesthesia
7 (6)
6 (5)
Paresthesia
7 (6)
10 (8)
Thinking abnormal
7 (6)
10 (8)
Abnormal gait
6 (5)
6 (5)
Dizziness
6 (5)
11 (9)
Grand mal convulsion
6 (5)
5 (4)
Hallucinations
6 (5)
4 (3)
Insomnia
6 (5)
7 (6)
Tremor
6 (5)
8 (7)
Coma
5 (4)
6 (5)
Incoordination
3 (3)
8 (7)
Hypokinesia
2 (2)
8 (7)
Respiratory system
Pneumonia
10 (8)
9 (8)
Dyspnea
4 (3)
8 (7)
Skin and appendages
Rash
14 (12)
13 (11)
Alopecia
12 (10)
14 (12)
Special senses
Conjunctival edema
8 (7)
8 (7)
Abnormal vision
7 (6)
7 (6)
Visual field defect
6 (5)
8 (7)
Eye disorder
3 (3)
6 (5)
Diplopia
1 (1)
6 (5)
Urogenital system
Urinary tract infection
10 (8)
13 (11)
Urinary incontinence
9 (8)
9 (8)
Surgery for Recurrent Disease
The following post-operative adverse events were observed in 4% or more of the patients
receiving GLIADEL
Wafer
surgery. Except for nervous system effects,
where there is a possibility that the placebo wafers could have been responsible, only
events more common in the GLIADEL
Wafer group are listed. These adverse events
were either not present pre-operatively or worsened post-operatively during the follow-up
period. The follow-up period was up to 71 months.
COMMON ADVERSE EVENTS OBSERVED IN >4% OF PATIENTS
R
R
E
E
C
C
E
E
I
I
V
V
I
I
N
N
G
G
G
G
L
L
I
I
A
A
D
D
E
E
L
L
WAFER
A
A
T
T
S
S
U
U
R
R
G
G
E
E
R
R
Y
Y
F
F
O
O
R
R
R
R
E
E
C
C
U
U
R
R
R
R
E
E
N
N
T
T
D
D
I
I
S
S
E
E
A
A
S
S
E
E
Body System
Adverse Event
GLIADEL
Wafer
with Carmustine
[N=110]
n (%)
PLACEBO Wafer
without Carmustine
[N=112]
n (%)
Body as a Whole
Fever
Pain*
13 (12)
8 (7)
9 (8)
1 (1)
Digestive System
Nausea and Vomiting
9 (8)
7 (6)
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders
Healing Abnormal*
15 (14)
6 (5)
Nervous System
Convulsion
21 (19)
21 (19)
Hemiplegia
21 (19)
22 (20)
Headache
16 (15)
14 (13)
Somnolence
15 (14)
12 (11)
Confusion
11 (10)
9 (8)
Aphasia
10 (9)
12 (11)
Stupor
7 (6)
7 (6)
Brain Edema
4 (4)
1 (1)
Intracranial Hypertension
4 (4)
7 (6)
Meningitis or Abscess
4 (4)
1 (1)
Skin and Appendages
Rash
6 (5)
4 (4)
Urogenital System
Urinary Tract Infection
23 (21)
19 (17)
*p < 0.05 for comparison of GLIADEL
Wafer versus placebo groups
Post-marketing experience includes spontaneous reports of cyst formation after
Gliadel
wafer implantation. These occurred at varying time intervals post-implantation.
Cyst formation has also been reported in patients following resection of malignant glioma
who have not had Gliadel
implanted.
The following four categories of adverse events are possibly related to treatment with
GLIADEL
Wafer. The frequency with which they occurred in the randomized trials along
with descriptive detail is provided below.
1. Seizures: In the initial surgery trial, the incidence of seizures was 33.3% in patients
receiving GLIADEL
Wafer and 37.5% in patients receiving placebo. Grand mal seizures
occurred in 5% of GLIADEL
Wafer-treated patients and 4.2% of placebo treated patients.
The incidence of seizures within the first 5 days after wafer implantation was 2.5% in the
GLIADEL
Wafer group and 4.2% in the placebo group. The time from surgery to the
onset of the first post-operative seizure did not differ between the GLIADEL
Wafer and
placebo treated patients.
In the surgery for recurrent disease trial, the incidence of post-operative seizures was 19%
in both patients receiving GLIADEL
Wafer and placebo. In this study, 12/22 (54%) of
patients treated with GLIADEL
Wafer and 2/22 (9%) of placebo patients experienced the
first new or worsened seizure within the first five post-operative days. The median time to
onset of the first new or worsened post-operative seizure was 3.5 days in patients treated
with GLIADEL
Wafer and 61 days in placebo patients.
2. Brain Edema: In the initial surgery trial, brain edema was noted in 22.5% of patients
treated with GLIADEL
Wafer and in 19.2% of patients treated with placebo.
Development of brain edema with mass effect (due to tumor recurrence, intracranial
infection, or necrosis) may necessitate re-operation and, in some cases, removal of
GLIADEL
Wafer or its remnants.
3. Healing Abnormalities: The following healing abnormalities have been reported in
clinical trials of GLIADEL
Wafer: wound dehiscence, delayed wound healing, subdural,
subgaleal or wound effusions, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. In the initial surgery trial,
healing abnormalities occurred in 15.8% of GLIADEL
Wafer treated patients and in
11.7% of placebo recipients. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurred in 5% of GLIADEL
Wafer recipients and 0.8% of those given placebo. During surgery, a water-tight dural
closure should be obtained to minimize the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak.
In the surgery for recurrent disease trial, the incidence of healing abnormalities was 14% in
GLIADEL
Wafer treated patients and 5% in patients receiving placebo wafers.
4. Intracranial Infection: In the initial surgery trial, the incidence of brain abscess or
meningitis was 5% in patients treated with GLIADEL
Wafer and 6% in patients receiving
placebo. In the recurrent setting, the incidence of brain abscess or meningitis was 4% in
patients treated with GLIADEL
Wafer and 1% in patients receiving placebo.
The following adverse events, not listed in the table above, were reported in less than 4%
but at least 1% of patients treated with GLIADEL
Wafer in all studies. The events listed
were either not present pre-operatively or worsened post-operatively. Whether GLIADEL
Wafer caused these events cannot be determined.
Body as a Whole: peripheral edema (2%); neck pain (2%); accidental injury (1%); back
pain (1%); allergic reaction (1%); asthenia (1%); chest pain (1%); sepsis (1%)
Cardiovascular System: hypertension (3%); hypotension (1%)
Digestive System: diarrhea (2%); constipation (2%); dysphagia (1%); gastrointestinal
hemorrhage (1%); fecal incontinence (1%)
Hemic and Lymphatic System: thrombocytopenia (1%); leukocytosis (1%)
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: hyponatremia (3%); hyperglycemia (3%);
hypokalemia (1%)
Musculoskeletal System: infection (1%)
Nervous System: hydrocephalus (3%); depression (3%); abnormal thinking (2%); ataxia
(2%); dizziness (2%); insomnia (2%); monoplegia (2%); coma (1%); amnesia (1%);
diplopia (1%); paranoid reaction (1%). In addition, cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral
infarct were each reported in less than 1% of patients treated with GLIADEL
Wafer.
Respiratory System: infection (2%); aspiration pneumonia (1%)
Skin and Appendages: rash (2%)
Special Senses: visual field defect (2%); eye pain (1%)
Urogenital System: urinary incontinence (2%)
OVERDOSAGE
There is no clinical experience with use of more than eight GLIADEL
Wafers per surgical
procedure.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Each GLIADEL
Wafer contains 7.7 mg of carmustine, resulting in a dose of 61.6 mg
when eight wafers are implanted. It is recommended that eight wafers be placed in the
resection cavity if the size and shape of it allows. Should the size and shape not
accommodate eight wafers, the maximum number of wafers as allowed should be placed.
Since there is no clinical experience, no more than eight wafers should be used per surgical
procedure.
Handling and Disposal
1-7
: Wafers should only be handled by personnel wearing surgical
gloves because exposure to carmustine can cause severe burning and hyperpigmentation of
the skin. Use of double gloves is recommended and the outer gloves should be discarded
into a biohazard waste container after use. A surgical instrument dedicated to the handling
of the wafers should be used for wafer implantation. If repeat neurosurgical intervention is
indicated, any wafer or wafer remnant should be handled as a potentially cytotoxic agent.
GLIADEL
Wafer should be handled with care. The aluminum foil laminate pouches
containing GLIADEL
Wafer should be delivered to the operating room and remain
unopened until ready to implant the wafers. The outside surface of the outer foil pouch is
not sterile.
Instructions for Opening Pouch Containing GLIADEL
Wafer
Figure 1: To remove the sterile inner pouch from the
outer pouch, locate the folded corner and slowly pull in
an outward motion.
Figure 2: Do NOT pull in a downward motion rolling
knuckles over the pouch. This may exert pressure on the
wafer and cause it to break.
Figure 3: Remove the inner pouch by grabbing hold of the
crimped edge and pulling upward.
Figure 4: To open the inner pouch, gently hold the crimped
edge and cut in an arc-like fashion around the wafer.
Figure 5: To remove the GLIADEL
Wafer, gently grasp the
wafer with the aid of forceps and place it onto a designated
sterile field.
Once the tumor is resected, tumor pathology is confirmed, and hemostasis is obtained, up
to eight GLIADEL
Wafers (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) may be placed to
cover as much of the resection cavity as possible. Slight overlapping of the wafers is
acceptable. Wafers broken in half may be used, but wafers broken in more than two pieces
should be discarded in a biohazard container. Oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel
may be placed over the wafers to secure them against the cavity surface. After placement
of the wafers, the resection cavity should be irrigated and the dura closed in a water tight
fashion.
Unopened foil pouches may be kept at ambient room temperature for a maximum of six
hours at a time.
HOW SUPPLIED
GLIADEL
Wafer is available in a single dose treatment box containing eight individually
pouched wafers. Each wafer contains 7.7 mg of carmustine and is packaged in two
aluminum foil laminate pouches. The inner pouch is sterile and is designed to maintain
product sterility and protect the product from moisture. The outer pouch is a peelable
overwrap. The outside surface of the outer pouch is not sterile.
GLIADEL
Wafer must be stored at or below -20ºC (-4ºF).
REFERENCES
Recommendations for the Safe Handling of Parenteral Antineoplastic Drugs, NIH
Publication No. 83-2621. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
AMA Council Report, Guidelines for Handling Parenteral Antineoplastics. JAMA,
1985; 253(11):1590-1592.
National Study Commission on Cytotoxic Exposure -- Recommendations for
Handling Cytotoxic Agents. Available from Louis P. Jeffrey, ScD., Chairman,
National Study Commission on Cytotoxic Exposure, Massachusetts College of
Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts 02115.
Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, Guidelines and Recommendations for Safe
Handling of Antineoplastic Agents. Med J Australia, 1983; 1:426-428.
Jones RB, et al: Safe Handling of Chemotherapeutic Agents: A Report from the
Mount Sinai Medical Center. CA -- A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 1983;
(Sept/Oct) 258-263.
American Society of Hospital Pharmacists Technical Assistance Bulletin on Handling
Cytotoxic and Hazardous Drugs. Am J. Hosp Pharm, 1990; 47:1033-1049.
OSHA Work-Practice Guidelines for Personnel Dealing with Cytotoxic
(Antineoplastic) Drugs. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1986; 43:1193-1204.
MANUFACTURER
Eisai Inc.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
LICENSE HOLDER
Megapharm Ltd P.O.B 519,
Hod Hasharon 4510501.
ISRAEL LICENSE NUMBER
110-34-29392-00
DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
Rev. 04/2010
The format of this leaflet was determined by the ministry of health and its content was checked and
approved in May 2013.
GLIAD SPC 052013 P.1