Bleomycin

May cause hepatic toxicity.

A severe idiosyncratic reaction consisting of hypotension, mental confusion, fever, chills, and wheezing (similar to anaphylaxis) has been reported in 1% of lymphoma patients treated with bleomycin. Since these reactions usually occur after the first or second dose, careful monitoring is essential after these doses.

Occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis (commonly presenting as pneumonitis; occasionally progressing to pulmonary fibrosis) is the most severe toxicity. Risk is higher in elderly patients or patients receiving >400 units total lifetime dose; other possible risk factors include smoking and patients with prior radiation therapy or receiving concurrent oxygen (especially high inspired oxygen doses). A review of patients receiving bleomycin for the treatment of germ cell tumors suggests risk for pulmonary toxicity is increased in patients >40 years of age, with glomerular filtration rate 300 units (O’Sullivan 2003). Pulmonary toxicity may include bronchiolitis obliterans and organizing pneumonia (BOOP), eosinophilic hypersensitivity, and interstitial pneumonitis, progressing to pulmonary fibrosis (Sleijfer 2001); pulmonary toxicity may be due to a lack of the enzyme which inactivates bleomycin (bleomycin hydrolase) in the lungs (Morgan 2011; Sleijfer 2001), If pulmonary changes occur, withhold treatment and investigate if drug-related. In a study of patients with testicular cancer receiving bleomycin as part of the BEP regimen, pulmonary function testing (including forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide [DLCO]) was performed prior to treatment, before each chemotherapy cycle, and then repeated at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years during follow up; if the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity corrected fo

May cause renal toxicity. Disease-related concerns:

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may have a role in determining early response to therapy in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma; a negative interim PET/CT result after 2 cycles may indicate that bleomycin can be safely omitted from the ABVD treatment regimen (Johnson 2016). Longer follow-up is necessary to determine the effect of bleomycin omission on long-term morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Use with caution in patients with renal impairment (CrCl Concurrent drug therapy issues:

Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information. Special populations:

In children, a younger age at treatment, cumulative dose ≥400 units/m2 (combined with chest irradiation), and renal impairment are associated with a higher incidence of pulmonary toxicity (Huang, 2011). Other warnings/precautions:

Should be administered under the supervision of an experienced cancer chemotherapy physician.

Some products available internationally may have vial strength and dosing expressed as international units or milligrams (instead of units or USP units). During shortages within the US, temporary importation of international products may be allowed by the FDA. The imported bleomycin vial and product labeling may express strength and dosing as international units instead of USP units. One USP unit of bleomycin = 1 mg (by potency) = 1,000 international units (Stefanou 2001). Refer to prescribing information for specific dosing information.

Use caution when administering O2 during surgery to patients who have received bleomycin; the risk of bleomycin-related pulmonary toxicity is increased.