Dinutuximab

Dinutuximab treats neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.

Dinutuximab Overview

Reviewed: March 10, 2015

Updated: March 11, 2015

Dinutuximab is a prescription medication used to treat high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that affects infants and young children. Dinutuximab is a monoclonal antibody that works by using the immune system to target and destroy tumor cells.

Dinutuximab comes in a liquid to be given by intravenous (IV) injection over a period of 10 to 20 hours for 4 days in a row. It may be given for up to 5 cycles.

Common side effects include pain, fever and low blood platelet counts.

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Dinutuximab Cautionary Labels

Uses of Dinutuximab

Dinutuximab is a prescription medication is approved for use, in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), for the treatment of pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma who achieve at least a partial response to prior first-line multiagent, multimodality therapy. Dinutuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody (also known as ch 14.18), composed of a combination of mouse and human DNA.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Dinutuximab Brand Names

Dinutuximab may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Unituxin

Dinutuximab Drug Class

Dinutuximab is part of the drug class:

Monoclonal antibodies

Dinutuximab Dosage

The dose your doctor recommends will be based on several factors including:

the condition being treated
your height and weight
how your body responds to the medication

The recommended dose and schedule for Unituxin (dinutuximab) is 17.5 mg/m2/day as a diluted intravenous infusion over 10 to 20 hours for 4 consecutive days for up to 5 cycles.

Dinutuximab FDA Warning

WARNING: SERIOUS INFUSION REACTIONS AND NEUROPATHY

Infusion Reactions -Serious and potentially life-threatening infusion reactions occurred in 26% of patients treated with Unituxin. Administer required prehydration and premedication including antihistamines prior to each Unituxin infusion. Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of an infusion reaction during and for at least four hours following completion of each Unituxin infusion. Immediately interrupt Unituxin for severe infusion reactions and permanently discontinue Unituxin for anaphylaxis.
Neuropathy -Unituxin causes severe neuropathic pain in the majority of patients. Administer intravenous opioid prior to, during, and for 2 hours following completion of the Unituxin infusion. In clinical studies of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, Grade 3 peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in 2% to 9% of patients. In clinical studies of Unituxin and related GD2-binding antibodies, severe motor neuropathy was observed in adults. Resolution of motor neuropathy was not documented in all cases. Discontinue Unituxin for severe unresponsive pain, severe sensory neuropathy, or moderate to severe peripheral motor neuropathy.