(bel AN ta mab mA foe DOE tin)
Trade Name: Blenrep®
Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf is the generic name for the trade name drug Blenrep. In some cases, health care professionals may use trade name or the generic name when referring to the drug.
Drug Type: Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf is an antibody-drug conjugate. This medication is classified as a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor conjugate (for more detail see, "How Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf Works" below).
What Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf Is Used For
- Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf is indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma in patients who are not responding to standard therapy or in those whose cancer comes back after remission.
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf Is Given
- Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf is given as an intravenous infusion (IV) into the vein.
The amount of Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf that you will receive depends on many factors, including your weight, your general health or other health problems. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage and schedule.
Side Effects
Important things to remember about the side effects of Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf:
- Most people will not experience all of the side effects listed
- Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration and severity
- Most side effects will improve after therapy is complete
- There are things your treatment team can do to minimize or prevent side effects
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Belantamab Madodotin-blmf:
These are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf:
These are rare serious side effects for patients receiving Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf:
- Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf causes changes in the surface of your eyes resulting in changes in vision, including severe vision loss and corneal ulcer, and symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes
Not all side effects are listed above. Side effects that are very rare -- occurring in less than about 10 percent of patients -- are not listed here. But you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
When to Contact Your Doctor or Health Care Provider
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4º F (38º C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Infusion reactions including:
- Redness of your face
- Itching or rash
- Shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- Swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face
- Dizziness
- Feel like passing out
- Tiredness
- Feel like your heart is racing (palpitations)
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning with urination
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
- Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Precautions
- Before starting Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about:
- Any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.)
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- If you have a history of vision or eye problems
- If you have bleeding problems or a history of bleeding problems
- Eye problems are common with this medication. You should use prescriptive-free lubricant eye drops during treatment and avoid wearing contact lenses.
- Do not receive any kind of immunization or vaccination without your doctor's approval while taking Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf.
- Inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this treatment. This drug must not be given to a pregnant woman or a woman who intends to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf, stop taking the medication immediately and call your doctor for further instructions.
- For both men and women: Use contraceptives, and do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended for up to 4 months after last dose of Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf.
- Do not breast feed while taking Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf and for 3 months after the last dose.
Self-Care Tips
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
- Wash your hands often.
- Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
- Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
- To reduce nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals.
- Follow regimen of anti-diarrhea medication as prescribed by your health care professional.
- Eat foods that may help reduce diarrhea (see managing side effects - diarrhea).
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- Remain active as you are able. Gentle exercise is encouraged such as a daily walk.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Monitoring and Testing While Taking Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf
You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf, to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work will be obtained to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor. You will need to get regular eye exams before and after each dose of this medication to evaluate if there are any changes in your vision that may require holding the medication or stopping it.
How Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf Works
Cancer is a disease caused by changes, also known as mutations, in DNA that change the way cells grow and divide. Cancer cells can be destroyed using many different types of medications that work in very different ways. Examples of medications that destroy cancer cells include cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates.
An antibody-drug conjugate is a substance made up of a monoclonal antibody that is chemically linked to a chemotherapy agent. These work together to destroy cancer cells. The monoclonal antibody drug targets a specific protein on a cancer cell. Then, the linked chemotherapy drug can enter and kill these cells without harming other cells. Each type of antibody-drug conjugate works a little bit differently but all interfere with the ability of the cancer cell to grow, divide, repair and/or communicate with other cells.
Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf is an antibody-drug conjugate; the belantamab is the monoclonal antibody and the mafodotin is the chemotherapy agent. Belantamab mafodotin-blmf targets and binds a specific protein called B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) on multiple myeloma cells. After binding to BCMA, belantamab mafodotin-blmf is transported into the cell. Once in the cell, the mafodotin stops cell cycle growth and division, ultimately leading to cell death.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.