mifamurtide at a glance
Medicine class
Immunostimulant that activates monocytes and macrophages.
Licensed role
Additional treatment after surgery for high-grade, resectable, non-metastatic osteosarcoma, used with chemotherapy.
How it is given
Prepared and given by healthcare professionals as a slow infusion into a vein; it must not be injected as a bolus.
Food and drink
No special dietary restrictions are normally needed before administration.
What is mifamurtide used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
High-grade, resectable, non-metastatic osteosarcoma in children, adolescents and young adults after macroscopically complete surgical removal, combined with postoperative multi-agent chemotherapy.
How does mifamurtide work?
Mifamurtide is packaged in liposomes that are taken up by immune cells, particularly monocytes and macrophages. It activates the NOD2 pathway and stimulates inflammatory signalling that may help these cells attack residual tumour cells; the exact way this produces anti-tumour activity is not fully understood.
mifamurtide preparations and strengths
Dispersion for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 4 mg
How to take mifamurtide
Mifamurtide is administered under the supervision of an osteosarcoma specialist. Healthcare professionals reconstitute, filter and dilute the powder using aseptic technique before giving it as a slow intravenous infusion; it must not be given as a bolus injection.
Attend the oncology unit as arranged and tell staff if you are unwell before treatment.
Food and drink can usually be taken normally unless the treatment centre advises otherwise.
Do not drive or use machinery if dizziness, vertigo, tiredness or blurred vision occurs.
mifamurtide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Chills, fever, tiredness, weakness or feeling generally unwell
- Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain
- Headache or dizziness
- Fast heartbeat and changes in blood pressure
- Cough, breathlessness or rapid breathing
- Sweating and muscle, joint, back or limb pain
- Anaemia
Get urgent medical advice
- Persistent fever or chills, which may indicate infection or sepsis
- Rash, wheezing or breathing difficulty suggesting an allergic reaction
- Severe or worsening respiratory distress
- Marked inflammatory symptoms such as new joint swelling, chest pain or breathlessness
- Febrile neutropenia or other clinically significant blood-cell abnormalities
mifamurtide in pregnancy
There are no adequate data from pregnant women, and mifamurtide is not recommended during pregnancy or where effective contraception is not being used. Pregnancy, planned pregnancy and contraception should be discussed promptly with the specialist team.
mifamurtide while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether mifamurtide passes into human milk. The specialist team should assess the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment when deciding whether breastfeeding or mifamurtide should be interrupted.
mifamurtide interactions
The oncology team should review all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products before treatment.
Ciclosporin and other calcineurin inhibitors
Concurrent use is contraindicated because immune suppression may interfere with macrophage function and mifamurtide's action.
High-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Concurrent use is contraindicated because these medicines may block macrophage activation by mifamurtide.
Corticosteroids
Chronic or routine use should be avoided because immune suppression may reduce mifamurtide's intended effect.
Common questions about mifamurtide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is mifamurtide given after osteosarcoma surgery?
It is used with postoperative chemotherapy to target cancer cells that may remain after the visible tumour has been completely removed.
Is mifamurtide chemotherapy?
No. It is an immunostimulant that activates monocytes and macrophages, although it is used alongside chemotherapy.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.