Blincyto (blinatumomab) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults and children. The dosage can vary depending on whether ALL is in remission and other factors.
Blincyto is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called monoclonal antibodies. Blincyto is not available in a biosimilar version.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you Blincyto as an IV infusion at a hospital or clinic.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Blincyto, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Blincyto, including details about its uses, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Blincyto provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Blincyto dosage that’s right for you.
The information below describes typically recommended dosages of Blincyto for certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Blincyto form
Blincyto comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. The powder is mixed with a liquid to form a solution for IV infusion. You’ll receive the IV infusion in a hospital or clinic.
Blincyto strength
Blincyto is available in one strength: 35 micrograms (mcg).
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing a low dosage of Blincyto. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Blincyto is used to treat a type of ALL in adults that:
- is in remission but can still be detected with a blood test
- has come back or didn’t respond to treatment
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for ALL that’s in remission
For this use, Blincyto is given as a treatment course. This consists of one cycle of induction followed by up to three cycles of consolidation. Induction refers to the first use of a treatment, such as Blincyto, to attack cancer cells.* Consolidation refers to treatment given after induction to eliminate any cancer cells that may remain.
One cycle of Blincyto induction or consolidation is 42 days. For the first 28 days, you’ll receive the drug by IV infusion. This is followed by a 14-day treatment-free period in which you won’t receive the drug.
The table below describes Blincyto dosages that are usually prescribed for adults with ALL that’s in remission. The dosages are based on your body weight in kilograms (kg)† or body surface area (BSA).‡ Dosages are measured in micrograms per day (mcg/day) and mcg per square meter per day (mcg/m2/day).
| Day of treatment cycle | Body weight of 45 kg or more (fixed dose) | Body weight of less than 45 kg (dose based on BSA) |
| Days 1 to 28 | 28 mcg/day | 15 mcg/m2/day, up to 28 mcg/day |
| Days 29 to 42 | treatment-free period | treatment-free period |
* For detailed information on how Blincyto works to treat ALL, see this article.
† For reference, 1 kg is equal to about 2.2 pounds [lb]. If you weigh 45 kg (about 99 lb) or more, you’ll receive a fixed dose of Blincyto.
‡ BSA is an estimate of body size. If you weigh less than 45 kg, your dosage is based on your BSA in m2. Your doctor will calculate your dosage if it depends on your BSA.
Dosage for ALL that has come back or didn’t respond to treatment
For this use, Blincyto is given as a treatment course. This consists of up to two cycles of induction followed by three cycles of consolidation. A treatment course also includes up to four additional cycles of continued therapy.
Each cycle of Blincyto induction or consolidation is 42 days. For the first 28 days, you’ll receive the drug by IV infusion. This is followed by a 14-day treatment-free period in which you won’t receive the drug.
Each cycle of Blincyto continued therapy is 84 days. For the first 28 days, you’ll receive the drug by IV infusion. This is followed by a 56-day treatment-free period in which you won’t receive the drug.
The table below describes Blincyto dosages that are usually prescribed for adults with ALL that has come back or didn’t respond to treatment. The dosages are based on your body weight in kg or your BSA.
| Treatment cycle | Body weight of 45 kg or more (fixed dose) | Body weight of less than 45 kg (dose based on BSA) |
| Induction cycle 1 | ||
| Days 1 to 7 | 9 mcg/day | 5 mcg/m2/day, up to 9 mcg/day |
| Days 8 to 28 | 28 mcg/day | 15 mcg/m2/day, up to 28 mcg/day |
| Days 29 to 42 | treatment-free period | treatment-free period |
| All other induction or consolidation cycles | ||
| Days 1 to 28 | 28 mcg/day | 15 mcg/m2/day, up to 28 mcg/day |
| Days 29 to 42 | treatment-free period | treatment-free period |
| Continued therapy cycles 6 to 9 | ||
| Days 1 to 28 | 28 mcg/day | 15 mcg/m2/day, up to 28 mcg/day |
| Days 29 to 84 | treatment-free period | treatment-free period |
Children’s dosage
Blincyto is approved to treat certain types of ALL in children of any age. The typical dosage of Blincyto in children is the same as that for adults. Your child’s doctor will calculate your child’s dosage. For details, see the “Dosage for ALL that’s in remission” and “Dosage for ALL that has come back or didn’t respond to treatment” sections just above.
Long-term treatment
The number of Blincyto cycles you’ll receive depends on your treatment plan and how your body responds to the treatment. Your doctor will recommend the number of cycles that’s right for you.
To learn more about your dosage and treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
The Blincyto dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition Blincyto is treating
- your body surface area
- your age
- any side effects you may have
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Blincyto dosage.
Dosage adjustments
In some cases, your doctor may adjust your Blincyto dosage during treatment. For instance, your doctor may adjust your dosage based on side effects you may have. (To learn about possible side effects with Blincyto, view this article.)
If you have questions about dosage adjustments you may need, talk with your doctor.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you Blincyto as an IV infusion at a hospital or clinic. Your doctor may suggest staying in the hospital for the beginning of your first and second treatment cycles. This allows your doctor to monitor you for side effects with Blincyto. (For detailed information about side effects, you can read this article.)
If you have questions about how Blincyto is given or your hospital stay, talk with your doctor.
If you miss an appointment for your Blincyto IV infusion, call your doctor’s office right away. They’ll reschedule your appointment.
To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment, you can try setting a reminder on your phone. The manufacturer also provides a treatment tracker to keep track of your appointments.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Blincyto for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. If you have questions about the dosage of Blincyto that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Blincyto. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Blincyto. For information about other aspects of Blincyto, refer to this article.
- Details about your condition. For details about your condition, see our leukemia hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.