Signal detection of adverse reactions for bendamustine based on FDA adverse event reporting system

This study aimed to analyze the adverse events to bendamustine using data obtained from the Food and Drug Administration open public data project (openFDA) and to provide a reference for its use in clinical practice.

Adverse events (AEs) due to bendamustine usage reported from 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2023 were collected from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). The reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian plausible propagation neural network (BCPNN), and multinomial gamma-Poisson distribution shrinking (MGPS) algorithms were used to identify signs of adverse reactions caused by bendamustine.

A total of 4214 AE reports where bendamustine was considered as the first suspected drug were obtained from FAERS. The analysis revealed 214 AE risk signals, among which 141 met the criteria but they were not listed as possible side effects on the drug information sheet provided in the package.

Our findings identified numerous common AEs with previously reported clinical observations. We also identified some signs of potential new AEs, indicating the need of careful clinical monitoring of patients treated with bendamustine and further risk identification research about this drug.