Doses In Healthy Volunteers Research Articles

Cognitive Effects of Three β-Adrenoceptor Acting Drugs in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Noradrenergic signaling declines in Parkinson's disease (PD) following locus coeruleus neurodegeneration. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate that β-acting drugs slow PD progression. The primary objective was to compare the safety and effects of 3 β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) acting drugs on central nervous system (CNS) function after a single dose in healthy volunteers (HVs) and evaluate the effects of multiple doses of β-AR acting drugs in HVs and PD-patients. In Part A, HVs received single doses of 32 mg salbutamol, 160μg clenbuterol, 60 mg pindolol and placebo administered in a randomized, 4-way cross-over study. In Part B (randomized cross-over) and Part C (parallel, 2:1 randomized), placebo and/or clenbuterol (20μg on Day 1, 40μg on Day 2, 80μg on Days 3-7) were administered. CNS functions were assessed using the NeuroCart test battery, including pupillometry, adaptive tracking and recall tests. Twenty-seven HVs and 12 PD-patients completed the study. Clenbuterol improved and pindolol reduced the adaptive tracking and immediate verbal recall performance. Clenbuterol and salbutamol increased and pindolol decreased pupil-to-iris ratios. Clenbuterol was selected for Parts B and C. In Part B, clenbuterol significantly increased performance in adaptive tracking with a tendency toward improved performance in immediate and delayed verbal recall. In Part C trends toward improved performance in immediate and delayed verbal recall were observed in PD-patients. Typical cardiovascular peripheral β2-AR effects were observed with clenbuterol. This study demonstrates the pro-cognitive effects of clenbuterol in HVs with similar trends in PD-patients. The mechanism of action is likely activation of β2-ARs in the CNS.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of the generic and original dabigatran etexilate after a single dose in healthy volunteers

Aim. To study the comparative pharmacokinetics and confirmation of bioequivalence of the generic (T) and original (R) dabigatran etexilate in healthy volunteers after a single oral dose under fasted conditions.Material and methods. To confirm bioequivalence, an open-label, randomized, replication, crossover, four-step study was conducted to compare the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of generic and original dabigatran with a single oral dose 150 mg dabigatran etexilate under fasted conditions in adult healthy male and female volunteers. Sixty-eight subjects participated in the study. During the study, blood plasma samples were taken from volunteers, in which the concentration of total and free dabigatran was determined. Based on the data obtained, pharmacokinetic and statistical analysis was carried out and 90% confidence intervals were calculated for the ratio of mean pharmacokinetic parameters (Сmax, Tmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, AUCt-∞, T1/2, AUCt-∞/AUC0-∞) for total and free dabigatran.Results. The established 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ and Cmax values for total dabigatran were 82,56-96,36% (mean ratio, 89,19%), 82,39-95,90% (mean ratio, 88,89%) and 85,98-99,17% (mean ratio, 92,34%), respectively. The established 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ and Сmax values for free dabigatran were 83,37-98,29% (mean ratio, 90,53%), 82,98-97,33% (mean ratio, 89,87%) and 85,04-99,28% (mean ratio, 91,88%), respectively. For the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters of dabigatran etexilate, 90% confidence intervals ranged from 80-125% for AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ and Cmax. Additional safety analysis was carried out. Generic and original dabigatran were well tolerated by the volunteers. There were no significant differences in vital signs, paraclinical characteristics throughout the study compared with the initial data, as well as significant differences between the drugs in all studied parameters of adverse events.Conclusion. The study showed that generic and original dabigatran are bio­equivalent. In addition, the data obtained indicate that the agents have similar safety profiles.

Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of a Muscarinic M3 Receptor-Positive Allosteric Modulator ASP8302 Following Single and Multiple Ascending Oral Doses in Healthy Volunteers.

ASP8302 is an orally administered positive allosteric modulator of the muscarinic M3 receptor. Two Phase 1 studies were conducted, a first-in-human study in Europe and a Japanese phase 1 study. Both were randomized, participant- and investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled, single and multiple ascending oral doses, parallel group, clinical studies in healthy volunteers. Both studies evaluated safety and pharmacokinetics and also included salivary secretion and pupil diameter as pharmacodynamic assessments. There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or treatment-emergent adverse events reported leading to study discontinuation. There were no clinically relevant findings in any of the laboratory, vital signs, electrocardiogram assessments, or photosensitivity testing following multiple administration of up to 150 mg or up to 140 mg once daily for 14 days in the European first-in-human and Japanese Phase 1 study, respectively. The pharmacokinetics of ASP8302 were approximately linear over the dose range studied. There was no evidence of drug accumulation upon repeated dosing. In both studies, ASP8302 showed a dose-dependent pharmacodynamic effect on saliva production at doses from 100 mg onward, which was maintained during repeated dosing. No effect was observed on pupil diameter. These data supported progression of ASP8302 into Phase 2 clinical trials for further clinical development.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Vadadustat in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Vadadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor for treating anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) studies assessed pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety of vadadustat in healthy volunteers. A single-dose, open-label study was conducted in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 not on dialysis. In the SAD study, 48 healthy adult men (n = 8/cohort) received single doses of vadadustat (80-1,200 mg) or placebo. In the MAD study, 34 healthy adult men (n = 8-9/cohort) received daily vadadustat (500-900 mg) or placebo for 10 days. In the single-dose CKD study, 22 male and female patients with CKD (stage 3: n = 10; stage 4: n = 12) received single doses of vadadustat (500 mg). PK parameters included plasma vadadustat; PD biomarkers were measured, including erythropoietin (EPO) levels, reticulocytes, and others. Plasma vadadustat peaked 3-4 hours after single or multiple dosing in healthy volunteers, with a mean t 1/2 of approximately 4.5 hours. In patients with CKD, plasma vadadustat peaked at 5-6 hours, with a mean t 1/2 of 7.2 (stage 3) and 8.5 (stage 4) hours. Vadadustat AUC∞ and C max increased dose proportionally in SAD and MAD trials. In all trials, EPO concentrations increased in a dose-related manner and returned approximately to baseline by 24 hours. Adverse events were mild and considered not study drug related. The PK and PD results of these studies were utilized for further clinical development of vadadustat for treatment of anemia in CKD patients.

WED-374 Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of BJT-778, a monoclonal antibody for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis D, following single ascending doses in healthy volunteers

WED-374 Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of BJT-778, a monoclonal antibody for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis D, following single ascending doses in healthy volunteers

P127 Comparison of the Efficacy, Safety and Immunogenicity of a Proposed Biosimilar MSB11456 with Tocilizumab Reference Product in Moderate-to-Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Study

Abstract Background/Aims Tocilizumab is an anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody indicated for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory diseases. MSB11456 is a proposed biosimilar to US-licensed tocilizumab and EU-approved tocilizumab. It has already shown equivalent pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity profiles to these products given subcutaneously (SC) as a single dose in healthy volunteers. This Phase III, multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, multiple fixed-dose, parallel group study compared efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of MSB11456 and EU-approved tocilizumab administered SC in moderate-to-severe RA patients. Methods Patients were randomised to 162mg MSB11456 or EU-approved tocilizumab for 24 weeks (W). At W24, patients receiving EU-approved tocilizumab were re-randomised to continue treatment or switch to MSB11456 for up to W52. Safety evaluations were conducted up to W63. A change from baseline in Disease Activity Score-28 Joint Count-ESR (DAS28-ESR) at W24 was analysed, as the primary efficacy endpoint, using analysis of covariance to determine the least squares mean (LSM) difference between MSB11456 and EU-approved tocilizumab; equivalence was considered if the 90% confidence interval (CI) was entirely within the FDA equivalence interval -0.6 to 0.5. Secondary endpoints were 20% improvement in ACR core set measures at W24 and DAS28-ESR at W12. Additional endpoints included ACR50/70, change in DAS28-CRP, Simplified and Clinical Disease Activity Indexes, evaluation of immunogenicity up to W55 and safety up to W63. Results Clinically relevant LSM decreases from baseline in DAS28-ESR were observed from W2 up to W24 with both treatments. The 90% CI for LSM difference in the change from baseline in DAS28-ESR between treatments was fully included within the predefined equivalence interval, which demonstrated therapeutic equivalence of MSB11456 and EU-approved tocilizumab (Table 1). Other efficacy endpoint analyses supported this conclusion. No discernible patterns in the nature or frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were identified to suggest a difference between drugs. Anti-drug antibodies incidence was similar among treatment arms. Switching from EU-approved tocilizumab to MSB11456 had no clinically relevant impact on efficacy or safety. Conclusion Equivalent efficacy, immunogenicity and safety profiles of MSB11456 and EU-approved tocilizumab were demonstrated in moderate-to-severe RA patients, confirming equivalence between MSB11456 and the EU-approved tocilizumab. Disclosure A. Zubrzycka-Sienkiewicz: None. M. Misterska-Skora: None. M. Socik-Pojawa: None. K. Klama: None. M. Ullman: Other; Employee of Fresenius Kabi SwissBioSim - Sponsor of the study. C. Petit-Frere: Other; Employee of Fresenius Kabi SwissBioSim - Sponsor of the study. A. Illes: Other; Employee of Fresenius Kabi SwissBioSim - Sponsor of the study. P. Baker: Other; Employee of Fresenius Kabi SwissBioSim - Sponsor of the study. J. Monnet: Other; Employee of Fresenius Kabi SwissBioSim - Sponsor of the study. J. Morais: Other; Employee of Fresenius Kabi SwissBioSim - Sponsor of the study. J. Brzezicki: None.

First-in-human study of alpibectir (BVL-GSK098), a novel potent anti-TB drug.

The clinical candidate alpibectir augments the activity of, and overcomes resistance to, the anti-TB drug ethionamide in vitro and in vivo. A Phase 1, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and food effect of alpibectir administered as single and multiple oral doses in healthy volunteers (NCT04654143). Eighty participants were randomized. In single ascending dose (SAD), a total of six dose levels of alpibectir (0.5 to 40 mg) were tested under fasted and fed (10 mg) conditions as single daily doses in sequential cohorts. In multiple ascending dose (MAD), repeat doses (5 to 30 mg) were administered once daily for 7 days in three sequential cohorts. No serious adverse event was reported. Thirteen participants across groups experienced a total of 13 mild or moderate treatment-emergent adverse events. Alpibectir showed rapid absorption after single dose (mean Tmax range of 0.88 to 1.53 h). Food affected the PK of alpibectir, characterized by a slower absorption (mean Tmax 3.87 h), a lower Cmax (-17.7%) and increased AUC0-t (+19.6%) compared with the fasted condition. Following repeat dosing, dose proportionality was shown for both Cmax and AUC0-tau. Accumulation of alpibectir was observed across all doses, with a more profound effect on AUC during a dosing interval (AUC0-tau) compared with Cmax (1.8- and 1.3-fold on average), respectively. Steady state was considered to have been achieved by Day 7 of dosing. Alpibectir was generally well tolerated, and no clinically relevant safety findings were identified in the participants treated during SAD or MAD. The PK is dose-proportional and affected by food.

Exposure-response analyses of efzofitimod in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: Preliminary evidence for efficacy in pulmonary sarcoidosis has been shown for efzofitimod. Here we present supportive evidence of efficacy based on an exposure-response analysis. Methods: Data from two studies (Phase 1, N = 24, single dose in healthy volunteers, and Phase 1b/2a, N = 25, multiple doses over 24weeks in participants with pulmonary sarcoidosis) were used to build a population pharmacokinetic model. Using this model, the relationship between efzofitimod exposure and three prespecified efficacy parameters [mean daily oral corticosteroid (OCS) dose, percent-predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC) and King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire-Lung (KSQ-Lung) score] was explored. Linear regression described the relationship of efzofitimod exposure and OCS reduction, ppFVC and KSQ-Lung score. Logistic regression related efzofitimod exposure to the probability of achieving a minimal clinically important difference for ppFVC and KSQ-Lung score. Due to the small study size, trends (not statistical significance) in relationships are reported. Results: In patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, as efzofitimod exposure increased, the mean daily OCS dose decreased, and ppFVC and KSQ-Lung score improved over baseline. The slope for all the endpoints by both linear and logistic regression showed an improving trend with increased exposure. Conclusion: These preliminary findings of a positive exposure-response across multiple efficacy endpoints support the claim that proof of concept has been established for the use of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03824392.

#4328 CHK-336, A FIRST-IN-CLASS ORALLY ADMINISTERED LDH INHIBITOR: SAFETY, PK AND TARGET ENGAGEMENT IN A FIRST-IN-HUMAN PHASE 1 HEALTHY VOLUNTEER STUDY

Abstract Background and Aims CHK-336 is a first-in-class, orally bioavailable, liver-targeted small molecule lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitor for the treatment of primary hyperoxalurias and other kidney stone disorders caused by oxalate overproduction. The primary objectives of this first-in-human (FIH) study were characterization of the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of CHK-336 following single and repeat doses in healthy volunteers (HVs). Exploratory objectives were demonstration of proof of mechanism in HVs based on inhibition of hepatic oxalate production using a stable-label 13C2-glycolate tracer for hepatic LDH target engagement and characterization of the exposure-response relationship. Method This Phase 1, placebo-controlled (6:2 randomization within a cohort), dose escalation study explored single ascending (SAD, 15-500 mg) and multiple ascending (MAD, 30 mg and planned up to 500 mg QD, 14 consecutive days) doses. A total of 104 subjects will be enrolled in this study. A stable-label 13C2-glycolate tracer was administered orally at baseline and following CHK-336 administration to evaluate the inhibition of LDH-mediated production of [13C2]-oxalate by CHK-336, as a measure of hepatic LDH target engagement in HVs. Food-effect was evaluated following a single dose after a standard high fat meal. CHK-336 concentrations were determined in plasma and urine by a validated LC-MS/MS assay. Total oxalate and 13C2-oxalate were determined in urine by validated GC/MS assays. Results CHK-336 was generally well tolerated following single doses from 15 – 500 mg, with no dose-related trends in total adverse events (AEs) or types of AEs. There were no serious AEs, or severe treatment-related AEs (TRAEs). Treatment-emergent AEs were observed in 10 of 56 (17.9%) subjects, 7 (12.5%) of whom experienced TRAEs; all TRAEs were mild or moderate in severity. CHK-336 PK profiles were characterized with a median tmax of 6 hrs following absorption in fasted-state followed by bi-exponential decline and a terminal half-life of 18 ± 8 hrs. Dose-proportional increases in exposure AUC were observed from 15 up to 500 mg. Cmax increase was greater than dose-proportional at ≥60 mg with a concomitant decrease in median tmax from 6hr to 2hr. A high fat meal decreased CHK-336 AUC0-72h by 32% (AUC0-72h) and Cmax by 55%. Renal elimination of unchanged CHK-336 was quantitatively minor (<1% of administered dose). A direct effect inhibitory Imax-IC50 model adequately described the relationship between CHK-336 plasma concentrations and urinary 13C2-oxalate (% of control). Robust target engagement was demonstrated with an exposure-related reduction in urinary 13C2-oxalate from 15 – 60 mg, with maximum inhibition achieved at CHK-336 doses ≥60 mg. Conclusion CHK-336 is a first-in-class, orally administered, liver-targeted LDH inhibitor that was generally well-tolerated following single doses from 15 – 500 mg, with dose proportional increases in AUC exposure. Hepatic oxalate production was robustly reduced by CHK-336, as measured by urinary 13C2-oxalate, thus achieving proof of mechanism in HVs.

Is psilocybin an effective antidepressant and what is its Mechanism of action?

Goodwin etal.1 report a single 25mg dose of psilocybin has an antidepressant effect short-term in medication-resistant depression. Unanswered questions include drug blood level as a guide to dose, psychedelic effects relationship to antidepressant benefit, and potential suicide risk of psilocybin.

First randomized evaluation of safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of BAY 1831865, an antibody targeting coagulation factor XI and factor XIa, in healthy men

BackgroundBleeding is a clinically significant issue with all current anticoagulants. Safer antithrombotic strategies are required. ObjectivesTo investigate the safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of BAY 1831865, a humanized, factor XI (FXI)‐directed monoclonal antibody, after single intravenous (i.v.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) doses in healthy volunteers. Patients/MethodsIn a first‐in‐human, phase I study, 70 volunteers were randomly assigned (4:1) to receive single‐dose BAY 1831865 (3.5, 7, 17, 35, 75, or 150 mg i.v. or 150 mg s.c.) or placebo. Adverse events, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics were evaluated. ResultsIn this study, no hemorrhage, or hypersensitivity or infusion‐/injection‐related reactions were reported. Drug‐related adverse events occurred in 3 (5.4%) of 56 volunteers; all were mild and self‐limited. Dose‐dependent prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and inhibition of FXI clotting activity was observed with BAY 1831865 i.v. (geometric mean maximum ratio‐to‐baseline: aPTT, range, 1.09–3.11 vs. 1.05 with placebo; FXI, range, 0.70–0.04 vs. 0.91 with placebo). Onset of effect was rapid after i.v. administration, with duration of effect (up to 55 days) determined by dose. BAY 1831865 s.c. had similar pharmacodynamic effects but a slower onset of action. Terminal half‐life increased continuously with increasing i.v. dose (range, 28–208 h), leading to strong and continuous increases in systemic exposure to BAY 1831865. Absolute bioavailability of BAY 1831865 s.c. was 47.2% (95% confidence interval, 30.2–73.7). ConclusionsBAY 1831865 i.v. or s.c. was well tolerated, with no evidence of bleeding in healthy volunteers. BAY 1831865 exhibited pronounced, sustained dose‐dependent prolongation of aPTT and duration of FXI inhibition.

Comparative, Single-Dose, 2-Way Cross-Over Bioavailability Study of Two Olanzapine 10 Mg Tablet Formulations in Healthy Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions.

Objectives: Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is approved across Europe, the USA, and in many other countries for oral treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder as well as for maintenance therapy to prevent recurrence in responders. The objective of the present study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of two 10 mg tablet formulations of Olanzapine following a single oral dose in healthy volunteers under fasting conditions, as per the European Medicine Agency (EMA) guidelines to grant marketing authorization. Methods: This study was a randomized, open-label, two-treatment, two-period, two-sequences, single-dose, cross-over design with a washout period of 14 days. Both the test and the reference products were administered as 10 mg tablets with 240 mL of water after an overnight fast in each study period. A total of twenty blood samples were collected before dosing and within 144 hours after drug administration. Adverse events were monitored, recorded, and evaluated by investigators throughout the study. Results: Of the 24 healthy adult male subjects enrolled, all of them completed both study periods. The geometric mean ratio 90% confidence intervals (CI) for fasting Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-infinity were 94.83-113.71%, 95.04-105.69% and 95.94-107.00%, respectively. The 90% CI for the ratios of the three primary pharmacokinetic parameters (using log-transformed data) were within the range of 80-125%, meeting the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence. Conclusions: The generic Olanzapine was bioequivalent to the reference formulation. It was well tolerated and provides an acceptable alternative to the reference drug.

Single and multiple ascending dose studies in healthy volunteers to assess the safety and PK of LY3372689, an inhibitor of the O‐GlcNAcase (OGA) enzyme

AbstractBackgroundLY3372689, an OGA enzyme inhibitor, is being developed as a potential treatment for tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease. OGA inhibition is proposed to delay the progression of tau‐related diseases by slowing the accumulation of hyper‐phosphorylated, insoluble tau filaments. We report the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of LY3372689 after single and multiple oral doses in healthy volunteers (HV).MethodThe single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) studies were single center, subject‐ and investigator‐blind, placebo‐controlled and randomized. In the SAD study [NCT03819270], 6 LY3372689 dose levels up to 16 mg and placebo were evaluated. In the MAD study [NCT04106206], LY3372689 (1, 3 and 7 mg) or placebo was given once daily (QD) for 14 days. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AE), safety laboratories, electrocardiograms, vital signs, physical exams, and neurological exams. Plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) was assessed in the SAD and MAD studies.ResultIn the SAD, 23 HV (15 males, 8 females; 22 – 63 years) participated, of which 18 HV completed. In the MAD, 40 HV (5 males, 35 females; 29 – 65 years) participated in the study, of which 39 HV completed. LY3372689 was generally well tolerated up to the highest dose in each study, and no serious AE were reported. In the SAD, 40 treatment‐emergent AEs (TEAEs) were reported, which were mostly mild in severity. The most common TEAEs were headache, nausea, pain in extremity, pain of skin, vessel puncture site pain, and limb discomfort. In the MAD, 42 TEAEs were reported, all of which were mild in severity. The most reported TEAE was headache. In both studies, there were no clinically significant changes in safety laboratories, including markers of inflammation, muscle injury, hormones and hepatoxicity. Following QD dosing of LY3372689, the tmax and t1/2 was about 1 hour and 6 hours, respectively, and LY3372689 exposure accumulation was minimal. Renal clearance was not a major contributor of LY3372689 elimination.ConclusionLY3372689 demonstrated an acceptable safety and PK profile following single and multiple doses of LY3372689 in HV. These results support investigation of LY3372689 in efficacy trials for tauopathies and help support dose selection for those trials.

Nitrogen Balance after the Administration of a Prolonged-Release Protein Substitute for Phenylketonuria as a Single Dose in Healthy Volunteers.

Nitrogen balance is the difference between nitrogen excreted as urea and nitrogen ingested, mainly in proteins. Increased circulating concentrations of amino acids (AA) in the bloodstream are usually associated with proportional increases in the production and excretion of urea. Previously, we reported results from a randomized, controlled, single-dose, crossover trial in healthy adult volunteers (n = 30) (Trial Registration: ISRCTN11016729), in which a Test product (prolonged-release AA mixture formulated with Physiomimic Technology™ (PT™)) significantly slowed down the release and reduced the peak plasma concentrations of essential AAs compared with a free AA mixture (Reference product) while maintaining essential AA bioavailability. Here, we report an assessment of the nitrogen balance from the same study. The amount of nitrogen contained in plasma AAs, levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p < 0.0001) and changes in BUN (p < 0.0001) were smaller after the Test product compared with the Reference product. These findings suggest that the production of urea in proportion to systemic AA availability was significantly smaller after the administration of the Test product compared with the Reference product and that the test product conferred the increased utilization of AAs for protein synthesis and reduced their oxidation and conversion to urea. In the clinical setting, it is possible that the effects of PT™ observed on the disposition of free AAs in this study may translate to health benefits in terms of physiological body composition and growth if used for the treatment of subjects with phenylketonuria (PKU). Further investigation in patients with PKU is warranted.

Association of Host Factors With Antibody Response to Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients.

BackgroundInfluenza vaccination efficacy is reduced after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and patient factors determining vaccination outcomes are still poorly understood.MethodsWe investigated the antibody response to seasonal influenza vaccination in 135 HSCT patients and 69 healthy volunteers (HVs) in a prospective observational multicenter cohort study. We identified patient factors associated with hemagglutination inhibition titers against A/California/2009/H1N1, A/Texas/2012/H3N2, and B/Massachusetts/2012 by multivariable regression on the observed titer levels and on seroconversion/seroprotection categories for comparison.ResultsBoth regression approaches yielded consistent results but regression on titers estimated associations with higher precision. HSCT patients required 2 vaccine doses to achieve average responses comparable to a single dose in HVs. Prevaccination titers were positively associated with time after transplantation, confirming that HSCT patients can elicit potent antibody responses. However, an unrelated donor, absolute lymphocyte counts below the normal range, and treatment with calcineurin inhibitors lowered the odds of responding.ConclusionsHSCT patients show a highly heterogeneous vaccine response but, overall, patients benefited from the booster shot and can acquire seroprotective antibodies over the years after transplantation. Several common patient factors lower the odds of responding, urging identification of additional preventive strategies in the poorly responding groups.Clinical Trials RegistrationNCT03467074.

Comparison of Immunogenicity between the Proposed Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar MYL-1401H and Reference Pegfilgrastim

Introduction: Pegfilgrastim, a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), is indicated for reduction of incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Here, the immunogenicity data for MYL-1401H, a proposed biosimilar of pegfilgrastim, from the clinical studies will be presented.Methods: The efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of MYL-1401H were investigated in 3 clinical studies, 2 in healthy volunteers (HV) and 1 in patients receiving chemotherapy. MYL-1401H-1001 was a 3-way crossover study comparing the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a single 2-mg dose of MYL-1401H with reference pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®) sourced from both the European Union (EU) and United States (US) in HV. MYL-1401H-1002 was a parallel-group study designed to compare the immunogenicity of MYL-1401H with US-pegfilgrastim at a repeated 6-mg dose in HV. MYL-1401H-3001 was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group equivalence study of MYL-1401H 6 mg vs EU-pegfilgrastim 6 mg in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy for 6 cycles. The primary efficacy endpoint in MYL-1401H-3001 was duration of severe neutropenia in cycle 1, defined as days with absolute neutrophil count <0.5 × 109/L. A thorough assessment of immunogenicity was conducted across the 3 studies. The antidrug antibody (ADA; Covance, Chantilly, VA) analysis was performed using a validated, sensitive, and specific analytical method on the MesoScale Discovery® Platform (Rockville, MD). Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of ADA against MYL-1401H, EU-pegfilgrastim, and US-pegfilgrastim. Samples that resulted positive in the screening assay were further evaluated in a confirmatory assay. The samples confirmed as ADA positive were titrated to elucidate relative levels of the ADA response and further evaluated for domain characterization to determine if the antibodies were specifically directed against the polyethylene glycol (PEG) or the G-CSF domain of the molecule, or both. Samples confirmed as positive for ADA were analyzed for neutralizing antibodies (NAb; CIRION BioPharma Research) using a validated cell-based assay.Results: Overall, these studies demonstrated that the PK, PD, efficacy, and safety of MYL-1401H were equivalent to reference pegfilgrastim. Across all 3 studies, the proportions of subjects who were ADA positive before dosing were similar in the MYL-1401H (30/223; 13.5%) and EU-pegfilgrastim groups (16/139; 11.5%) and were lower in the US-pegfilgrastim group (4/97; 4.1%). Most (86.0%) of the subjects with ADA had antibodies that recognized the PEG domain, which may be attributable to exposure to PEG-related compounds in the environment as well as the highly sensitive nature of the assay, which can detect very low levels of antibodies. Treatment-induced impact on immunogenicity across the 3 studies was evaluated by analyzing the postdose ADA results excluding those subjects who were ADA positive at baseline (Table). Overall, the proportions of subjects with postdose treatment-induced ADA were similar in the MYL-1401H (20/192; 10.4%) and EU-pegfilgrastim groups (17/123; 13.8%), while they were higher in the US-pegfilgrastim group (28/93; 30.1%). Although the proportion of subjects with treatment-induced ADA was higher in the US-pegfilgrastim group, in most cases, the ADA recognized only the PEG moiety, the titers were low, and the antibodies were non-neutralizing. Two subjects (1 each in the MYL-1401H and EU-pegfilgrastim groups) had antibodies against the G-CSF moiety only. Two subjects were NAb positive in the MYL-1401H group, while none were NAb positive in either reference pegfilgrastim group. There was no evidence of loss of efficacy or severe treatment-induced immune-related adverse events in ADA- or NAb-positive subjects.Conclusion: Results in HV indicate that MYL-1401H does not induce either early or late immune response and has a low immunogenic potential, similar to that of EU- and US-pegfilgrastim, after repeated administration in a sensitive population without any confounding illness or immunosuppressive medications. Similarly, the immunogenic potentials of MYL-1401H and EU-pegfilgrastim are low in patients with breast cancer. Overall, MYL-1401H has an immunogenic profile similar to that of EU-pegfilgrastim and US-pegfilgrastim. [Display omitted] DisclosuresWaller:Mylan: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ranganna:Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Pennella:Mylan: Employment. Mattano:HARP Pharma Consulting, LLC: Employment. Loa:Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Donnelly:Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Liu:Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment. Watson:Covance: Employment. St-Jean:CIRION BioPharma Research Inc: Employment. Chatterjee:Biocon Research Ltd: Employment. Nayak:Biocon Research Ltd: Employment. Sengupta:Biocon Research Ltd: Employment. Kothekar:Biocon Research Ltd: Employment. Barve:Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc: Employment.

AB0282 SAFETY, TOLERABILITY AND SELECTIVE EXPANSION OF REGULATORY T CELLS BY A SINGLE DOSE OF THE NOVEL IL-2 MUTEIN PT101 IN A PHASE 1 STUDY IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Background:Activation and expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been proposed as a strategy to treat autoimmunity. When administered in low doses, IL-2 expands and activates Tregs leading to clinical response in several autoimmune diseases. However, the narrow therapeutic window of IL-2 results in loss of selectivity for Tregs and concurrent activation of conventional T cells (Tconv) and NK cells, limiting its clinical utility. This loss of selectivity may negate the clinical benefit of Treg activation and lead to dose-limiting side effects. PT101 is a novel engineered variant of IL-2 fused to an Fc protein backbone which in preclinical studies selectively activates Tregs without expanding Tconv or NK cells. PT101 is in clinical development for the treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases.Objectives:To assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of PT101 after a single dose in healthy human volunteers.Methods:We conducted a randomized, double-blind, single-ascending dose trial of PT101 or placebo (3:1 allocation). Five dose levels from 1 mg to 10 mg were administered by subcutaneous injection. Adverse events, physical examination findings, and clinical laboratory results were assessed for 29 days. Serum PT101 levels and antidrug antibody were assessed. Changes in mononuclear cell populations were measured in peripheral blood by flow cytometry.Results:56 subjects were administered PT101 or placebo. All subjects completed the study. There were no deaths, serious adverse events, dose limiting toxicities, or clinically significant changes in vital sign, ECG, or laboratory results. All adverse events were Grade 1 or 2 and self-limited. Injection site reactions were the most common adverse event. Transient increases in eosinophil counts were observed in some subjects, consistent with the known class effect of IL-2. Peak levels of PT101 occurred 11.0 to 14.6 hours after administration, and declined with a mean half-life of 20.4 to 28.3 hours, demonstrating linear exposure through the dose range. No anti-drug antibodies were induced. PT101 caused dose-related expansion of Tregs that plateaued at doses between 3.5 and 10 mg. Mean maximum expansion above baseline was 3.6-fold for total Tregs and 72.5-fold for the CD25bright subset of Tregs. Maximal expansion was observed by Day 8-10 with a return toward baseline by Day 29. Over 80% of subjects achieved a 2-fold or greater expansion of total Tregs (Table 1). No significant expansion of Tconv or NK cells was observed at any dose level.Table 1.Percent Total Treg RespondersFold Change Total TregsPlacebo(n=14)1 mg(n=6)3.5 mg(n=12)5 mg(n=12)7.5 mg(n=6)10 mg(n=6)≥ 2X7%33%83%83%100%100%≥ 3X0%0%58%75%33%50%≥ 4X0%0%24%42%33%17%Conclusion:PT101 was safe and well tolerated after a single dose in healthy volunteers. Marked expansion of both total Treg and CD25bright Treg cells was observed. High selectivity for Tregs was observed with no significant expansion of pro-inflammatory Tconv and NK cells even at the highest dose studied. These results support the therapeutic potential of PT101 in planned multiple dose studies in systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis, and other autoimmune diseases.

Kinetics-Driven Drug Design Strategy for Next-Generation Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors to Clinical Candidate.

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors remain key therapeutic drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the low-safety window limits their maximum therapeutic benefits. Here, a novel kinetics-driven drug design strategy was employed to discover new-generation AChE inhibitors that possess a longer drug-target residence time and exhibit a larger safety window. After detailed investigations, compound 12 was identified as a highly potent, highly selective, orally bioavailable, and brain preferentially distributed AChE inhibitor. Moreover, it significantly ameliorated cognitive impairments in different mouse models with a lower effective dose than donepezil. The X-ray structure of the cocrystal complex provided a precise binding mode between 12 and AChE. Besides, the data from the phase I trials demonstrated that 12 had good safety, tolerance, and pharmacokinetic profiles at all preset doses in healthy volunteers, providing a solid basis for its further investigation in phase II trials for the treatment of AD.

Safety and tolerability of a humanized rabbit monoclonal antibody (SSS07) in healthy adults: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled single ascending dose trial

Background/objectiveSSS07, a humanized rabbit monoclonal antibody, can selectively block human tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The objective of this study was to assess the safety, tolerability, and relative immunogenicity of SSS07 after multiple single subcutaneous (SC) doses in healthy volunteers. MethodsA total of 71 healthy volunteers were randomized to six sequential ascending-dose groups (5, 15, 30, 50, 75, and 100 mg), and except for the 100 mg group that only had one subject who received a placebo, all of the other groups included two placebo-control subjects. Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity were assessed by physical examinations, vital signs, electrocardiography (ECG), clinical laboratory tests, and plasma anti-drug antibody (ADA) over 28 days for each group. Their concentrations of TNF-α were also analyzed. Only after safety and tolerance were determined in the lower-dose groups was the next dose group initiated. The dose increments did not exceed 100 mg. ResultsNo serious adverse events or dose-limited toxicity (DLT) were observed, so 100 mg was defined as the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Overall, 71 AEs and 59 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 36 (60.0%) and 30 (50.0%) volunteers, respectively, who received SSS07. All AEs and TRAEs were mild or moderate and expected based on previous results with similar types of drugs, without new safety concerns. Except for infections and administration site reactions, the frequency and intensity of the other TRAEs were similar for SSS07 and placebo. No severe acute immune reactions occurred. The lower dose’s immunogenicity was stronger than the higher doses. The highest ADA titer was observed 3 to 6 months after administration. ConclusionSSS07 was generally safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese volunteers. Higher immunogenicity was observed at low SSS07 concentration levels. The infections and administration site conditions might have been related to the immunogenicity and the degree of inhibition of TNF-α. However, the existence of ADA did not appear to affect the safety of the subjects throughout the follow-up period. These findings could support further investigations of treatments with humanized monoclonal antibodies.

Cognitive impairment under treatment with second‐ and third‐generation antihistamines

AbstractBackgroundBrain histamine is involved in the regulation of arousal, cognition, and memory mainly through interactions with histamine H1 receptors. Histamine H1 antagonists often prescribed for treatment of allergic disorders, may induce sleepiness and cognitive deficits. Sedation as a consequence of treatment with 1st generation antihistamines has led to the development of 2nd and 3rd generation anthistamines, which are thought to be free of cognitive side effects. This proved to be true in studies on the cognitive effects of single doses in healthy volunteers. However, the relationship between treatment with 2nd or 3rd generation antihistamines and cognitive performance so fas has not been examined within a naturalistic study under everyday conditions. This may be relevant for Alzheimer’s disease treatment studies, because cognitive side effects as a consequence of treatment with 2nd or 3rd generation antihistamines may act as a confounding variable.Method380 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) were assessed in 30 dermatological practices and outpatient clinics in Germany. Severity of disease was assessed by means of the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS‐7) and the Urticaria Control Test (UCT), quality of life by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU‐Q2oL). Cognitive performance was studied by means of the computer‐based Memory and Attention Test (MAT). Sociodemographic data, current medication in treatment categories, comorbidities, obesity, smoking and drinking habits are taken by a questionnaire.ResultThe assessments were carried out in 380 subjects at ages between 19 and 73 years (mean +/‐ SD: 49 +/‐ 15). In patients under treatment with 2nd or 3rd generation anthistamines compared to patients not under treatment with antihistamines, we found a significant impairment of episodic working memory, particularly in the elder subjects. The impairment was found independently whether antihistamines were applied at dosages licensed for treatment or at higher dosages. Episodic short‐term memory and selective attention were unimpaired.ConclusionTreatment with 2nd or 3rd generation antihistamines may be associated with cognitive impairment, particularly in elderly patients. This effect should be considered regarding the handling of concomitant medications in Alzheimer’s disease treatment trials.