Pharmacokinetic Endpoints Research Articles

Pharmacokinetic Properties of Liraglutide as Adjunct to Insulin in Subjects with Type1 Diabetes Mellitus.

BackgroundThe pharmacokinetic properties of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), have been established in healthy individuals and subjects with T2D. Liraglutide has been under investigation as adjunct treatment to insulin in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, clinical pharmacology trial is the first to analyze the pharmacokinetic properties of liraglutide as add-on to insulin in T1D.MethodsSubjects (18–64 years; body mass index 20.0–28.0 kg/m2; glycated hemoglobin ≤9.5 %) were randomized 1:1:1 to 0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 mg liraglutide/placebo. Each group underwent two 4-week treatment periods (liraglutide then placebo or placebo then liraglutide) separated by a 2- to 3-week washout. Both trial drugs were administered subcutaneously, once daily, as adjunct to insulin. A stepwise hypoglycemic clamp was performed at the end of each treatment period (data reported previously). Pharmacokinetic endpoints were derived from liraglutide concentration–time curves after the final dose and exposure was compared with data from previous trials in healthy volunteers and subjects with T2D.ResultsThe pharmacokinetic properties of liraglutide in T1D were comparable with those observed in healthy volunteers and subjects with T2D. Area under the steady-state concentration–time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration data were consistent with dose proportionality of liraglutide. Comparison of dose-normalized liraglutide AUC suggested that exposure in T1D, when administered with insulin, is comparable with that observed in T2D.ConclusionsLiraglutide, administered as adjunct to insulin in subjects with T1D, shows comparable pharmacokinetics to those in subjects with T2D.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01536665.

Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Equivalences of Epoetin Hospira and Epogen® After Multiple Subcutaneous Doses to Healthy Male Subjects

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalences of multiple doses of the proposed biosimilar Epoetin Hospira to the reference product Epogen⁎⁎Epogen® (epoetin alfa; Amgen, Thousand Oaks, California)., when each is administered three times per week over 28 days to healthy male subjects MethodsThis single center, open-label, randomized, parallel group study was conducted in 129 healthy male subjects. Subjects were randomized to receive 100 U/kg Epoetin Hospira or 100 U/kg Epogen, each administered subcutaneously 3 times per week over 28 days. Blood was collected for determination of hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations for PD properties and for determination of epoetin concentrations for PK properties. The primary PD end point was the geometric mean ratio (GMR) of the 2 treatments for area under the effect curve for Hb from day 1 through 48 hours after the final dose of study drug administration on day 26, and the primary PK end point was the GMR of the 2 treatments for AUC0–48 and Cmax for epoetin after the final dose of study drug on day 26. FindingsThe GMR (Epoetin Hospira/Epogen) for the area under the effect curve for Hb from day 1 through 48 hours after the final dose of study drug administration on day 26 was 1.006 with a 95% CI of 0.996 to 1.016, which was contained within the prespecified equivalence margin of 0.965 to 1.035. The GMRs (Epoetin Hospira/Epogen) for the epoetin-derived PK parameters were 0.974 for AUC0–48 with a 90% CI of 0.896 to 1.059, and 0.938 for Cmax with a 90% CI of 0.839 to 1.049, with both 90% CIs contained within the prespecified equivalence margin of 0.80 to 1.25. The incidence (21.2% and 23.8% for Epoetin Hospira and Epogen, respectively) and severity of adverse events were similar between the 2 groups. One subject in each treatment group had a positive recombinant human erythropoietin antibody result by radioimmunoprecipitation assay before dosing and throughout study conduct with negative immunoglobulin M and neutralizing antibodies and with no evidence of clinical deterioration or of impact on PD, PK, or safety profile. ImplicationsThe results of this study established PD and PK equivalences of multiple subcutaneous doses of the proposed biosimilar Epoetin Hospira to the reference product Epogen in healthy male subjects, and supported the overall demonstration of biosimilarity of Epoetin Hospira and Epogen.

Dose Expansion Cohorts in Phase I Trials

ABSTRACTA rapidly increasing number of Phase I dose-finding studies, those based on the standard 3+3 design in particular, are being prolonged with the inclusion of dose expansion cohorts (DEC) to better characterize the toxicity profiles of experimental agents and to study disease-specific cohorts. These trials consist of two phases: the usual dose escalation phase that aims to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and the dose expansion phase that accrues additional patients, often with different eligibility criteria, and where additional information is collected. Currently, not all protocols specify whether and how the MTD will be updated in the light of new data accumulated from the DEC. Here, we propose methods that allow monitoring of safety in the DEC by reevaluating the MTD in light of additional information. Our working assumption is that, regardless of the design being used for dose escalation, during the DEC we are experimenting in the neighborhood of a target dose with an acceptable rate of toxicity. We refine our initial estimate of the MTD by continuing experimentation in the immediate vicinity of the initial estimate of the MTD. The auxiliary information provided by such an evaluation will include toxicity, pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and other endpoints. We consider approaches specifically focused on the aims of DEC that examine efficacy alone or simultaneously with safety. Simulations provide further insight into the behavior of the proposed tests. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.

Phase 1, Open-Label, Randomized, Bioequivalence Study of 2 Bendamustine Hydrochloride Formulations; A Ready-to-Dilute Low-Volume, Rapid Infusion Solution and a Lyophilized Powder Formulation

Introduction: This phase 1, open-label, randomized, crossover study assessed the bioequivalence (BE) and safety of an investigational, ready-to-dilute, rapid infusion, low-volume solution of bendamustine hydrochloride (test product [T]) and the approved bendamustine lyophilized powder formulation (reference product [R]). [CT.gov ID NCT02162888]Methods: Eligible patients (Pts) were aged 18 years or older with relapsed or refractory solid tumors or hematologic malignancies excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia. All Pts received bendamustine 120 mg/m2 intravenously as T (in 50 mL; 0.9% NaCl) over 10 min, and as R (in 500 mL; 0.9% NaCl) over 60 min on days 1 and 2 of two consecutive 28-day cycles. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment sequences defining the first 3 doses of study drug: TRR, RTR, RRT. T was given to all Pts at cycle 2, day 2. For the first 3 doses, blood samples were collected prior to infusion; mid-infusion (T 5 min, R 30 min); at 5, 15, 30, and 45 min, and at 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 h postinfusion; and 24 h from the start of infusion on day 1 of both cycles. The pharmacokinetic (PK) endpoints for BE were area under plasma concentration-vs-time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last quantifiable sample collected (AUC0-t) and from time 0 to infinity (AUC0-oo), which were evaluated using a scaled average BE (SABE) method, appropriate for high variability drugs. Other PK endpoints were maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (tmax), and elimination half-life (t1/2). Safety was assessed by reported adverse events (AEs), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, physical examination, and laboratory values throughout the 56-day study period.Results: A total of 83 Pts were randomized to the 3 treatment sequences; 81 received at least one dose of study drug and comprised the safety population; 60 received 3 doses (required for BE analysis). BE analyses were conducted for AUC in this population, and for other patient subsets based on dosing and sample collections deemed evaluable and complete. Here, PK results are presented for the 38 Pts meeting all BE inclusion criteria (Table 1). The BE of T and R was assessed by Reference-SABE for AUC as intra-subject variability for R (SWR) was >0.3 (Table 2). Mean concentration-vs-time is presented in the Figure. The AUC and t1/2 were similar in Pts treated with T and R. Cmax was higher and tmax was shorter in Pts treated with T, consistent with the faster infusion of bendamustine. The overall safety profiles of T and R were similar (Table 3), with serious AEs (SAEs) in 28% of Pts and 6 deaths (all attributable to disease progression). AEs occurring within 24 h of treatment were similar in type and frequency; the only AEs occurring in ≥3% of Pts with either treatment during this period were nausea (R 11%, T 9%), fatigue (R 8%, T 9%), vomiting (R 3%, T 4%), and constipation (R 4%, T 3%).Conclusions: BE of the two bendamustine formulations was demonstrated for AUCs as the upper critical values were <0 and the point estimates of T/R geometric mean ratio fell within 0.80 to 1.25 inclusive. Differences in Cmax and tmax were anticipated from the different infusion rates for the T and R. The safety profile of the two drugs was comparable with no new safety signals. Reported AEs were either known effects of bendamustine or presumed to be related to underlying disease.Sponsor: Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Table 1Summary of PK ParametersParameterTn = 38Rn = 38AUC0-t, ng·h/mL (% CV)10339.21 (49.3)10514.87 (55.9)AUC0-¥, ng·h/mL (% CV)10369.74 (49.2)10527.76 (55.8)tmax, h (range)0.18 (0.1-0.4)1.0 (0.5-1.3)Cmax, ng/mL (% CV)19158.16 (33.5)8868.42 (47.4)t1/2, h (% CV)0.65 (37.3)0.60 (30.3)CV: coefficient of variationTable 2Bioequivalence Analyses Results (n = 38)AUC(ng·h/mL)GM1 Test (T)GM1 Reference (R)T/R90%Confidence IntervalsSwrUpper Critical ValueAUC0-t9143.729047.811.010.898-1.1450.403-0.09AUC0--¥9173.019062.771.020.899-1.1460.402-0.09GM: geometric mean, Swr: within-patient standard deviation of the reference product1 by SABETable 3Summary of AEsPatientsn (%)Tn = 73Rn = 81Totaln = 81OverallAEs49 (67)60 (74)76 (94)SAEs12 (16)12 (15)23 (28)Deaths*5 (7)1 (1)6 (7)Occurring within 24 h of infusionAEs23 (32)34 (42)49 (61)SAEs2 (3)2 (3)4 (5)Deaths000*All attributable to disease progression [Display omitted] DisclosuresEdenfield:Novartis, Astellas/Medivation: Speakers Bureau. Anthony:Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Mutch:Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Chanas:Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Smith:Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a new biosimilar filgrastim TPI G-CSF in comparison to the marketed reference filgrastim Neupogen&amp;reg;: a double-blind, single-dose, two-period crossover trial

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a new biosimilar filgrastim TPI G-CSF in comparison to the marketed reference filgrastim Neupogen®: a double-blind, single-dose, two-period crossover trial Sarfaraz K Niazi Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC, Chicago, IL, USA Abstract: Biosimilar biological products are a safe and effective alternative to branded biological agents. One of the most common uses of the therapeutic protein filgrastim, a biological drug (recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor), is to reduce the occurrence and duration of severe neutropenia and its associated serious complications. TPI G-CSF, a filgrastim product under development by Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC, is a proposed biosimilar to Amgen's marketed filgrastim, Neupogen®. To evaluate bioequivalence, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover study that took place at a single center and had a washout period of at least 2 weeks. The pharmacokinetic endpoints (area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to time of the last observed/measured non-zero concentration [AUC0-t], AUC from time 0 extrapolated to infinity [AUC0-inf], and maximum observed concentration [Cmax]) and the pharmacodynamic endpoints (baseline-corrected area under the effect curve from time zero to the last non-zero cell count data [AUEC0-t] and maximum observed effect [Emax]) for the absolute neutrophil count were compared after administration of a subcutaneous 5 µg/kg dose of TPI G-CSF or Neupogen® in 58 healthy adults. These 58 healthy subjects (72% male, 34.8±10.5 years, 77.1±14.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence group (TPI G-CSF-Neupogen® or Neupogen®-TPI G-CSF); subjects received a single subcutaneous injection of 5 µg/kg in each period. The 95% pharmacodynamic and 90% pharmacokinetic geometric confidence intervals of the ratio (TPI G-CSF/Neupogen®) of least-squares means from the analysis of variance of the natural log-transformed data for each parameter fell within the approved bioequivalence range of 80% to 125%. There were no serious adverse events in this study. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 69% of the study subjects, with a similar incidence between treatments. The notable incidents were treatment-emergent injection site reactions. Injections of TPI G-CSF and Neupogen® appeared to be safe and equally well tolerated. Keywords: filgrastim, G-CSF, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, ANC, WBC

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and safety of three formulations of infliximab (CT-P13, EU-approved reference infliximab and the US-licensed reference infliximab) in healthy subjects: a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, single-dose, Phase I study

Objective: To compare the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and tolerability of biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13 [Remsima®, Inflectra®]) with two formulations of the reference medicinal product (RMP) (Remicade®) from either Europe (EU-RMP) or the USA (US-RMP). Methods: This was a double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group study (EudraCT number: 2013–003173-10). Healthy subjects received single doses (5 mg/kg) of CT-P13 (n = 71), EU-RMP (n = 71) or US-RMP (n = 71). The primary objective was to compare the PK profiles for the three formulations. Assessments of comparative safety and tolerability were secondary objectives. Results: Baseline demographics were well balanced across the three groups. Primary end points (Cmax, AUClast and AUCinf) were equivalent between all formulations (CT-P13 vs EU-RMP; CT-P13 vs US-RMP; EU-RMP vs US-RMP). All other PK end points supported the high similarity of the three treatments. Tolerability profiles of the formulations were similar. Conclusion: The PK profile of CT-P13 is highly similar to EU-RMP and US-RMP. All three formulations were equally well tolerated.

A phase III randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study comparing SB4 with etanercept reference product in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate therapy

ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and safety of SB4 (an etanercept biosimilar) with reference product etanercept (ETN) in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite methotrexate (MTX) therapy.MethodsThis is...

Preclinical assessments of the MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 in a mouse model of Neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that predisposes affected individuals to formation of benign neurofibromas, peripheral nerve tumors that can be associated with significant morbidity. Loss of the NF1 Ras-GAP protein causes increased Ras-GTP, and we previously found that inhibiting MEK signaling downstream of Ras can shrink established neurofibromas in a genetically engineered murine model. We studied effects of MEK inhibition using 1.5 mg/kg/day PD-0325901 prior to neurofibroma onset in the Nf1 (flox/flox); Dhh-Cre mouse model. We also treated mice with established tumors at 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg/day doses of PD-0325901. We monitored tumor volumes using MRI and volumetric measurements, and measured pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic endpoints. Early administration significantly delayed neurofibroma development as compared to vehicle controls. When treatment was discontinued neurofibromas grew, but no rebound effect was observed and neurofibromas remained significantly smaller than controls. Low dose treatment of mice with PD-0325901 resulted in neurofibroma shrinkage equivalent to that observed at higher doses. Tumor cell proliferation decreased, although less than at higher doses with drug. Tumor blood vessels per area correlated with tumor shrinkage. Neurofibroma development was not prevented by MEK inhibition, beginning at 1 month of age, but tumor size was controlled by early treatment. Moreover, treatment with PD-0325901 at very low doses may shrink neurofibromas while minimizing toxicity. These studies highlight how genetically engineered mouse models can guide clinical trial design.

Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics of Salmeterol and Fluticasone Propionate 50/100 µg Delivered in Combination as a Dry Powder Via a Capsule-Based Inhaler and a Multi-Dose Inhaler.

The Rotacaps(®)/Rotahaler(®) system is a single unit dose inhaler being developed to deliver inhaled salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination (SFC) as an alternative treatment option to the metered dose inhaler and the multi-dose dry powder inhaler, Diskus(®). The aim of this study was to compare the systemic exposure of SFC 50/100 µg following delivery via the Rotacaps(®)/Rotahaler(®) and the Diskus(®). This was an open-label, randomized, cross-over, repeat-dose (3.5 days of twice-daily dosing) study comparing salmeterol and fluticasone propionate systemic exposure following inhaled SFC 50/100 µg delivered via the Rotacaps(®)/Rotahaler(®) and Diskus(®), in healthy subjects. Pharmacokinetic sampling was conducted over 12 h post-dose on the last day of each treatment. Pharmacokinetic samples were analysed using solid phase extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Co-primary endpoints were fluticasone propionate area under the concentration-time curve over the dosing interval (AUC0-τ ) and salmeterol maximum plasma concentration (C max) on the last day of treatment. Following SFC 50/100 µg Rotacaps(®)/Rotahaler(®), fluticasone propionate and salmeterol systemic exposures were comparable with Diskus(®) in terms of both AUC0-τ [geometric mean ratio (GMR) with 90 % confidence interval (CI) of Rotahaler(®)/Diskus(®) for fluticasone propionate: 0.98 (0.91, 1.06) and salmeterol: 1.04 (0.99, 1.10)] and C max [GMR (90 % CI) for fluticasone propionate: 1.04 (0.94, 1.15) and salmeterol: 0.97 (0.87, 1.08)], meeting the pre-defined criteria for comparability (upper limit of the 90 % CI for the GMRs (Rotahaler(®)/Diskus(®)) ≤1.25]. SFC delivered from both inhalers was well tolerated. SFC 50/100 µg Rotacaps(®)/Rotahaler(®) showed comparable fluticasone propionate and salmeterol systemic exposure to Diskus(®) for all pharmacokinetic endpoints with GMR and both upper and lower limits of 90 % CIs within conventional acceptance criteria for bioequivalence (0.8, 1.25), sufficient for considering progression of the Rotacaps(®)/Rotahaler(®) product for further clinical development.

Physiologically based modeling of the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen and its major metabolites in humans using a Bayesian population approach.

The principal aim of this study was to develop, validate, and demonstrate a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict and characterize the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of acetaminophen (APAP) in humans. A PBPK model was created that included pharmacologically and toxicologically relevant tissue compartments and incorporated mechanistic descriptions of the absorption and metabolism of APAP, such as gastric emptying time, cofactor kinetics, and transporter-mediated movement of conjugated metabolites in the liver. Through the use of a hierarchical Bayesian framework, unknown model parameters were estimated using a large training set of data from human pharmacokinetic studies, resulting in parameter distributions that account for data uncertainty and inter-study variability. Predictions from the model showed good agreement to a diverse test set of data across several measures, including plasma concentrations over time, renal clearance, APAP absorption, and pharmacokinetic and exposure metrics. The utility of the model was then demonstrated through predictions of cofactor depletion, dose response of several pharmacokinetic endpoints, and the relationship between APAP biomarker levels in the plasma and those in the liver. The model addressed several limitations in previous PBPK models for APAP, and it is anticipated that it will be useful in predicting the pharmacokinetics of APAP in a number of contexts, such as extrapolating across doses, estimating internal concentrations, quantifying population variability, assessing possible impacts of drug coadministration, and, when coupled with a suitable pharmacodynamic model, predicting toxicity.

Effects of Icosapent Ethyl (Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester) on Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Rosiglitazone in Healthy Subjects.

BackgroundIcosapent ethyl is a high-purity form of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester approved to reduce triglyceride levels in adults with triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL. Candidates for triglyceride-lowering therapy include patients with diabetes mellitus who may be receiving rosiglitazone. We assessed the effects of icosapent ethyl on the pharmacokinetic parameters of rosiglitazone.MethodsSubjects received a single 8-mg oral dose of rosiglitazone alone and with oral icosapent ethyl 4 g/day in this open-label drug–drug interaction study. Pharmacokinetic end points included area under the concentration versus time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0–inf) and maximum observed concentration (Cmax) for rosiglitazone with and without icosapent ethyl.ResultsOf 30 subjects enrolled, 28 completed the study. Icosapent ethyl 4 g/day at steady-state did not significantly change the single-dose AUC0–inf or Cmax of rosiglitazone 8 mg. Least squares geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) for AUC0–inf and Cmax of rosiglitazone given with icosapent ethyl versus rosiglitazone alone were 0.90 (87.00–93.40) and 1.01 (92.02–109.9), respectively. No serious adverse events were reported and no subject discontinued due to an adverse event.ConclusionsAt steady-state concentrations, icosapent ethyl did not inhibit the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone. Co-administration of icosapent ethyl and rosiglitazone was safe and well tolerated.

A review of the pharmacological properties of insulin degludec and their clinical relevance.

Insulin degludec (IDeg) is a new-generation basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action. To date, a large number of studies have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of IDeg. Standardised methods for collection and analysis of blood samples (for pharmacokinetic endpoints) and euglycaemic clamp procedures (for pharmacodynamic endpoints) were applied across studies to enable cross-study evaluation of important pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. Data show that IDeg has a half-life of >25 h [compared with ~12 h for insulin glargine (IGlar)] and reaches steady state within 3 days of administration in all patient populations investigated. The pharmacokinetic profile of IDeg demonstrates an even distribution of exposure across one dosing interval. The pharmacodynamic profile of IDeg is flat and stable, demonstrated by an even distribution of glucose-lowering effect across all four 6-h intervals in a 24-h period (one dosing day). These properties were consistently demonstrated across different type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patient populations, including those from different ethnic origins (both males and females with type 2 diabetes), the elderly, and patients with hepatic or renal impairment. IDeg has an ultra-long duration of action exceeding 42 h and demonstrates four times lower day-to-day within-subject variability in glucose-lowering effect than IGlar. This review discusses the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data accumulated thus far, and the relevance of these results from a clinical perspective.

Blinded sample size re‐estimation in crossover bioequivalence trials

In drug development, bioequivalence studies are used to indirectly demonstrate clinical equivalence of a test formulation and a reference formulation of a specific drug by establishing their equivalence in bioavailability. These studies are typically run as crossover studies. In the planning phase of such trials, investigators and sponsors are often faced with a high variability in the coefficients of variation of the typical pharmacokinetic endpoints such as the area under the concentration curve or the maximum plasma concentration. Adaptive designs have recently been considered to deal with this uncertainty by adjusting the sample size based on the accumulating data. Because regulators generally favor sample size re-estimation procedures that maintain the blinding of the treatment allocations throughout the trial, we propose in this paper a blinded sample size re-estimation strategy and investigate its error rates. We show that the procedure, although blinded, can lead to some inflation of the type I error rate. In the context of an example, we demonstrate how this inflation of the significance level can be adjusted for to achieve control of the type I error rate at a pre-specified level. Furthermore, some refinements of the re-estimation procedure are proposed to improve the power properties, in particular in scenarios with small sample sizes.

Subcutaneous trastuzumab: a review of its use in HER2-positive breast cancer

Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that is an efficacious treatment for HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers. Subcutaneous trastuzumab is a new formulation approved in the European Union for use in patients with early or metastatic breast cancer. In the randomized, open-label, multinational HannaH (enHANced treatment with NeoAdjuvant Herceptin) study of neoadjuvant/adjuvant trastuzumab in patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer, the pharmacokinetics of neoadjuvant subcutaneous trastuzumab were similar to those after intravenous administration, meeting the noninferiority criterion for mean predose trough concentrations, as assessed prior to surgery (primary pharmacokinetic endpoint). Trastuzumab blood concentrations throughout the dosing interval remained above those considered necessary for anticancer activity. In this study, the pathologic complete response rates (primary efficacy endpoint) were 45.4 and 40.7% in the subcutaneous and intravenous administration groups, respectively, meeting a study noninferiority criterion. In the randomized, open-label, crossover, multinational PrefHer study of neoadjuvant/adjuvant or adjuvant trastuzumab in early HER2-positive breast cancer, subcutaneous administration of trastuzumab was preferred over intravenous administration by >85% of patients, most commonly because it was time saving and induced less pain and discomfort. In the HannaH study, the tolerability profile of subcutaneous trastuzumab was similar to that of intravenous trastuzumab, except that the rate of serious adverse events was 21% (vs. 12% with intravenous administration), partly because of more infections with subcutaneous administration. Whether this finding is of any clinical significance should emerge from ongoing studies. On the evidence, subcutaneous trastuzumab is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment option that is preferred by patients over intravenous administration.

Ultra-Long Pharmacokinetic Properties of Insulin Degludec are Comparable in Elderly Subjects and Younger Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

BackgroundManagement of diabetes in elderly subjects is complex and careful management of glucose levels is of particular importance in this population because of an increased risk of diabetes-related complications and hypoglycaemia.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of insulin degludec (IDeg), a basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action, in elderly subjects with type 1 diabetes compared with younger adults.MethodsThis trial was a randomised, double-blind, two-period, crossover trial conducted in a single centre and included both inpatient and outpatient periods. Subjects were men and women aged 18–35 years inclusive (younger adult group) or ≥65 years (elderly group) with type 1 diabetes who received IDeg (0.4 U/kg) via subcutaneous injection in the thigh once-daily for six days. Following 6-day dosing, a 26-hour euglycaemic glucose clamp procedure was conducted to evaluate the steady-state pharmacodynamic effects of IDeg. Blood samples were taken for pharmacokinetic analysis up to 120 h post-dose. Pharmacokinetic endpoints included the total exposure of IDeg, ie the area under the IDeg serum concentration curve during one dosing interval at steady state (AUCIDeg,τ,SS) (τ = 0–24 h, equal to one dosing interval) and the maximum IDeg serum concentration at steady state (Cmax,IDeg,SS). Pharmacodynamic endpoints included the total glucose-lowering effect of IDeg, ie the area under the glucose infusion rate (GIR) curve at steady state (AUCGIR,τ,SS), and the maximum GIR at steady state (GIRmax,IDeg,SS).ResultsTotal exposure (AUCIDeg,τ,SS) and maximum concentration (Cmax,IDeg,SS) of IDeg were comparable between elderly subjects and younger adults. Estimated mean age group ratios (elderly/younger adult) for AUCIDeg,τ,SS and Cmax,IDeg,SS and corresponding two-sided 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.04 (95 % CI 0.73–1.47) and 1.02 (95 % CI 0.74–1.39), respectively. Mean AUCIDeg,0–12h,SS/AUCIDeg,τ,SS was 53 % in both younger adult and elderly subjects, showing that in both age groups IDeg exposure was evenly distributed across the first and second 12 h of the 24-hour dosing interval. No statistically significant differences were observed between younger adult and elderly subjects with regard to AUCGIR,τ,SS (the primary endpoint of this study) and GIRmax,IDeg,SS. Estimated mean age group ratios (elderly/younger adult) for AUCGIR,τ,SS and GIRmax,IDeg,SS and corresponding two-sided 95 % CIs were 0.78 (95 % CI 0.47–1.31) and 0.80 (95 % CI 0.54–1.17), respectively. Duration of action was beyond the clamp duration of 26 h in all subjects. ConclusionsThe exposure of IDeg at steady state during once-daily dosing was similar in younger adult and elderly subjects. The glucose-lowering effect of IDeg was numerically lower in elderly subjects compared with younger adults, but no significant differences were observed between age groups. The ultra-long pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of IDeg observed in younger adults were preserved in elderly subjects with type 1 diabetes.Clinical trials.gov number: NCT00964418

Significant Activity Of The mTOR Inhibitor Sirolimus and HDAC Inhibitor Vorinostat In Heavily Pretreated Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients

BackgroundPreclinical models have suggested that HDAC and mTOR inhibitors have synergistic antineoplastic activity in Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers by reducing the activity of AKT, mTOR and HDAC. MethodsWe designed a phase I study to determine the safety of the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus (1mg-5mg PO daily q 28 days) and HDAC inhibitor vorinostat (100mg-400mg PO daily q 28 days) in advanced cancers with an expansion cohort at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of sirolimus 4mg and vorinostat 300mg for patients with refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The expansion cohort included optional pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma/serum collections for pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) endpoints. ResultsA total of 16 patients (men, n=8; women, n=8), median age 33 years, median of 6.5 prior therapies (including autologous SCT [n=15], autologous and allogeneic SCT [n=4]) were enrolled in dose escalation (n=1) or RP2D (n=15) cohorts. At the median follow-up of 3.2 months, 15 (94%) patients demonstrated decreased FDG uptake including 2 CRs (13%) and 5 PRs (31%) using CHESON criteria, with a total CR+PR rate of 44%. The median reduction of tumor was -27% (-100% to +20%, Figure). The estimated median time-to-treatment failure has not been reached and 63% of the patients continued on therapy with further improvement in their level of disease response. Major grade 3-4 treatment-related toxicities included grade 3 thrombocytopenia (4 patients, 25%), grade 4 thrombocytopenia (6, 38%), grade 3 anemia (1, 6%), febrile neutropenia (1, 6%) and led to treatment interruptions and/or dose modifications in 10 (63%) patients. Five (31%) patients had archival tissue available for targeted next-generation sequencing and one patient had a loss of TSC2, an abnormality that putatively activates mTOR. This patient has had a continuing response to therapy (-56%) for 8.4+ months. PD studies in pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies, PBMCs and plasma as well as PK analysis continue. ConclusionThe combination of sirolimus and vorinostat is well tolerated with encouraging activity in very heavily pretreated patients with Hodgkin lymphoma refractory to standard therapies. Enrollment continues. [Display omitted] Disclosures:Off Label Use: sirolimus - mTOR inhibitor vorinostat - HDAC inhibitor.

The Pharmacokinetics Of Turoctocog Alfa Are Consistent Over Different Concentrations and Production Lots

Introduction Turoctocog alfa is a B domain truncated human recombinant FVIII for treatment of patients with hemophilia A. The production yields a highly homogenous product with the same tyrosine sulphation as human FVIII. In order to confirm the consistency of turoctocog alfa pharmacokinetics (PK) over different production lots and vial strengths, a clinical trial was performed in 15 patients with severe hemophilia A. Aim To compare the PK of 3 lots of 2000 IU/vial and 1 lot of 3000 IU/vial of turoctocog alfa after i.v. administration of 50 IU/kg in patients with severe haemophilia A. Methods This was a multi-centre, open-label trial investigating the PK of 4 lots of turoctocog alfa (3 lots of 2000 IU/vial; Lots A, B and C, and 1 lot of 3000 IU/vial; Lot D) in patients with severe hemophilia A (FVIII&lt;1%). The trial was performed as a two-period, incomplete block, cross-over trial, in which each patient was allocated at random to a predefined sequence of 2 different lots of turoctocog alfa. The FVIII activity was assessed using both the one-stage clot and chromogenic assays. Both the primary endpoint, normalized AUC (AUC*(planned dose/actual dose)), and the secondary PK endpoints were analyzed by ANCOVA on the log transformed values, with lot, visit and patient as fixed effects. Each of the three 2000 IU/vial lots was compared and tested against the 2 other 2000 IU/vial lots. If not significantly different on a 5% level, the 3 lots were pooled together and tested against the 3000 IU/vial lot. Results Fifteen patients with a mean age of 38.6 years (ranging from 21 to 60 years) were included from 3 hemophilia centres in 3 different countries. Three adverse events (AEs) were reported in the trial by 2 separate patients; all AEs were judged to be unlikely related to the trial product. There was no development of inhibitors. There was no pharmacokinetic difference observed between Lots A, B, C (2000 IU/vials) and there was no pharmacokinetic difference observed between the pooled data from lot A, B and C (2000 IU/vial) and lot D (3000 IU/vial) based on normalized AUC, half-life, incremental recovery and clearance. The estimated mean values (with 90% CI) for the PK parameters based on the chromogenic assay are presented in Table 1. The results were similar for the one-stage clot assay and the chromogenic assay. Conclusions No pharmacokinetic differences were observed between the three 2000 IU/vial lots (Lot A, Lot B and Lot C), nor were there pharmacokinetic differences between Lot D (3000 IU/vial) and pooled data from Lots A, B and C, based on normalized AUC, half-life, incremental recovery and clearance. There were no safety concerns and no inhibitor development in the trial. Disclosures: Jiménez-Yuste: Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Klamroth:Novo Nordisk, CSL Behring, Bayer, Baxter, Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding. Saugstrup:Novo Nordisk: Employment. Moss:Novo Nordisk: Employment.

Erratum to: Anti-Inflammatory Strategies for Plaque Stabilization after Acute Coronary Syndromes

In this article, CSL112, an HDL-infusion therapy in clinical development has been incorrectly described as a synthetic reconstituted HDL mimetic currently in a Phase 2 IVUS plaque regression study. Correction : CSL112 is a novel formulation of apoA-I purified from human plasma and reconstituted with phospholipids to form HDL particles suitable for intravenous infusion [1]. CSL112 is currently in a Phase II study with safety and pharmacokinetic endpoints in patients with atherothrombotic disease (NCT01499420).

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Fluticasone Propionate and Salmeterol Delivered as a Combination Dry Powder from a Capsule-Based Inhaler and a Multidose Inhaler in Asthma and COPD Patients

The object of this study was to assess whether a capsule-based and multidose dry powder inhaler containing salmeterol (as xinafoate salt) 50 μg plus fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 μg [combination (SFC 50/250)] could be equivalent in terms of in vivo drug delivery and systemic exposure. This was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, replicate treatment design comparative bioavailability study of SFC 50/250 delivered in a capsule-based inhaler (Rotahaler®) and a multidose dry powder inhaler (Diskus®). Subjects with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) disease (n=60) were randomized to receive twice-daily SFC 50/250 via a Rotahaler and via Diskus each for two 10-day treatment periods (GlaxoSmithKline Protocol ASR114334). For FP and salmeterol, the in vitro aerodynamic particle size profiles were within±15% of Diskus for the fine particle mass (FPM) and emitted dose (ED) using the Andersen Cascade Impactor, and ED, mass median aerodynamic diameter, and geometric standard deviation using the New Generation Impactor (NGI). This was also the case for FP but not salmeterol for FPM and fine particle dose using the NGI. For the combined asthma and COPD subjects, the plasma AUC and Cmax for FP and salmeterol were higher for Rotahaler:Rotahaler/Diskus geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) for FP AUC0-τ of 1.52 (1.37-1.67) and Cmax of 1.94 (1.75-2.10) and salmeterol AUC0-τ of 1.15 (1.09-1.21) and Cmax of 1.56 (1.42-1.67). Corresponding values for the primary pharmacodynamic endpoint, weighted mean (0-12 hr) serum cortisol, were 0.928 (0.886-0.971). Inhaled FP/salmeterol via both inhalers was well-tolerated. One serious adverse event, considered possibly related to study medication, resulted in subject withdrawal from the study. The in vitro tests and systemic pharmacodynamic endpoints revealed no major differences between the two inhalers, but lacked predictive power and sensitivity to guide in vivo drug delivery performance and systemic exposure. Based on pharmacokinetic endpoints, the inhalers were not considered bioequivalent in terms of systemic exposure. Further studies to refine the Rotahaler performance are ongoing.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous trastuzumab administered via handheld syringe or proprietary single-use injection device in healthy males

To demonstrate pharmacokinetic (PK) comparability for a single dose of 600 mg subcutaneous (SC) trastuzumab, administered via a novel single-use injection device (SID) or handheld syringe in 119 randomized healthy male subjects. The co-primary PK endpoints area under the time-concentration curve from the start of dosing to day 22 (AUC(0-21 days)) and maximum observed trastuzumab serum concentration (C(max)) were dose-normalized and body-weight-adjusted, and compared using geometric mean ratios (GMRs). SID performance, injection site pain, adverse events, and antidrug antibodies (ADAs) were assessed. GMRs and 90 % confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.01 (0.96-1.07) for AUC(0-21 days) and 1.02 (0.96-1.10) for C(max), which fell within the prespecified bioequivalence range (0.80-1.25). No SID quality issues or failures occurred. Adverse events were mostly mild, with no deaths, adverse event-related withdrawals, or life-threatening, cardiac, or serious events reported. The ADA rate was low, and no neutralizing antibodies were detected. Trastuzumab SC via SID demonstrated comparable PK and safety to handheld syringe administration. SID performance was very satisfactory.