Geoffrey J. Yuen

A Preliminary Evaluation of Nelfinavir Mesylate, an Inhibitor of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Protease, to Treat HIV Infection

A phase I/II dose-ranging open-label 28-day monotherapy study of the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept), an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 protease, was done in 65 HIV-1-infected subjects. After 28 days, 54 responding subjects entered an open-label extension that allowed for the addition of nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase and dose escalation to maintain durability. The drug was well-tolerated and demonstrated robust antiviral activity, with demonstrable superiority of the 750 mg and 1000 mg three times daily regimens. Thirty subjects who continued to receive therapy at 12 months attained a persistent 1.6 log10 reduction in HIV RNA, accompanied by a mean increase in CD4 cells of 180-200/mm3. Studies of viral genotype and phenotype after virus rebound revealed that the initial active site mutation allowing for nelfinavir resistance is mediated by a unique amino acid substitution in the HIV-1 protease D30N, which does not confer in vitro phenotypic cross-resistance to the currently available protease inhibitors.

A Review of the Pharmacokinetics of Abacavir

Abacavir is a carbocyclic 2′-deoxyguanosine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is used as either a 600-mg once-daily or 300-mg twice-daily regimen exclusively in the treatment of HIV infection. Abacavir is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with peak concentrations occurring 0.63–1 hour after dosing. The absolute bioavailability of abacavir is approximately 83%. Abacavir pharmacokinetics are linear and doseproportional over the range of 300–1200 mg/day. To date, one study has assessed the steady-state pharmaco-kinetics of abacavir following a 600-mg once-daily regimen, and reported a geometric mean steady-state abacavir peak concentration of 3.85 µg/mL. Although this concentration is higher than the steady-state abacavir peak concentration reported following a 300-mg twice-daily regimen (0.88–3.19 µg/mL, depending on the study), the geometric mean steady-state abacavir exposure over 24 hours was similar following these regimens. Coadministration with food has no significant effect on abacavir exposure; therefore, abacavir may be administered with or without food.The apparent volume of distribution of abacavir after intravenous administration is approximately 0.86 ± 0.15 L/kg, suggesting that abacavir is distributed to extravascular spaces. Binding to plasma proteins is about 50% and is independent of the plasma abacavir concentration.Abacavir is extensively metabolized by the liver; less than 2% is excreted as unchanged drug in the urine. Abacavir is primarily metabolized via two pathways, uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase and alcohol dehydrogenase, resulting in the inactive glucuronide metabolite (361W94, ∼36% of the dose recovered in the urine) and the inactive carboxylate metabolite (2269W93, ∼30% of the dose recovered in the urine). The remaining 15% of abacavir equivalents found in the urine are minor metabolites, each less than 2% of the total dose. Faecal elimination accounts for about 16% of the dose. The terminal elimination half-life of abacavir is approximately 1.5 hours. The antiviral effect of abacavir is due to its intracellular anabolite, carbovir-triphosphate (CBV-TP). When assessed by validated high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, CBV-TP has been shown to have a long elimination half-life (>20 hours), supporting once-daily dosing. The mean CBV-TP trough concentrations do not differ following abacavir 600-mg once-daily and 300-mg twice-daily regimens.Limited data are available for abacavir in subjects with renal dysfunction or hepatic impairment. Abacavir pharmacokinetics in HIV-infected subjects with end-stage renal disease were found to be no different from those observed in healthy adults; this finding was consistent with the kidney being a minor route of abacavir elimination. A study of abacavir pharmacokinetics in hepatically impaired adults (Child-Pugh score of 5–6) showed that the abacavir area under the plasma concentration-time curve and elimination half-life were 89% and 58% greater, respectively, suggesting that the daily dose of abacavir should be reduced in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 5–6). Abacavir pharmacokinetics have not been studied in patients with higher Child-Pugh scores.Abacavir is not significantly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, nor does it inhibit these enzymes. Therefore, clinically significant drug interactions between abacavir and drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes are unlikely. The potential for drug interactions is no different when abacavir is used as a once-daily regimen versus a twice-daily regimen. No clinically significant drug interactions have been observed between recommended doses of abacavir and lamivudine, zidovudine, alcohol (ethanol) or methadone.

Pharmacokinetics, absolute bioavailability, and absorption characteristics of lamivudine.

Lamivudine is a novel cytosine nucleoside analog, reverse transcriptase inhibitor that has shown activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2 and hepatitis B virus in vitro. This study was conducted to compare the absolute bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and absorption characteristics of oral solution, 100‐mg capsule, and 100‐mg tablet formulations of lamivudine with those of intravenous lamivudine. Twelve patients with HIV were enrolled in a single‐center, randomized, open‐label, four‐way crossover study. Treatment arms consisted of 100 mg intravenous lamivudine (administered over 1 hour), 100 mg oral lamivudine (1 mg/mL), a 100‐mg capsule, and a 100‐mg tablet, each followed by a 3‐ to 14‐day washout period. Serial blood samples over 24 hours were obtained after each dose administration. Serum concentration data were analyzed to determine pharmacokinetic parameter estimates including area under the curve (AUC), terminal half‐life (t1/2), mean residence time (MRT) for each formulation, systemic clearance, oral clearance, and apparent volume of distribution (Vd). Absolute bioavailability and in vivo mean absorption time (MAT) and mean dissolution time (MDT) were calculated for the oral formulations. Deconvolution techniques were used to calculate the input rate for the oral solution, capsule, and tablet. The two one‐sided t test was used to determine bioequivalency among oral formulations with respect to logarithmic transformed estimates of AUC and maximum peak concentration (Cmax). Mean (CV) systemic clearance and Vd 22 after intravenous administration of lamivudine were 22.6 L/h (15%) and 99 L (28%), respectively; mean t1/2 ranged from 8.41 to 9.11 hours for all formulations; and MRT ranged from 4.42 to 5.77 hours for all formulations. Mean absolute bioavailability ranged from 86% to 88% for the oral solution, capsule, and tablet. All oral formulations were considered bioequivalent for AUC and Cmax. The MAT was 1.32 hour for the oral solution, and MDT was 0.03 and −0.11 hours for the capsule and oral solution, respectively. The oral formulations of lamivudine examined in this study demonstrated acceptable bioavailability for oral administration. The solid oral formulations (capsule and tablet) show rapid dissolution properties with an absorption rate similar to or exceeding those observed with the oral solution. This suggests that dissolution is not an important factor for the rate of absorption of lamivudine. The use of deconvolution techniques using PCDCON provides valuable insight into the absorption characteristics of lamivudine.

Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of Abacavir in Plasma and Intracellular Carbovir Triphosphate following Administration of Abacavir at 600 Milligrams Once Daily and 300 Milligrams Twice Daily in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Subjects

ABSTRACT Abacavir (ABC) is administered either at 600 mg once daily (ABC 600 mg QD) or 300 mg twice daily (ABC 300 mg BID) in anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) combination therapy. Although ABC plasma pharmacokinetics following each regimen has been well defined, no study has directly compared the regimens with respect to pharmacokinetics of ABCs active intracellular anabolite, carbovir-triphosphate (CBV-TP). In an open-label, two-period, crossover study, 34 HIV-infected male and female subjects stabilized on antiretroviral regimens containing either ABC 600 mg QD or ABC 300 mg BID received their usual doses on days −1 and 1 and then switched regimens for days 2 to 11. Serial blood samples collected on days 1 and 11 were assayed for plasma ABC and intracellular CBV-TP concentrations using validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. Analysis of variance with a mixed-effect model was performed for treatment and gender comparisons. In 27 evaluable subjects, the regimens provided bioequivalent ABC daily areas under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24) and comparable CBV-TP concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (Cτ). As expected, ABC QD resulted in 109% higher ABC maximum concentrations of drug in plasma (Cmax) than did ABC BID. ABC QD also resulted in 32% higher CBV-TP AUC0-24 and 99% higher CBV-TP Cmax than did ABC BID. Females had a 38% higher weight-adjusted ABC AUC0-24 and 81% higher weight-adjusted CBV-TP AUC0-24 than did males. Virologic suppression was maintained during regimen switch, and no tolerability differences between regimens were observed. In conclusion, this study showed that ABC 600 mg QD and ABC 300 mg BID regimens led to similar intracellular CBV-TP Cτ values, thus providing pharmacokinetic support for the interchangeability of these two regimens. Women had higher intracellular CBV-TP exposure than did men.

A comparison of the steady-state pharmacokinetics and safety of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine taken as a triple combination tablet and as abacavir plus a lamivudine-zidovudine double combination tablet by HIV-1-infected adults.

Study Objective. To investigate the steady‐state pharmacokinetics of a triple combination tablet containing abacavir (ABC) 300 mg, lamivudine (3TC) 150 mg, and zidovudine (ZDV) 300 mg taken twice/day, and those of ABC 300 mg twice/day plus a double combination tablet containing 3TC 150 mg and ZDV 300 mg twice/day (ABC‐COM).

A Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Nelfinavir Mesylate in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients Enrolled in a Phase III Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted on nelfinavir in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who were enrolled in a phase III clinical trial. The data consisted of 509 plasma concentrations from 174 patients who received nelfinavir at a dose of 500 or 750 mg three times a day. The analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling as implemented in NONMEM (version 4.0; double precision). A one-compartment model with first-order absorption best described the data. The timing and small number of early postdose blood levels did not allow accurate estimation of volume of distribution (V/F) and the absorption rate constant (ka). As a result, two models were used to analyze the data: model 1, in which oral clearance (CL/F),V/F, and ka were estimated, and model 2, in which V/F and ka were fixed to known values and only CL/F was estimated. Estimates of CL/F ranged from 41.9 to 45.1 liters/h, values in close agreement with previous studies. Neither body weight, age, sex, race, dose level, baseline viral load, metabolite-to-parent drug plasma concentration ratio, history of liver disease, nor elevated results of liver function tests appeared to be significant covariates for clearance. The only significant covariate-parameter relationship was concomitant use of fluconazole on CL/F, which was associated with a modest reduction in interindividual variability of CL/F. Patients who received concomitant therapy with fluconazole had a statistically significant reduction in nelfinavir CL/F of 26 to 30%. Since serious dose-limiting toxicity and concentration-related toxicities are not apparent for nelfinavir, this effect of fluconazole is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

Differential Extracellular and Intracellular Concentrations of Zidovudine and Lamivudine in Semen and Plasma of HIV-1–Infected Men

Objectives:To quantitate extracellular and intracellular zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine (3TC) concentrations in blood and semen of HIV-1-infected men. Design:Nonblind, single-center, open-label pharmacokinetic (PK) study in 14 subjects receiving ZDV plus 3TC. Methods:Paired blood and semen samples were obtained during 1 intensive visit and 3 single time point visits over 2 weeks. Extracellular ZDV and 3TC concentrations were measured in blood plasma (BP) and seminal plasma (SP), and intracellular ZDV and 3TC triphosphate (TP) concentrations were measured in isolated mononuclear cells using validated methods. HIV-1 RNA was measured in blood and semen. PK parameters were estimated using noncompartmental analysis. Results:Median (interquartile range [IQR]) SP/BP area under the time-concentration curve over the 12-hour dosing interval (AUC0-12h) ratios for ZDV and 3TC were 2.28 (1.48 to 2.97) and 6.67 (4.10 to 9.14), respectively, whereas individual SP/BP concentration ratios ranged from 1.9 to 91.4. Intracellular median (IQR) SP/BP AUC0-12h ratios for ZDV-TP and 3TC-TP were 0.36 (0.30 to 0.37) and 1.0 (0.62 to 1.30), respectively, whereas individual SP/BP concentration ratios ranged from 0.11 to 2.9. HIV-1 RNA was undetectable in both compartments. Conclusions:ZDV and 3TC SP exposures are 2- to 6-fold greater than BP exposures. Seminal ZDV-TP exposures are ∼40% of those found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whereas 3TC-TP exposures are similar to PBMC exposures. PK variability makes individual SP/BP ratios a suboptimal surrogate for genital tract exposure.

Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudme As a Combined Formulation Tablet: Bioequivalence Compared with Each Component Administered Concurrently and the Effect of Food on Absorption

A single‐center, open‐label, three‐way crossover study was conducted in 24 healthy subjects to assess (1) the bioequivalence of a combined abacavir 300 mg/lamivudine 150 mg/zidovudine 300 mg (A/L/Z) combination tablet relative to the separate brand‐name components administered simultaneously and (2) the effect of food on the bioavailability of the drugs from the combination tablet. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive each of the following three treatments, separated by a 2‐day washout period: one A/L/Z combination tablet after an overnight fast, one abacavir 300 mg tablet + one lamivudine 150 mg tablet + one zidovudine 300 mg tablet sequentially after an overnight fast, or one A/L/Z combination tablet 5 minutes after completing a standardized high‐fat breakfast (67 g fat, 58 g carbohydrate, and 33 g protein). Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 hours postdose for determination of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine serum concentrations. Standard pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Treatments were considered bioequivalent if 90% confidence intervals (CI) for geometric least squares (GLS) mean ratios for abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine area under the serum concentration‐time curve (AUC∞) and maximum observed serum concentration (Cmax) fell entirely within 0.80 to 1.25 for log‐transformed parameters. The combined A/L/Z tablet was bioequivalent in the extent (AUC∞) and rate of absorption (Cmax and time of Cmax [tmax]) to the individual brand‐name drug components administered concurrently under fasted conditions. GLS ratios and 90% CI for AUC∞ and Cmax were 0.99 (0.96, 1.03) and 1.00 (0.90, 1.11), respectively, for abacavir; 0.95 (0.91, 0.99) and 0.90 (0.84, 0.99), respectively, for lamivudine; and 0.95 (0.89,1.02) and 0.96(0.80,1.15), respectively, for zidovudine. The extent of absorption of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine from the combination tablet was not altered byadministration with meals, indicating that this formulation may be administered with or without food. However, food slowed the rate of absorption, delayed the tmax, and reduced the Cmax of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine. These changes, which were consistent with those observed with the individual reference formulations when administered with food, were not considered clinically important. All formulations were well tolerated under fasted and fed conditions.

Coadministration of esomeprazole with fosamprenavir has no impact on steady-state plasma amprenavir pharmacokinetics

Objectives: To evaluate the drug interaction between fosamprenavir (FPV) and esomeprazole (ESO) after repeated doses in healthy adults. Methods: Subjects received ESO 20 mg once daily (qd) for 7 days followed by either ESO 20 mg qd + FPV 1400 mg twice daily (bid) or ESO 20 mg qd + FPV 700 mg bid + ritonavir (RTV) 100 mg bid for 14 days in arms 1 and 2, respectively. After a 21- to 28-day washout, subjects received either FPV 1400 mg bid for 14 days (arm 1) or FPV 700 mg bid + RTV 100 mg bid for 14 days (arm 2). Pharmacokinetic sampling was conducted on the last day of each treatment. Results: Simultaneous coadministration of ESO 20 mg qdwith either FPV 1400 mg bid or FPV 700 mg bid + RTV 100 mg bid had no effect on steady-state amprenavir pharmacokinetics. The only effect on plasma ESO exposure was a 55% increase in area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosing interval, &tgr;[AUC(0-&tgr;)], after coadministration of ESO 20 mg qd with FPV 1400 mg bid. Conclusions: FPV 1400 mg bid or FPV 700 mg bid + RTV 100 mg bid may be coadministered simultaneously with ESO without dose adjustment. However, the impact of staggered administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) on plasma amprenavir exposure is unknown at present.

Pharmacokinetic Interaction between Fosamprenavir-Ritonavir and Rifabutin in Healthy Subjects

ABSTRACT Rifabutin (RFB) is administered for treatment of tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex infection, including use for patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Increased systemic exposure to RFB and its equipotent active metabolite, 25-O-desacetyl-RFB (dAc-RFB), has been reported during concomitant administration of CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ritonavir (RTV), lopinavir, and amprenavir (APV); therefore, a reduction in the RFB dosage is recommended when it is coadministered with these protease inhibitors. Fosamprenavir (FPV), the phosphate ester prodrug of the HIV type 1 protease inhibitor APV, is administered either with or without RTV. A randomized, open-label, two-period, two-sequence, balanced, crossover drug interaction study was conducted with 22 healthy adult subjects to compare steady-state plasma RFB pharmacokinetic parameters during concomitant administration of FPV-RTV (700/100 mg twice a day [BID]) with a 75%-reduced RFB dose (150 mg every other day [QOD]) to the standard RFB regimen (300 mg once per day [QD]) by geometric least-squares mean ratios. Relative to results with RFB (300 mg QD), coadministration of dose-adjusted RFB with FPV-RTV resulted in an unchanged RFB area under the concentration-time curve for 0 to 48 h (AUC0-48) and a 14% decrease in the maximum concentration of drug in plasma (Cmax), whereas the AUC0-48 and Cmax of dAc-RFB were increased by 11- and 6-fold, respectively, resulting in a 64% increase in the total antimycobacterial AUC0-48. Relative to historical controls, the plasma APV AUC from 0 h to the end of the dosing interval (AUC0-τ) and Cmax were increased ∼35%, and the concentration at the end of the dosing interval at steady state was unchanged following coadministration of RFB with FPV-RTV. The safety profile of the combination of RFB and FPV-RTV was consistent with previously described events with RFB or FPV-RTV alone. Based on the results of this study, a reduction in the RFB dose by ≥75% (to 150 mg QOD or three times per week) is recommended when it is coadministered with FPV-RTV (700/100 mg BID).