Julie A. Stone

Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Caspofungin in Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT Caspofungin is a parenteral antifungal that inhibits beta-1,3-d-glucan synthesis. Although licensed for adult use, the appropriate caspofungin dosing regimen in pediatric patients is not yet known. We therefore investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of caspofungin in pediatric patients. Thirty-nine children (ages 2 to 11 years) and adolescents (ages 12 to 17 years) with neutropenia were administered caspofungin using either a weight-based regimen (1 mg/kg of body weight/day) or a body surface area regimen (50 mg/m2/day or 70 mg/m2/day). Plasma samples for caspofungin profiles were collected on days 1 and 4. These results were compared to those from adults treated with either 50 or 70 mg/day for mucosal candidiasis. In children receiving 1 mg/kg/day (maximum, 50 mg/day), the area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h (AUC0-24) was significantly smaller (46% after multiple doses) than that observed in adults receiving 50 mg/day (P < 0.001). In children and adolescents receiving 50 mg/m2/day (maximum, 70 mg/day), the AUC0-24 following multiple doses was similar to that for the exposure in adults receiving 50 mg/day. The AUC0-24 and concentration trough (at 24 h) in pediatric patients receiving the 50-mg/m2 daily regimen were consistent across the range of ages. Caspofungin was generally well tolerated in this study. None of the patients developed a serious drug-related adverse event or were discontinued for toxicity. These results demonstrate that caspofungin at 1 mg/kg/day in pediatric patients is suboptimal. Caspofungin administration at 50 mg/m2/day provides a comparable exposure to that of adult patients treated with 50 mg/day.

Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Raltegravir After Single and Multiple Doses in Healthy Subjects

Raltegravir is a novel human immunodeficiency virus‐1 integrase inhibitor with potent in vitro activity (95% inhibitory concentration (IC95)=33 nM in 50% human serum). Three double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, pharmacokinetic, safety, and tolerability studies were conducted: (1) single‐dose escalation study (10–1,600 mg), (2) multiple‐dose escalation study (100–800 mg q12 h×10 days), and (3) single‐dose female study (400 mg). Raltegravir was rapidly absorbed with a terminal half‐life (t½) ∼7–12 h. Approximately 7–14% of raltegravir was excreted unchanged in urine. Area under the curve (AUC)0–∞ was similar between male and female subjects. After multiple‐dose administration, steady state was achieved within 2 days; there was little to modest accumulation of raltegravir. Trough levels were >33 nM for dose levels of 100 mg and greater. Raltegravir is generally well tolerated at doses of up to 1,600 mg/day given for up to 10 days and exhibits a pharmacokinetic profile supportive of twice‐daily dosing with multiple doses of 100 mg and greater achieving trough levels >33 nM.

Effect of the Cathepsin K Inhibitor Odanacatib on Bone Resorption Biomarkers in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: Two Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Phase I Studies

Inhibition of cathepsin K (CatK) is a potential new treatment for osteoporosis. In two double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled phase I studies, postmenopausal female subjects received odanacatib (ODN), an orally active, potent, and selective CatK inhibitor, once weekly for 3 weeks or once daily for 21 days. Bone turnover biomarkers, safety monitoring, and plasma ODN concentrations were assessed. These studies showed ODN to be well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis revealed a long half‐life (t1/2; 66–93 h) consistent with once‐weekly dosing. Pronounced reductions in C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (~62%) and N‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen normalized to creatinine (NTx/Cr) (~62%) at trough (C168 h) were seen following weekly administration. Robust reductions in CTx (up to 81%) and NTx/Cr (up to 81%) were seen following daily administration. ODN exhibits robust and sustained suppression of bone resorption biomarkers (CTx and NTx/Cr) at weekly doses ≥25 mg and daily doses ≥2.5 mg.

Effect of Rifampin, a Potent Inducer of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes, on the Pharmacokinetics of Raltegravir

ABSTRACT Raltegravir is a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor that is metabolized by glucuronidation via UGT1A1 and may be affected by inducers of UGT1A1, such as rifampin (rifampicin). Two pharmacokinetic studies were performed in healthy subjects: study 1 examined the effect of administration of 600-mg rifampin once daily on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of 400-mg raltegravir, and study 2 examined the effect of 600-mg rifampin once daily on the pharmacokinetics of 800-mg raltegravir twice daily compared to 400-mg raltegravir twice daily without rifampin. Raltegravir coadministered with rifampin resulted in lower plasma raltegravir concentrations: in study 1, the geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs) for the plasma raltegravir concentration determined 12 h postdose (C12), area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to ∞ (AUC0-∞), and maximum concentration of drug in plasma (Cmax) (400-mg raltegravir plus rifampin/400-mg raltegravir) were 0.39 (0.30, 0.51), 0.60 (0.39, 0.91), and 0.62 (0.37, 1.04), respectively. In study 2, the GMRs and 90% CIs for raltegravir C12, AUC0-12, and Cmax (800-mg raltegravir plus rifampin/400-mg raltegravir) were 0.47 (0.36, 0.61), 1.27 (0.94, 1.71), and 1.62 (1.12, 2.33), respectively. Doubling the raltegravir dose to 800 mg when coadministered with rifampin therefore compensates for the effect of rifampin on raltegravir exposure (AUC0-12) but does not overcome the effect of rifampin on raltegravir trough concentrations (C12). Coadministration of rifampin and raltegravir is not contraindicated; however, caution should be used, since raltegravir trough concentrations in the presence of rifampin are likely to be at the lower limit of clinical experience.

Disposition of Caspofungin: Role of Distribution in Determining Pharmacokinetics in Plasma

ABSTRACT The disposition of caspofungin, a parenteral antifungal drug, was investigated. Following a single, 1-h, intravenous infusion of 70 mg (200 μCi) of [3H]caspofungin to healthy men, plasma, urine, and feces were collected over 27 days in study A (n = 6) and plasma was collected over 26 weeks in study B (n = 7). Supportive data were obtained from a single-dose [3H]caspofungin tissue distribution study in rats (n = 3 animals/time point). Over 27 days in humans, 75.4% of radioactivity was recovered in urine (40.7%) and feces (34.4%). A long terminal phase (t1/2 = 14.6 days) characterized much of the plasma drug profile of radioactivity, which remained quantifiable to 22.3 weeks. Mass balance calculations indicated that radioactivity in tissues peaked at 1.5 to 2 days at ∼92% of the dose, and the rate of radioactivity excretion peaked at 6 to 7 days. Metabolism and excretion of caspofungin were very slow processes, and very little excretion or biotransformation occurred in the first 24 to 30 h postdose. Most of the area under the concentration-time curve of caspofungin was accounted for during this period, consistent with distribution-controlled clearance. The apparent distribution volume during this period indicated that this distribution process is uptake into tissue cells. Radioactivity was widely distributed in rats, with the highest concentrations in liver, kidney, lung, and spleen. Liver exhibited an extended uptake phase, peaking at 24 h with 35% of total dose in liver. The plasma profile of caspofungin is determined primarily by the rate of distribution of caspofungin from plasma into tissues.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Caspofungin in Neonates and Infants Less than 3 Months of Age

ABSTRACT Candida infections represent a major threat in neonatal intensive care units. This is the first prospective study to obtain caspofungin plasma levels and safety data for neonates and very young infants. Patients of <3 months of age receiving intravenous amphotericin B for documented or highly suspected candidiasis were enrolled in a single-dose (n = 6) or subsequent multiple-dose (n = 12) panel; all received caspofungin at 25 mg/m2 once daily as a 1-hour infusion. Caspofungin plasma levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and compared to historical data from adults. Patient chronological ages ranged from 1 to 11 weeks, and weights ranged from 0.68 to 3.8 kg. Gestational ages ranged from 24 to 41 weeks. Geometric mean (GM) peak (C1 h) and trough (C24 h) caspofungin levels were 8.2 and 1.8 μg/ml, respectively, on day 1, and 11.1 and 2.4 μg/ml, respectively, on day 4. GM ratios for C1 h and C24 h for neonates/infants relative to adults receiving caspofungin at 50 mg/day were 1.07 and 1.36, respectively, on day 1, and 1.18 and 1.21, respectively, on day 4. Clinical and laboratory adverse events occurred in 17 (94%) and 8 (44%) patients, respectively. Five patients (28%) had serious adverse events, none of which were considered drug related. Caspofungin at 25 mg/m2 once daily was well tolerated in this group of neonates/infants of <3 months of age and appears to provide relatively similar plasma exposure to that obtained in adults receiving 50 mg/day. However, the small number of patients studied precludes any definitive recommendations about caspofungin dosing for this group comprising a broad range of ages and weights.

The BACE1 inhibitor verubecestat (MK-8931) reduces CNS β-amyloid in animal models and in Alzheimer’s disease patients

The BACE1 inhibitor verubecestat safely reduces β-amyloid deposition in rats, monkeys, healthy human subjects, and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Getting to first BACE The discovery of BACE1 inhibitors that reduce β-amyloid peptides in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients has been an encouraging development in the quest for a disease-modifying therapy. Kennedy and colleagues now report the discovery of verubecestat, a structurally unique, orally bioavailable small molecule that potently inhibits brain BACE1 activity resulting in a reduction in Aβ peptides in the cerebrospinal fluid of animals, healthy volunteers, and AD patients. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in chronic animal toxicology studies or in phase 1 human studies, thus reducing safety concerns raised by previous reports of BACE inhibitors and BACE1 knockout mice. β-Amyloid (Aβ) peptides are thought to be critically involved in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aspartyl protease β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is required for the production of Aβ, and BACE1 inhibition is thus an attractive target for the treatment of AD. We show that verubecestat (MK-8931) is a potent, selective, structurally unique BACE1 inhibitor that reduced plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and brain concentrations of Aβ40, Aβ42, and sAPPβ (a direct product of BACE1 enzymatic activity) after acute and chronic administration to rats and monkeys. Chronic treatment of rats and monkeys with verubecestat achieved exposures >40-fold higher than those being tested in clinical trials in AD patients yet did not elicit many of the adverse effects previously attributed to BACE inhibition, such as reduced nerve myelination, neurodegeneration, altered glucose homeostasis, or hepatotoxicity. Fur hypopigmentation was observed in rabbits and mice but not in monkeys. Single and multiple doses were generally well tolerated and produced reductions in Aβ40, Aβ42, and sAPPβ in the CSF of both healthy human subjects and AD patients. The human data were fit to an amyloid pathway model that provided insight into the Aβ pools affected by BACE1 inhibition and guided the choice of doses for subsequent clinical trials.

Lack of a Pharmacokinetic Effect of Raltegravir on Midazolam: In Vitro/In Vivo Correlation

Raltegravir is a novel HIV‐1 integrase inhibitor with potent in vitro activity (95% inhibitory concentration = 33 nM in 50% human serum). In vitro characterization of raltegravir inhibition potential was assessed against a panel of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. An open‐label, 2‐period study was conducted to assess the effect of raltegravir on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a sensitive CYP 3A4 probe substrate: period 1, 2.0 mg of midazolam; period 2, 400 mg of raltegravir every 12 hours for 14 days with 2.0 mg of midazolam on day 14. There was no meaningful in vitro effect of raltegravir on inhibition of a panel of CYP enzymes and induction of CYP 3A4. In the presence of raltegravir, midazolam area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0‐infin) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) geometric mean ratios were similar (geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals: 0.92 [0.82, 1.03] (P = .208) and 1.03 [0.87, 1.22] (P = .751), respectively). No substantial differences were observed in Tmax (P = .750) or apparent half‐life (P = .533) of midazolam. Plasma levels of midazolam were not substantially affected by raltegravir, which implies that raltegravir is not a clinically important inducer or inhibitor of CYP 3A4 and that raltegravir would not be expected to affect the pharmacokinetics of other drugs metabolized by CYP 3A4 to a clinically meaningful extent.

Atazanavir Modestly Increases Plasma Levels of Raltegravir in Healthy Subjects

Raltegravir is an HIV integrase inhibitor that is metabolized through glucuronidation by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, and its use is anticipated in combination with atazanavir (a uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 inhibitor). Two pharmacokinetic studies of healthy subjects assessed the effect of multiple-dose atazanavir or ritonavir-boosted atazanavir on raltegravir levels in plasma. Atazanavir and atazanavir plus ritonavir modestly increase plasma levels of raltegravir.

Minimal Pharmacokinetic Interaction between the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Etravirine and the Integrase Inhibitor Raltegravir in Healthy Subjects

ABSTRACT Etravirine, a next-generation nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and raltegravir, an integrase strand transfer inhibitor, have separately demonstrated potent activity in treatment-experienced, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. An open-label, sequential, three-period study with healthy, HIV-seronegative subjects was conducted to assess the two-way interaction between etravirine and raltegravir for potential coadministration to HIV-infected patients. In period 1, 19 subjects were administered 400 mg raltegravir every 12 h (q12 h) for 4 days, followed by a 4-day washout; in period 2, subjects were administered 200 mg etravirine q12 h for 8 days; and in period 3, subjects were coadministered 400 mg raltegravir and 200 mg etravirine q12 h for 4 days. There was no washout between periods 2 and 3. Doses were administered with a moderate-fat meal. Etravirine had only modest effects on the pharmacokinetics of raltegravir, while raltegravir had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of etravirine. For raltegravir coadministered with etravirine relative to raltegravir alone, the geometric mean ratio (GMR) and 90% confidence interval (CI) were 0.90 and 0.68 to 1.18, respectively, for the area under the concentration curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC0-12), 0.89 and 0.68 to 1.15, respectively, for the maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax), and 0.66 and 0.34 to 1.26, respectively, for the trough drug concentration (C12); the GMR (90% CI) for etravirine coadministered with raltegravir relative to etravirine alone was 1.10 (1.03, 1.16) for AUC0-12, 1.04 (0.97, 1.12) for Cmax, and 1.17 (1.10, 1.26) for C12. All drug-related adverse clinical experiences were mild and generally transient in nature. No grade 3 or 4 adverse experiences or discontinuations due to adverse experiences occurred. Coadministration of etravirine and raltegravir was generally well tolerated; the data suggest that no dose adjustment for either drug is necessary.