Michael M. Kitt

Telavancin Versus Vancomycin for the Treatment of Complicated Skin and Skin-Structure Infections Caused by Gram-Positive Organisms

BACKGROUNDnTelavancin is an investigational, rapidly bactericidal lipoglycopeptide with a multifunctional mechanism of action.nnnMETHODSnWe conducted 2 parallel, randomized, double-blind, active-control, phase 3 studies with a prespecified pooled analysis design. Patients aged > or = 18 years who had complicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by suspected or confirmed gram-positive organisms were randomized to receive either telavancin (10 mg/kg intravenously every 24 h) or vancomycin (1 g intravenously every 12 h).nnnRESULTSnA total of 1867 patients were randomized and received > or = 1 dose of study medication. In the clinically evaluable population, at 7-14 days after receipt of the last antibiotic dose, success was achieved in 88% and 87% of patients who received telavancin and vancomycin, respectively (95% confidence interval for the difference, -2.1 to 4.6). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated at baseline from samples from 579 clinically evaluable patients. Among these patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection, cure rates were 91% among patients who received telavancin and 86% among patients who received vancomycin (95% confidence interval for the difference, -1.1 to 9.3). Microbiologic eradication among patients infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus was 90% in the telavancin treatment group and 85% in the vancomycin treatment group (95% confidence interval for the difference, -0.9 to 9.8). Therapy was discontinued because of adverse events in 8% and 6% of patients who received telavancin and vancomycin, respectively. Except for mild taste disturbance, nausea, vomiting, and serum creatinine concentration elevation in the telavancin treatment group and pruritus in the vancomycin treatment group, adverse events were similar between groups with regard to type and severity.nnnCONCLUSIONSnTelavancin given once daily is at least as effective as vancomycin for the treatment of patients with complicated skin and skin-structure infections, including those infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus.

Telavancin versus Vancomycin for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia due to Gram-positive Pathogens

The results from two methodologically identical double-blind studies indicate that telavancin is noninferior to vancomycin based on clinical response in the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia due to Gram-positive pathogens.

Telavancin Versus Standard Therapy for Treatment of Complicated Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections Due to Gram-Positive Bacteria

BACKGROUNDnTelavancin, a novel lipoglycopeptide, exerts concentration-dependent, rapid bactericidal activity on account of its multiple mechanisms of action. Telavancin is highly active against gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-intermediate, and vancomycin-resistant strains.nnnMETHODSnWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled, phase-2 clinical trial. Patients > or = 18 years of age with a diagnosis of complicated skin and soft-tissue infection caused by suspected or confirmed gram-positive organisms were randomized to receive either intravenously administered telavancin once daily or standard therapy (antistaphylococcal penicillin 4 times daily or vancomycin twice daily).nnnRESULTSnFor the study, 167 patients were randomized and received at least 1 dose of study medication. Success rates were similar in all analysis populations at the test-of-cure evaluation. Of patients with S. aureus infection at baseline (n = 102), 80% of the telavancin group were cured and 77% of the standard therapy group were cured. For patients with MRSA infection at baseline (n = 48), cure rates were 82% for the telavancin group and 69% for the standard therapy group. Microbiologic eradication in patients with MRSA infection was 84% for the telavancin group versus 74% for the standard therapy group. MIC90 values were lower for telavancin in all tested strains of S. aureus (< or = 0.25 ug/mL) compared with the MIC90 values for vancomycin and oxacillin. Similar proportions of patients discontinued therapy for adverse events in both treatment groups (approximately 5%). Fewer serious adverse events were reported in the telavancin group (4 events) than were for the standard therapy group (9).nnnCONCLUSIONnClinical and microbiological results of this study support the further development of telavancin, especially for treatment of infection due to MRSA.

Telavancin versus Standard Therapy for Treatment of Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections Caused by Gram-Positive Bacteria: FAST 2 Study

ABSTRACT Telavancin is a bactericidal lipoglycopeptide with a multifunctional mechanism of action. We conducted a randomized, double blind, active-control phase II trial. Patients ≥18 years of age with complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by suspected or confirmed gram-positive organisms were randomized to receive either telavancin at 10 mg/kg intravenously every 24 h (q24h) or standard therapy (antistaphylococcal penicillin at 2 g q6h or vancomycin at 1 g q12h). A total of 195 patients were randomized and received at least one dose of study medication. Clinical success rates were similar in all analysis populations at test of cure. In microbiologically evaluable patients with Staphylococcus aureus at baseline (n = 91), 96% of the telavancin group and 90% of the standard-therapy group were cured. Among patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) at baseline (n = 45), clinical cure rates were also 96% for telavancin and 90% for standard therapy. Microbiologic eradication in patients with S. aureus infection was better with telavancin compared to standard therapy (92% versus 78%, P = 0.07) and significantly better in patients with MRSA (92% versus 68%; P = 0.04). Therapy was discontinued for an adverse event (AE) in 6% and 3% of the patients receiving telavancin and standard therapy, respectively. Except for two cases of rash in the telavancin group, these AEs were similar in type and severity in the two groups. The overall incidences and severities of AEs and laboratory abnormalities were similar between the two groups. These data support the ongoing studies assessing the efficacy and safety of telavancin in the treatment of serious gram-positive infections, particularly involving MRSA.

Clinical trial: the efficacy and tolerability of velusetrag, a selective 5‐HT4 agonist with high intrinsic activity, in chronic idiopathic constipation – a 4‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, dose–response study

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 1102–1112

Intrapulmonary Distribution of Intravenous Telavancin in Healthy Subjects and Effect of Pulmonary Surfactant on In Vitro Activities of Telavancin and Other Antibiotics

ABSTRACT Steady-state concentrations of telavancin, a novel, bactericidal lipoglycopeptide, were determined in the plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar macrophages (AMs) of 20 healthy subjects. Telavancin at 10 mg of drug/kg of body weight/day was administered as a 1-h intravenous infusion on three successive days, with bronchoalveolar lavage performed on five subjects, each at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after the last dose. Plasma samples were collected before the first and third infusions and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after the third infusion. The plasma telavancin concentration-time profile was as reported previously. Telavancin (mean ± standard deviation) penetrated well into ELF (3.73 ± 1.28 μg/ml at 8 h and 0.89 ± 1.03 μg/ml at 24 h) and extensively into AMs (19.0 ± 16.8 μg/ml at 8 h, 45.0 ± 22.4 μg/ml at 12 h, and 42.0 ± 31.4 μg/ml at 24 h). Mean concentrations in AMs and plasma at 12 h were 45.0 μg/ml and 22.9 μg/ml (mean AM/plasma ratio, 1.93), respectively, and at 24 h were 42.0 μg/ml and 7.28 μg/ml (mean AM/plasma ratio, 6.67), respectively. Over the entire dosing interval, telavancin was present in ELF and AMs at concentrations up to 8-fold and 85-fold, respectively, above its MIC90 for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (0.5 μg/ml). Pulmonary surfactant did not affect telavancins in vitro antibacterial activity. Telavancin was well tolerated. These results support the proposal for further clinical evaluation of telavancin for treating gram-positive respiratory infections.

Effects of a new antibacterial, telavancin, on cardiac repolarization (QTc interval duration) in healthy subjects

Telavancin is a rapidly bactericidal antibiotic with multiple mechanisms of action against gram‐positive bacteria. Preclinical and early clinical data suggested possible effects on cardiac repolarization requiring the conduct of a definitive evaluation of QT effects in healthy subjects. A total of 160 subjects were randomized into four groups to receive placebo (telavancin vehicle), telavancin at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg, or moxifloxacin 400 mg (positive control). All medications were administered once daily for 3 days as 60‐minute IV infusions. Sixteen ECGs were obtained over 24 hours following an infusion of D5W (baseline) and following Day 3 infusions of each medication. ECGs were analyzed digitally in a blinded fashion by a validated core ECG laboratory. The primary endpoint was QT data corrected for heart rate by the Fridericia formula (QTcF). Placebo‐corrected mean changes in QTcF values for 7.5 mg/kg telavancin, 15 mg/kg telavancin, and moxifloxacin were 4.1 msec, 4.5 msec, and 9.2 msec, respectively. The mean change from baseline in QTcF for moxifloxacin, which served as the assay‐sensitive positive control in the study, helped to establish that telavancin had a minimal effect on QT prolongation. No subject had a QTcF ≥ 450 msec, and none experienced clinically significant ECG abnormalities. The telavancin treatment groups were not significantly different from each other. There was no correlation of the magnitude of change in QTc and plasma concentrations of telavancin. Telavancin has a < 5‐msec mean effect on cardiac repolarization, with a flat‐dose response over a twofold exposure range.

Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenous telavancin in healthy male and female subjects

OBJECTIVESnThe aim of this study was to assess the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of telavancin, an investigational bactericidal lipoglycopeptide, after intravenous (iv) administration to healthy male and female subjects.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnIn a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, gender-stratified, two-dose study, 79 adult subjects received three daily 60 min iv infusions of telavancin at 7.5 mg/kg (n = 40) or 15 mg/kg (n = 39). Blood and urine samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analyses at admission, on day 3 pre-infusion and up to 48 h after the start of the day 3 infusion for 73 subjects (45 males and 28 females). Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by non-compartmental analysis.nnnRESULTSnFollowing the day 3 telavancin dose (7.5 or 15 mg/kg), dose-proportional increases in mean peak plasma concentrations (C(max), 88 versus 186 mg/L for low and high doses, respectively) and total systemic exposures (AUC(0-24), 599 versus 1282 mg.h/L for low and high doses, respectively) were observed. Trough concentrations at steady state were 6 mg/L at 7.5 mg/kg/day and 16 mg/L at 15 mg/kg/day. The elimination half-life was dose-independent; the mean +/- SD ranged from 6.0 +/- 0.6 to 7.5 +/- 1.3 h for low and high doses, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of the total telavancin dose was excreted unchanged in urine over 48 h. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in males and females.nnnCONCLUSIONSnTelavancin displayed linear plasma pharmacokinetics over the dose range 7.5-15 mg/kg/day and was primarily cleared via urinary excretion. No gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetic disposition of telavancin were observed. These data further characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of telavancin, a once-daily therapy targeted for the treatment of serious Gram-positive infections.

A randomized Phase 2 trial of telavancin versus standard therapy in patients with uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: the ASSURE study.

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus bacteremia is a common infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Telavancin is a bactericidal lipoglycopeptide active against Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). We conducted a randomized, double-blind, Phase 2 trial in patients with uncomplicated S. aureus bacteremia.MethodsPatients were randomized to either telavancin or standard therapy (vancomycin or anti-staphylococcal penicillin) for 14xa0days. Continuation criteria were set to avoid complicated S. aureus bacteremia. The primary end point was clinical cure at 84xa0days.ResultsIn total, 60 patients were randomized and 58 received ≥1 study medication dose (all-treated), 31 patients fulfilled inclusion/exclusion and continuation criteria (all-treated target [ATT]) (telavancin 15, standard therapy 16), and 17 patients were clinically evaluable (CE) (telavancin 8, standard therapy 9). Mean age (ATT) was 60xa0years. Intravenous catheters were the most common source of S. aureus bacteremia and ~50% of patients had MRSA. A similar proportion of CE patients were cured in the telavancin (88%) and standard therapy (89%) groups. All patients with MRSA bacteremia were cured and one patient with MSSA bacteremia failed study treatment in each group. Although adverse events (AEs) were more common in the telavancin ATT group (90% vs. 72%), AEs leading to drug discontinuation were similar (7%) in both treatment arms. Potentially clinically significant increases in serum creatinine (≥1.5xa0mg/dl and at least 50% greater than baseline) were more common in the telavancin group (20% vs. 7%).ConclusionsThis study suggests that telavancin may have utility for treatment of uncomplicated S. aureus bacteremia; additional studies are warranted. (Telavancin for Treatment of Uncomplicated Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia (ASSURE); NCT00062647).

Telavancin versus vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections associated with surgical procedures

BACKGROUNDnWe compared telavancin with vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSI) caused by Gram-positive bacteria.nnnMETHODSnThis was a retrospective analysis of clinical and microbiologic efficacy assessed at test-of-cure (7 to 14 days after completing therapy) in 194 patients from 2 randomized, double-blind clinical trials comparing telavancin (10 mg/kg intravenous [IV] every 24 hours; n = 101) with vancomycin (1 g IV every 12 hours; n = 93) for the treatment of cSSSI.nnnRESULTSnBaseline characteristics were similar for both treatment groups. Clinical cure and microbiologic eradication rates demonstrated consistent trends favoring telavancin over vancomycin; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The incidence of adverse events was mostly similar between groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe efficacy of telavancin was at least equivalent to that of vancomycin for the treatment of cSSSI. These data suggest that telavancin may be a useful alternative for treatment of cSSSI caused by S. aureus, particularly MRSA.