Timi Edeki

International Transporter Consortium Commentary on Clinically Important Transporter Polymorphisms

This Commentary focuses on genetic polymorphisms in membrane transporters. We present two polymorphisms for which there is a compelling body of literature supporting their clinical relevance: OATP1B1 (c.521T>C, p.V174A, rs4149056) and BCRP (c.421C>A, p.Q141K, rs2231142). The clinical evidence demonstrating their role in variation in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is described along with their allele frequencies in ethnic populations. Recommendations for incorporating studies of transporter polymorphisms in drug development are provided, along with the regulatory implications.

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 activity classified by SLCO1B1 genotype influences atrasentan pharmacokinetics

Our objective was to learn whether genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes or transport proteins provide a mechanistic understanding of the in vivo disposition of atrasentan, a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist.

PhRMA White Paper on ADME Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) research on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties of drugs has begun to have impact for both drug development and utilization. To provide a cross‐industry perspective on the utility of ADME PGx, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) conducted a survey of major pharmaceutical companies on their PGx practices and applications during 2003–2005. This white paper summarizes and interprets the results of the survey, highlights the contributions and applications of PGx by industrial scientists as reflected by original research publications, and discusses changes in drug labels that improve drug utilization by inclusion of PGx information. In addition, the paper includes a brief review on the clinically relevant genetic variants of drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters most relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.

Phase 1 study assessing the steady-state concentration of ceftazidime and avibactam in plasma and epithelial lining fluid following two dosing regimens

OBJECTIVES The aim of this Phase 1, open-label study (NCT01395420) was to measure and compare concentrations of ceftazidime and avibactam in bronchial epithelial lining fluid (ELF) and plasma, following administration of two different dosing regimens in healthy subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS Healthy volunteers received 2000 mg of ceftazidime + 500 mg of avibactam (n = 22) or 3000 mg of ceftazidime + 1000 mg of avibactam (n = 21), administered intravenously every 8 h for 3 days (total of nine doses). Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed once per subject, 2, 4, 6 or 8 h after the last infusion. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from individual plasma concentrations and the composite ELF concentration-time profile. Safety was assessed. RESULTS Forty-three subjects received treatment (2000 mg of ceftazidime + 500 mg of avibactam, n = 22; 3000 mg of ceftazidime + 1000 mg of avibactam, n = 21). Plasma and ELF concentrations increased dose-proportionally for both drugs, with 1.5- and 2-fold increases in AUCτ, for respective components. Ceftazidime Cmax and AUCτ in ELF were ∼ 23%-26% and 31%-32% of plasma exposure. Avibactam Cmax and AUCτ in ELF were ∼ 28%-35% and 32%-35% of plasma exposure. ELF and plasma elimination were similar for both drugs. No serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS Both ceftazidime and avibactam penetrated dose-proportionally into ELF, with ELF exposure to both drugs ∼ 30% of plasma exposure.

Assessment of the Mass Balance Recovery and Metabolite Profile of Avibactam in Humans and In Vitro Drug-Drug Interaction Potential

Avibactam, a novel non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor with activity against Ambler class A, class C, and some class D enzymes is being evaluated in combination with various β-lactam antibiotics to treat serious bacterial infections. The in vivo mass balance recovery and metabolite profile of [14C] avibactam (500 mg/1-h infusion) was assessed in six healthy male subjects, and a series of in vitro experiments evaluated the metabolism and drug-drug interaction potential of avibactam. In the mass balance study, measurement of plasma avibactam (using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method) and total radioactivity in plasma, whole blood, urine, and feces (using liquid scintillation counting) indicated that most of the avibactam was excreted unchanged in urine within 12 hours, with recovery complete (>97% of the administered dose) within 96 hours. Geometric mean avibactam renal clearance (158 ml/min) was greater than the product of unbound fraction of drug and glomerular filtration rate (109.5 ml/min), suggesting that active tubular secretion accounted for some renal elimination. There was no evidence of metabolism in plasma and urine, with unchanged avibactam the major component in both matrices. Avibactam demonstrated in vitro substrate potential for organic anion transporters 1 and 3 (OAT1 and OAT3) proteins expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells (Km > 1000 μM; >10-fold the Cmax of a therapeutic dose), which could account for the active tubular secretion observed in vivo. Avibactam uptake by OAT1 and OAT3 was inhibited by probenecid, a potent OAT1/OAT3 inhibitor. Avibactam did not interact with various other membrane transport proteins or cytochrome P450 enzymes in vitro, suggesting it has limited propensity for drug–drug interactions involving cytochrome P450 enzymes.

A placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-escalation study to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of single and multiple intravenous infusions of AZD9773 in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

IntroductionTumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), an early mediator in the systemic inflammatory response to infection, is a potential therapeutic target in sepsis. The primary objective of this study was to determine the safety and tolerability of AZD9773, an ovine, polyclonal, anti-human TNF-α Fab preparation, in patients with severe sepsis. Secondary outcomes related to pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters.MethodsIn this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Phase IIa study, patients were sequentially enrolled into five escalating-dose cohorts (single doses of 50 or 250 units/kg; multiple doses of 250 units/kg loading and 50 units/kg maintenance, 500 units/kg loading and 100 units/kg maintenance, or 750 units/kg loading and 250 units/kg maintenance). In each cohort, patients were randomized 2:1 to receive AZD9773 or placebo.ResultsSeventy patients received AZD9773 (n = 47) or placebo (n = 23). Baseline characteristics were similar across cohorts. Mean baseline APACHE score was 25.9. PK data demonstrated an approximately proportional increase in concentration with increasing dose and a terminal half-life of 20 hours. For the multiple-dose cohorts, serum TNF-α concentrations decreased to near-undetectable levels within two hours of commencing AZD9773 infusion. This suppression was maintained in most patients for the duration of treatment. AZD9773 was well tolerated. Most adverse events were of mild-to-moderate intensity and considered by the reporting investigator as unrelated to study treatment.ConclusionsThe safety, PK and PD data support the continued evaluation of AZD9773 in larger Phase IIb/III studies.

Randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the impact on QT/QTc interval of supratherapeutic doses of ceftazidime–avibactam or ceftaroline fosamil–avibactam

Potential effects of supratherapeutic doses of intravenous (IV) ceftazidime–avibactam and ceftaroline fosamil–avibactam on cardiac repolarization were assessed in a thorough QT/QTc study. This was a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, four‐period crossover Phase I study (NCT01290900) in healthy males (n = 51). Subjects received, in randomized order and separated by ≥3 days washout: single doses of IV ceftaroline fosamil 1,500 mg with avibactam 2,000 mg; IV ceftazidime 3,000 mg with avibactam 2,000 mg; oral moxifloxacin 400 mg (open‐label positive control); and IV placebo (saline). Least square mean and two‐sided 90% confidence intervals (CI) for change from baseline in Fridericia‐corrected QT interval (ΔQTcF) for active treatments versus placebo were estimated at 10 time points over 24 hours. The upper bound of the two‐sided 90% CI for placebo‐corrected ΔQTcF did not exceed 10 milliseconds at any time point over 24 hours for ceftaroline fosamil–avibactam or ceftazidime–avibactam. The lower bound of the two‐sided 90% CI for the difference between moxifloxacin and placebo in ΔQTcF over 1–4 hours was >5 milliseconds, confirming assay sensitivity. Pharmacokinetics results confirmed achievement of supratherapeutic plasma concentrations. No safety concerns were raised. In conclusion, supratherapeutic doses of ceftaroline fosamil–avibactam or ceftazidime–avibactam were not associated with QT/QTc prolongation in this study population.

Randomized pharmacokinetic and drug-drug interaction studies of ceftazidime, avibactam, and metronidazole in healthy subjects

We assessed pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of ceftazidime–avibactam administered ± metronidazole, and whether drug–drug interactions exist between ceftazidime and avibactam, or ceftazidime‐avibactam and metronidazole. The first study (NCT01430910) involved two cohorts of healthy subjects. Cohort 1 received ceftazidime–avibactam (2000–500 mg) as a single infusion or as multiple intravenous infusions over 11 days to evaluate ceftazidime–avibactam pharmacokinetics. Cohort 2 received ceftazidime, avibactam, or ceftazidime–avibactam over 4 days to assess drug–drug interaction between ceftazidime and avibactam. The second study (NCT01534247) assessed interaction between ceftazidime–avibactam and metronidazole in subjects receiving ceftazidime–avibactam (2000–500 mg), metronidazole (500 mg), or metronidazole followed by ceftazidime–avibactam over 4 days. In all studies, subjects received a single‐dose on the first and final days, and multiple‐doses every 8 h on intervening days. Concentration‐time profiles for ceftazidime and avibactam administered as single‐ or multiple‐doses separately or together with/without metronidazole were similar. There was no evidence of time‐dependent pharmacokinetics or accumulation. In both interaction studies, 90% confidence intervals for geometric least squares mean ratios of area under the curve and maximum plasma concentrations for each drug were within the predefined interval (80–125%) indicating no drug–drug interaction between ceftazidime and avibactam, or ceftazidime–avibactam and metronidazole. There were no safety concerns. In conclusion, pharmacokinetic parameters and safety of ceftazidime, avibactam, and metronidazole were similar after single and multiple doses with no observed drug–drug interaction between ceftazidime and avibactam, or ceftazidime–avibactam and metronidazole.

A Phase I Multiple‐Dose Escalation Study Characterizing Pharmacokinetics and Safety of ABT‐578 in Healthy Subjects

ABT‐578, a sirolimus analog, is being developed for administration from drug‐eluting stents to prevent postimplantation neointimal hyperplasia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of ABT‐578. Healthy subjects randomly received placebo or ABT‐578 (200, 400, or 800 μg) as daily intravenous infusions for 14 days. ABT‐578 blood pharmacokinetics and urine excretion on days 1 and 14 were determined. The effect of ABT‐578 on mitogen‐stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was assessed. ABT‐578 pharmacokinetics was described by a 3‐compartment open model. The mean CL, Vss, and t1/2 ranges were 4.0 to 4.6 L/h, 92.5 to 118.0 L, and 24.7 to 31.0 hours, respectively. ABT‐578 pharmacokinetics was dose and time invariant. Approximately 0.1% of ABT‐578 was excreted in the urine. ABT‐578 was well tolerated, and no systemic changes were observed in the mitogen‐stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. ABT‐578 was shown to be safe over a wide range of systemic exposures.

Phase I Study Assessing the Pharmacokinetic Profile, Safety, and Tolerability of a Single Dose of Ceftazidime-Avibactam in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of a single dose of ceftazidime-avibactam in pediatric patients. A phase I, multicenter, open-label PK study was conducted in pediatric patients hospitalized with an infection and receiving systemic antibiotic therapy. Patients were enrolled into four age cohorts (cohort 1, ≥12 to <18 years; cohort 2, ≥6 to <12 years; cohort 3, ≥2 to <6 years; cohort 4, ≥3 months to <2 years). Patients received a single 2-h intravenous infusion of ceftazidime-avibactam (cohort 1, 2,000 to 500 mg; cohort 2, 2,000 to 500 mg [≥40 kg] or 50 to 12.5 mg/kg [<40 kg]; cohorts 3 and 4, 50 to 12.5 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected to describe individual PK characteristics for ceftazidime and avibactam. Population PK modeling was used to describe characteristics of ceftazidime and avibactam PK across all age groups. Safety and tolerability were assessed. Thirty-two patients received study drug. Mean plasma concentration-time curves, geometric mean maximum concentration (Cmax), and area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0–∞) were similar across all cohorts for both drugs. Six patients (18.8%) reported an adverse event, all mild or moderate in intensity. No deaths or serious adverse events occurred. The single-dose PK of ceftazidime and avibactam were comparable between each of the 4 age cohorts investigated and were broadly similar to those previously observed in adults. No new safety concerns were identified. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01893346.)