Inhibition of Prekallikrein for Hereditary Angioedema.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable swellings that are disabling and potentially fatal. Selective inhibition of plasma prekallikrein production by antisense oligonucleotide treatment (donidalorsen) may reduce the frequency of attacks and the burden of disease. METHODS: In this phase 2 trial, we randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, patients with hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency to receive four subcutaneous doses of either donidalorsen (80 mg) or placebo, with one dose administered every 4 weeks. The primary end point was the time-normalized number of investigator-confirmed angioedema attacks per month (attack rate) between week 1 (baseline) and week 17. Secondary end points included quality of life, as measured with the Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse quality of life), and safety. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were enrolled, of whom 14 were randomly assigned to receive donidalorsen and 6 to receive placebo. The mean monthly rate of investigator-confirmed angioedema attacks was 0.23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08 to 0.39) among patients receiving donidalorsen and 2.21 (95% CI, 0.58 to 3.85) among patients receiving placebo (mean difference, -90%; 95% CI, -96 to -76; P<0.001). The mean change from baseline to week 17 in the Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire score was -26.8 points in the donidalorsen group and -6.2 points in the placebo group (mean difference, -20.7 points; 95% CI, -32.7 to -8.7). The incidence of mild-to-moderate adverse events was 71% among patients receiving donidalorsen and 83% among those receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with hereditary angioedema, donidalorsen treatment resulted in a significantly lower rate of angioedema attacks than placebo in this small, phase 2 trial. (Funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals; ISIS 721744-CS2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04030598.).

Network-Based Systems Analysis Explains Sequence-Dependent Synergism of Bortezomib and Vorinostat in Multiple Myeloma.

Bortezomib and vorinostat exhibit synergistic effects in multiple myeloma (MM) cells when given in sequence, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the molecular determinants of the interaction using a systems pharmacology approach. A Boolean network model consisting of 79 proteins and 225 connections was developed using literature information characterizing mechanisms of drug action and intracellular signal transduction. Network visualization and structural analysis were conducted, and model simulations were compared with experimental data. Critical biomarkers, such as pNFκB, p53, cellular stress, and p21, were identified using measures of network centrality and model reduction. U266 cells were then exposed to bortezomib (3 nM) and vorinostat (2 µM) as single agents or in simultaneous and sequential (bortezomib for first 24 h, followed by addition of vorinostat for another 24 h) combinations. Temporal changes for nine of the critical proteins in the reduced Boolean model were measured over 48 h, and cellular proliferation was measured over 96 h. A mechanism-based systems model was developed that captured the biological basis of a bortezomib and vorinostat sequence-dependent pharmacodynamic interaction. The model was further extended in vivo by linking in vitro parameter values and dynamics of p21, caspase-3, and pAKT biomarkers to tumor growth in xenograft mice reported in the literature. Network-based methodologies and pharmacodynamic principles were integrated successfully to evaluate bortezomib and vorinostat interactions in a mechanistic and quantitative manner. The model can be potentially applied to evaluate their combination regimens and explore in vivo dosing regimens.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in combination with pegvorhyaluronidase alfa in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

This open-label, phase Ib study (NCT02346370) assessed the effect of pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PVHA; PEGPH20) on the plasma pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of docetaxel in 15 patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The docetaxel PK profile from this study was consistent with simulations from a published docetaxel population PK model, and did not demonstrate an effect of PVHA on docetaxel PK. A maximum a posteriori Bayesian fit of the literature PK model to the docetaxel PK appeared unbiased. Adverse events (AEs) were generally consistent with previous reports for docetaxel monotherapy in NSCLC, except for higher incidence of musculoskeletal events, including myalgias, with PVHA plus docetaxel. The most common AEs were fatigue (87%), muscle spasms (60%), and myalgia (53%). Four patients experienced thromboembolic events (27%), three leading to treatment discontinuation. PVHA appeared to demonstrate an acceptable safety profile when given with docetaxel without significantly changing the plasma PK of docetaxel in patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC.

Interspecies Scaling of Human Clearance and Plasma Trough Exposure for Antisense Oligonucleotides: A Retrospective Analysis of GalNAc3-Conjugated and Unconjugated-Antisense Oligonucleotides.

It is well documented and generally accepted that human clearance (CL) of unconjugated single-strand antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) can be directly predicted from monkeys by body weight (BW) on a mg/kg dose basis. However, the scaling for triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc3)-conjugated ASOs has not been fully established. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed pharmacokinetic data from 9 GalNAc3-conjugated and 12 unconjugated single-stranded ASOs (ten 2'-methoxyethyl and two 2', 4'-constrained ethyl ASOs) to identify an appropriate allometric scaling factor between the two species. In addition, we compared the trough plasma concentrations (Ctrough, a surrogate for tissue exposure) between monkeys and humans at comparable dose levels, aiming at predicting tissue distribution in humans from monkeys. Overall, the median plasma CL ratios (monkey CL/human CL) were 1.05 and 0.94 when CL was normalized by BW, as compared with 0.33 and 0.29 when CL was normalized by body surface area (BSA) for the 12 unconjugated and 9 GalNAc3-conjugated ASOs, respectively. Similarly, the median Ctrough ratios (Ctrough in monkeys/Ctrough in humans) were 0.96 and 1.71, respectively, when Ctrough was normalized by mg/kg dose as compared with 3.10 and 5.50 when Ctrough was normalized by mg/m2 dose for the same unconjugated and conjugated ASOs, respectively. Equivalent CL and dose-normalized plasma Ctrough between monkeys and humans suggest similar pharmacokinetic profiles and tissue distribution between the two species on a per kilogram BW basis. In conclusion, human CL and plasma Ctrough (a surrogate of tissue distribution) can be directly predicted (1:1 or within twofold) from monkeys by BW on a mg/kg dose basis but these parameters can be under- or over-predicted by BSA on a mg/m2 dose basis. These results provide evidence for single species scaling from monkeys to humans directly and, thus, they can facilitate early human dose prediction in ASO drug development.

Antisense Inhibition of Prekallikrein to Control Hereditary Angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable episodes of subcutaneous and mucosal swelling that can be life threatening. IONIS-PKK-LRx is a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide designed for receptor-mediated delivery to hepatocytes. In a compassionate-use pilot study, two patients with severe bradykinin-mediated angioedema were initially administered weekly subcutaneous injections of the unconjugated parent drug, IONIS-PKKRx, for 12 to 16 weeks, after which they received IONIS-PKK-LRx at a dose of 80 mg every 3 to 4 weeks for 7 to 8 months. Treatment was accompanied by a reduction in the angioedema attack rate. (Funded by Amsterdam UMC.).

Cell Signaling Model Connects Vorinostat Pharmacokinetics and Tumor Growth Response in Multiple Myeloma Xenografts.

Multiple myeloma is a fatal hematological malignancy with high rates of drug resistance and relapse. Vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has shown promise in enhancing efficacy when combined with current myeloma therapies. In this study, temporal changes of critical proteins and cell proliferation were measured in myeloma cells exposed to vorinostat. A model linking biomarker dynamics to cell proliferation was developed that captured vorinostat effects on signal transduction and cell viability. The model structure and parameters were fixed to describe tumor dynamics in vivo, and tumor-specific growth and death rate parameters were estimated. The signaling model captured tumor growth inhibition in murine xenografts for a range of dose levels and regimens. This model may be used as a mechanistic bridge to link vorinostat exposure to molecular events and pharmacodynamic (PD) outcomes. It may also provide a translational platform to explore vorinostat activity as a single agent and in combination regimens.

Sequential Exposure of Bortezomib and Vorinostat is Synergistic in Multiple Myeloma Cells.

PURPOSE: To examine the combination of bortezomib and vorinostat in multiple myeloma cells (U266) and xenografts, and to assess the nature of their potential interactions with semi-mechanistic pharmacodynamic models and biomarkers. METHODS: U266 proliferation was examined for a range of bortezomib and vorinostat exposure times and concentrations (alone and in combination). A non-competitive interaction model was used with interaction parameters that reflect the nature of drug interactions after simultaneous and sequential exposures. p21 and cleaved PARP were measured using immunoblotting to assess critical biomarker dynamics. For xenografts, data were extracted from literature and modeled with a PK/PD model with an interaction parameter. RESULTS: Estimated model parameters for simultaneous in vitro and xenograft treatments suggested additive drug effects. The sequence of bortezomib preincubation for 24 hours, followed by vorinostat for 24 hours, resulted in an estimated interaction term significantly less than 1, suggesting synergistic effects. p21 and cleaved PARP were also up-regulated the greatest in this sequence. CONCLUSIONS: Semi-mechanistic pharmacodynamic modeling suggests synergistic pharmacodynamic interactions for the sequential administration of bortezomib followed by vorinostat. Increased p21 and cleaved PARP expression can potentially explain mechanisms of their enhanced effects, which require further PK/PD systems analysis to suggest an optimal dosing regimen.

Calculated Log D Is Inversely Correlated With Select Camptothecin Clearance and Efficacy in Colon Cancer Xenografts.

Quantitative structure-property relationships are often derived to identify molecular determinants of drug potency and facilitate drug design. However, compound activity is typically based on in vitro bioassays, and the influence of physicochemical properties on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) behavior is not considered. Here, we integrate PK/PD and quantitative structure-property relationship modeling to evaluate the role of lipophilicity in camptothecin antitumor responses in colon cancer xenografts. Drug exposure and tumor growth profiles for 5 camptothecins were extracted from the literature. A PK/PD model with time-dependent transduction was developed, which characterized PK and tumor growth inhibition. Correlations between drug lipophilicity (log D), in vitro potency (IC50), and in vivo efficacy and systemic clearance parameters were tested. Models were qualified using leave-one-out cross-validation. Efficacy and clearance of analogs decreased linearly with increasing log D values; efficacy exhibiting a steeper decline relative to clearance. Cross-validated R(2) for predicting in vivo efficacy was 0.55 and 0.18 using log D and in vitro IC50 as the descriptors. Lipophilicity may represent a better predictor of in vivo efficacy than in vitro IC50 measurements for camptothecins. The identified relationships between efficacy, clearance, and lipohilicity may help guide development of new camptothecin analogs and delivery systems with improved pharmacologic profiles.

A simplified PBPK modeling approach for prediction of pharmacokinetics of four primarily renally excreted and CYP3A metabolized compounds during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a drug's pharmacokinetics may be altered and hence anticipation of potential systemic exposure changes is highly desirable. Physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) models have recently been used to influence clinical trial design or to facilitate regulatory interactions. Ideally, whole-body PBPK models can be used to predict a drug's systemic exposure in pregnant women based on major physiological changes which can impact drug clearance (i.e., in the kidney and liver) and distribution (i.e., adipose and fetoplacental unit). We described a simple and readily implementable multitissue/organ whole-body PBPK model with key pregnancy-related physiological parameters to characterize the PK of reference drugs (metformin, digoxin, midazolam, and emtricitabine) in pregnant women compared with the PK in nonpregnant or postpartum (PP) women. Physiological data related to changes in maternal body weight, tissue volume, cardiac output, renal function, blood flows, and cytochrome P450 activity were collected from the literature and incorporated into the structural PBPK model that describes HV or PP women PK data. Subsequently, the changes in exposure (area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (C max)) in pregnant women were simulated. Model-simulated PK profiles were overall in agreement with observed data. The prediction fold error for C max and AUC ratio (pregnant vs. nonpregnant) was less than 1.3-fold, indicating that the pregnant PBPK model is useful. The utilization of this simplified model in drug development may aid in designing clinical studies to identify potential exposure changes in pregnant women a priori for compounds which are mainly eliminated renally or metabolized by CYP3A4.