No Need for Lopinavir Dose Adjustment during Pregnancy: a Population Pharmacokinetic and Exposure-Response Analysis in Pregnant and Nonpregnant HIV-Infected Subjects.

Lopinavir-ritonavir is frequently prescribed to HIV-1-infected women during pregnancy. Decreased lopinavir exposure has been reported during pregnancy, but the clinical significance of this reduction is uncertain. This analysis aimed to evaluate the need for lopinavir dose adjustment during pregnancy. We conducted a population pharmacokinetic analysis of lopinavir and ritonavir concentrations collected from 84 pregnant and 595 nonpregnant treatment-naive and -experienced HIV-1-infected subjects enrolled in six clinical studies. Lopinavir-ritonavir doses in the studies ranged between 400/100 and 600/150 mg twice daily. In addition, linear mixed-effect analysis was used to compare the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC0-12) and concentration prior to dosing (Cpredose) in pregnant women and nonpregnant subjects. The relationship between lopinavir exposure and virologic suppression in pregnant women and nonpregnant subjects was evaluated. Population pharmacokinetic analysis estimated 17% higher lopinavir clearance in pregnant women than in nonpregnant subjects. Lopinavir clearance values postpartum were 26.4% and 37.1% lower than in nonpregnant subjects and pregnant women, respectively. As the tablet formulation was estimated to be 20% more bioavailable than the capsule formulation, no statistically significant differences between lopinavir exposure in pregnant women receiving the tablet formulation and nonpregnant subjects receiving the capsule formulation were identified. In the range of lopinavir AUC0-12 or Cpredose values observed in the third trimester, there was no correlation between lopinavir exposure and viral load or proportion of subjects with virologic suppression. Similar efficacy was observed between pregnant women and nonpregnant subjects receiving lopinavir-ritonavir at 400/100 mg twice daily. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results support the use of a lopinavir-ritonavir 400/100-mg twice-daily dose during pregnancy.

A food effect study and dose proportionality study to assess the pharmacokinetics and safety of bardoxolone methyl in healthy volunteers.

This study investigated the effect of food on the plasma pharmacokinetics of bardoxolone methyl, an antioxidant inflammation modulator, at a 20 mg dose, and the dose proportionality of bardoxolone methyl pharmacokinetics from 20 to 80 mg. It was a single-dose study conducted at a single center in 32 healthy volunteers aged 18-45 years using an amorphous spray-dried dispersion formulation of bardoxolone methyl. In Part A, 16 subjects received single 20 mg doses of bardoxolone methyl under fasting and non-fasting conditions. In Part B, 16 subjects received a single 60 or 80 mg dose of bardoxolone methyl and a matching placebo dose under fasting conditions. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were taken over 120 hours following dose administration. Single dose administration of 20, 60, and 80 mg bardoxolone methyl was safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers. Total bardoxolone methyl exposure was unchanged in the presence of food. However, doses of bardoxolone methyl above 20 mg appear to have a saturated dissolution or absorption process and are associated with less than proportional increases in drug exposure.

The tablet formulation of lopinavir/ritonavir provides similar bioavailability to the soft-gelatin capsule formulation with less pharmacokinetic variability and diminished food effect.

Lopinavir, an HIV protease inhibitor, is coformulated with ritonavir to enhance the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of lopinavir. The original solid oral formulation of lopinavir/ritonavir, a soft-gelatin capsule (SGC), requires refrigerated storage, is taken as 6 capsules daily at the recommended adult dose, and is administered with food to maximize the bioavailability of lopinavir. Melt extrusion technology was used to produce a tablet formulation reducing the number of dosage units administered per day and simplifying storage requirements. Three studies assessed the bioavailability of tablet doses of lopinavir/ritonavir at 800/200 mg or 400/100 mg under different meal conditions compared with equal doses of the SGC after a moderate-fat meal. The tablet was bioequivalent to the SGC after a moderate-fat meal with respect to lopinavir and ritonavir areas under the concentration-time curve. Compared with the SGC formulation, the tablet formulation resulted in more consistent lopinavir and ritonavir exposures within and across studies and across meal conditions. The diminished food effect and decreased variability of the tablet are likely to result in more consistent lopinavir and ritonavir exposures, minimizing the likelihood of extreme high or low values compared with the SGC.

Population pharmacokinetic model for irinotecan and two of its metabolites, SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to develop and validate a population pharmacokinetic model for irinotecan and 2 of its metabolites, SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G). METHODS: Plasma concentrations were obtained during and up to 48 hours after a 90-minute continuous intravenous infusion of irinotecan (100-340 mg/m(2)) in 78 patients. Data splitting was used to create model-building and model-validation data sets. Pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were obtained by compartmental methods to describe the disposition of metabolites that are dependent on the disposition of the parent compound. Relationships between patient attributes and estimates of clearance (CL) and volume of the central compartment for irinotecan, as well as CL and volume of the central compartment adjusted for the fraction metabolized for SN-38 and SN-38G, were explored by use of generalized additive models and graphic analysis. Selected covariates were introduced into the final population model by stepwise additions or deletions with the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS: SN-38 and SN-38G were shown to be formation rate-limited and were characterized by first-order rate constants of formation and elimination. Two subpopulations of SN-38 disposition were identified, presumably because of differences in the fraction of metabolite formed from the parent compound. Estimated irinotecan CL (25.2 L/h) was similar to that determined in other studies. Age and performance status were found to be important predictors of irinotecan CL, whereas variability in systemic exposure to the active metabolite, SN-38, was predicted by sex and hepatic function. CONCLUSION: The validated population pharmacokinetic model describing the disposition of irinotecan and 2 of its metabolites should facilitate the design of future studies to elucidate the relative contributions of the parent compound and SN-38 to the pharmacologic and toxic effects of irinotecan therapy.