Effects of Nicotinamide and Lanthanum Carbonate on Serum Phosphate and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 in CKD: The COMBINE Trial.

BACKGROUND: Higher serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) levels may be modifiable to prevent cardiovascular disease in CKD. Short-term studies have reported modest efficacy in phosphate and FGF23 reduction with intestinal phosphate binders in CKD. METHODS: To investigate effects of lanthanum carbonate (LC; a phosphate binder) and/or nicotinamide (NAM; an inhibitor of active intestinal phosphate transport) on serum phosphate and FGF23 in stage 3b/4 CKD, we conducted a randomized trial among individuals with eGFR 20-45 ml/min per 1.73 m2 to NAM (750 mg twice daily) plus LC (1000 mg thrice daily), NAM plus LC placebo, LC plus NAM placebo, or double placebo for 12 months. Dual primary end points were change from baseline in serum phosphate and intact FGF23 concentrations. RESULTS: Mean eGFR for the 205 participants was 32ml/min per 1.73 m2. At baseline, serum phosphate was 3.7 mg/dl and median FGF23 was 99 pg/ml (10th, 90th percentiles: 59, 205). Mean rates of change in phosphate increased slightly over 12 months in all groups and did not differ significantly across arms. Similarly, percent changes in FGF23 per 12 months increased for all arms except LC plus placebo, and did not differ significantly across arms. Gastrointestinal symptoms limited adherence. Adverse events rates were similar across arms. CONCLUSIONS: LC and/or NAM treatment did not significantly lower serum phosphate or FGF23 in stage 3b/4 CKD over 12 months. Although these agents appeared safe, intestinal symptoms limited adherence. Reducing phosphate and FGF23 in nondialysis CKD will require new approaches.

A systematic review of the economic evaluations of non-calcium-containing phosphate binders, sevelamer and Lanthanum, in end-stage renal disease patients with hyperphosphatemia.

INTRODUCTION: End-stage renal disease is associated with significant comorbidity and mortality. Among its implications, hyperphosphatemia constitutes a consistent and independent risk factor. The use of benchmark treatment, low-cost calcium-based binders declined due to a potential calcification effect on coronary arteries. AREAS COVERED: Given the increasing prevalence of end-stage renal disease and the high cost of hyperphosphatemia's new primary modality, the non-calcium based phosphate binders, we set-off to systematically assess the economic evaluations of non-calcium containing phosphate binders, sevelamer and lanthanum. The study was performed based on a systematic review of the economic evaluations of sevelamer and lanthanum. The cost-effectiveness profile of the two non-calcium-containing Phosphate Binders compared to calcium-based phosphate binders depends on several factors such as future dialysis costs, utility values, age, survival, and phosphorus levels. EXPERT OPINION: The comparison between the two agents is rather inconclusive; nevertheless, current review suggests that non-calcium-based phosphate binders may yield a positive cost-effectiveness ratio in patients with inadequate phosphorus management and patient with longer life-expectancy. It is crucial that the literature is endowed with more data, specifically on survival, future dialysis costs, and calcification.

Cost-Effectiveness of First-Line Sevelamer and Lanthanum versus Calcium-Based Binders for Hyperphosphatemia of Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Phosphate binders are used to treat hyperphosphatemia among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). OBJECTIVES: To conduct an economic evaluation comparing calcium-free binders sevelamer and lanthanum with calcium-based binders for patients with CKD. METHODS: Effectiveness data were obtained from a recent meta-analysis of randomized trials. Effectiveness was measured as life-years gained and translated to quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) using utility weights from the literature. A Markov model consisting of non-dialysis-dependent (NDD)-CKD, dialysis-dependent (DD)-CKD, and death was developed to estimate the incremental costs and effects of sevelamer and lanthanum versus those of calcium-based binders. A lifetime horizon was used and both costs and effects were discounted at 1.5%. All costs are presented in 2015 Canadian dollars from the Canadian public payer perspective. Results of probabilistic sensitivity analysis were presented using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for risk pooling methods, omission of dialysis costs, and persistence of drug effects on mortality. RESULTS: Sevelamer resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $106,522/QALY for NDD-CKD and $133,847/QALY for DD-CKD cohorts. Excluding dialysis costs, sevelamer was cost-effective in the NDD-CKD cohort ($5,847/QALY) and the DD-CKD cohort ($11,178/QALY). Lanthanum was dominated regardless of whether dialysis costs were included. CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence does not clearly support the cost-effectiveness of non-calcium-containing phosphate binders (sevelamer and lanthanum) relative to calcium-containing phosphate binders in DD-CKD patients. Our study suggests that sevelamer may be cost-effective before dialysis onset. Because of the remaining uncertainty in several clinically relevant outcomes over time in DD-CKD and NDD-CKD patients, further research is encouraged.

Real-world dose-relativity, tablet burden, and cost comparison of conversion between sevelamer hydrochloride/carbonate and lanthanum carbonate monotherapies.

PURPOSE: Sevelamer hydrochloride/carbonate (SH/C) and lanthanum carbonate (LC) are noncalcium-based phosphate binders used for the management of hyperphosphatemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The objectives of this study were to examine the dose-relativity, tablet burden, and cost difference of bidirectional conversion between SH/C and LC monotherapy in a large cohort of real-world patients with ESRD. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included three 30-day preconversion periods (days -90 to -61, -60 to -31, and -30 to -1) followed by three 30-day postconversion periods (days 1 to 30, 31 to 60, and 61 to 90); day 0 was the index date of conversion. The full analysis population (FAP) comprised two cohorts: SH/C to LC (S-L) converters and LC to SH/C (L-S) converters. The SH/C:LC dose-relativity ratio was assessed in the dose-relativity subset, defined as patients whose serum phosphate levels fell within a caliper range of ± 0.5 mg/dL in the final preconversion (days -30 to -1) and postconversion (days 61 to 90) periods. Tablet burden and phosphate binder costs were assessed in the FAP. Phosphate binder costs were based on average wholesale prices. FINDINGS: The FAP contained a total of 303 patients, comprising the S-L (128 patients) and L-S (175 patients) converter cohorts. The dose-relativity subset contained 159 patients, 72 from the S-L cohort and 87 from the L-S cohort. The overall mean SH/C:LC dose-relativity ratio was 2.27 (95% CI, 2.04 to 2.52). In SH/C dose strata >800 to 2400, >2400 to 4800, >4800 to 7200, and >7200 mg/d, overall mean dose-relativity ratios were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.57 to 1.10), 1.45 (95% CI, 1.20 to 1.75), 2.05 (95% CI, 1.75 to 2.39), and 3.24 (95% CI, 2.89 to 3.66), respectively. The overall mean tablet burden was 6.6 tablets per day lower with LC monotherapy than with SH/C monotherapy (95% CI, -7.1 to -6.0; P < 0.0001). The overall mean binder cost/patient per month was $1080.40 for SH/C compared with $1006.20 for LC, corresponding to a mean binder cost saving for LC of $74.20/patient per month (95% CI, -141.80 to -6.63; P = 0.032). SH/C >7800 mg/d was the inflection point at which conversion to LC resulted in mean cost savings. Patients requiring SH/C >7800 mg/d comprised 50% of the FAP. IMPLICATIONS: Converting patients with ESRD and hyperphosphatemia from SH/C to LC monotherapy offers potential drug cost savings and a significant reduction in the daily tablet burden, without compromising the effective management of serum phosphate levels.

Assessment of pharmacodynamic equivalence and tolerability of lanthanum carbonate oral powder and tablet formulations: a single-center, randomized, open-label, 2-period crossover study in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Phosphate binders are commonly used in tablet form to help patients with hyperphosphatemia limit their absorption of dietary phosphate. These patients frequently have a heavy tablet burden so alternative formulations provide choice and may support adherence. Lanthanum carbonate (LC) is a phosphate binder currently available as a chewable tablet. This study was conducted to support an application for marketing authorization for the oral powder formulation within the European Union. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to examine the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of an oral powder formulation of LC compared with the reference chewable tablet formulation. METHODS: A Phase I, single-center, randomized, open-label, 2-period, crossover study to assess pharmacodynamic equivalence of the 2 formulations was conducted in healthy adults aged 18 to 55 years receiving a diet standardized for phosphate content. Individuals were randomized to receive a different formulation in each period, taking 10 doses of 1000-mg LC at 3000 mg/d per period with an intervening washout of ≥14 days. The primary pharmacodynamic variable was mean daily excretion of urinary phosphorus over 3 days while receiving LC. Pharmacodynamic equivalence was confirmed if the 90% CI for the difference between formulations in least squares (LS) mean excreted urinary phosphorus was within ±20% of the LS mean value for the tablet formulation. Secondary end points included determination of pharmacokinetic parameters and assessment of tolerability by recording of adverse events. RESULTS: In total, 72 individuals entered the study. They were predominantly men (72.2%), with a mean (SD) age of 31.4 (8.26) years and a BMI of 25.8 (2.45) kg/m(2). The LS mean (SE) excreted urinary phosphorus was 16.8 (0.48) mmol/d during administration of LC tablets (±20% = ±3.35 mmol/d). The corresponding value during administration of LC oral powder was 15.2 (0.48) mmol/d; 90% CI for the difference between formulations was -2.38 to -0.82 mmol/d, confirming pharmacodynamic equivalence. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal, and no serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In this multiple-dose study, the oral powder and tablet formulations of LC were well tolerated and met the regulatory criteria for pharmacodynamic equivalence in these healthy volunteers. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00880750.

Lanthanum: new drug. Hyperphosphataemia in dialysis patients: more potential problems than benefits.

(1) In dialysis patients with chronic renal failure, hyperphosphataemia can cause osteorenal dystrophy, leading to bone pain, fractures and excess cardiovascular mortality. In addition to a low-phosphorus diet and dialysis, phosphorus chelators are usually needed to control blood phosphorus levels. The first choice is calcium carbonate, and sevelamer is an alternative. (2) Lanthanum carbonate, a phosphorus chelator, is now also licensed for the treatment of hyperphosphataemia in dialysis patients with chronic renal failure. (3) In addition to three dose-finding placebo-controlled studies, clinical evaluation includes 2 comparative randomised unblinded trials: one 6-month trial versus calcium carbonate and a 2-year trial versus other phosphorus chelators. During these trials, lanthanum was no more effective than the comparators in terms of effects on the mortality rate, incidence of fractures, or blood phosphorus level. (4) During these trials, adverse events attributed to treatment were more frequent with lanthanum than with the other phosphorus chelators. The main problems were gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain), headaches, seizures, and encephalopathy. (5) The accumulation of lanthanum in the bones and brain is troubling. The known long-term adverse effects of aluminium, another trivalent cation with weak gastrointestinal absorption, suggest that caution is also required with lanthanum. (6) In practice, when a phosphorus chelator is needed to treat hyperphosphataemia in dialysis patients with chronic renal failure, calcium carbonate is the first choice and sevelamer remains the best alternative.

Assessment of effects of lanthanum carbonate with and without phosphate supplementation on bone mineralization in uremic rats.

AIMS: Previous studies have indicated that impaired bone mineralization in 5/6 th nephrectomized rats given high doses of lanthanum carbonate is due to phosphorus depletion caused by excessive binding to, and reduced absorption of, dietary phosphate. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by: 1) directly comparing the effects of a supratherapeutic dose of lanthanum carbonate or dietary phosphorus restriction on bone mineralization in a rodent model of chronic renal failure (CRF); and 2) investigating whether phosphorus supplementation would prevent the bone mineralization defect associated with lanthanum carbonate treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sham surgery or a two-step 5/6th nephrectomy to induce CRF and randomized across five treatment groups: sham, CRF, CRF + dietary phosphorus deficiency, CRF + lanthanum carbonate (1000 mg/kg/ day), and CRF + lanthanum carbonate + parenteral phosphorus repletion. RESULTS: Rats with 5/6th nephrectomy had elevated serum creatinine, blood urea concentration, and urine volume and protein, consistent with impaired renal function, and increased urinary phosphorus and serum parathyroid hormone, consistent with hyperparathyroidism. Lanthanum carbonate and dietary phosphate insufficiency induced parallel changes in serum and urine markers of phosphate homeostasis and increased osteoid formation. These changes induced by lanthanum carbonate were normalized by systemic phosphate supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further support for the concept that supratherapeutic doses of lanthanum carbonate induce effects on bone mineralization in uremic rats via an indirect pharmacological mechanism (phosphate depletion) and not via direct bone toxicity.