Neoadjuvant PF-05280014 (a potential trastuzumab biosimilar) versus trastuzumab for operable HER2+ breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: This randomised, double-blind study compared pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of PF-05280014 (potential trastuzumab biosimilar) and trastuzumab reference product (Herceptin) sourced from the European Union (trastuzumab-EU) as neoadjuvant treatment for operable human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. METHODS: Patients (N = 226), stratified by primary tumour size and hormone receptor status, were randomised 1:1 to PF-05280014 or trastuzumab-EU (8 mg/kg loading dose; 6 mg/kg thereafter), each with docetaxel and carboplatin, every 3 weeks for six treatment cycles. Primary endpoint was percentage of patients with trough plasma concentration (Ctrough) >20 µg/ml at Cycle 5 (Cycle 6 predose). Efficacy endpoints included pathological complete response and objective response rate. Non-inferiority of PF-05280014 to trastuzumab-EU was declared if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the stratified difference between groups in the percentage of patients with Cycle 5 Ctrough >20 µg/ml was above the prespecified non-inferiority margin of - 12.5%. RESULTS: For PF-05280014 vs trastuzumab-EU patients, respectively, 92.1% vs 93.3% had Cycle 5 Ctrough >20 µg/ml; the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (- 8.02%, 6.49%) for the stratified difference between groups was above the non-inferiority margin (- 12.5%). Pathological complete response (47.0% vs 50.0%) and central radiology review-assessed objective response (88.1% vs 82.0%) rates were comparable. Incidence of all-causality, grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events was 38.1% vs 45.5%; antidrug antibody rates were 0% vs 0.89%. CONCLUSIONS: PF-05280014 demonstrated non-inferior pharmacokinetics and comparable efficacy, safety and immunogenicity to trastuzumab-EU in patients with operable HER2-positive breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to the Understanding of Bosutinib Pharmacokinetics: Prediction of Drug-Drug and Drug-Disease Interactions.

Bosutinib is an orally available Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia. Bosutinib is predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4 as the primary clearance mechanism. The main objectives of this study were to 1) develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of bosutinib; 2) verify and refine the PBPK models based on clinical study results of bosutinib single-dose drug-drug interaction (DDI) with ketoconazole and rifampin, as well as single-dose drug-disease interaction (DDZI) in patients with renal and hepatic impairment; 3) apply the PBPK models to predict DDI outcomes in patients with weak and moderate CYP3A inhibitors; and 4) apply the PBPK models to predict DDZI outcomes in renally and hepatically impaired patients after multiple-dose administration. Results showed that the PBPK models adequately predicted bosutinib oral exposures in patients after single- and multiple-dose administrations. The PBPK models also reasonably predicted changes in bosutinib exposures in the single-dose DDI and DDZI results, suggesting that the PBPK models were sufficiently developed and verified based on the currently available data. Finally, the PBPK models predicted 2- to 4-fold increases in bosutinib exposures by moderate CYP3A inhibitors, as well as comparable increases in bosutinib exposures in renally and hepatically impaired patients between single- and multiple-dose administrations. Given the challenges in conducting numerous DDI and DDZI studies of anticancer drugs in patients, we believe that the PBPK models verified in our study would be valuable to reasonably predict bosutinib exposures under various scenarios that have not been tested clinically.

Safety and efficacy of bosutinib (SKI-606) in chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients with resistance or intolerance to imatinib.

Bosutinib, a dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor, has shown potent activity against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In this phase 1/2 study we evaluated bosutinib in patients with chronic phase imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant CML. Part 1 was a dose-escalation study to determine the recommended starting dose for part 2; part 2 evaluated the efficacy and safety of bosutinib 500 mg once-daily dosing. The study enrolled 288 patients with imatinib-resistant (n = 200) or imatinib-intolerant (n = 88) CML and no other previous kinase inhibitor exposure. At 24 weeks, 31% of patients achieved major cytogenetic response (primary end point). After a median follow-up of 24.2 months, 86% of patients achieved complete hematologic remission, 53% had a major cytogenetic response (41% had a complete cytogenetic response), and 64% of those achieving complete cytogenetic response had a major molecular response. At 2 years, progression-free survival was 79%; overall survival at 2 years was 92%. Responses were seen across Bcr-Abl mutants, except T315I. Bosutinib exhibited an acceptable safety profile; the most common treatment-emergent adverse event was mild/moderate, typically self-limiting diarrhea. Grade 3/4 nonhematologic adverse events (> 2% of patients) included diarrhea (9%), rash (9%), and vomiting (3%). These data suggest bosutinib is effective and tolerable in patients with chronic phase imatinib-resistant or imatinib-intolerant CML. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00261846.

A randomized, crossover, placebo- and moxifloxacin-controlled study to evaluate the effects of bosutinib (SKI-606), a dual Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on cardiac repolarization in healthy adult subjects.

Effects of therapeutic and supratherapeutic concentrations of bosutinib, a dual Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on the corrected QT interval (QTc) in 60 healthy adults were assessed, according to ICH-E14 guidelines, in this 2-part, randomized, single-dose, double-blind, crossover, placebo- and open-label moxifloxacin-controlled study. Subjects received placebo, moxifloxacin and bosutinib 500 mg with food (therapeutic) in Part 1. In Part 2, subjects received placebo and bosutinib 500 mg plus ketoconazole (supratherapeutic). ANOVA compared baseline-adjusted QTc for bosutinib with placebo; and bosutinib plus ketoconazole with placebo plus ketoconazole. Primary endpoint was population-specific QT correction (QTcN). Secondary endpoints were Bazett QT correction (QTcB), Fridericia's formula QT correction (QTcF) and individual QT correction (QTcI). Upper bounds for 90% confidence intervals were <10 msec for the mean change in QTcN from placebo at all postdose time points, suggesting that mean therapeutic exposures (C(max) , 114 ng/mL; AUC, 2,330 ng · h/mL) and mean supratherapeutic exposures (C(max) , 326 ng/mL; AUC, 15,200 ng · h/mL) were not associated with QTc changes. Similar results were obtained for QTcB, QTcF and QTcI. No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship was observed between bosutinib concentrations and QTc. No subjects had QTcB, QTcF, QTcI or QTcN >450 msec or change from baseline >30 msec. In summary, therapeutic and supratherapeutic bosutinib exposures are not associated with QTc prolongation in healthy adults.

Lack of an Effect of Supratherapeutic Dose of Venlafaxine on Cardiac Repolarization in Healthy Subjects.

This single-center, randomized, 3-way crossover thorough QT study evaluated the effect of steady-state supratherapeutic venlafaxine (Effexor) on cardiac repolarization. Fifty-four healthy adults received double-blinded extended-release venlafaxine 450 mg/d and placebo and open-label positive-control moxifloxacin 400 mg. The postdose QT intervals corrected for heart rate using the Fridericia formula (QTcF) were assessed on day 14 with an analysis of covariance using a mixed-effects model. At each time, the upper bound of the 2-sided 90%CI for time-matched least-squares (LS) mean difference between venlafaxine and placebo did not exceed the predefined cutoff of 10 milliseconds; the highest 90%CI upper bound was 5.8 milliseconds 24 hours postdose, demonstrating the lack of effect of venlafaxine on the QTc interval (primary objective). Assay sensitivity was established because the lower bound of the 2-sided 90%CI for LS mean difference in QTcF between moxifloxacin and placebo was 7.413 milliseconds on day 14 (postdose 3 hours). The exposure-response analysis demonstrated no evidence of increase in QTcF with increase in venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine concentrations. Also, supratherapeutic venlafaxine was found to be safe and well tolerated. Overall, the results demonstrated the lack of significant prolongation of the QTc interval with supratherapeutic venlafaxine 450 mg/d.

Pharmacokinetics of oral neratinib during co-administration of ketoconazole in healthy subjects.

AIM: The primary objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of neratinib, a potent, low-molecular-weight, orally administered, irreversible pan-ErbB (ErbB-1, -2, -4) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, during co-administration with ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor. METHODS: This was an open-label, randomized, two-period, crossover study. Fasting healthy adults received a single oral dose of neratinib 240 mg alone and with multiple oral doses of ketoconazole 400 mg. Blood samples were collected up to 72 h after each neratinib dose. Plasma concentration data were analyzed using a noncompartmental method. The least square geometric mean ratios [90% confidence interval (CI)] of C(max) (neratinib+ketoconazole): C(max) (neratinib alone), and AUC(neratinib+ketoconazole): AUC(neratinib alone) were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects were enrolled. Compared with neratinib administered alone, co-administration of ketoconazole increased neratinib C(max) by 3.2-fold (90% CI: 2.4, 4.3) and AUC by 4.8-fold (3.6, 6.5). Median t(max) was 6.0 h with both regimens. Ketoconazole decreased mean apparent oral clearance of neratinib from 346 lh(-1) to 87.1 lh(-1) and increased mean elimination half-life from 11.7 h to 18.0 h. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two regimens (50% neratinib alone, 65% co-administration with ketoconazole). CONCLUSION: Co-administration of neratinib with ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A inhibitor, increased neratinib C(max) by 3.2-fold and AUC by 4.8-fold compared with administration of neratinib alone. These results indicate that neratinib is a substrate of CYP3A and is susceptible to interaction with potent CYP3A inhibitors and, thus, dose adjustments may be needed if neratinib is administered with such compounds.

A phase I study with neratinib (HKI-272), an irreversible pan ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with solid tumors.

PURPOSE: The dose-limiting toxicities, maximum tolerated dose, pharmacokinetic profile, and preliminary antitumor activity of neratinib (HKI-272), an irreversible pan ErbB inhibitor, were determined in patients with advanced solid tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Neratinib was administered orally as a single dose, followed by a 1-week observation period, and then once daily continuously. Planned dose escalation was 40, 80, 120, 180, 240, 320, 400, and 500 mg. For pharmacokinetic analysis, timed blood samples were collected after administration of the single dose and after the first 14 days of continuous daily administration. RESULTS: Dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 diarrhea, which occurred in one patient treated with 180 mg and in four patients treated with 400 mg neratinib; hence, the maximum tolerated dose was determined to be 320 mg. Other common neratinib-related toxicities included nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and anorexia. Exposure to neratinib was dose dependent, and the pharmacokinetic profile of neratinib supports a once-a-day dosing regimen. Partial response was observed for 8 (32%) of the 25 evaluable patients with breast cancer. Stable disease >or=24 weeks was observed in one evaluable breast cancer patient and 6 (43%) of the 14 evaluable non-small cell lung cancer patients. CONCLUSION: The maximum tolerated dose of once-daily oral neratinib is 320 mg. The most common neratinib-related toxicity was diarrhea. Antitumor activity was observed in patients with breast cancer who had previous treatment with trastuzumab, anthracyclines, and taxanes, and tumors with a baseline ErbB-2 immunohistochemical staining intensity of 2+ or 3+. The antitumor activity, tolerable toxicity profile, and pharmacokinetic properties of neratinib warrant its further evaluation.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Objective: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), classifies attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder, with symptoms becoming apparent as early as the preschool years. Early recognition can lead to interventions such as parent/teacher-administered behavior therapy, the recommended first-line treatment for preschool patients. There are few data, however, to inform the use of second-line, pharmacotherapy options in this population. In this review, we identified recent literature on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in preschool children. Methods: A PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov search was conducted for trials assessing efficacy or safety of ADHD medications in children aged <6 years. Diagnostic methods and criteria focusing on recognition of ADHD in preschool children were also surveyed. Results: The DSM-5 describes different manifestations of ADHD in preschool versus school-aged children, but does not list separate criteria by age group. Importantly, behaviors indicative of ADHD in older children may be developmentally appropriate in preschool children. Several behavioral rating scales have been validated in children younger than 6 years of age for assessing ADHD. The Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS) has provided the most extensive efficacy and safety data on methylphenidate (MPH) for ADHD in preschoolers to date, with significant improvement in ADHD symptoms observed with MPH compared with placebo, although adverse event-related discontinuation was higher in PATS compared with studies of MPH for ADHD in school-aged children. Since PATS was conducted, few studies designed to assess ADHD medication effectiveness in preschool children have been published. One article reported significant improvement in ADHD symptoms with MPH (immediate release) versus placebo, two studies showed no difference between MPH and risperidone or MPH plus risperidone in relief of ADHD symptoms, and one study demonstrated the efficacy of atomoxetine versus placebo for ADHD symptoms in preschoolers. Conclusions: Further research is needed on pharmacotherapy for preschool children with ADHD.

A Thorough QT Study to Evaluate the Effects of a Supratherapeutic Dose of Sertraline on Cardiac Repolarization in Healthy Subjects.

The effect of steady-state supratherapeutic sertraline (Zoloft) on QT interval was assessed in a single-center, randomized, 3-way crossover, double-blind, placebo- and moxifloxacin-controlled thorough QT study. Healthy adults received sertraline 400 mg/day, moxifloxacin 400 mg, and placebo, with a washout period (≥14 days) between treatments. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded in triplicate before dosing and at selected time points up to 72 hours after dosing. Analysis of covariance using a mixed-effect model with sequence, period, treatment, time, and treatment-by-time interaction as fixed effects; subject within sequence as a random effect; and baseline QT corrected for heart rate using Fridericia formula (QTcF) as a covariate was conducted. A 90% confidence interval for the least squares (LS) mean difference in QTcF between active treatment and placebo was computed for each postdose time point. Exposure-response was assessed using linear mixed-effect modeling. Fifty-four subjects were enrolled. Over 24 hours after dosing, the LS mean difference in QTcF for sertraline versus placebo ranged from 5.597 milliseconds to 9.651 milliseconds. The upper bound of the 90% confidence interval for the LS mean difference exceeded a predefined 10-millisecond significance threshold at the 4-hour postdose time point only (LS mean, 9.651 milliseconds [90% confidence interval, 7.635-11.666]). In the exposure-response analysis, QTcF values increased significantly with increasing sertraline concentration (slope = 0.036 milliseconds/ng/mL; P < .0001). Predicted change from baseline in QTcF at therapeutic maximum plasma sertraline concentration was 3.57 milliseconds. This thorough QTc study demonstrated a positive signal for QTc prolongation for sertraline at the steady-state 400-mg/day dose.

A phase I study of EKB-569 in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), characterize the principal toxicities, and assess the pharmacokinetics of EKB-569, an oral selective irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients were treated with EKB-569 daily for 21 days and capecitabine twice daily for 14 days of a 21-day cycle. The dose levels of EKB-569 (mg/day) and capecitabine (mg/m(2) twice daily) assessed were 25/750, 50/750, 50/1,000 and 75/1,000. An expanded cohort was enrolled at the MTD to better study toxicity and efficacy. Samples of plasma were collected to characterize the pharmacokinetics of the agents. Treatment efficacy was assessed every other cycle. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients, the majority of whom had prior chemotherapy, received a total of 163 cycles of treatment. Twenty patients were treated at the MTD, 50 mg EKB-569, daily and 1,000 mg/m(2) capecitabine twice daily. Dose-limiting toxicities were diarrhea and rash. No patients had complete or partial responses but 48% had stable disease. The conversion of capecitabine to 5-fluorouracil was higher for the combination of EKB-569 and capecitabine (321+/-151 ng*h/mL) than for capecitabine alone (176+/-62 ng*hours/mL; P=0.0037). CONCLUSION: In advanced colorectal cancer, 50 mg EKB-569 daily can be safely combined with 1,000 mg/m(2) capecitabine twice a day. A statistically significant increase in plasma levels of 5-fluorouracil for the combination of EKB-569 and capecitabine may be due to the single-dose versus multiple-dose exposure difference, variability in exposure or a potential drug interaction.

Phase I pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study of EKB-569, an irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, in combination with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFIRI) in first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the recommended dose (RD) of EKB-569, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: Patients with previously untreated mCRC received FOLFIRI and EKB-569 at doses of 10, 25, 50, and 75 mg/day (EKB started on day 3). Three sequential skin biopsies were obtained in selected patients to assess the pharmacodynamic effects on EGFR signaling of FOLFIRI alone and with EKB-569. Complete pharmacokinetic sampling and tumor biopsies, when feasible, were conducted. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled. Dose-limiting toxicities (grade 3 diarrhea or asthenia) were observed in 1/7 patients at 50 mg EKB-569 and in 2/3 at 75 mg. Two additional dose levels (35 mg EKB-569/day and 50 mg EKB-569/day plus modified FOLFIRI) were evaluated. The RD was 25 mg EKB-569/full dose FOLFIRI. Grades 3 to 4 toxicities in >10% of patients were diarrhea (30%), neutropenia (21%), and asthenia (17%). Twenty-one patients had an objective response [48%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 32-65%]. The median time to tumor progression was 7.7 months. At the RD, EKB-569 resulted in complete inhibition of phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR) and downstream receptor signaling in skin and tumor samples. FOLFIRI alone did not affect pEGFR, but inhibited epidermal proliferation and activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and induced p27 expression in the skin. CONCLUSION: The RD of EKB-569 is 25 mg/day when combined with FOLFIRI and results in complete EGFR inhibition. Chemotherapy alone interferes with pharmacodynamic markers, an observation to be taken into account in future studies of targeted agents with chemotherapy.

Retraction notice to "Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis of bosutinib" [Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 29 (2014) 441-448].

This article [1] has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. According to the authors, their recent analyses have revealed that the model presented may lead to inaccurate conclusions, particularly regarding the peripheral volume of distribution and beta half-life of the compound. Since the model is critical to the article and its conclusion, the editor has approved to retract the article.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Desvenlafaxine: Pharmacokinetics in Korean Versus US Populations.

Desvenlafaxine exposure in Korean and US populations was compared using population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis. Data from a single- and multiple-dose study of desvenlafaxine (50, 100, and 200 mg) in 30 healthy Korean subjects were added to a population PK model previously developed using sparse PK samples from patients with major depressive disorder, including 140 Korean patients, combined with rich PK data from healthy volunteers. The structural PK model was an open 1-compartment linear disposition model with parallel first-order and 0-order inputs. The effects of Korean status on apparent oral clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of distribution (V/F) were tested against the base model separately. External validation results indicated good agreement between the model predictions and observed desvenlafaxine concentrations for Korean subjects. The geometric mean CL/F and V/F of Korean subjects were 9.1% and 16.7% lower, respectively, than those of US subjects, who had a 20% higher mean body weight. Results for patients with major depressive disorder were similar. There were no meaningful differences for weight-normalized CL/F and V/F values between Korean and US subjects or patients. The minor differences in CL/F and V/F observed between Korean and US populations appear to be solely due to lower body weights in the Korean population.

Desvenlafaxine Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine versus placebo in the treatment of children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Outpatient children (7-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD and had screening and baseline Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) total scores >40 were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of treatment with placebo, low exposure desvenlafaxine (20, 30, or 35 mg/day based on baseline weight), or higher exposure desvenlafaxine (25, 35, or 50 mg/day based on baseline weight). The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in CDRS-R total score at week 8, analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Secondary efficacy assessments included Clinical Global Impressions-Severity and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scales. Safety assessments included adverse events and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. RESULTS: The safety population included 363 patients (children, n = 109; adolescents, n = 254). No statistical separation from placebo was observed for either desvenlafaxine group for CDRS-R total score or for any secondary efficacy endpoint. At week 8, adjusted mean (standard error) changes from baseline in CDRS-R total score for the desvenlafaxine low exposure, desvenlafaxine high exposure, and placebo groups were -23.7 (1.1), -24.4 (1.1), and -22.9 (1.1), respectively. The incidence of adverse events was similar among groups. CONCLUSION: Low and high exposure desvenlafaxine groups did not demonstrate efficacy for the treatment of MDD in children and adolescents in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Desvenlafaxine (20-50 mg/day) was generally safe and well tolerated with no new safety signals identified in pediatric patients with MDD in this study.

Desvenlafaxine Versus Placebo in a Fluoxetine-Referenced Study of Children and Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine (25-50 mg/d) compared with placebo in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Outpatient children (7-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD and had screening and baseline Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) total scores >40 were randomly assigned to 8-week treatment with placebo, desvenlafaxine (25, 35, or 50 mg/d based on baseline weight), or fluoxetine (20 mg/d). The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in CDRS-R total score at week 8, analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Secondary efficacy endpoints included week 8 Clinical Global Impressions-Severity, Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I), and response (CGI-I ≤ 2). Safety assessments included adverse events, physical and vital sign measurements, laboratory evaluations, electrocardiogram, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. RESULTS: The safety population included 339 patients (children, n = 130; adolescents, n = 209). The primary endpoint, change from baseline in CDRS-R total score at week 8, did not statistically separate from placebo, for either desvenlafaxine (adjusted mean [standard error] change, -22.6 [1.17]) or fluoxetine (-24.8 [1.17]; placebo, -23.1 [1.18]). Week 8 CGI-I response rates were significantly greater for fluoxetine (78.2%; p = 0.017) than for placebo (62.6%); desvenlafaxine (68.7%) did not differ from placebo. Other secondary outcomes were consistent with those obtained with CDRS-R. Rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were comparable among treatment groups (desvenlafaxine, 60.0%; placebo, 70.5%; and fluoxetine, 64.3%). CONCLUSION: Desvenlafaxine did not demonstrate efficacy for treating MDD in children and adolescents in this trial. Because neither desvenlafaxine nor the reference medication, fluoxetine, demonstrated a statistically significant difference from placebo on the primary endpoint, this was considered a failed trial and no efficacy conclusions can be drawn. Desvenlafaxine 25-50 mg/d was generally safe and well tolerated in children and adolescents in this study.

Relative Bioavailability of Methylphenidate Extended-release Chewable Tablets Chewed Versus Swallowed Whole.

PURPOSE: Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release chewable tablet (MPH ERCT) is approved for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients aged 6 years and older. This article evaluates the pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability of MPH ERCT when chewed versus swallowed whole. METHODS: In this open-label, single-dose, 3-period, 3-treatment crossover study, 12 healthy adult volunteers were randomly assigned to treatment sequence. In each period, subjects received a single 40-mg dose of the assigned treatment (MPH ERCT chewed, MPH ERCT swallowed whole, or methylphenidate extended-release oral suspension [MEROS]). Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected for 24 hours postdose. Key pharmacokinetic parameters included Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞. FINDINGS: The geometric mean values for AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, and Cmax were similar for MPH ERCT chewed, MPH ERCT swallowed whole, and MEROS. In all pairwise between-treatment comparisons, the 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratios for AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, and Cmax were fully contained within the bioequivalence range of 80% to 125%. Early exposure over the first 4 hours after dosing (AUC0-4) was similar for MPH ERCT chewed versus swallowed whole; AUC0-4 was approximately 15% lower for MPH ERCT, either chewed or swallowed, compared with MEROS. Each treatment was generally well tolerated. IMPLICATIONS: There was no difference in overall rate or extent of exposure of methylphenidate when MPH ERCT was chewed versus swallowed whole by healthy volunteers.

Optimization of Methylphenidate Extended-Release Chewable Tablet Dose in Children with ADHD: Open-Label Dose Optimization in a Laboratory Classroom Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine methylphenidate extended-release chewable tablets (MPH ERCT) dose patterns, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom scores, and safety during the 6-week, open-label (OL) dose-optimization period of a phase 3, laboratory classroom study. METHODS: Boys and girls (6-12 years) diagnosed with ADHD were enrolled. MPH ERCT was initiated at 20 mg/day; participants were titrated in 10-20 mg/day increments weekly based on efficacy and tolerability (maximum dose, 60 mg/day). Dose-optimization period efficacy assessments included the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV), analyzed by week in a post hoc analysis using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures with final optimized dose (20, 30/40, or 50/60 mg), visit, final optimized dose and visit interaction, and baseline score as terms. Adverse events (AEs) and concomitant medications were collected throughout the study. RESULTS: Mean MPH ERCT daily dose increased weekly from 29.4 mg/day after the first dose adjustment at week 1 (n = 90) to 42.8 mg/day after the final adjustment at week 5 (n = 86). Final optimized MPH ERCT dose ranged from 20 to 60 mg/day. Mean final optimized MPH ERCT dose ranged from 40.0 mg/day in 6-8 year-old participants to 44.8 mg/day for 11-12 year-old participants. There was a progressive decrease in mean (standard deviation) ADHD-RS-IV total score from 40.1 (8.72) at baseline to 12.4 (7.88) at OL week 5, with similar improvement patterns for hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattentiveness subscale scores. Participants optimized to MPH ERCT 50/60 mg/day had a significantly higher mean (standard error) ADHD-RS-IV score at baseline compared with participants optimized to MPH ERCT 20 mg/day (42.4 [1.34] vs. 35.1 [2.55]; p = 0.013). Treatment-emergent AEs were reported by 65/90 (72.2%) participants in the dose-optimization period. CONCLUSIONS: Dose-optimization period results describing relationships between change in ADHD symptom scores and final optimized MPH ERCT dose will be valuable for clinicians optimizing MPH ERCT dose.

Effect of Food Intake on the Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Methylphenidate Extended-Release Oral Suspension for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

We conducted an open-label, single-dose, randomized, crossover study in healthy adults to assess the impact of food on the bioavailability of 60 mg methylphenidate extended-release oral suspension (MEROS; Quillivant XR™)-a long-acting stimulant for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-by comparing the pharmacokinetic parameters under fed and fasting conditions. When MEROS 60 mg was administered under fed conditions compared with fasting conditions, the exposure of methylphenidate (d enantiomer) was higher, with a mean area under the plasma concentration-vs-time curve (AUC)0-t of 160.2 ng·h/mL vs 140.4 ng·h/mL, and a mean AUC0-inf of 163.2 ng·h/mL vs 143.7 ng·h/mL, respectively. The ratios of the ln-transformed geometric means for methylphenidate for AUC0-t and AUC0-inf were 119.5% (90%CI, 115.7% to 123.5%) and 119.0% (90%CI, 115.2% to 122.8%), respectively, within the standard 80% to 125% bioequivalence acceptance range indicating no food effect on the overall exposure (rate and extent). There was a small increase in the peak plasma concentration (127.6% [90%CI, 119.9% to 135.8%]). However, this effect was small and not likely to be clinically significant. Overall, MEROS 60 mg was safe in both the fed and fasting condition when administered to healthy volunteers in this study.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Bosutinib.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative stem cell disorder. Bosutinib is an oral, once-daily SRC/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor with very potent inhibitory activity. Bosutinib is effective against all phases of intolerant or resistant Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML that do not harbor the T315I or V299LABL kinase domain mutations. Peak plasma concentrations of bosutinib occur at 4-6 h following oral administration, and dose-proportional increases in exposure are observed at doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg. Absorption of bosutinib increases with food. Bosutinib is distributed extensively into the tissues. It is highly plasma protein bound (94 %) and is primarily metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 3A4. Bosutinib is well tolerated overall and has a unique but manageable toxicity profile. This article provides a review of the available clinical pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and drug-drug interaction data on bosutinib in healthy subjects, patients with CML, and special populations.

Single-dose Pharmacokinetic Properties and Relative Bioavailability of a Novel Methylphenidate Extended-release Chewable Tablet Compared With Immediate-release Methylphenidate Chewable Tablet.

PURPOSE: A novel methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release chewable tablet (MPH ERCT) was developed to potentially address an unmet need for patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, especially children, who cannot or will not swallow tablets or would prefer the convenience of a chewable tablet. This randomized, open-label, crossover trial compared the pharmacokinetic properties and relative bioavailability of MPH ERCT with an MPH chewable immediate-release tablet (IR MPH) formulation in healthy adults. METHODS: Healthy men and women 18 to 55 years of age were randomly assigned to MPH ERCT 40 mg or 40 mg IR MPH administered in 2 equal doses of 20 mg 6 hours apart with a 7-day washout period. Plasma concentrations of MPH at selected time points up to 24 hours were measured, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using a noncompartmental approach in the SAS (Version 9.2) PROC general linear model procedure. FINDINGS: A total of 33 participants were enrolled in the study; 31 participants were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis. The exposure ratios for MPH ERCT and IR MPH (MPH ERCT/IR MPH) for area under the analyte concentration versus time curves (AUC) from time zero to the last measurable analyte concentration (AUC0-last) (87.64%; 95% CI, 84.96-90.41) and AUC0-∞ (89.11%; 95% CI, 86.57-91.73) were within the standard 80% to 125% bioequivalence acceptance criteria. Mean Cmax for MPH ERCT and IR MPH was 12.51 ng/mL and 15.57 ng/mL, respectively; mean time to Cmax was 4.16 hours and 6.43 hours, respectively. The mean Cmax of MPH ERCT was 80% of the Cmax of IR MPH due to a higher peak concentration that occurs after the second dose of IR MPH. All adverse events were mild in severity. IMPLICATIONS: The relative bioavailability of MPH ERCT 40 mg, based on the exposure (AUC), was comparable to that of IR MPH 40 mg administered in 2 equal doses of 20 mg 6 hours apart. Both formulations were generally well tolerated.