Dose rationale for the use of meropenem/vaborbactam combination in paediatric patients with Gram-negative bacterial infections.

AIMS: Meropenem/vaborbactam combination is approved in adults by FDA and EMA for complicated urinary tract infections and by EMA also for other Gram-negative infections. We aimed to characterise the pharmacokinetics of both moieties in an ongoing study in children and use a model-based approach to inform adequate dosing regimens in paediatric patients. METHODS: Over 4196 blood samples of meropenem and vaborbactam (n = 414 subjects) in adults, together with 114 blood samples (n = 39) in paediatric patients aged 3 months to 18 years were available for this analysis. Data were analysed using a population with prior information from a pharmacokinetic model in adults to inform parameter estimation in children. Simulations were performed to assess the suitability of different dosing regimens to achieve adequate probability of target attainment (PTA). RESULTS: Meropenem/vaborbactam PK was described with two-compartment models with first-order elimination. Body weight and CLcr were significant covariates on the disposition of both drugs. A maturation function was evaluated to explore changes in clearance in neonates. PTA ≥90% was derived for children aged ≥3 months after 3.5-h IV infusion of 40 mg/kg Q8h of both meropenem and vaborbactam and 2 g/2 g for those ≥50 kg. Extrapolation of disposition parameters suggest that adequate PTA is achieved after a 3.5-h IV infusion of 20 mg/kg for neonates and infants (3 months). CONCLUSIONS: An integrated analysis of adult and paediatric data allowed accurate description of sparsely sampled meropenem/vaborbactam PK in paediatric patients and provided recommendations for the dosing in neonates and infants (3 months).

Efficacy of delafloxacin against the biothreat pathogen Bacillus anthracis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of delafloxacin against Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. METHODS: MICs were obtained according to CLSI guidelines for 30 virulent isolates and 14 attenuated antibiotic-resistant strains. For the in vivo efficacy study, mice were administered delafloxacin (30-62.5 mg/kg) subcutaneously, or ciprofloxacin (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally beginning at either 24 or 48 ±â€Š1 h post-challenge (post-exposure prophylaxis) and continued every 12 h for 14 days with study termination on day 30. The mean inhaled dose in the study was approximately 103 × LD50 equivalents, and the range was 87-120 × LD50. RESULTS: Delafloxacin (MIC90 = 0.004 mg/L) was 16-fold more potent than ciprofloxacin (MIC90 = 0.06 mg/L) against a 30-strain set of virulent B. anthracis. Against a panel of attenuated antibiotic-resistant strains, delafloxacin demonstrated potency ≥128-fold over that observed with ciprofloxacin. When evaluated in vivo, mice treated with all delafloxacin doses tested at 24 h post-challenge demonstrated equivalent survival compared with mice treated with the positive control ciprofloxacin. Because of the high challenge dose of spores, mice treated at 48 h showed rapid and high mortality in all groups including the positive control. Surviving animals in all delafloxacin- and ciprofloxacin-treated groups (24 and 48 h) showed complete splenic clearance of infection and <2.2 × 103 cfu/g lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high bar set by the 100 × LD50 challenge dose in this study, the results from delafloxacin treatment are promising for the treatment of inhaled anthrax.

Reversible disulfide formation of the glutamate carboxypeptidase II inhibitor E2072 results in prolonged systemic exposures in vivo.

E2072 [(3-2-mercaptoethyl)biphenyl-2,3'-dicarboxylic acid] is a novel, potent and selective thiol-based glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP-II) inhibitor that has shown robust analgesic and neuroprotective efficacy in preclinical models of neuropathic pain and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. For the first time, we describe the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic profile of E2072 in rodents and primates. Intravenously administered E2072 was found to exhibit an unexpectedly long terminal half-life (105 ± 40 h) in rats. The long half-life was found to be the result of its ability to rapidly form reversible homo- and possibly heterodisulfides that served as a continuous E2072 depot. The half-life of reversible homodisulfides was 208 ± 81 h. In further support, direct intravenous administration of the E2072-homodisulfide in rats resulted in the formation of E2072, with both E2072 and its disulfide detected in plasma up to 7 days after dose. The observed long exposures were consistent with the sustained efficacy of E2072 in rodent pain models for several days after dose cessation. It is noteworthy that a shorter t(½) of E2072 (23.0 ± 1.2 h) and its homodisulfide (21.0 ± 0.95 h) was observed in primates, indicating interspecies differences in its disposition. In addition, E2072 was found to be orally available with an absolute bioavailability of ∼30% in rats and ∼39% in monkeys. A tissue distribution study of E2072 and its homodisulfide in rats showed good tissue penetration, particularly in sciatic nerve, the presumed site of action for treatment of neuropathy. Metabolic stability and the correlation between pharmacokinetic profile and pharmacological efficacy support the use of this GCP-II inhibitor in the clinic.

Kimyrsa, An Oritavancin-Containing Product: Clinical Study and Review of Properties.

Background: There is a need for improved antibiotic formulations for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and soft structure infection (ABSSSI), especially with the rise of antimicrobial resistance among Gram-positive bacteria. A new formulation of oritavancin was developed to reduce intravenous infusion volume (from 1000 mL to 250 mL), shorten infusion time (from 3 hours to 1 hour), and provide pharmacies with flexibility in oritavancin preparation (from 5% dextrose in sterile water to either normal saline or 5% dextrose in sterile water) compared with the current formulation. Methods: A total of 102 adult patients with a diagnosis of ABSSSI suspected or confirmed to be caused by a Gram-positive pathogen were randomized 1:1 to receive either the new formulation of oritavancin or the current formulation. After a single 1200-mg intravenous infusion of oritavancin, the relative area-under-the-curve exposure of the new formulation and current formulation groups were compared. Safety and tolerability of the new formulation were assessed for treatment-emergent adverse events, serious adverse events, and changes to laboratory parameters. Results: The area under the curve for 0 hour to 72 hours postdose was very similar in the new formulation group compared with the current formulation group. No differences in treatment-emergent adverse events were observed between the current and new formulation groups, and all treatment-emergent adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of the current formulation. Conclusions: The new formulation of oritavancin with reduced volume and duration of intravenous infusion demonstrates a safety profile and pharmacokinetics similar to that of the original formulation.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Sulfobutylether-ß-Cyclodextrin in Patients With Varying Degrees of Renal Impairment.

Delafloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, has activity against Gram-positive organisms including methicillin-resistant S aureus and fluoroquinolone-susceptible and -resistant Gram-negative organisms. The intravenous formulation of delafloxacin contains the excipient sulfobutylether-ß-cyclodextrin (SBECD), which is eliminated by renal filtration. This study examined the pharmacokinetics and safety of SBECD after single intravenous (IV) infusions in subjects with renal impairment. The study was an open-label, parallel-group, crossover study in subjects with normal renal function or mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment, and those with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Subjects received 300 mg delafloxacin IV or placebo IV, containing 2400 mg SBECD, in 2 periods separated by ≥14-day washouts. SBECD total clearance decreased with decreasing renal function, with a corresponding increase in area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞ ). After IV delafloxacin 300 mg administration, SBECD mean total clearance was 6.28 and 1.24 L/h, mean AUC0-∞ was 387 and 2130 h·µg/mL, and mean renal clearance was 5.36 and 1.14 L/h in normal and severe renal subjects, respectively. Similar values were obtained after IV placebo administration. In subjects with end-stage renal disease, delafloxacin 300 mg IV produced mean SBECD AUC0-48 values of 2715 and 7861 h·µg/mL when dosed before and after hemodialysis, respectively. Total SBECD clearance exhibited linear relationships to estimated glomerular filtration rate and creatinine clearance. Single doses of IV delafloxacin 300 mg and IV placebo were well tolerated in all groups. In conclusion, decreasing renal function causes reduced SBECD clearance and increased exposures, but SBECD continues to exhibit a good safety and tolerability profile in IV formulations.

Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Delafloxacin in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease.

This was an open-label, parallel-group, crossover study that examined the pharmacokinetics and safety of delafloxacin, an anionic fluoroquinolone, after a single intravenous infusion in subjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD; creatinine clearance <15 mL/min) undergoing hemodialysis compared with healthy subjects. Subjects received 300 mg delafloxacin containing sulfobutylether-ß-cyclodextrin in 2 periods separated by ≥14-day washouts. Blood and urine samples were collected, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. The mean total exposure (area under the curve) of delafloxacin was about 2.1 and 2.6 higher for subjects with ESRD compared to healthy subjects when dosed 1 hour before or 1 hour after hemodialysis, respectively. Compared to subjects with normal renal function, the maximum exposure to delafloxacin was 13% and 33% higher for ESRD subjects given delafloxacin 1 hour before and 1 hour after hemodialysis, respectively. The mean clearance was 13.7 L/h for healthy subjects and was lower for subjects with ESRD when given before (7.39 L/h) or after (5.69 L/h) hemodialysis. The clearance of delafloxacin in dialysate was 4.74 L/h with about 19.2% of the delafloxacin dose recovered after a 4-hour dialysis session. Delafloxacin was well tolerated in both healthy and ESRD subjects, with diarrhea being the most reported treatment-emergent adverse event.

Delafloxacin Pharmacokinetics in Subjects With Varying Degrees of Renal Function.

Delafloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, has activity against gram-positive organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and fluoroquinolone-susceptible and -resistant gram-negative organisms. This study was conducted to determine delafloxacin pharmacokinetics after a single intravenous infusion or oral dose administration in subjects with varying degrees of renal function. The study was an open-label, parallel-group crossover study in subjects with normal renal function or with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment. Subjects received 300 mg delafloxacin intravenously, placebo intravenously, and 400 mg delafloxacin orally in 3 periods separated by ≥14-day washouts. Blood and urine pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. Delafloxacin total clearance decreased with decreasing renal function, with a corresponding increase in AUC0-∞ . After intravenous administration, mean total clearance was 13.7 and 7.07 L/h, and mean AUC0-∞ was 22.6 and 45.0 µg·h/mL in normal and severe renal subjects, respectively. Mean renal clearance as determined by urinary excretion was 6.03 and 0.44 L/h in normal and severe renal impairment subjects, respectively. Total clearance exhibited linear relationships to eGFR and CLCR . Similar observations were found after oral administration of delafloxacin. Single doses of delafloxacin 300 mg intravenously and 400 mg orally were well tolerated in all groups. In conclusion, renal insufficiency has an effect on delafloxacin clearance; a dosing adjustment for intravenous dosing is warranted for patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min).

The Pharmacokinetics of the CYP3A Substrate Midazolam After Steady-state Dosing of Delafloxacin.

PURPOSE: Delafloxacin is a novel anionic fluoroquinolone in Phase III development for the treatment of serious skin infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of delafloxacin on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A substrate. METHODS: CYP3A activity using midazolam as a probe was assessed before and after multiple doses of delafloxacin to reach steady state. In this nonrandomized, open-label, single-sequence, Phase I study, 22 healthy male and female subjects were administered a single 5-mg oral dose of midazolam on days 1 and 8, with oral delafloxacin 450 mg every 12 hours administered from days 3 to 8. Full pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained on days 1 and 8 (midazolam and 1-hydroxymidazolam) and days 3 and 7 (delafloxacin). FINDINGS: The geometric mean ratios (90% CIs) for AUC0-∞ and Cmax of midazolam coadministered with delafloxacin versus midazolam alone were 89.4 (83.2-96.0) and 93.6 (83.7-104.6). Similarly, the geometric ratio for the AUC0-∞ of 1-hydroxymidazolam, the primary metabolite of midazolam, was 105.7 (97.7-114.3); the ratio of Cmax was not equivalent at 116.1 (101.7-132.4), which was outside the CI of 80% to 125%. Multiple doses of oral delafloxacin for 6 days were generally well tolerated. IMPLICATIONS: Steady-state dosing of delafloxacin produced no significant changes in midazolam pharmacokinetics, except for a small but not clinically relevant change in the Cmax of 1-hydroxymidazolam. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02505997.

Clinical Pharmacology of Delafloxacin in Patients With Hepatic Impairment.

Delafloxacin is a novel anionic fluoroquinolone with robust activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, atypical, and anaerobic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S aureus. Delafloxacin is currently being studied for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired pneumonia. This was a phase 1, open-label pharmacokinetic and safety study of a single intravenous dose of 300 mg delafloxacin in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A, B, and C, respectively) compared with matched healthy controls. The effects of hepatic impairment were assessed by ANOVA of log-transformed values for AUC0-∞ , Cmax , and systemic clearance, with hepatic group as a fixed effect. Mean AUC0-∞ and Cmax in each impairment group were not significantly different from those of the pooled healthy subjects (P > 0.05). The 90% confidence interval (CI) of the percentage ratios of least-squares means of AUC0-∞ did not indicate significant differences between the impairment groups and pooled healthy controls: Child-Pugh class A (mild) 114.4 (CI: 95.6, 137.0), Child-Pugh class B (moderate) 114.8 (CI: 95.9, 137.4), and Child-Pugh class C (severe) 115.1 (CI: 96.1, 137.8). A single IV infusion of delafloxacin was generally well tolerated in all treatment groups. The exposure and clearance of delafloxacin in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment did not significantly differ from those of pooled, matched healthy subjects. Based on these pharmacokinetic data, dose adjustment of delafloxacin in the presence of hepatic impairment is not needed.

Single and Multiple Ascending-dose Studies of Oral Delafloxacin: Effects of Food, Sex, and Age.

PURPOSE: The objective of this report is describe the results of 2 studies that examined the pharmacokinetic parameters, safety profile, and tolerability of single and multiple ascending doses of oral delafloxacin and the effects of food, sex, and age on oral delafloxacin pharmacokinetic parameters, safety profile, and tolerability. METHODS: The first study contained 3 parts and used unformulated delafloxacin in a capsule. Part 1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 mg) ascending-dose study of oral delafloxacin in healthy men. Part 2 was a single-dose crossover study in which 20 men received 250 mg delafloxacin with or without food. Part 2 also included a parallel group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 16 women and 16 elderly men and women who were randomized (3:1) to receive 250 mg delafloxacin or placebo. Part 3 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple (100, 200, 400, 800, 1200 mg once daily for 5 days) ascending-dose study of oral delafloxacin in healthy men. The second study was a single-dose, randomized, 3-period crossover study in which participants received 900 mg delafloxacin (2 × 450-mg tablets) under fasted conditions, with a high-fat meal, or fasted with a high-fat meal 2 hours after dosing. Serial blood samples were collected, and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of delafloxacin were determined. FINDINGS: Delafloxacin Cmax and AUC0-∞ increased with increasing oral dose over the dose range of 50 to 1600 mg. The increases in delafloxacin AUC0-∞ were dose proportional at doses of ≥200 mg. Steady state was reached by day 3 of dosing with minimal accumulation of delafloxacin. The Cmax of delafloxacin was decreased slightly in the presence of food. No sex difference in delafloxacin pharmacokinetic parameters was observed. In the elderly men and women, mean delafloxacin Cmax and AUC0-∞ were 35% higher than observed for young adults, which could be partially explained by a decrease in the creatinine clearance in the elderly men and women. Delafloxacin was well tolerated at the tested doses, with gastrointestinal adverse effects observed more commonly at doses ≥1200 mg. IMPLICATIONS: Delafloxacin exhibits linear pharmacokinetic parameters that reached steady state after 3 days of daily oral dosing with minimal accumulation. Delafloxacin was well tolerated throughout both studies, with gastrointestinal effects observed at the higher doses (≥1200 mg).

Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetic Properties of Intravenous Delafloxacin After Single and Multiple Doses in Healthy Volunteers.

PURPOSE: The objective of this report was to determine the pharmacokinetic properties, safety, and tolerability of single and multiple doses of intravenous delafloxacin. In addition, the absolute bioavailability (BA) of the 450-mg tablet formulation of delafloxacin was determined. METHODS: Three clinical trials are summarized. The first study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- (300, 450, 600, 750, 900, and 1200 mg) ascending-dose study of IV delafloxacin in 62 (52 active, 10 placebo) healthy volunteers. The second study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of IV delafloxacin (300 mg) given as a single dose on day 1, followed by twice-daily dosing on days 2 through 14; 12 (8 active, 4 placebo) healthy volunteers were enrolled. The third study was an open-label, randomized, 2-period, 2-sequence crossover study in which 56 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 sequences of a single oral dose of delafloxacin (450-mg tablet) or IV delafloxacin (300 mg). Serial blood samples were collected, and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of delafloxacin were calculated. FINDINGS: Delafloxacin Cmax values increased proportionally with increasing single IV dose for the dose range of 300 to 1200 mg, whereas the AUC values increased more than proportionally to dose for the same dose range. The mean terminal half-life of delafloxacin was approximately 12 hours (ranging from 8 to 17 hours). The volume of distribution (Vd) at steady state was approximately 35 L, which is similar to the volume of total body water. There was minimal accumulation of delafloxacin after twice-daily IV administration of 300 mg with an accumulation ratio of 1.09. The delafloxacin total exposure after a single 1-hour IV infusion of 300 mg and a single oral dose of a 450-mg tablet were equivalent with geometric least square mean ratio (90% CI) of 0.8768 (0.8356-0.9200) for AUC0-∞ and 0.8445 (0.8090-0.8815) for AUC0-t, respectively. The Cmax values of delafloxacin were not equivalent for the 2 formulations with a ratio (90% CI) of 0.5516 (0.5150-0.5908), respectively. The mean absolute bioavailability of delafloxacin was 58.8%. IMPLICATIONS: Delafloxacin was well tolerated in healthy volunteers after single and multiple IV doses. The total systemic exposure to IV (300 mg) and oral (450 mg) delafloxacin is comparable, supporting that a switch between the 2 formulations is appropriate.

Brain distribution and efficacy as chemosensitizer of an oral formulation of PARP-1 inhibitor GPI 15427 in experimental models of CNS tumors.

We previously demonstrated that intravenous or intra-cerebral administration of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitors increases the antitumor activity of temozolomide (TMZ), an oral anticancer drug used for the treatment of malignant melanoma and primary or secondary brain tumors. Since the oral route has a number of advantages in terms of safety and convenience with respect to intravenous injection, in this study we tested whether administration per os of the novel PARP-1 inhibitor GPI 15427 allows sufficient absorption of the compound and achievement of brain concentrations capable of enhancing the efficacy of TMZ against tumors growing at the CNS. Pharmacokinetics analysis of GPI 15427 levels in plasma and brain was assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats after oral dosing, by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Antitumor activity of oral GPI 15427 in association with TMZ was evaluated in BD2F1 mice injected intracranially with B16 melanoma or L5178Y lymphoma. Pharmacokinetics studies revealed that GPI 15427 possesses a substantial oral bioavailability (plasma Cmax after a single dose of 40 mg/kg: 1041+/-516 ng/ml). Moreover, the brain levels and brain/plasma ratios of GPI 15427 (3.37 at 0.5 h and 3.19 at 1 h) indicated that the compound readily penetrates the blood-brain barrier. GPI 15427 (10 or 40 mg/kg/per os) was then administered for five days, 1 h before TMZ (100 mg/kg/i.p.), to tumor-bearing mice. The results indicated that GPI 15427+TMZ was well tolerated and significantly increased life-span of the animals with respect to TMZ. In conclusion, PARP-1 inhibitor GPI 15427 is efficacious as chemosensitizer for the treatment of tumors located at the CNS site when it is administered by oral route.

Design and synthesis of poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 inhibitors. 2. Biological evaluation of aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones as potent, aqueous-soluble compounds for the treatment of ischemic injuries.

A series of aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Inhibitory potency of the unsubstituted aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones (i.e., benzonaphthyridones) was dependent on the position of the nitrogen atom within the core structure. The A ring nitrogen analogues (7-, 8-, and 10-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones) were an order of magnitude less potent than C ring nitrogen analogues (1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones). Preliminary stroke results from 1- and 2-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-one prompted structure-activity relationships to be established for several 2- and 3-substituted 1-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones. The 2-substituted 1-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones were designed to improve the solubility and pharmacokinetic profiles for this series of PARP-1 inhibitors. Most importantly, three compounds from this series demonstrated statistically significant protective effects in rat models of stroke and heart ischemia.

Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inhibitors based on thioalkylbenzoic acid scaffolds.

A series of thiol-based glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inhibitors have been synthesized with either a 3-(mercaptomethyl)benzoic acid or 2-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzoic acid scaffold. Potent inhibitors were identified from each of the two scaffolds with IC(50) values in the single-digit nanomolar range, including 2-(3-carboxybenzyloxy)-5-(mercaptomethyl)benzoic acid 27c and 3-(2-mercaptoethyl)biphenyl-2,3'-dicarboxylic acid 35c. Compound 35c was found to be metabolically stable and selective over a number of targets related to glutamate-mediated neurotransmission. Furthermore, compound 35c was found to be orally available in rats and exhibited efficacy in an animal model of neuropathic pain following oral administration.

Head and neck cancer radiosensitization by the novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor GPI-15427.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we tested the ability of a novel poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, 10-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-2H-7-oxa-1,2-diaza-benzo[de]-anthracen-3-one (GPI-15427), to enhance the effect of radiotherapy in a xenograft model of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Human xenograft HNSCC tumors were established in female nude mice: animals were treated with orally administered GPI-15427 at varied doses prior to tumor irradiation. In vitro and in vivo apoptosis analyses and neutral single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay were performed, with the "tail moment" calculated to evaluate DNA double-strand break damage. RESULTS: Orally administered GPI-15427 given before radiation therapy significantly reduced tumor volume, and cells demonstrated significantly elevated mean tail moments (indicative of DNA damage) and enhanced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, compared with radiation-alone and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the PARP-1 inhibitor GPI-15427 induced significant sensitization to radiotherapy, representing a promising new treatment in the management of HNSCC.