Efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in East/Southeast Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: Post-hoc analysis of the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in East/Southeast (E/SE) Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Efficacy evaluations used data from randomized, double-blind, phase 3 studies: a pool of two 26-week placebo-controlled studies and one 52-week active-comparator (glimepiride) study. Least squares mean change from baseline was calculated for HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight (BW) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Safety evaluation included overall and prespecified adverse events based on pooled data (broad pool) from seven phase 3 studies (including studies in the efficacy analysis). RESULTS: Among 161 E/SE Asian patients in the placebo pool (ertugliflozin, n = 106), ertugliflozin reduced HbA1c, FPG, BW and SBP from baseline at week 26. The placebo-adjusted changes from baseline for ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg were: HbA1c, -0.9% and -1.0%; BW, -2.1 and -1.9 kg; and SBP, -3.3 and -3.5 mmHg, respectively. Among 174 E/SE Asian patients in the active-comparator study (ertugliflozin, n = 118), HbA1c changes from baseline at week 52 were -0.6%, -0.6% and -0.7% for ertugliflozin 5 mg, 15 mg and glimepiride, respectively. Ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg reduced BW from baseline by -4.3 and -4.1 kg, respectively, and SBP by -7.4 and -9.3 mmHg, respectively, compared with glimepiride. Safety findings were generally consistent with overall ertugliflozin safety data published to date. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ertugliflozin was associated with reductions in HbA1c, FPG, BW and SBP, and was generally well tolerated in E/SE Asian patients with T2DM. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01986855, NCT01999218, NCT01958671, NCT02099110, NCT02036515, NCT02033889, NCT02226003.

Effect of ertugliflozin on blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a post hoc pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of ertugliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, for glycemic and blood pressure (BP) control has been demonstrated in phase 3 studies. To further evaluate the effects of ertugliflozin on BP and other hemodynamic parameters, an analysis was conducted on the pooled patient populations from these studies. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of data from three phase 3 studies (NCT01958671, NCT02033889, and NCT02036515) of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received placebo, ertugliflozin 5 mg, or ertugliflozin 15 mg. Outcomes at 26 weeks were analyzed for the pooled population and according to relevant baseline factors, including BP. RESULTS: Of the 1544 patients included (placebo, n = 515; ertugliflozin 5 mg, n = 519; ertugliflozin 15 mg, n = 510), most (67.4-69.0%) had hypertension at baseline. Mean baseline BP was similar across treatment groups (placebo, 129.7/78.0 mmHg; ertugliflozin 5 mg, 131.0/78.4 mmHg; ertugliflozin 15 mg, 130.5/78.4 mmHg). At Week 26, placebo-adjusted least squares (LS) mean changes (95% confidence intervals [CI]) from baseline in systolic BP (SBP) were - 3.7 mmHg (- 5.1, - 2.3) for both ertugliflozin doses. Reductions were consistent across all baseline subgroups. At Week 26, more patients with a baseline SBP ≥ 130 mmHg had a SBP < 130 mmHg with ertugliflozin (38.7% both doses) than with placebo (24.0%), and more patients with a baseline SBP ≥ 140 mmHg attained a SBP < 140 mmHg with ertugliflozin (59.5% [5 mg] and 66.7% [15 mg]) than with placebo (43.8%). Placebo-adjusted LS mean changes (95% CI) in diastolic BP (DBP) with ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg were - 1.8 mmHg (- 2.7, - 0.9) and - 1.6 mmHg (- 2.5, - 0.7), respectively, and in pulse rate were - 1.3 beats per minute (bpm) (- 2.2, - 0.3) and - 1.5 bpm (- 2.5, - 0.6), respectively. Greater reductions in pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, and double product were observed with ertugliflozin than with placebo. Incidence of adverse event-related osmotic diuresis was low, but greater with ertugliflozin (2.9% [5 mg], 2.4% [15 mg]) than placebo (1.0%). CONCLUSION: Ertugliflozin treatment led to reductions in SBP, DBP, and pulse rate relative to placebo. Reductions in SBP were generally consistent across the subgroups evaluated. Trial registration NCT01958671; NCT02033889; NCT02036515.

Long-term efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy: 104-week VERTIS MET trial.

AIM: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 104-week Phase III, randomized double-blind study with a 26-week placebo-controlled period (Phase A) and a 78-week period (Phase B) where blinded glimepiride was added to non-rescued placebo participants with fasting fingerstick glucose ≥6.1 mmol/L. Results through week 104 are reported. RESULTS: Mean (standard error) change in HbA1c from baseline was -0.7% (0.07) and -1.0% (0.07) at week 52; -0.6% (0.08) and -0.9% (0.08) at week 104 for ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg. At week 52, 34.8% and 36.6% participants had HbA1c <7.0%, and 24.6% and 33.7% at week 104, for ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg. Ertugliflozin reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) from baseline through week 104. The incidence of female genital mycotic infections (GMIs) was higher with ertugliflozin, and symptomatic hypoglycaemia was lower for ertugliflozin versus placebo/glimepiride. Minimal bone mineral density (BMD) changes were observed, similar to placebo/glimepiride, except at total hip where reduction in BMD was greater with ertugliflozin 15 mg versus placebo/glimepiride: difference in least squares means (95% CI) -0.50% (-0.95, -0.04) at week 52 and -0.84% (-1.44, -0.24) at week 104. CONCLUSIONS: Ertugliflozin maintained improvements from baseline in HbA1c, FPG, body weight and SBP through week 104. Ertugliflozin was well tolerated, with non-clinically relevant changes in BMD. Compared with placebo/glimepiride, ertugliflozin increased female GMIs, but reduced the incidence of symptomatic hypoglycaemia. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02033889.

Long-term efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in patients with inadequately controlled T2DM despite diet and exercise: VERTIS MONO extension study.

AIM: This phase III, multicentre, randomized study (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01958671) evaluated the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c], 7.0% to 10.5% [53-91 mmol/mol]) despite diet and exercise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 52-week study comprised a 26-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled period (Phase A) during which 461 participants received placebo, ertugliflozin 5 mg/d or ertugliflozin 15 mg/d. This was followed by a 26-week active-controlled period (Phase B) during which participants in the placebo group who had not received glycaemic rescue therapy had blinded metformin added. Results to Week 52 are reported. Because of the use of metformin in Phase B, no statistical comparisons of efficacy were made between the ertugliflozin and placebo/metformin groups at Week 52. RESULTS: The mean (standard error) change from baseline to Week 52 in HbA1c was -0.9% (0.1) and -1.0% (0.1) in the ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg groups, respectively. The proportions of participants with HbA1c <7.0% at Week 52 were 25.6% and 28.5%, respectively. Ertugliflozin reduced fasting plasma glucose, body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The incidence of genital mycotic infections (GMIs) in females was significantly higher in both ertugliflozin groups (5 mg, 26.9%; 15 mg, 29.0%) vs the placebo/metformin group (9.9%), and in males was significantly higher in the 15 mg group (7.8%) vs the placebo/metformin group (1.2%). Ertugliflozin was not associated with increased incidence of urinary tract infections, symptomatic hypoglycaemia or hypovolaemia adverse events compared with placebo/metformin. CONCLUSIONS: Ertugliflozin treatment over 52 weeks improved glycaemic control and reduced body weight and SBP, but increased GMIs.

Effect of ertugliflozin on glucose control, body weight, blood pressure and bone density in type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy (VERTIS MET).

AIM: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled (HbA1c, 7.0%-10.5%) with metformin monotherapy (≥1500 mg/d for ≥8 weeks). METHODS: This was a double-blind, 26-week, multicentre study with ongoing 78-week extension (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02033889). A total of 621 participants were randomized 1:1:1 to placebo, or ertugliflozin 5 or 15 mg/d. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at week 26 in HbA1c. Secondary efficacy endpoints were change from baseline at week 26 in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and number of participants with HbA1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol). Pre-specified adverse events (AEs) of special interest and percent change from baseline in bone mineral density (BMD) were also assessed at week 26. RESULTS: At week 26, the placebo-adjusted least-squares mean change from baseline HbA1c (8.1%) was -0.7% and -0.9% for ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg, respectively (both P < .001), to final means of 7.3% and 7.2%, respectively. The odds of HbA1c <7.0% were significantly greater in both ertugliflozin groups vs placebo. Ertugliflozin significantly reduced FPG, body weight, SBP and DBP vs placebo. The incidence of genital mycotic infections was higher in the ertugliflozin groups (female subjects: placebo, 0.9%; ertugliflozin 5 mg, 5.5%; ertugliflozin 15 mg, 6.3% [P = .032]; male subjects: 0%; 3.1%; 3.2%, respectively), as was the incidence of urinary tract infections and symptomatic hypoglycaemia. The incidence of hypovolaemia AEs was similar across groups. Ertugliflozin had no adverse impact on BMD at week 26. CONCLUSIONS: Ertugliflozin added to metformin in patients with inadequately controlled T2DM improved glycaemic control, reduced body weight and BP, but increased the incidence of genital mycotic infections.

Phase III, efficacy and safety study of ertugliflozin monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise alone.

AIMS: To conduct a phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a 52-week, double-blind, multicentre, randomized, parallel-group study with a 26-week, placebo-controlled treatment period (phase A), followed by a 26-week active-controlled treatment period (phase B) in 461 men and women, aged ≥18 years with inadequate glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] concentration 7.0% to 10.5% [53-91 mmol/mol], inclusive) despite diet and exercise. Results from phase A are reported in the present paper. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 26. RESULTS: At week 26, the placebo-adjusted least squares mean HbA1c changes from baseline were -0.99% and -1.16% for the ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg doses, respectively ( P < .001 for both doses). The odds of having HbA1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were significantly greater in the ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg groups compared with the placebo group. Both doses of ertugliflozin significantly lowered fasting plasma glucose and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels and body weight. The placebo-adjusted differences in changes from baseline in systolic blood pressure were not statistically significant. A higher incidence of genital mycotic infections occurred in men and women treated with ertugliflozin compared with placebo. There was no significant difference between treatments in the proportion of participants with symptomatic hypoglycaemia or adverse events associated with urinary tract infection or hypovolaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg treatment for 26 weeks provides effective glycaemic control, reduces body weight and is generally well tolerated, when used as monotherapy.

Factors associated with dose escalation of fesoterodine for treatment of overactive bladder in people >65 years of age: A post hoc analysis of data from the SOFIA study.

AIM: To investigate factors which may influence dose escalation of antimuscarinics for overactive bladder (OAB) in older patients and how dose escalation affects treatment efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A post hoc analysis of data from the 12-week randomized, placebo controlled phase of the SOFIA study investigating treatment with fesoterodine in older people with OAB. Predictors and outcomes in patients aged ≥65 years with OAB who did or did not choose to escalate from fesoterodine 4 to 8 mg before the first dose-escalation choice point (week 4) and at the end of the study (week 12) were assessed. RESULTS: Variables which significantly increased likelihood of dose escalation were, at baseline, body mass index (OR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01, 1.12; P = 0.0222), and male gender (OR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.28, 3.32; P = 0.0028) and at week 4, change from baseline in urgency episodes (OR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.05, 1.20; P = 0.0008), patient perception of bladder control (PPBC) (OR: 1.44, 95% CI 1.12, 1.84; P = 0.004). At week 12, dose escalation was associated with slightly reduced treatment outcomes compared to week 4 non-escalators. CONCLUSIONS: No baseline disease related factor associated with dose escalation was identified. Magnitude of change in urgency episodes and reduction in PPBC at 4 weeks were associated with dose escalation. These data may be of use to healthcare providers as they allow judgement to be made in individual patients, allowing treatment decisions to be made. At end of treatment, improvements in efficacy and quality of life were achieved in both escalators and non-escalators.

Long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of flexible-dose fesoterodine in elderly patients with overactive bladder: open-label extension of the SOFIA trial.

AIMS: To assess the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of flexible-dose fesoterodine in elderly patients with OAB. METHODS: Patients aged ≥65 years who completed a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were eligible for the 12-week, open-label (OL) extension phase. Patients who received double-blind placebo started on fesoterodine 4 mg and could increase to 8 mg after 4 or 8 weeks of OL treatment, while fesoterodine-treated patients continued on their double-blind dose; only one dose escalation or de-escalation was permitted. Discontinuations and adverse events (AEs) were monitored, and patients completed 3-day bladder diaries and patient-reported outcomes at the beginning and end of the 12-week OL phase. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-four patients entered the 12-week OL extension (mean age 72 years; 52% women). AEs were reported by 30.7% and 48.1% of patients who had received double-blind fesoterodine and placebo, respectively; 1.9% and 9.4%, discontinued due to AEs, respectively. Patients who received double-blind fesoterodine maintained their efficacy response. After 12 weeks of OL treatment, efficacy outcomes in patients who received double-blind placebo were similar to those who had received double-blind fesoterodine. On average, the efficacy response was maintained for the duration of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Fesoterodine was well tolerated and improvements in OAB symptoms and quality of life measures were not diminished with longer-term treatment of patients aged ≥65 years.

Effect of fesoterodine on urethral closure function in women with stress urinary incontinence assessed by urethral pressure reflectometry.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim was to evaluate, using urethral pressure reflectometry (UPR), the effect of fesoterodine on urethral function in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Women aged 18 to 65 years were eligible for this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study if they had had clinically significant SUI or SUI-predominant mixed urinary incontinence for >3 months. Each participant received fesoterodine 4 mg, fesoterodine 8 mg, and placebo once daily for 7 days, with a 7- to 10-day washout between treatments. UPR was performed at baseline and 4 to 8 h after the last dose in each treatment period. Participants completed a 3-day bladder diary before randomisation and during the last 3 days of each treatment period. RESULTS: Of the 22 women randomly assigned and treated, 17 met the criteria for the primary efficacy analyses. No statistically significant differences were seen between fesoterodine 4 mg or fesoterodine 8 mg and placebo in opening urethral pressure (primary endpoint) or other UPR endpoints. No statistically significant differences were seen between either fesoterodine dose and placebo in the change from baseline in the bladder diary variables (total urinary incontinence, SUI, or urgency urinary incontinence episodes per 24 h). Adverse events were reported by 8 participants taking fesoterodine 4 mg, 17 taking fesoterodine 8 mg, and 8 taking placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Fesoterodine did not affect urethral pressure or significantly decrease the number of incontinence episodes in women with SUI. The UPR parameters showed no placebo effect, while there was a placebo effect of 60 % based on the bladder diary.

Effects of drug cessation after flexible-dose fesoterodine in patients with overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the course of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms after 4 weeks of no treatment following a 12-week study of the efficacy and safety of flexible-dose fesoterodine in patients with OAB who were enrolled in the UK healthcare system. There are limited data available on the natural time course of OAB symptoms after the cessation of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the open-label UK Study Assessing Flexible-dose Fesoterodine in Adults trial, patients aged ≥18 years with self-reported OAB symptoms for ≥3 months, a mean of at least eight micturitions per 24 h and three or more urgency episodes per 24 h on a 3-day bladder diary at baseline, and at least moderate bladder-related problems reported on the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) at baseline, were treated with fesoterodine for 12 weeks. All patients received fesoterodine 4 mg once daily for the first 4 weeks, at which time they could choose to increase the dose to 8 mg once daily, based on a discussion of treatment efficacy and tolerability with the investigator, or they could remain on fesoterodine 4 mg for the remaining 8 weeks. The 12-week treatment period was followed by a 4-week follow-up period of no fesoterodine treatment. Patients completed 3-day bladder diaries and the PPBC at baseline, week 4, end of treatment (week 12) and end of the follow-up period (week 16); the King's Health Questionnaire at baseline, end of treatment (week 12) and end of the follow-up period (week 16); and the Benefit, Satisfaction and Willingness to Continue questionnaire at week 12. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of fesoterodine treatment, patients had clinically meaningful improvements in bladder diary variables and King's Health Questionnaire domains; 79% (254/322) of patients reported an improvement on the PPBC. After 4 weeks of no treatment, most patients deteriorated back to week 4 levels or worse on all bladder diary and patient-reported outcomes. Patients who expressed a benefit from fesoterodine treatment, satisfaction with their treatment or a willingness to continue treatment showed greater improvement from baseline to week 12 and greater deterioration from week 12 to week 16 than patients who did not respond positively on the Benefit, Satisfaction and Willingness to Continue questionnaire. Both men and women showed a meaningful deterioration in bladder diary variables and patient-reported outcomes at week 16; baseline symptom severity, age and week 4 dose escalation status did not appear to affect outcome deterioration at week 16. CONCLUSIONS: At 4 weeks after fesoterodine was discontinued, patients showed an increase in the frequency of OAB symptoms, an increase in the severity of bladder-related problems and a reduction in health-related quality of life. Many patients with OAB who respond to antimuscarinics may require treatment for more than 12 weeks because symptoms recur as early as 4 weeks after the cessation of therapy.

Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Fesoterodine in Pediatric Patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Fesoterodine is a muscarinic receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) in adults and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in pediatric patients. This work aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT, the active metabolite of fesoterodine) and its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship in pediatric patients with OAB or NDO following administration of fesoterodine. METHODS: 5-HMT plasma concentrations from 142 participants of age ≥ 6 years were analyzed, and a nonlinear mixed-effects model was developed. Weight-based simulations of 5-HMT exposure and maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) were conducted using the final models. RESULTS: A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and a lag time, which included the effects of body weight, sex, cytochrome (CYP) 2D6 metabolizer status and fesoterodine formulation on pharmacokinetic parameters, best described the 5-HMT pharmacokinetics. An Emax model described the exposure-response relationship adequately. The median maximum concentration at steady state for pediatric patients weighing 25-35 kg and receiving 8 mg once daily (QD) was estimated to be 2.45 times greater than that in adults receiving 8 mg QD. Furthermore, simulation results showed dosing with fesoterodine 4 mg QD to pediatric patients weighing 25-35 kg and 8 mg QD to pediatric patients weighing >35 kg would achieve adequate exposure to demonstrate a clinically meaningful change from baseline (CFB) MCC. CONCLUSIONS: Population models were developed for 5-HMT and MCC in pediatric patients. Weight-based simulations indicated that 4 mg QD for pediatric patients weighing 25-35 kg and 8 mg QD for those weighing > 35 kg provided similar exposures to those in adults following 8 mg QD and a clinically meaningful CFB MCC. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBERS: NCT00857896, NCT01557244.

Fesoterodine is a muscarinic receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) in adults and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in pediatric patients in the US. Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models were developed for 5-HMT based on data from two pediatric clinical trials that included 142 patients of age ≥ 6 years with OAB or NDO. Weight-based simulations of 5-HMT exposure and maximum cystometric capacity were conducted using the final models to examine the impact of covariates on 5-HMT exposure and the exposure­response profile. The results of these simulations indicate that 4 mg QD for pediatric patients weighing 25­35 kg and 8 mg QD for those weighing > 35 kg provide similar exposures to those in adults following 8 mg QD.

Fesoterodine treatment of pediatric patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity: A 24-week, randomized, open-label, phase 3 study.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) can damage the upper urinary tract leading to chronic renal impairment. Antimuscarinic therapy is used to improve urinary incontinence and protect the upper urinary tract in patients with NDO. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated safety and efficacy of fesoterodine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, in 6‒<18-year-old patients with NDO (NCT01557244). STUDY DESIGN: This open-label phase 3 study included 2 pediatric cohorts. Patients in Cohort 1 (bodyweight >25 kg) were randomized to fesoterodine 4 or 8 mg extended-release tablets or oxybutynin XL tablets administered over the 12-week active comparator-controlled phase. The safety extension phase evaluated fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg for a further 12 weeks, with patients in the oxybutynin arm allocated to fesoterodine 4 or 8 mg. Patients in Cohort 2 (bodyweight ≤25 kg) were randomized to fesoterodine 2 or 4 mg extended-release beads-in-capsule (BIC) administered over a 12-week efficacy phase and 12-week safety extension phase. Patients with stable neurologic disease and clinically or urodynamically proven NDO were included. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to Week 12 in maximum cystometric bladder capacity (MCC). Secondary efficacy endpoints included detrusor pressure at maximum bladder capacity, bladder volume at first involuntary detrusor contraction, bladder compliance, and incontinence episodes. Safety endpoints included adverse event incidence, and specific assessments of cognition, behavior and vision. The pharmacokinetics of 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT; fesoterodine's active metabolite) was determined using population-pharmacokinetic analysis. RESULTS: In Cohort 1 (n = 124), fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg treatment resulted in significant increases from baseline in the primary endpoint of MCC at Week 12. In Cohort 2 (n = 57), fesoterodine 2 and 4 mg BIC treatment resulted in improvements in MCC from baseline. Fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg and fesoterodine 4 mg BIC led to improvements in some secondary efficacy endpoints. The most common treatment-related adverse reactions were gastrointestinal effects, such as dry mouth, which occurred more frequently with oxybutynin than fesoterodine. No detrimental effects on visual accommodation or acuity, or on cognitive function or behavior were observed. DISCUSSION: These safety and efficacy results are consistent with limited published data on fesoterodine treatment in pediatric populations with overactive bladder or NDO. Study limitations include the lack of placebo control and the small sample size, which limits the ability to make formal efficacy comparisons and detect rare adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Fesoterodine has a favorable benefit-risk profile in 6‒<18-year-old patients with NDO and may represent an additional option for pediatric NDO treatment.

Safety and efficacy of flexible-dose fesoterodine in British subjects with overactive bladder: insights into factors associated with dose escalation.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of flexible-dose fesoterodine and factors associated with dose escalation in subjects with overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: In this 12-week, open-label study, 331 adults with OAB symptoms for ≥3 months, ≥8 micturitions and ≥3 urgency episodes per 24 h and who reported at least "some moderate" bladder-related problems were treated with fesoterodine 4 mg once daily for 4 weeks, with the option to escalate to 8 mg for the remaining 8 weeks based on discussion of efficacy and tolerability with the investigator. Factors influencing dose escalation were identified using stepwise logistic regression. Efficacy was assessed via 3-day bladder diaries and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 59 % dose escalated at week 4; 93 % of escalators cited insufficient clinical response. The decision to escalate was most often made by the subject (alone or with the investigator). Improvements from baseline were observed in diary and patient-reported outcomes at weeks 4 and 12. Smaller improvements in micturition frequency and worse bladder-related problems at week 4 were significantly associated with increased likelihood of dose escalation; baseline micturition frequency, age, sex, body mass index, antimuscarinic-associated adverse events and OAB symptom duration were not. Non-escalators had greater improvement from baseline to week 4 than escalators; by week 12, improvement was similar among escalators and non-escalators. Fesoterodine was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with flexible-dose fesoterodine improved bladder diary and patient-reported outcomes. Lower clinical response was related to dose escalation; after escalation, response in escalators approached that of non-escalators.

Efficacy and safety of an orally administered DGAT2 inhibitor alone or coadministered with a liver-targeted ACC inhibitor in adults with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): rationale and design of the phase II, dose-ranging, dose-finding, randomised, placebo-controlled MIRNA (Metabolic Interventions to Resolve NASH with fibrosis) study.

INTRODUCTION: Small molecule inhibitors of the terminal step in intrahepatic triglyceride synthesis (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitor (DGAT2i, PF-06865571, ervogastat)) and upstream blockade of de novo lipogenesis via acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase inhibitor (ACCi, PF-05221304, clesacostat) showed promise in reducing hepatic steatosis in early clinical trials. This study assesses efficacy and safety of these metabolic interventions to resolve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This phase II, randomised, dose-ranging, dose-finding study evaluates DGAT2i 25-300 mg two times per day (BID) or 150-300 mg once a day, DGAT2i 150-300 mg BID+ACCi 5-10 mg BID coadministration or matching placebo in a planned 450 adults with biopsy-confirmed NASH and liver fibrosis stages 2-3 from approximately 220 sites in 11 countries across North America, Europe and Asia. A triage approach including double-confirmation via non-invasive markers is included prior to screening/baseline liver biopsy. On confirmation of histological diagnosis, participants enter a ≥6-week run-in period, then a 48-week double-blind, double-dummy dosing period. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants achieving histological NASH resolution without worsening fibrosis, ≥1 stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening NASH, or both, assessed by central pathologists. Other endpoints include assessment of hepatic steatosis (imaging substudy), overall safety and tolerability, and evaluation of blood-based biomarkers and quantitative ultrasound parameters over time. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Metabolic Interventions to Resolve NASH with fibrosis (MIRNA) is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Council for International Organisations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) International Ethical Guidelines, International Council on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice guidelines, applicable laws and regulations, including privacy laws. Local independent review board/ethics committees (IRB/ECs) review/approve the protocol, any amendments, informed consent and other forms. Participants provide written informed consent. Details of all IRB/ECs, as well as results, will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and publicly disclosed through ClinicalTrials.gov, EudraCT, and/or www.pfizer.com and other public registries as per applicable local laws/regulations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04321031.

Investigation of the clinical efficacy and safety of pregabalin alone or combined with tolterodine in female subjects with idiopathic overactive bladder.

AIMS: To assess the efficacy and safety of pregabalin alone or in combination with tolterodine extended release (ER) in subjects with idiopathic OAB. METHODS: This 26-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-period crossover study enrolled women aged ≥ 18 years that were diagnosed with OAB and reported ≥ 8 micturitions/24 hr and ≥ 4 urgency episodes/week on 5-day bladder diary at baseline. Subjects were randomized to 1 of 10 treatment sequences and received three of five treatments, each for 4 weeks with 4-week washout periods: standard-dose pregabalin/tolterodine ER (150 mg twice daily [BID]/4 mg once daily [QD], n=102), pregabalin alone (150 mg BID, n=105), tolterodine ER alone (4 mg QD, n=104), low-dose pregabalin/tolterodine ER (75 mg BID/2 mg QD, n=105), and placebo (n=103). Subjects completed 5-day diaries at the end of treatment and washout periods. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to week 4 in mean voided volume (MVV) per micturition. The primary comparison was standard-dose pregabalin/tolterodine ER versus tolterodine ER alone; secondary comparisons were pregabalin alone versus tolterodine ER alone and versus placebo. RESULTS: Baseline-adjusted changes in MVV were significantly greater after treatment with standard-dose pregabalin/tolterodine ER (39.5 ml) versus tolterodine ER alone (15.5 ml; P<0.0001), and with pregabalin alone (27.4 ml) versus tolterodine ER alone (P=0.005) and placebo (11.9 ml; P=0.0006). Treatments were generally well tolerated; discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 4%, 2%, 5%, 0%, and 1% with standard- and low-dose pregabalin/tolterodine ER, pregabalin, tolterodine ER, and placebo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pregabalin, alone or with tolterodine ER may offer an alternative treatment option for idiopathic OAB in women.

Comparison of different algorithms for predicting clinical drug-drug interactions, based on the use of CYP3A4 in vitro data: predictions of compounds as precipitants of interaction.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is the most important enzyme in drug metabolism and because it is the most frequent target for pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions (DDIs) it is highly desirable to be able to predict CYP3A4-based DDIs from in vitro data. In this study, the prediction of clinical DDIs for 30 drugs on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a probe substrate for CYP3A4, was done using in vitro inhibition, inactivation, and induction data. Two DDI prediction approaches were used, which account for effects at both the liver and intestine. The first was a model that simultaneously combines reversible inhibition, time-dependent inactivation, and induction data with static estimates of relevant in vivo concentrations of the precipitant drug to provide point estimates of the average magnitude of change in midazolam exposure. This model yielded a success rate of 88% in discerning DDIs with a mean -fold error of 1.74. The second model was a computational physiologically based pharmacokinetic model that uses dynamic estimates of in vivo concentrations of the precipitant drug and accounts for interindividual variability among the population (Simcyp). This model yielded success rates of 88 and 90% (for "steady-state" and "time-based" approaches, respectively) and mean -fold errors of 1.59 and 1.47. From these findings it can be concluded that in vivo DDIs for CYP3A4 can be predicted from in vitro data, even when more than one biochemical phenomenon occurs simultaneously.

Efficacy of ertugliflozin in monotherapy or combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A pooled analysis of placebo-controlled studies.

BACKGROUND: This pooled analysis assessed the efficacy of ertugliflozin versus placebo as monotherapy or with other antihyperglycaemic agents across patient subgroups defined by demographic and disease characteristics. METHODS: Data from three phase III randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies (NCT01958671, NCT02033889 and NCT02036515) with similar designs and populations were pooled (N = 1544). RESULTS: At Week 26, placebo-adjusted least squares mean changes from baseline in glycated haemoglobin with ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg were -0.8% (95% confidence interval: -0.9, -0.7) and -0.9% (-1.0, -0.8), respectively. Reductions were consistent across subgroups. Placebo-adjusted least squares mean changes in body weight were -1.8 kg (-2.2, -1.4) for both ertugliflozin doses; for systolic blood pressure, these were -3.4 mmHg (-4.8, -2.0) and -3.5 mmHg (-4.9, -2.0) for ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg, respectively. Higher proportions of patients receiving ertugliflozin had glycated haemoglobin <7.0%, weight loss ⩾5% and systolic blood pressure <130 mmHg versus placebo. Ertugliflozin and placebo safety profiles were similar, including incidences of hypoglycaemia, urinary tract infection and hypovolaemia. Genital mycotic infection and adverse events related to osmotic diuresis were more common with ertugliflozin. CONCLUSION: Ertugliflozin demonstrated efficacy as monotherapy or with other antihyperglycaemic agents in patients with different demographic and disease characteristics and was generally well tolerated.

Application of CYP3A4 in vitro data to predict clinical drug-drug interactions; predictions of compounds as objects of interaction.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: Numerous retrospective analyses have shown the utility of in vitro systems for predicting potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Prediction of DDIs from in vitro data is commonly obtained using estimates of enzyme K(i), inhibitor and substrate concentrations and absorption rate for substrate and inhibitor. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Using a generic approach for all test compounds, the findings from the current study showed the use of recombinant P450s provide a more robust in vitro measure of P450 contribution (fraction metabolized, f(m)) than that achieved when using chemical inhibitors in combination with human liver microsomes, for the prediction of potential CYP3A4 drug-drug interactions prior to clinical investigation. The current study supported the use of SIMCYP(R), a modelling and simulation software in utilizing the in vitro measures in the prediction of potential drug-drug interactions. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore and optimize the in vitro and in silico approaches used for predicting clinical DDIs. A data set containing clinical information on the interaction of 20 Pfizer compounds with ketoconazole was used to assess the success of the techniques. METHODS: The study calculated the fraction and the rate of metabolism of 20 Pfizer compounds via each cytochrome P450. Two approaches were used to determine fraction metabolized (f(m)); 1) by measuring substrate loss in human liver microsomes (HLM) in the presence and absence of specific chemical inhibitors and 2) by measuring substrate loss in individual cDNA expressed P450s (also referred to as recombinant P450s (rhCYP)) The fractions metabolized via each CYP were used to predict the drug-drug interaction due to CYP3A4 inhibition by ketoconazole using the modelling and simulation software SIMCYP. RESULTS: When in vitro data were generated using Gentest supersomes, 85% of predictions were within two-fold of the observed clinical interaction. Using PanVera baculosomes, 70% of predictions were predicted within two-fold. In contrast using chemical inhibitors the accuracy was lower, predicting only 37% of compounds within two-fold of the clinical value. Poorly predicted compounds were found to either be metabolically stable and/or have high microsomal protein binding. The use of equilibrium dialysis to generate accurate protein binding measurements was especially important for highly bound drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that the use of rhCYPs with SIMCYP provides a robust in vitro system for predicting the likelihood and magnitude of changes in clinical exposure of compounds as a consequence of CYP3A4 inhibition by a concomitantly administered drug.

Cognitive testing in early-phase clinical trials: development of a rapid computerized test battery and application in a simulated Phase I study.

BACKGROUND: Inclusion of cognitive assessment in Phase I trials of novel pharmaceutical agents may help identify subtle yet meaningful CNS effects early in clinical development, and lead to a greater understanding of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship prior to entering pivotal late-phase trials. AIMS: To examine issues surrounding the inclusion of a computerised cognitive test battery in Phase I clinical trials. METHODS: A 12-minute battery of five computerized cognitive tasks was administered to 28 healthy males in a double-blind, single ascending dose study using three doses of midazolam (0.6 mg, 1.75 mg and 5.25 mg) with placebo insertion. Subjects were enrolled and assessed at two Phase I units. Statistical analyses sought to determine the sensitivity of the test battery to sedation-related cognitive dysfunction, any between-site differences in outcome, and also the effects of repeated test administration (i.e., practice or learning effects). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in data collected between sites. All standard safety measurements were completed. No substantial technical issues were noted. No learning effects were observed on four of the five cognitive tasks. ANOVA comparing baseline to post-baseline results revealed significant cognitive deterioration on all five cognitive tasks 1 h following administration of 5.25 mg midazolam. The magnitude of these changes were very large according to conventional statistical criteria. Smaller but significant changes were observed on a subset of memory and learning tasks at 1 h post-dosing in 1.75 mg condition, and at 2 h post-dosing in the 5.25 mg condition. CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive test battery was well tolerated by subjects and research unit staff. The tests demonstrated minimal learning effects, were unaffected by language and cultural differences between sites, and were sensitive to the sedative effects of midazolam. Inclusion of this cognitive test battery in future studies may allow identification of cognitive impairment or enhancement early in the clinical development cycle.

Development of a predictive model for urgency urinary incontinence.

The ability to set realistic expectations of treatment response in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) can have an impact on patient engagement and adherence to study medication. In order to help set treatment expectations for OAB, a Physician Predictive Tool has been developed based on predictive modelling. Models have been developed utilizing data from eight Phase 3 and 4 fesoterodine clinical trials and these models enable the prediction of individual treatment response in subjects with OAB, based on various baseline characteristics. The data utilized and covariates that were hypothesized to influence treatment response are described. The model selection and development process are also outlined, and the final model and some example results utilizing this model are presented. Finally, we discuss the potential benefits and limitations of such a predictive tool.