Novel Platform for Predicting Drug Effects in Patients with Acromegaly: Translational Exposure-Response Evaluation of Growth Hormone-Inhibitory Effect of Octreotide after Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Stimulation.

Acromegaly is a chronic systemic disease characterized by facial and peripheral changes caused by soft tissue overgrowth and is associated with multiple comorbidities. Despite available surgical and medical therapies, suitable treatments for acromegaly are still lacking. Efficient drug development requires an understanding of the exposure-response (E-R) relationship based on nonclinical and early clinical studies. We aimed to establish a platform to facilitate the development of novel drugs to treat acromegaly. We evaluated the E-R relationship of the growth hormone (GH)-inhibitory effect of the somatostatin analog octreotide under growth hormone-releasing hormone + arginine stimulation in healthy participants and compared the results with historical data for patients with acromegaly. This randomized five-way crossover study included two placebo and three active-treatment periods with different doses of octreotide acetate. GH secretion in the two placebo periods was comparable, which confirmed the reproducibility of the response with no carryover effect. GH secretion was inhibited by low-, medium-, and high-dose octreotide acetate in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the E-R relationship in monkeys as a preclinical drug evaluation study and in rats as a more convenient and simple system for screening candidate drugs. The E-R relationships and EC50 values were similar among animals, healthy participants, and patients with acromegaly, which suggests that GH stimulation studies in early research and development allowed simulation of the drug response in patients with acromegaly. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study demonstrated similar exposure-response relationships in terms of the growth hormone-inhibitory effect of octreotide after growth hormone-releasing hormone stimulation among healthy participants, monkeys, and rats. The research methods and analyses utilized in this study will be useful for simulating the dosages and therapeutic effects of drugs for acromegaly and will facilitate the research and development of novel therapeutic agents with similar modes of action.

A phase I study of high dose camostat mesylate in healthy adults provides a rationale to repurpose the TMPRSS2 inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19.

Camostat mesylate, an oral serine protease inhibitor, is used to treat chronic pancreatitis and reflux esophagitis. Recently, camostat mesylate and its active metabolite 4-(4-guanidinobenzoyloxy)phenylacetic acid (GBPA) were reported to inhibit the infection of cells by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by inhibiting type II transmembrane serine protease. We conducted a phase I study to investigate high-dose camostat mesylate as a treatment for coronavirus disease 2019. Camostat mesylate was orally administered to healthy adults at 600 mg 4 times daily under either of the following conditions: fasted state, after a meal, 30 min before a meal, or 1 h before a meal, and the pharmacokinetics and safety profiles were evaluated. In addition, the time of plasma GBPA concentration exceeding the effective concentration was estimated as the time above half-maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) by using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation. Camostat mesylate was safe and tolerated at all dosages. Compared with the fasted state, the exposure of GBPA after a meal and 30 min before a meal was significantly lower; however, no significant difference was observed at 1 h before a meal. The time above EC50 was 11.5 h when camostat mesylate 600 mg was administered 4 times daily in the fasted state or 1 h before a meal. Based on the results of this phase I study, we are currently conducting a phase III study.

Phase I/II study of tirabrutinib, a second-generation Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in relapsed/refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: The safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of tirabrutinib, a second-generation, highly selective oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, were evaluated for relapsed/refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). METHODS: Patients with relapsed/refractory PCNSL, Karnofsky performance status ≥70, and normal end-organ function received tirabrutinib 320 and 480 mg once daily (q.d.) in phase I to evaluate dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) within 28 days using a 3 + 3 dose escalation design and with 480 mg q.d. under fasted conditions in phase II. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were enrolled; 20, 7, and 17 received tirabrutinib at 320, 480, and 480 mg under fasted conditions, respectively. No DLTs were observed, and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached at 480 mg. Common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (9.1%), lymphopenia, leukopenia, and erythema multiforme (6.8% each). One patient with 480 mg q.d. had grade 5 AEs (pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and interstitial lung disease). Independent review committee assessed overall response rate (ORR) at 64%: 60% with 5 complete responses (CR)/unconfirmed complete responses (CRu) at 320 mg, 100% with 4 CR/CRu at 480 mg, and 53% with 6 CR/CRu at 480 mg under fasted conditions. Median progression-free survival was 2.9 months: 2.1, 11.1, and 5.8 months at 320, 480, and 480 mg under fasted conditions, respectively. Median overall survival was not reached. ORR was similar among patients harboring CARD11, MYD88, and CD79B mutations, and corresponding wild types. CONCLUSION: These data indicate favorable efficacy of tirabrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory PCNSL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: JapicCTI-173646.

The prediction of human response to ONO-4641, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, from preclinical data based on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling.

The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters of ONO-4641 in humans were estimated using preclinical data in order to provide essential information to better design future clinical studies. The characterization of PK/PD was measured in terms of decreased lymphocyte counts in blood after administration of ONO-4641, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator. Using a two-compartment model, human PK parameters were estimated from preclinical PK data of cynomolgus monkey and in vitro human metabolism data. To estimate human PD parameters, the relationship between lymphocyte counts and plasma concentrations of ONO-4641 in cynomolgus monkeys was determined. The relationship between lymphocyte counts and plasma concentrations of ONO-4641 was described by an indirect-response model. The indirect-response model had an I(max) value of 0.828 and an IC(50) value of 1.29 ng/ml based on the cynomolgus monkey data. These parameters were used to represent human PD parameters for the simulation of lymphocyte counts. Other human PD parameters such as input and output rate constants for lymphocytes were obtained from the literature. Based on these estimated human PK and PD parameters, human lymphocyte counts after administration of ONO-4641 were simulated. In conclusion, the simulation of human lymphocyte counts based on preclinical data led to the acquisition of useful information for designing future clinical studies.

No effect of imidafenacin, a novel antimuscarinic drug, on digoxin pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects.

Plasma digoxin concentrations are increased by the coadministration of anticholinergic drugs, such as propantheline, which decrease gastrointestinal motility. The present study evaluated the effect of imidafenacin, a novel anticholinergic drug, on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin. The effect of imidafenacin on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin was examined in 14 healthy Japanese male subjects in a single-centre, open-label, randomized, two-way crossover study. Subjects received a daily oral dose of digoxin 0.25 mg on days 1 and 2 and digoxin 0.125 mg on days 3 to 8 (period 1). Following a 2-week washout period, digoxin was administered orally for 8 days in a similar manner (period 2). A twice daily dose of imidafenacin 0.1 mg was concomitantly administered with digoxin for 8 days either in period 1 or 2. The geometric mean ratios [GMR] (90% confidence intervals [CIs]) for digoxin C(max) and AUC(0-24) (with/without imidafenacin) at steady state were 0.88 (0.74, 1.04) and 1.00 (0.90, 1.10), respectively. The 90% CIs of GMR for digoxin trough concentration, urinary excretion amount and renal clearance at steady state fell within the range of 0.8 to 1.25. The steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin is not affected by concomitant administration of imidafenacin in healthy subjects.

Population pharmacokinetics of aprepitant and dexamethasone in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

PURPOSE: To develop a population pharmacokinetic model of aprepitant and dexamethasone in Japanese patients with cancer, explore the factors that affect the pharmacokinetics of aprepitant, and evaluate the effect of aprepitant on the clearance of intravenous dexamethasone. METHODS: A total of 897 aprepitant concentration measurements were obtained from 290 cancer patients and 25 healthy volunteers. For dexamethasone, a total of 847 measurements were obtained from 440 patients who were co-administered aprepitant (40, 125 mg, or placebo). Plasma concentration of aprepitant and dexamethasone were determined by liquid chromatography connected with a tandem mass spectrometer and analyzed by a population approach using NONMEM software. RESULTS: The plasma concentration time course of aprepitant was described using a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and lag time. Oral clearance (CL/F) of aprepitant was changed by aprepitant dose at doses of 40 or 125 mg. Body weight was the most influential intrinsic factor to CL/F of aprepitant. Age, ALT, and BUN also had mild effects on the CL/F. Typical population estimates of CL/F, apparent distribution volume (V(d)/F), absorption constant (K(a)) and absorption lag time were 1.54 L/h, 72.1 L, 0.893/h and 0.295 h, respectively. Inter-individual variability in CL/F, V(d)/F and K(a) were 53.9, 21.0, and 141%, respectively; intra-individual variability was 27.7%. The plasma concentration time course of intravenous dexamethasone was also described using a one-compartment model. Clearance of dexamethasone was decreased 24.7 and 47.5% by co-administration of aprepitant 40 and 125 mg. All final model estimates of aprepitant and dexamethasone fell within 10% of the bootstrapped mean. CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacokinetic model for aprepitant has been developed that incorporates body weight, age, ALT, BUN and aprepitant dose to predict the CL/F. The results of population pharmacokinetic analysis of dexamethasone support dose adjustment of dexamethasone in the case of co-administration with aprepitant.

Absolute bioavailability of imidafenacin after oral administration to healthy subjects.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: The absolute bioavailability of imidafenacin in rats and dogs is 5.6% and 36.1%, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profiles of imidafenacin after oral administration have been revealed. Imidafenacin is primarily metabolized to metabolites by CYP3A4 and UGT1A4. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: The absolute bioavailability of imidafenacin in human is 57.8%. The pharmacokinetic profiles of imidafenacin after intravenous administration are revealed. The formation of metabolites in the plasma is caused mainly by first-pass effects. AIMS: To investigate the absolute bioavailability of imidafenacin, a new muscarinic receptor antagonist, a single oral dose of 0.1 mg imidafenacin was compared with an intravenous (i.v.) infusion dose of 0.028 mg of the drug in healthy subjects. METHODS: Fourteen healthy male subjects, aged 21-45 years, received a single oral dose of 0.1 mg imidafenacin or an i.v. infusion dose of 0.028 mg imidafenacin over 15 min at two treatment sessions separated by a 1-week wash-out period. Plasma concentrations of imidafenacin and the major metabolites M-2 and imidafenacin-N-glucuronide (N-Glu) were determined. The urinary excretion of imidafenacin was also evaluated. Analytes in biological samples were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The absolute oral bioavailability of imidafenacin was 57.8% (95% confidence interval 54.1, 61.4) with a total clearance of 29.5 +/- 6.3 l h(-1). The steady-state volume of distribution was 122 +/- 28 l, suggesting that imidafenacin distributes to tissues. Renal clearance after i.v. infusion was 3.44 +/- 1.08 l h(-1), demonstrating that renal clearance plays only a minor role in the elimination of imidafenacin. The ratio of AUC(t) of both M-2 and N-Glu to that of imidafenacin was reduced after i.v. infusion from that seen after oral administration, suggesting that M-2 and N-Glu in plasma after oral administration were generated primarily due to first-pass metabolism. No serious adverse events were reported during the study. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute mean oral bioavailability of imidafenacin was determined to be 57.8%. Imidafenacin was well tolerated following both oral administration and i.v. infusion.

Effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of imidafenacin in healthy subjects.

The effect of itraconazole, a potent inhibitor of the CYP3A isoenzyme family, on the pharmacokinetics of imidafenacin, a novel synthetic muscarinic receptor antagonist, was investigated. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this open-label, self-controlled study. In period I, subjects received a single oral dose of 0.1 mg imidafenacin. In period II, they received multiple oral doses of 200 mg itraconazole for 9 days and a single oral dose of 0.1 mg imidafenacin on day 8. Plasma concentrations of imidafenacin and M-2, the major metabolite of imidafenacin metabolized by CYP3A4, were determined. Analytes were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Following coadministration with itraconazole, the maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) of imidafenacin increased 1.32-fold (90% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.12-1.56), and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) increased 1.78-fold (90% CI: 1.47-2.16). In conclusion, itraconazole increases the plasma concentrations of imidafenacin by inhibiting CYP3A4. Therefore, itraconazole or potent CYP3A4 inhibitors should be carefully added to imidafenacin drug regimens.

Effect of clarithromycin on the pharmacokinetics of pranlukast in healthy volunteers.

Pranlukast is a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist that has been used to treat bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. In vitro data suggest that pranlukast is a substrate of CYP3A4. Thus, the effect of clarithromycin, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics of pranlukast was examined in an open-label, randomized, two-way crossover study in 16 healthy male volunteers. In treatment A, volunteers received a single, 225 mg dose of pranlukast. In treatment B, 200 mg of clarithromycin was administered twice daily for 7 days and a single, 225 mg dose of pranlukast was coadministered on day 7. Blood samples were collected up to 24 hours after treatment, and pranlukast concentrations in the plasma were measured. The geometric mean ratios [GMR] (90% confidence intervals [CIs]) for pranlukast AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) (with/without clarithromycin) were 1.06 (0.91, 1.24) and 1.17 (0.95, 1.45), respectively. In conclusion, clarithromycin and pranlukast could be coadministered without dose adjustment because clarithromycin minimally affected the pharmacokinetics of pranlukast.

Population pharmacokinetics of landiolol hydrochloride in healthy subjects.

Landiolol hydrochloride is a newly developed cardioselective, ultra short-acting beta(1)-adrenergic receptor blocking agent used for perioperative arrhythmia control. The objective of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of landiolol hydrochloride in healthy male subjects. A total of 420 blood concentration data points collected from 47 healthy male subjects were used for the population pharmacokinetic analysis. NONMEM was used for population pharmacokinetic analysis. In addition, the final pharmacokinetic model was evaluated using a bootstrap method and a leave-one-out cross validation method. The concentration time course of landiolol hydrochloride was best described by a two-compartment model with lag time. The final parameters were total body clearance (CL: 36.6 mL/min/kg), distribution volume of the central compartment (V1: 101 mL/kg), inter-compartmental clearance (16.1 mL/min/kg), distribution volume of the peripheral compartment (55.6 mL/kg), and lag time (0.82 min). The inter-individual variability in the CL and V1 were 21.8% and 46.3%, respectively. The residual variability was 22.1%. Model evaluation by the two different methods indicated that the final model was robust and parameter estimates were reasonable. The population pharmacokinetic model for landiolol hydrochloride in healthy subjects was developed and was shown to be appropriate by both bootstrap and leave-one-out cross validation methods.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of a novel muscarinic receptor antagonist, imidafenacin, in healthy volunteers and overactive bladder patients.

The objectives of this study were to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of imidafenacin and to explore the factors that affect the pharmacokinetics of imidafenecin. A total of 2406 plasma samples were collected from 90 healthy volunteers and 457 patients with overactive bladder. We determined the plasma concentrations of imidafenacin by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry; resultant data were analyzed by a population approach using NONMEM software. The imidafenacin plasma concentration time course was described using a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and lag time. The robustness of the population pharmacokinetic model was evaluated by bootstrap resampling. The results of the population pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that oral clearance was decreased with advancing age, increasing hepatic function parameters (AST and ALP), food intake, and itraconazole coadministration, while the first-order absorption rate constant was decreased with food intake. All parameter estimates from the final model fell within 20% of the bootstrapped mean. In conclusion, we developed a population pharmacokinetic model for imidafenacin that well-described plasma concentration profiles. We also identified the factors affecting imidafenacin pharmacokinetics.