Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous sarilumab and intravenous tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Safety and efficacy of mAbs blocking the IL-6 receptor have been established in RA. This is the first analysis examining safety and tolerability of sarilumab and tocilizumab administered as single or multiple doses in patients with RA within the same study. Methods: In ASCERTAIN, patients were randomized 1: 1: 2 to 24 weeks’ double-blind sarilumab 150 or 200 mg every 2 weeks s.c. or tocilizumab 4 mg/kg every 4 weeks i.v., increased to 8 mg/kg if clinically indicated. In Study 1309, patients were randomized 1: 1: 1: 1 to single-dose open-label sarilumab 150 or 200 mg s.c. or tocilizumab 4 or 8 mg/kg i.v. Results: In ASCERTAIN, incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between sarilumab and tocilizumab. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were the following: sarilumab: neutropenia [6 patients (12.2%) in the 150 mg group and 8 (15.7%) in the 200 mg group], nasopharyngitis [6 (12.2%) and 3 (5.9%)], and injection-site erythema [4 (8.2%) and 4 (7.8%)]; tocilizumab: accidental overdose [9 (8.8%)], upper respiratory tract infection [7 (6.9%)] and nausea [7 (6.9%)]. Laboratory changes in both studies included decreased neutrophils and platelets and increased transaminases and lipids. In Study 1309, incidence of absolute neutrophil count <1.0 giga/l was similar between sarilumab and tocilizumab, and occurred more frequently in the higher dose groups. No association between decrease in absolute neutrophil count and increased incidence of infection was observed in either study. Conclusion: No clinically meaningful differences in treatment-emergent adverse events were observed between sarilumab and tocilizumab. Laboratory changes with sarilumab were within the same range as those with tocilizumab

Approches pharmacocinétiques/pharmacodynamiques appliquées au développement d'un nouvel inhibiteur direct du facteur Xa pour le traitement de la thrombose artérielle

L'otamixaban est un nouvel inhibiteur direct du FXa, en développement pour le traitement intraveineux de la thrombose artérielle. L'objectif de ce travail de pharmacologie clinique vise l'étude des propriétés pharmacocinétiques (PK) et pharmacodynamiques (PD) de l'otamixaban ainsi que l'élaboration de modélisations et simulations (M&S) en support des études de Phase II/III à partir des données chez le sujet sain et chez le patient coronarien chronique. Une "empreinte PK/PD des marqueurs de l'effet anticoagulant" a été genérée, incluant les mesures d'activité anti-FXa, des temps de coagulation (aPTT, PT, dPT, RVVT et HCT), et de l'inhibition de la génération de thrombine. La non-proportionalité de la pharmacocinétique de l'otamixaban à la dose a été explorée et intégrée dans les modèles pharmacocinétiques. L'absence d'effet majeur sexe et age sur les paramètres PK et PD a été démontrée. Enfin, l'absence d'interaction médicamenteuse et la complémentarité des effets anticoagulants de l'otamixaban et des effets anti-plaquettaires des modificateurs de la fonction plaquettaires a été demontrée pour le tirofiban et pour l'acide acétyle salicylique..Otamixaban, is a novel direct FXa inhibitor for the treatment of arterial thrombosis. This clinical pharmacology work aims the study of the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of otamixaban as well as the development of modeling and simulations (M&S) to support the Phase II/III studies using data in healthy subjects and in chronic coronary patients. A fingerprint of PK/PD markers for anticoagulant effect was generated, including the measurements of anti-FXa activity, of clotting times (aPTT, PT, dPT, RVVT et HCT) and of the inhibition of thrombin generation. The non-dose proportional pharmacokinetics of otamixaban was investigated and built into the pharmacokinetic models. The lack of a major gender and age effect on the PK and PD parameters was demonstrated. Finally, the absence of any drug-drug interactions and the complementarities of the anticoagulant effect of OTAM and of the anti-platelet effects of modifiers of the platelet function has been reported for tirofiban and acetyl salicylic acid.PARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Docetaxel serum protein binding with high affinity to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.

International audienceThe binding of docetaxel to human plasma proteins was studied by ultrafiltration at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4. Docetaxel was extensively (> 98%) plasma protein bound. At clinically relevant concentrations (1-5 micrograms/ml), the plasma binding was concentration-independent. Lipoproteins, alpha1-acid glycoprotein and albumin were the main carriers of docetaxel in plasma, and owing to the high interindividual variability of alpha1-acid glycoprotein plasma concentration, particularly in cancer, it was concluded that alpha1-acid glycoprotein should be the main determinant of docetaxel plasma binding variability. Drugs potentially coadministered with docetaxel (cisplatin, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, etoposide, vinblastine) did not modify the plasma binding of docetaxel. In blood, docetaxel was found to be mainly located in the plasma compartment (less than 15% associated to erythrocytes)

Early bactericidal activity of delamanid (OPC-67683) in smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients

BACKGROUND: Delamanid (OPC-67683) is a novel mycolic acid biosynthesis inhibitor active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis at a low minimum inhibitory concentration. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with smear-positive tuberculosis (63% male; 54.7 ± 9.9 kg; 30.7 ± 10.8 years) were randomly assigned to receive delamanid 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg daily for 14 days. Colony forming units (cfu) of M. tuberculosis were counted on agar plates from overnight sputum collections to calculate early bactericidal activity (EBA), defined as fall in log10 cfu/ml sputum/day. RESULTS: The EBA of delamanid was monophasic and not significantly different between dosages; however, more patients receiving 200 mg (70%) and 300 mg (80%) experienced a response of ≥0.9 log10 cfu/ml sputum decline over 14 days than those receiving 100 mg (45%) and 400 mg (27%). The average EBA of all dosages combined (0.040 ± 0.056 log10 cfu/ml sputum/day) was significant from day 2 onward. Delamanid exposure was less than dosage-proportional, reaching a plateau at 300 mg, likely due to dose-limited absorption. Moderate but significant correlation was found between Cmax and EBA, indicating exposure dependence. Delamanid was well tolerated without significant toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Delamanid at all dosages was safe, well tolerated and demonstrated significant exposure-dependent EBA over 14 days, supporting further investigation of its pharmacokinetics and anti-tuberculosis activity. © 2011 The Union.Articl

Effect of an NK1/NK2 receptor antagonist on airway responses and inflammation to allergen in asthma

RATIONALE: The tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A (NKA) are implicated in the pathophysiology of asthma. Objective: We tested the safety, tolerability, and pharmacologic and biological efficacy of a tachykinin NK(1)/NK(2) receptor antagonist, AVE5883, in patients with asthma in two double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies. METHODS: The pharmacologic efficacy of a single inhaled dose (4.8 mg) of AVE5883 was tested against inhaled NKA in 20 patients with asthma. Subsequently, we studied the biological efficacy of the pharmacologically effective dose on inhaled allergen in a multiple-dose trial (4.8 mg three times per day, 9 d) in 12 patients with asthma with dual responses to inhaled house dust mite. On Day 8, an allergen challenge was conducted, and airway response was measured by FEV(1) until 9 hours postallergen. Exhaled NO, provocative concentration of methacholine bromide causing a 20% fall in FEV(1), and induced sputum were performed on Days 1, 7, and 9. RESULTS: AVE5883 had a bad taste, and transient bronchospasm occurred in some subjects. A single inhaled dose shifted the dose response to NKA by 1.2 doubling doses. Pretreatment with multiple doses of AVE5883 enhanced the allergen-induced early and late airway responses. There were no significant differences in the allergen-induced changes in exhaled NO, provocative concentration of methacholine bromide causing a 20% fall in FEV(1), and sputum cell differentials between placebo and AVE5883. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its demonstrated pharmacologic activity against inhaled NKA, multiple doses of AVE5883 increased the allergen-induced airway responses without affecting markers of airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation. Our data question the prominent role of neurogenic inflammation in asthma and, consequently, the therapeutic potential of dual tachykinin antagonist

Differential Binding of Sarilumab and Tocilizumab to IL-6Rα and Effects of Receptor Occupancy on Clinical Parameters

We evaluated interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) receptor‐α subunit (IL‐6Rα) signaling inhibition with sarilumab and tocilizumab, the association between IL‐6Rα receptor occupancy (RO) and C‐reactive protein (CRP), and the potential clinical relevance of any differences. For this, we measured IL‐6Rα binding and signaling inhibition with sarilumab and tocilizumab in vitro, simulated soluble IL‐6Rα RO over time for approved sarilumab subcutaneous (SC) and tocilizumab intravenous (IV) and SC doses, and assessed associations between calculated RO and CRP reduction, 28‐joint Disease Activity Score based on CRP, and 20%/50%/70% improvement in American College of Rheumatology responses from clinical data. Sarilumab binds IL‐6Rα in vitro with 15‐ to 22‐fold higher affinity than tocilizumab, and inhibits IL‐6–mediated classical and trans signaling via membrane‐bound and soluble IL‐6Rα. Sarilumab 200 and 150 mg SC every 2 weeks achieved >90% RO after first and second doses, respectively, maintained throughout the treatment period. At steady‐state trough, RO was greater with sarilumab 200 mg (98%) and 150 mg SC every 2 weeks (94%), and tocilizumab 162 mg SC weekly (>99%) and 8 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks (99%), vs tocilizumab 162 mg SC every 2 weeks (84%) and 4 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks (60%). Higher RO was associated with greater CRP reduction and 28‐joint Disease Activity Score based on CRP reduction, and more sarilumab patients achieving 20%/50%/70% improvement in American College of Rheumatology responses. The greatest reduction in CRP levels was observed with sarilumab (both doses) and tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks (reductions proportionally smaller with 4 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks). Higher IL‐6Rα binding affinity translated into higher RO with sarilumab vs tocilizumab 4 mg/kg every 4 weeks or 162 mg every 2 weeks; tocilizumab required the higher dose or increased frequency to maintain the same degree of RO and CRP reduction. Higher RO was associated with clinical parameter improvements