Effect of food or proton pump inhibitor treatment on the bioavailability of dacomitinib in healthy volunteers

Effects of H2-Receptor Antagonists on the Exposure of Dacomitinib

Dacomitinib is an irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and EGFR-activating mutations. Proton-pump inhibitors decreased dacomitinib exposure. This analysis summarizes the effect of Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) on dacomitinib exposure. A within-patient comparison of the steady-state trough concentrations (Ctrough,ss) of dacomitinib and its active metabolite and active moiety with and without concomitant use of H2RAs was conducted using a linear mixed effects model with pooled data from 11 clinical studies in patients with NSCLC. An oral absorption physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was constructed and verified using clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) data after a single dose of dacomitinib in healthy volunteers to estimate the effect of gastric pH altered by an H2RA on dacomitinib's PKs. The adjusted geometric mean of the dacomitinib Ctrough,ss of the dacomitinib parent, metabolite and active moiety following co-administration with an H2RA was approximately 86%, 104% and 100% relative to that following dacomitinib 45 mg administration without an H2RA (p > 0.05). The PBPK modeling showed negligible change in dacomitinib maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the drug concentration-time curve (AUC) over 0-24 h after H2RA administration when compared with those administered dacomitinib alone. Co-administration of an H2RA with dacomitinib is not expected to have any clinically relevant effect on dacomitinib exposure.

Bioequivalence study of dacomitinib and Vizimpro® in healthy Chinese volunteers under fasting and fed conditions: A randomized, open-label, single-dose, crossover trial

This study aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence between test tablet dacomitinib and reference product Vizimpro® under fasting and fed conditions and assess their pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety profiles for gaining marketing approval of the new generic drug. A single-center, randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-treatment, two-period, crossover bioequivalence study was conducted in healthy Chinese subjects. Eligible healthy subjects randomly received a single 45 mg dose of test or reference formulations with an administration sequence of test tablet (T), reference tablet (R), or (RT), under both fasting and fed conditions, and each single administration was followed by a 21-day washout period. Plasma concentrations and corresponding non-compartmental PK parameters of dacomitinib were determined. The 90% confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratio (GMR) (test/reference) for Cmax , AUC0-t , and AUC0-∞ , respectively, were 97.75%-119.99%, 101.00%-115.09%, and 100.27%-113.90% under fasting conditions and 95.20%-104.94%, 97.24%-102.23%, and 97.27%-101.88% under fed conditions, which were within the limits of 80%-125%. Under fasting and fed conditions, the PK characteristics of the test dacomitinib tablet and reference Vizimpro® were comparable; the two formulations of dacomitinib were demonstrated to be bioequivalent and well-tolerated in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Combination Use of First-Line Afatinib and Proton-Pump Inhibitors Reduces Overall Survival Among Patients with EGFFR Mutant Lung Cancer

Purpose

Previous retrospective studies reported that proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) may decrease the efficacy of first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) including gefitinib and erlotinib. Afatinib had a wider soluble pH range, with possible fewer interactions with antacids. However, clinical data were limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the negative impact of PPIs on afatinib.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients who are newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 2014 to 2019 using the Chang Gung Research Database. We identified patients who were treated with first-line afatinib and analyzed the association between the PPI and afatinib treatment outcomes.

Results

A total of 1418 patients were treated with first-line afatinib and followed up for 6 years. First-line afatinib was administered to 918 eligible patients, and 330 had afatinib with PPIs. The combination use of PPIs and afatinib significantly decreased the overall survival (OS) compared with that of patients using afatinib only (median OS: 33.2 and 25.1 months, p < 0.01) and multivariate analyses (Combination use: hazard ratio: 1.29; 1.05-1.59, p = 0.01). The percentages of patients who were able to receive 2nd line therapy also significantly decreased in afatinib with PPI cohort.

Conclusion

The concurrent use of PPIs was associated with lower OS in patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer under the first-line afatinib treatment but not associated with TTF.

Impact of the Gastric Acid Suppressant Use on the Safety and Effectiveness of EGFR-TKIs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background The use of gastric acid suppressants (GASs) has an influence on the exposure of some epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and therefore may affect the effectiveness and safety of EGFR-TKIs. The impact of GASs, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H₂RAs), on the effectiveness and safety of EGFR-TKIs remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the impact of GASs on the effectiveness and safety of EGFR-TKIs in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Method We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases thoroughly from inception to 2nd February 2021, including the studies for NSCLC patients who used GASs, offering the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of effectiveness outcomes such as overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) or adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the adverse drug reaction (ADRs), and the results were calculated with a random effect. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality. Stata 15.0 was used for meta-analysis.

Result Twelve studies were finally included. Nine of them were cohort studies, and three of them were case–control studies. For effectiveness outcomes, the use of GASs was associated with shorter PFS (HR 1.66 [1.40, 1.98]) and OS (HR 1.50 [1.31, 1.72]), and the use of PPIs was associated with shorter OS (HR 1.56 [1.21, 2.02]), regardless of the overlap time and type of EGFR-TKIs. For safety outcomes, the use of GASs (OR 1.98 [1.19, 3.31]) or PPIs (OR 1.91 [1.17, 3.12]) were both associated with an increased risk of hepatotoxicity.

Conclusion The concomitant use of GASs is associated with shorter PFS and OS for NSCLC patients taking EGFR-TKIs and is also associated with a higher risk of hepatotoxicity. The co-administration of GASs should be avoided; if they cannot be avoided, H₂RAs is a better choice.

Systematic Review Registration: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021235018), identifier (PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021235018)

Applications, Challenges, and Outlook for PBPK Modeling and Simulation: A Regulatory, Industrial and Academic Perspective

Several regulatory guidances on the use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) analyses and physiologically based biopharmaceutics model(s) (PBBM(s)) have been issued. Workshops are routinely held, demonstrating substantial interest in applying these modeling approaches to address scientific questions in drug development. PBPK models and PBBMs have remarkably contributed to model-informed drug development (MIDD) such as anticipating clinical PK outcomes affected by extrinsic and intrinsic factors in general and specific populations. In this review, we proposed practical considerations for a "base" PBPK model construction and development, summarized current status, challenges including model validation and gaps in system models, and future perspectives in PBPK evaluation to assess a) drug metabolizing enzyme(s)- or drug transporter(s)- mediated drug-drug interactions b) dosing regimen prediction, sampling timepoint selection and dose validation in pediatric patients from newborns to adolescents, c) drug exposure in patients with renal and/or and hepatic organ impairment, d) maternal-fetal drug disposition during pregnancy, and e) pH-mediated drug-drug interactions in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors/acid-reducing agents (PPIs/ARAs) intended for gastric protection. Since PBPK can simulate outcomes in clinical studies with enrollment challenges or ethical issues, the impact of PBPK models on waivers and how to strengthen study waiver is discussed.

Exploring the Relationship of Drug BCS Classification, Food Effect, and Gastric pH-Dependent Drug Interactions

Food effect (FE) and gastric pH-dependent drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are both absorption-related. Here, we evaluated if Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) classes may be correlated with FE or pH-dependent DDIs. Trends in FE data were investigated for 170 drugs with clinical FE studies from the literature and new drugs approved from 2013 to 2019 by US Food and Drug Administration. A subset of 38 drugs was also evaluated to determine whether FE results can inform the need for a gastric pH-dependent DDI study. The results of FE studies were defined as no effect (AUC ratio 0.80-1.25), increased exposure (AUC ratio ≥1.25), or decreased exposure (AUC ratio ≤0.8). Drugs with significantly increased exposure FE (AUC ratio ≥2.0; N=14) were BCS Class 2 or 4, while drugs with significantly decreased exposure FE (AUC ratio ≤0.5; N=2) were BCS Class 1/3 or 3. The lack of FE was aligned with the lack of a pH-dependent DDI for all 7 BCS Class 1 or 3 drugs as expected. For the 13 BCS Class 2 or 4 weak base drugs with an increased exposure FE, 6 had a pH-dependent DDI (AUC ratio ≤0.8). Among the 16 BCS Class 2 or 4 weak base drugs with no FE, 6 had a pH-dependent DDI (AUC ratio ≤0.8). FE appears to have limited correlation with BCS classes except for BCS Class 1 drugs, confirming that multiple physiological mechanisms can impact FE. Lack of FE does not indicate absence of pH-dependent DDI for BCS Class 2 or 4 drugs. Graphical Abstract.

Evaluation of the Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors on the Efficacy of Dacomitinib and Gefitinib in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and EGFR-Activating Mutations

Introduction

Dacomitinib and gefitinib are irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and EGFR-activating mutations. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in healthy volunteers suggested that acid-reducing drugs such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) decreased dacomitinib and gefitinib exposure by limiting the pH-dependent absorption. This analysis retrospectively evaluates the effect of concomitant PPI use on dacomitinib exposure and on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with dacomitinib 45 mg QD or gefitinib 250 mg QD in a 1:1 randomized phase 3 study (ARCHER 1050).

Methods

The analysis grouped all patients (n = 452) treated in each arm of the study as non-PPI users, PPI users, or extensive PPI users. PFS and OS data were presented by Kaplan–Meier plots and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Dacomitinib exposure was compared using a linear mixed-effects model.

Results

Results showed that dacomitinib PFS and OS did not differ significantly when comparing PPI users (N = 59) to non-PPI users (N = 152), while extensive PPI users (N = 24) had shorter PFS [hazard ratio (HR): 1.94, p = 0.011] and OS (HR: 1.77, p = 0.027) when compared to non-PPI users. For patients treated with gefitinib, PFS did not differ significantly when comparing PPI users (N = 51) and extensive PPI users (N = 19) to non-PPI users (N = 159); however, both PPI users (HR: 1.65, p = 0.007) and extensive PPI users (HR: 1.70, p = 0.050) had shorter OS when compared to non-PPI users. Further analysis by adjusting potential confounders indicated no statistically significant differences in PFS or OS between any PPI user vs. non-PPI user groups in the dacomitinib and gefitinib arms. PPI use did not appear to affect dacomitinib exposure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PPI use in patients with NSCLC likely has minimal impact on dacomitinib or gefitinib efficacy despite decreased absorption of these drugs observed in PK studies.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01774721

Impact of histamine type-2 receptor antagonists on the anticancer efficacy of gefitinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Gefitinib is one of the standard treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. It has been reported that acid suppressants (AS) decrease the anti-tumor effect of gefitinib by reducing its solubility. AS is sometimes necessary in cancer patients; however, previous reports have not shown the most compatible AS with gefitinib administration in cancer patients. This study was conducted to determine if histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) can affect the anti-tumor efficacy of gefitinib.

METHODS

Eighty-seven patients with NSCLC who were administered gefitinib were retrospectively investigated. Patients who were co-administered H2RA were compared with non-AS control patients. H2RA was administered once a day at about 3-5 or 8-12 h after gefitinib intake. The primary endpoint of this study was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Median PFS in H2RA group and control group was 8.0 months and 9.0 months, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.82). The incidence of liver dysfunction was significantly less in patients administered H2RA, whereas there were no differences between the two groups with regard to skin toxicity and diarrhea. Multivariate analysis suggested that H2RA co-administration is not a risk factor for worse PFS and OS (hazard ratio of 0.95, 0.86; 95% confidence interval of 0.60-1.48, 0.52-1.43; p = 0.82 and 0.60, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that concomitant administration of H2RA with gefitinib does not affect the efficacy of gefitinib.

Is there a role for dacomitinib, a second-generation irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal-growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, in advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

INTRODUCTION

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a highly lethal disease. During the past 20 years, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been a relevant target for anticancer drug-design, and a large family of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) were designed, which improved therapeutic outcomes compared to conventional chemotherapy in NSCLC patients with specific EGFR mutations. However, resistance to these inhibitors occurs; therefore, the debate on which inhibitor should be used first is still open. Dacomitinib was approved in 2018 for the first-line treatment of NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations.

AREAS COVERED

This manuscript reviews the properties of dacomitinib, including the current information from clinical trials and its potential application as stand-alone therapy, or in combination.

EXPERT OPINION

Dacomitinib is a second-generation EGFR-TKI that has demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival in a phase III randomized study compared with gefitinib, a first-generation TKI. However, the rapid development and approval of a new generation of TKIs (osimertinib), with better clinical profiles, raises the question of which role can dacomitinib play in NSCLC. Further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of this drug on brain metastases, as a second-line treatment after third-generation TKIs, or in combination with other types of treatments.

Pharmacokinetic Models to Characterize the Absorption Phase and the Influence of a Proton Pump Inhibitor on the Overall Exposure of Dacomitinib

Introduction: Dacomitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor approved for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the first line in patients with EGFR activating mutations. Dacomitinib is taken orally once daily at 45 mg with or without food, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Oncology patients often can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which may require management with an acid-reducing agent. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as rabeprazole, inhibit sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (H⁺/K⁺-ATPase) pumps that stimulate acid secretion in the stomach and have a prolonged pharmacodynamic effect that extends beyond 24 h post-administration. The aim of this work was to characterize the absorption of dacomitinib via modeling with a particular interest in quantifying the impact of rabeprazole on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of dacomitinib. Materials and Methods: The pooled dataset consisted of five clinical pharmacology healthy volunteer studies, which collected serial pharmacokinetic concentration-time profiles of dacomitinib. Non-linear mixed effects modeling was carried out to characterize dacomitinib pharmacokinetics in the presence and absence of the concomitant use of a PPI, rabeprazole. Several absorption models, some more empirical, and some more physiologically based, were tested: transit compartment, first-order absorption with and without lag time, and variations of combined zero- and first-order absorption kinetics models. Results: The presence of a PPI was a significant covariate affecting the extent (F) and rate (ka) of dacomitinib absorption, as previously reported in the dedicated clinical study. A transit compartment model was able to best describe the absorption phase of dacomitinib.

Evaluation of the potential effect of dacomitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on ECG parameters in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose The study evaluated the potential effect of dacomitinib, a small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, on the electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters in adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, phase 2 study. Methods Patients received dacomitinib for six doses of 45 mg every 12 h in a 7-day lead-in cycle (cycle 0), then 60 mg every 12 h for six doses in a 14-day cycle (cycle 1). Clock time-matched triplicate ECGs were performed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h on day 1 (baseline) and day 4 of cycle 0, and prior to dose on days 1 and 4 of cycle 1. The QT interval was corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's correction (QTcF) and a study specific correction factor (QTcS). Results Thirty-two patients in the study comprised the QTc-evaluable population. Dacomitinib had no effect on the heart rate. The upper limits of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean change from baseline in QTcF and QTcS were < 10 ms at all time points. A lack of relationship between plasma concentrations of dacomitinib or total active moiety on QTcF and QTcS was evidenced. All upper 90% CIs of the PR intervals were < 200 ms, although a small mean increase from baseline (2.7-6.6 ms) was observed. Conclusions There was a lack of a clinically relevant effect of dacomitinib on ECG parameters at dacomitinib concentrations comparable to those obtained at its highest therapeutic dosing regimen of 45 mg once daily. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01858389.

Dacomitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: Different EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are currently approved for the first-line treatment of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. Dacomitinib is an orally administered, second-generation pan-HER inhibitor that has shown to improve PFS and OS compared to the first-generation TKI gefitinib and is the most recent inhibitor to be approved in this setting. Areas covered: This article will review relevant literature regarding preclinical findings and clinical data from phase I-III trials of dacomitinib. We particularly discuss the mechanism of action of dacomitinib and its clinical efficacy and toxicity as a novel, first-line therapeutic option for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Expert commentary: The therapeutic landscape for EGFR-mutated NSCLC has been greatly expanded. In the first-line setting, we have currently first-, second- and third-generation EGFR TKIs available and some combination strategies, including EGFR TKIs with anti-angiogenic drugs or chemotherapy, have also shown to be effective. However, more data are needed to define the optimal therapeutic sequencing of all these targeted agents and combinations. In this view, molecular profiling of tumor tissues and liquid biopsies may provide novel insights on mechanisms of resistance to different drugs and guide treatment decisions.

Effect of Sustained Elevated Gastric pH Levels on Gefitinib Exposure

This open-label, randomized, phase 1 crossover study investigated the effect of elevated gastric pH level (>5) on the relative bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib. Healthy male volunteers (n = 26) were randomized to gefitinib 250 mg (fasted), either alone on day 1 (unmodified gastric pH) or 1 hour following the second of 2 oral doses of the H₂ -receptor antagonist ranitidine 450 mg (elevated gastric pH). After a 3-week washout period, volunteers crossed to the other treatment. The geometric least-squares (GLS) mean AUC_0-∞ and C_max for gefitinib were reduced by 47% and 71%, respectively, under conditions of sustained elevated gastric pH; for both parameters, the 90%CI for the ratio of the GLS means lay below the prespecified lower limit. Median t_max was delayed from 5 to 6 hours. Mean t_1/2 was similar under both gastric pH conditions. No serious adverse events were reported. The bioavailability of a single oral gefitinib 250-mg dose was reduced by approximately 50% when gefitinib was administered under conditions of sustained elevated gastric pH.

Current Role of Dacomitinib in Head and Neck Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a dismal prognosis. With the emergence of monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), several drugs were developed and tested in HNSCC. To date, the monoclonal antibody cetuximab is the only approved therapy for curative and recurrent/metastatic patients. Other EGFR-targeting drugs either failed in the clinical trials or are still in the early phases of drug development and research.

AREAS COVERED

In this article, previously published data and ongoing studies regarding dacomitinib, a second-generation irreversible TKI, for the treatment of HNSCC are presented and discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The current body of evidence is not mature enough to indicate the use of dacomitinib for the treatment of HNSCC in curative or in recurrent/metastatic settings. Phase II data suggest the potential of improved outcome in selected recurrent/metastatic HNSCC based on several biomarkers, which need to be evaluated in randomized phase III trials. Meanwhile, an ongoing phase I study is investigating dacomitinib's optimal dosing combined with and without cisplatin in the curative concomitant chemoradiotherapy setting.