Population Modeling of Selexipag Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Response Parameters in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

A real-world analysis of safety profile of selexipag by using FDA adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

BACKGROUND

The current investigation sought to conduct a real-world analysis of adverse events (AEs) associated with selexipag by utilizing data from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

METHODS

The Reporting Odds Ratios (ROR) and the Medicines Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) method were employed to assess the potential associations between selexipag and AEs. Case reports of adverse drug reaction (ADR) related to selexipag were systematically sourced from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified 281 Preferred Terms (PTs) signals across 20 System Organ Classes (SOCs) were found to meet the screening threshold. The most common AEs were consistent with instructions, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and case reports. Of significant note, unexpected AEs principally target SOCs of infections and infestations, blood and lymphatic system, renal and urinary disorders, hepatobiliary disorders, including pneumonia, metapneumovirus, decreased hemoglobin. transfusion, iron-deficiency anemia, dialysis hypotension, abnormal creatinine renal clearance, liver function test increased, hepatic function abnormal, hepatic enzyme increased. Within the pediatric population, unexpected signals such as pyrexia, pneumonia, and intussusception necessitate special precautionary measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings contribute valuable insights to clinical practice, reinforcing the importance of vigilant monitoring, and can be instrumental in guiding both therapeutic applications and safety assessments of this particular medication.

Efficacy and safety of selexipag, an oral prostacyclin receptor agonist for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect and safety of selexipag in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and to explore the effect of selexipag on cardiac function indexes in PAH patients.

METHODS

Electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed databases, were searched. Endnote software X9 was used for study selection, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used for literature screening and quality assessment. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software, and GRADE was used to assess the evidence level.

RESULTS

Ten studies were finally selected in accordance with the standard. A total of 10 papers were included. A total of 1322 patients were included, including 723 in the trial group and 599 in the control group. Patients with PAH treated with selexipag were included in the trial group, and patients with PAH treated with placebo were included in the control group. The results of the study showed that selexipag was effective in reducing mortality in patients (WMD=0.70, 95% CI: 0.53-0.94, P = 0.02). Selexipag effectively increased the 6-min walk distance (WMD=33.79, 95% CI: 2.69-64.90, P=0.03). Selexipag also effectively increased the 6-min distance between baseline and follow-up (WMD = 15.28, 95% CI: 7.76-22.80, P < 0.0001). Selexipag effectively reduced PVR (WMD = -230.96, 95% CI: 445.94 to -15.97, P = 0.04). Selexipag significantly reduced PVR between baseline and follow-up (WMD = -139.62, 95% CI: 215.32 to -63.91, P = 0.0003). The adverse reactions of selexipag were mild with headache, diarrhea and nausea reported as the main symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Selexipag is a new drug with mild adverse reactions and is safe for the treatment of PAH. This drug significantly prolongs the level of 6MWD in PAH patients, reduces the fatality rate, improves WHO FC and reduces PVR. The effects of this drug on CI, mPAP, MRAP, SvO₂ and other indicators still need to be further confirmed.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42021245557.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Vericiguat in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background

Vericiguat, a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase, has been developed as a first-in-class therapy for worsening chronic heart failure in adults with left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%.

Objective

The objective of this article was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetic variability of vericiguat combined with guideline-directed medical therapy (standard of care), and identify exposure–response relationships for safety (hemodynamics) and pharmacodynamic markers of efficacy (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration [NT-proBNP]) in patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% in the SOCRATES-REDUCED study (NCT01951625).

Methods

Vericiguat and NT-proBNP plasma concentrations in 454 and 432 patients in SOCRATES-REDUCED, respectively, were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling.

Results

Vericiguat pharmacokinetics were well described by a one-compartment model with apparent clearance, apparent volume of distribution, and absorption rate constant. Age, bodyweight, plasma bilirubin, and creatinine clearance were identified as significant covariates on apparent clearance; sex and bodyweight on apparent volume of distribution; and bodyweight and plasma albumin level on absorption rate constant. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis showed initial minor and transient effects of vericiguat on blood pressure with low clinical impact. There were no changes in heart rate following initial or repeated vericiguat administration. An exposure-dependent and time-dependent turnover pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model for NT-proBNP described production and elimination rates and an demonstrated exposure-dependent reduction in [NT-proBNP] by vericiguat plus standard of care compared with placebo plus standard of care. This effect was dependent on baseline [NT-proBNP].

Conclusions

Vericiguat has predictable pharmacokinetics, with no long-term effects on blood pressure in patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%. A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model described a vericiguat exposure-dependent reduction of NT-proBNP.

Clinical Trial Identifier

NCT01951625.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40262-021-01024-y.

Experience in Transitioning From Parenteral Prostacyclins to Selexipag in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Parenteral prostacyclin therapies remain first-line therapy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with class IV symptoms. In selected patients who have been clinically stabilized, switching to selexipag, a chemically distinct prostacyclin receptor agonist, may alleviate risks associated with long-term parenteral therapy. We report our experience with transition of patients from parenteral prostacyclin therapy to selexipag. From January 2016 to July 2017, patients with PAH at the Duke University Pulmonary Vascular Disease Center with functional class II symptoms on stable parenteral prostacyclin therapy were offered the opportunity to transition to selexipag. A standardized protocol was developed to guide titration of therapies. Patients underwent pre- and post-transition assessments of hemodynamics, echocardiography, laboratory biomarkers, and functional status. We studied 14 patients with PAH (11 women; median age 53 years) in total. Overall, 13 patients tolerated the switch to selexipag and remained on the drug at study completion, and 1 patient passed away due to progressive liver failure. Surrogate markers including NT-proBNP, 6MWD, RV function, and TAPSE, and right heart catheterization hemodynamics were similar before and after transition. The transition from parenteral prostanoid therapy to oral selexipag was overall well-tolerated in patients with stable PAH and functional class II symptoms. Finally, doses of selexipag up to 3200 μg twice daily were well-tolerated in patients who had been treated with prior parenteral prostacyclins.

Selexipag in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension: an update

Selexipag is a compound that was designed to overcome the issues associated with oral administration of prostanoid compounds, beraprost and treprostinil in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PAH). As a selective IP agonist, it was designed to avoid the off-target prostanoid effects especially in the gastrointestinal system. To place this compound in context, this paper briefly reviews the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of subcutaneous, inhaled, and oral prostanoid preparations and comparesthemto selexipag. Selexipag is the first agent targeting a prostanoid receptor where a reduction in the primary efficacy morbidity/mortality composite end-point has been demonstrated. While safety outcomes favor selexipag over placebo, tolerability issues remain. Efficacy in terms of improvement in effort tolerance, hemodynamic and mortality benefit is less than seen with IV therapy. This is the first prostanoid demonstrated in a clinical trial to have added benefit in those on background double combination therapy and the first non IV prostanoid to demonstrate outcome benefit in the connective tissue disease (CTD) population in a randomized controlled trial.

Effect of gemfibrozil and rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag and its active metabolite in healthy subjects

AIMS

Based on in vitro data, there is evidence to suggest that cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is involved in the metabolism of selexipag and its active metabolite, ACT-333679. The present study evaluated the possible pharmacokinetic interactions of selexipag with gemfibrozil, a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor, and rifampicin, an inducer of CYP2C8.

METHODS

The study consisted of two independent parts, each conducted according to an open-label, randomized, crossover design. The pharmacokinetics and safety of selexipag and ACT-333679 were studied following single-dose administration either alone or in the presence of multiple-dose gemfibrozil (part I) or rifampicin (part II) in healthy male subjects.

RESULTS

Gemfibrozil had comparatively small effects on selexipag (less than 2-fold difference in any pharmacokinetic variable) but, with respect to ACT-333679, increased the maximum plasma concentration (C_max ) 3.6-fold [90% confidence interval (CI) 3.1, 4.3] and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC_0-∞ ) 11.1-fold (90% CI 9.2, 13.4). The marked increased exposure to ACT-333679, which mediates the majority of the pharmacological activity of selexipag, was accompanied by significantly more adverse events such as headache, nausea and vomiting. Coadministration of rifampicin increased the C_max of selexipag 1.8-fold (90% CI 1.4, 2.2) and its AUC0_-∞ 1.3-fold (90% CI 1.1, 1.4); its effects on ACT-333679 were to increase its C_max 1.3-fold (90% CI 1.1, 1.6), shorten its half-life by 63% and reduce its AUC0_-∞ by half (90% CI 0.45, 0.59).

CONCLUSION

Concomitant administration of selexipag and strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 must be avoided, whereas when coadministered with inducers of CYP2C8, dose adjustments of selexipag should be envisaged.