Continuous Subcutaneous Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa in Parkinson's Disease: Safety and Efficacy Results From a 12-Month, Single-Arm, Open-Label, Phase 3 Study

Early-morning OFF in Parkinson's disease: A systematic literature review and current therapeutics

OBJECTIVE

Early morning OFF (EMO) is one of the first motor complications to manifest and frequently signals the onset of additional motor complications in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Although EOM are frequently observed in patients with PD and many caregivers must help with their motor inability, the treatment is still unsatisfactory. The majority of research that has been conducted on the wearing-off state of patients with PD has focused on daytime symptoms; evening and early morning symptoms have received much less attention.This study aimed to review the clinical perspectives of current therapies for EMO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the searching relevant publications from the key words such as morning off. A total of 456 publications were identified and we reviewed 21 clinical trials as well as other relevant clinical studies and reviews.

RESULTS

EMO are frequently disregarded or undervalued, which could have resulted in unintentional risks, inadequate management, and an increased burden of care. Oral medication is still the primary medical intervention for EMO. However, new developments in non-oral medications and advanced formulations aim to reduce the delay in experiencing the benefits of oral levodopa due to gastrointestinal problems.

CONCLUSIONS

The current therapies for EMO could be helpful in selecting a limited practical treatment. Advancements in non-oral medications and oral formulations hold promise for improving efficacy in EMO.

Pain Fluctuations in Parkinson's Disease and Their Association with Motor and Non-Motor Fluctuations

Background

Pain fluctuations are a characteristic phenomenon in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), but their temporal association with motor and non-motor symptom (NMS) fluctuations remains largely enigmatic. Moreover, data on their importance for disease severity perception and health-related quality-of-life (hr-QoL) is limited.

Objective

To dissect pain fluctuations with respect to pain type and frequency patterns, and their association with motor and non-motor fluctuations.

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study in advanced PD assessing symptom fluctuations by simultaneous hourly ratings using the PD Home diary (Off, On, Dyskinetic state), a pain diary (assessing 9 pain types) and a non-motor diary (10 key NMS) based on validated instruments.

Results

Forty-seven out of 55 eligible participants with fluctuating PD (51% men, median age 65, median disease duration 10 years) had sufficient datasets (>95% of hours) from 2 consecutive days. Pain was reported in 35% of waking hours with clear circadian rhythm peaking in early morning Off periods and clustering during motor Off state (49% of Off state hours with pain). Main NMS co-fluctuating with pain were "Fatigue" and "Inner Restlessness". Simultaneous assessment of global disease severity by participants revealed that pain was associated with worse disease severity only in motor On and Dyskinetic state but not in Off state, which translated into significant correlations of daily pain times with hr-QoL only during motor On and Dyskinetic state.

Conclusions

Aside from treating motor Off periods, specific recognition of pain particularly during motor On and Dyskinetic state comprises an important aspect for disease management in advanced PD.

Subcutaneous Levodopa: A New Engine for the Vintage Molecule

The management of Parkinson's disease (PD) continues to evolve with advancements in non-oral levodopa-based therapies aiming to provide continuous drug delivery (CDD). Such therapies address the challenges posed by the emergence of motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, and non-motor fluctuations (NMF) associated with oral levodopa administration and contributing to define the advanced stage of PD. The key focus of this review is placed on subcutaneous foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa) infusion, showcasing its recent clinical availability and efficacy in providing continuous levodopa delivery. While providing an overview of the other non-oral levodopa-based CDD systems, such as intrajejunal levodopa-carbidopa infusion and levodopa-entacapone-carbidopa infusion, we highlight the current promising evidence for Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa to improve, for example, "on time" without troublesome dyskinesia and reducing "off time" in people with advanced PD. Additionally, Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa demonstrates potential in managing early morning off periods, sleep quality and other motor and non-motor symptoms. Moreover, other non-oral CDD options such as ND0612 and DIZ102/DIZ101 are discussed, with focus on their pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety profiles. While these advancements present new therapeutic avenues, long-term observational studies are warranted to elucidate their impact on existing PD therapies. Overall, this review provides insights into the evolving landscape of non-oral CDD therapies and offers a pragmatic approach for their integration into clinical practice.

Levodopa infusion therapies for Parkinson disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

to review recent progress in the development and use of continuous levodopa therapies in Parkinson disease (PD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Levodopa/Carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is a continuous levodopa therapy which is widely used in the United States, Europe and other countries and is effective at reducing 'off' time. Recent work has shown that LCIG can be useful in managing dyskinesias and can improve nonmotor symptoms and quality of life. Several studies have shown good long-term effectiveness of LCIG. Recent data support the cost-effectiveness of this treatment strategy. Subcutaneous (SC) delivery of levodopa is a newer strategy that avoids the need for a surgically placed gastric tube. Two different products enabling SC delivery of levodopa are in development: ND0612 and foslevodopa/foscarbidopa. Both have recently been shown to reduce 'off' time in randomized, double-blind trials. Adverse effects of SC levodopa are primarily related to skin reactions at the infusion site.

SUMMARY

Continuous levodopa therapies can be used to treat Parkinson disease motor fluctuations that cannot be managed with standard oral therapies. They may also improve nonmotor symptoms, and improve overall quality of life in patients with advanced PD.

Advances in Brain Stimulation, Nanomedicine and the Use of Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles: Dopaminergic Alterations and Their Role in Neurodegeneration and Drug Addiction

Recent advancements in brain stimulation and nanomedicine have ushered in a new era of therapeutic interventions for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. This review explores the cutting-edge innovations in brain stimulation techniques, including their applications in alleviating symptoms of main neurodegenerative disorders and addiction. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an FDA-approved treatment for specific neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's Disease (PD), and is currently under evaluation for other conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease. This technique has facilitated significant advancements in understanding brain electrical circuitry by enabling targeted brain stimulation and providing insights into neural network function and dysfunction. In reviewing DBS studies, this review places particular emphasis on the underlying main neurotransmitter modifications and their specific brain area location, particularly focusing on the dopaminergic system, which plays a critical role in these conditions. Furthermore, this review delves into the groundbreaking developments in nanomedicine, highlighting how nanotechnology can be utilized to target aberrant signaling in neurodegenerative diseases, with a specific focus on the dopaminergic system. The discussion extends to emerging technologies such as magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs), which represent a novel intersection between nanoformulation and brain stimulation approaches. These innovative technologies offer promising avenues for enhancing the precision and effectiveness of treatments by enabling the non-invasive, targeted delivery of therapeutic agents as well as on-site, on-demand stimulation. By integrating insights from recent research and technological advances, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how brain stimulation and nanomedicine can be synergistically applied to address complex neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, paving the way for future therapeutic strategies.

Tips and tricks in tremor treatment

Tremor, whether arising from neurological diseases, other conditions, or medication side effects, significantly impacts patients' lives. Treatment complexities necessitate clear algorithms and strategies. Levodopa remains pivotal for Parkinson's tremor, though response variability exists. Some dopamine agonists offer notable tremor reduction targeting D2 receptors. Propranolol effectively manages essential tremor and essential tremor plus (ET/ET +), sometimes with primidone for added benefits, albeit dose-dependent side effects. As reserve medications anticholinergics and clozapine are used for treatment of parkinsonian tremor, 1-Octanol and certain anticonvulsant drugs for tremor of other orign, especially ET. Therapies such as invasive deep brain stimulation and lesional focused ultrasound serve for resistant cases. A medication review is crucial for all forms of tremor, but it is particularly important if medication may have triggered the tremor. Sensor-based detection and non-drug interventions like wristbands and physical therapy broaden diagnostic and therapeutic horizons, promising future tremor care enhancements. Understanding treatment nuances is a key for tailored tremor management respecting patient needs and tolerability. Successful strategies integrate pharmacological, non-invasive, and technological modalities, aiming for optimal symptom control and improved quality of life.

Continuous Subcutaneous Foslevodopa-Foscarbidopa in Parkinson's Disease: A Mini-Review of Current Scope and Future Outlook

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, primarily because of the impairment of dopaminergic neurons. Long-term use of levodopa, the standard PD treatment, often results in fluctuating therapeutic effects and dyskinesia, necessitating alternative therapies.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to synthesize current insights and clinical experiences with foslevodopa-foscarbidopa, focusing on its pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety profile, to evaluate its potential in transforming PD therapy.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted up to November 2023 using databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search yielded eight eligible articles, including pharmacological studies, case reports, observational studies, and controlled trials. No language restrictions were applied.

RESULTS

Foslevodopa and foscarbidopa, as prodrugs of levodopa and carbidopa, exhibited excellent chemical stability and solubility, facilitating continuous subcutaneous infusion. Clinical trials demonstrated that these prodrugs maintain stable levodopa levels, thereby addressing the limitations of oral levodopa therapy. Phase 1 and 3 studies indicated significant improvements in motor function and quality of life in advanced PD patients. However, a higher incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events, mainly infusion site reactions, was observed compared to oral therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa emerges as a promising alternative for advanced PD treatment, offering sustained symptom control. Its efficacy in managing motor fluctuations and dyskinesia makes it a viable option in the PD therapeutic spectrum. Future research should focus on long-term safety, economic impact, and broader accessibility. Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa is now commercially distributed in many countries in Europe and in Japan.

Monotherapy with infusion therapies - useful or not?

Infusion pump-based therapies are an effective treatment option for patients with advanced Parkinson´s disease. Achieving monotherapy with infusion-based therapies could simplify the treatment regimen, provide better medication adherence, reduce adverse events and drug interactions. This review presents the literature data on the efficacy, safety, and achievability of monotherapy with all available infusion-based therapies, including apomorphine, levodopa-carbidopa-intestinal gel (LCIG), levodopa-entacapone-carbidopa intestinal gel (LECIG), and foslevodopa-foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp). In summary, monotherapy is achievable and effective in most patients on intestinal levodopa infusion therapy and in some patients on apomorphine infusion. There is a need for further investigation of monotherapy compared to polytherapy, especially in new pump treatment options (LECIG and LDp/CDp). Future research should reveal which patients on infusion-based therapies could benefit from monotherapy, including identification of potential baseline predictors of achieving monotherapy in patients treated with specific infusion-based therapies.

Improved Sleep Correlates with Improved Quality of Life and Motor Symptoms with Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa

BACKGROUND

Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa is a subcutaneous infusion of levodopa/carbidopa prodrugs.

OBJECTIVES

Assess correlations between sleep and efficacy from interim data of a phase 3 trial of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (NCT03781167).

METHODS

Pearson correlations between sleep (Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 [PDSS-2]) and quality of life (QoL; Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39), motor experiences of daily living (m-EDL; Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale Part II), and "Off"/"On" times were calculated for baseline and week 26 improvements. Regression analyses were adjusted for baseline PDSS-2 score.

RESULTS

Baseline sleep correlated moderately with QoL (r = 0.44, P < 0.001) and weakly with m-EDL (r = 0.28; P < 0.001). Sleep improvement weakly correlated with improved "Off" time (r = 0.37; P < 0.001) and QoL (r = 0.36; P < 0.001). Regression analyses demonstrated significant positive associations for improved sleep, "Off" time, QoL, and m-EDL.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved sleep with foslevodopa/foscarbidopa was associated with improved QoL and "Off" time.

Utilization of MANAGE-PD Tool in a Real-World Setting in Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study

MANAGE-PD is a validated, web-based tool to assist physicians in identifying patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) whose symptoms are inadequately controlled by oral medication. Also, a modified patient version of MANAGE-PD (Parkinson Check) is available in Germany. However, prospective research into the clinical utility of MANAGE-PD is lacking. This non-interventional study aimed to assess the real-world clinical utility of the MANAGE-PD and Parkinson Check in PD patients attending a single visit at specialist clinics and neurologist practices in Germany in 2022. Participants' disease control was rated by the physicians using their own judgment, and by completing the MANAGE-PD, and by the patients completing the Parkinson Check. Concordance was calculated between the unassisted physician's assessment and the outcome of MANAGE-PD, as well as the Parkinson Check. A total of 278 patients from 19 sites were included in the analyses, of whom 160 patients (57.6%) were assigned to the same category of disease control by physicians' judgment and the MANAGE-PD. Concordance was higher in patients treated in specialist clinics (63.9%) than in neurologist practices (43.7%). Concordance between physicians' and patients' responses was high (>80%) for each question in the Parkinson Check. MANAGE-PD proved to be especially valuable for general neurologists in identifying patients who should be referred to specialist clinics. The Parkinson Check self-assessment generated promising outcomes that merit its more widespread use.

Parkinson's Kinetigraph for Wearable Sensor Detection of Clinically Unrecognized Early-Morning Akinesia in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Report-Based Observation

Early-morning off periods, causing early-morning akinesia, can lead to significant motor and nonmotor morbidity in levodopa-treated fluctuating Parkinson's disease (PD) cases. Despite validated bedside scales in clinical practice, such early-morning off periods may remain undetected unless specific wearable technologies, such as the Parkinson's KinetiGraph™ (PKG) watch, are used. We report five PD cases for whom the PKG detected early-morning off periods that were initially clinically undetected and as such, untreated. These five cases serve as exemplars of this clinical gap in care. Post-PKG assessment, clinicians were alerted and targeted therapies helped abolish the early-morning off periods.

Advanced therapies in Parkinson's disease: an individualized approach to their indication

Device aided therapies (DAT) comprising the intrajejunal administration of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) and levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone intestinal gel (LECIG), the continuous subcutaneous application of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa or apomorphine infusion (CSAI) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are used to treat Parkinson's disease with insufficient symptom alleviation under intensified pharmacotherapy. These DAT significantly differ in their efficacy profiles, indication, invasiveness, contraindications, and potential side effects. Usually, the evaluation of all these procedures is conducted simultaneously at the same point in time. However, as disease progression and symptom burden is extremely heterogeneous, clinical experience shows that patients reach the individual milestones for a certain therapy at different points in their disease course. Therefore, advocating for an individualized therapy evaluation for each DAT, requiring an ongoing evaluation. This necessitates that, during each consultation, the current symptomatology should be analyzed, and the potential suitability for a DAT be assessed. This work represents a critical interdisciplinary appraisal of these therapies in terms of their individual profiles and compares these DAT regarding contraindications, periprocedural considerations as well as their efficacy regarding motor- and non-motor deficits, supporting a personalized approach.

Starting with 24-h levodopa carbidopa intestinal gel at initiation in a large cohort of advanced Parkinson's disease patients

Continuous intra-jejunal infusion of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is a long-term proven and effective treatment in advanced Parkinson's Disease (APD). Efficacy and safety of 16-h administration of LCIG has already been established. Additional benefits of 24-h LCIG administration have been reported in several case series and small clinical studies. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the characteristics of patients who needed 24-h LCIG from the beginning of the DAT (device-aided treatment) with those who remained with the standard 16-h LCIG treatment and to identify particular motives if any. We initiated LCIG in 150 patients out of which in case of 62 patients (41,3%) due to unsatisfactory initial clinical benefits continuous 24-h LCIG was deemed necessary. Despite the subjective complaints and more severe clinical condition, at baseline evaluation we found statistically significant differences between 16-h LCIG cohort and 24-h LCIG cohort only in case of incidence of freezing (47% vs 65%, p = 0.03) and sudden off (32% vs 48%, p = 0.04). Wake hours/daytime LCIG does not always sufficiently improve the patient's quality of life in some patients due to persistent nighttime troublesome symptoms. Instead of labeling the patient as a non-responder, it is worth trying the 24-h LCIG dosage in a carefully selected group of patients, as there is currently no consensus on reliable criteria that serve the decision in these patients.

Continuous subcutaneous foslevodopa/foscarbidopa infusion for the treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease: Considerations for initiation and maintenance

Background

As Parkinson's disease (PD) advances, management is challenged by an increasingly variable and inconsistent response to oral dopaminergic therapy, requiring special considerations by the provider. Continuous 24 h/day subcutaneous infusion of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp) provides steady dopaminergic stimulation that can reduce symptom fluctuation.

Objective

Our aim is to review the initiation, optimization, and maintenance of LDp/CDp therapy, identify possible challenges, and share potential mitigations.

Methods

Review available LDp/CDp clinical trial data for practical considerations regarding the management of patients during LDp/CDp therapy initiation, optimization, and maintenance based on investigator clinical trial experience.

Results

LDp/CDp initiation, optimization, and maintenance can be done without hospitalization in the clinic setting. Continuous 24 h/day LDp/CDp infusion can offer more precise symptom control than oral medications, showing improvements in motor fluctuations during both daytime and nighttime hours. Challenges include infusion-site adverse events for which early detection and prompt management may be required, as well as systemic adverse events (eg, hallucinations) that may require adjustment of the infusion rate or other interventions. A learning curve should be anticipated with initiation of therapy, and expectation setting with patients and care partners is key to successful initiation and maintenance of therapy.

Conclusion

Continuous subcutaneous infusion of LDp/CDp represents a promising therapeutic option for individuals with PD. Individualized dose optimization during both daytime and nighttime hours, coupled with patient education, and early recognition of certain adverse events (plus their appropriate management) are required for the success of this minimally invasive and highly efficacious therapy.

Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp) in advanced Parkinson's Disease (aPD): demonstration of savings from a societal perspective in the UK

AIMS

In advanced Parkinson's disease (aPD), adequate 24-hour control of OFF-time may not be achievable using oral/transdermal therapies. Clinical trials of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDP) demonstrate meaningful reductions in OFF-time and OFF-related sleep disturbance in aPD. Previous analyses have only considered direct medical costs: this analysis considers a broader societal perspective (direct non-medical costs, informal care, loss of earnings, productivity, and tax).

METHODS

Inputs for the societal impact model were taken from a cost-utility model comparing LDp/CDp with best medical treatment (BMT), accepted by the UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Quintiles of normalized OFF-time across a 16-hour waking day in each treatment group were applied to literature-based estimates for direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs. The resulting state-specific cost estimates were applied to the modelled aPD patient population.

RESULTS

The model estimates the potential UK population for LDp/CDp at 17,505. Continuous 24-hour delivery of LDp/CDp results in greater time spent in OFF-time states 0-1 (0-4 hours of OFF-time/16-hour waking day) vs BMT alone. Net savings if all eligible patients receive LDp/CDp are £79.1 M in year 1, £235.4 M in year 2, rising to £262.2 M in year 3, declining to £222.9 M in year 4 and £153.7 M in year 5 as disease progresses and the efficacy of LDp/CDp declines. The estimated total net savings are £953 M after 5 years. Results are robust in scenario analyses (excluding costs of excessive sleepiness, earnings loss, productivity, and tax loss).

LIMITATIONS

A NICE-accepted model was used as the economic modelling basis for the societal impact model, however, much of the data was derived from Adelphi datasets, with the potential for inconsistent definitions.

CONCLUSION

When considered from a societal perspective, the use of LDp/CDp in aPD patients inadequately controlled on oral therapy is associated with net healthcare and societal annual savings of over £79.1 M vs BMT.