1
|
Using real-world data in pediatric clinical trials: Lessons learned and future applications in studies of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 27:101331. [PMID: 35469712 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2022.101331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a complication of term birth, characterized by persistent hypoxemia secondary to failure of normal postnatal reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance, with potential for short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. The primary pharmacologic goal for this condition is reduction of the neonate's elevated pulmonary vascular resistance with inhaled nitric oxide, the only approved treatment option. Various adjunctive, unapproved therapeutics have been trialed with mixed results, likely related to challenges with recruiting the full, intended patient population into clinical studies. Recently, real-world data and subsequent derived evidence have been utilized to improve the efficiency of various pediatric clinical trials. We aim to provide recent perspectives regarding the use of real-world data in the planning and execution of pediatric clinical trials and how this may facilitate more streamlined assessment of future therapeutics for the treatment of PPHN and other neonatal conditions.
Collapse
|
2
|
Salaets T, Lavrysen E, Smits A, Vanhaesebrouck S, Rayyan M, Ortibus E, Toelen J, Claes L, Allegaert K. Parental perspectives long term after neonatal clinical trial participation: a survey. Trials 2020; 21:907. [PMID: 33138847 PMCID: PMC7607657 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04787-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although recruiting newborns is ethically challenging, clinical trials remain essential to improve neonatal care. There is a lack of empirical data on the parental perspectives following participation of their neonate in a clinical trial, especially at long term. The objective of this study is to assess experiences and emotions of parents, long term after trial participation in an interventional drug trial. Methods Parents of former participants of five neonatal interventional drug trials were surveyed at long term (3–13 years ago) after participation. The survey assessed parental contentment with trial participation, perceived influence of the trial on care and health, emotional consequences of participation, and awareness of typical clinical trial characteristics on 6-point Likert scales. Results Complete responses were received from 123 parents (52% of involved families). Twenty percent of parents did not remember participation. Those who remembered participation reported high contentment with overall trial participation (median 5.00), but not with follow-up (median 3.00). Most parents did not perceive any influence of the trial on care (median 2.00) and health (median 2.43). Almost all parents reported satisfaction and pride (median 4.40), while a minority of parents reported anxiety and stress (median 1.44) or guilt (median 1.33) related to trial participation. A relevant minority was unaware of typical trial characteristics (median 4.20; 27% being unaware). Conclusions Overall, parents reported positive experiences and little emotional distress long term after participation. Future efforts to improve the practice of neonatal clinical trials should focus on ensuring effective communication about the concept and characteristics of a clinical trial during consent discussions and on the follow-up after the trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Salaets
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Emilie Lavrysen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne Smits
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Maissa Rayyan
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Ortibus
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurence Claes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Studies, Unit of Clinical Psychology, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
van Groen BD, Allegaert K, Tibboel D, de Wildt SN. Innovative approaches and recent advances in the study of ontogeny of drug metabolism and transport. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2020; 88:4285-4296. [PMID: 32851677 PMCID: PMC9545189 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The disposition of a drug is driven by various processes, such as drug metabolism, drug transport, glomerular filtration and body composition. These processes are subject to developmental changes reflecting growth and maturation along the paediatric continuum. However, knowledge gaps exist on these changes and their clinical impact. Filling these gaps may aid better prediction of drug disposition and creation of age-appropriate dosing guidelines. We present innovative approaches to study these developmental changes in relation to drug metabolism and transport. First, analytical methods such as including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for proteomic analyses allow quantitation of the expressions of a wide variety of proteins, e.g. membrane transporters, in a small piece of organ tissue. The latter is specifically important for paediatric research, where tissues are scarcely available. Second, innovative study designs using radioactive labelled microtracers allowed study-without risk for the child-of the oral bioavailability of compounds used as markers for certain drug metabolism pathways. Third, the use of modelling and simulation to support dosing recommendations for children is supported by both the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration. This may even do away with the need for a paediatric trial. Physiologically based pharmacokinetics models, which include age-specific physiological information are, therefore, increasingly being used, not only to aid paediatric drug development but also to improve existing drug therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca D van Groen
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dick Tibboel
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia N de Wildt
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The Utility of Pharmacometric Models in Clinical Pharmacology Research in Infants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 6:260-266. [PMID: 33767946 DOI: 10.1007/s40495-020-00234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of commentary Acquiring knowledge on drug disposition and action in infant is challenging because of the problem of sparse and unbalanced data obtained for each individual infant due to the limited blood volume as well as the issue of extensive inter-subject and intra-subject variability in drug exposure and response due to the fast growth and dynamic maturation changes in infants. This commentary highlights the importance of using population-based pharmacometric models to improve knowledge on drug disposition and action in infants. Recent findings Pharmacometric modeling remains to be critical in clinical pharmacology research in infants. Many pediatric covariate models developed for scaling of drug clearance use a combination of allometric weight scaling to account for size change and a sigmoid function of antenatal development and postnatal maturation to characterize the age-related maturation. To expedite the development of safe and effective dosing regimens in infants, a number of strategies have been proposed recently, including the use of pediatric covariate model obtained from one drug for extrapolation to other drugs undergoing similar elimination pathways, as well as the combination of opportunistic clinical studies and population-based pharmacometrics models. Summary Population-based pharmacometric modeling plays a pivotal role in clinical pharmacology research in infants. Most of the covariate models reported so far focus on antibiotics undergoing renal elimination. Novel modeling strategies have been proposed recently to facilitate clinical pharmacology research and expedite the dose optimization process in infants.
Collapse
|
5
|
Approaches to Dose Finding in Neonates, Illustrating the Variability between Neonatal Drug Development Programs. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12070685. [PMID: 32698409 PMCID: PMC7408157 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12070685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug dosing in neonates should be based on integrated knowledge concerning the disease to be treated, the physiological characteristics of the neonate, and the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a given drug. It is critically important that all sources of information be leveraged to optimize dose selection for neonates. Sources may include data from adult studies, pediatric studies, non-clinical (juvenile) animal models, in vitro studies, and in silico models. Depending on the drug development program, each of these modalities could be used to varying degrees and with varying levels of confidence to guide dosing. This paper aims to illustrate the variability between neonatal drug development programs for neonatal diseases that are similar to those seen in other populations (meropenem), neonatal diseases related but not similar to pediatric or adult populations (clopidogrel, thyroid hormone), and diseases unique to neonates (caffeine, surfactant). Extrapolation of efficacy from older children or adults to neonates is infrequently used. Even if a disease process is similar between neonates and children or adults, such as with anti-infectives, additional dosing and safety information will be necessary for labeling, recognizing that dosing in neonates is confounded by maturational PK in addition to body size.
Collapse
|
6
|
Davis JM, Baer GR, McCune S, Klein A, Sato J, Fabbri L, Mangili A, Short MA, Tansey S, Mangum B, Hokuto I, Nakamura H, Salaets T, Allegaert K, Yao L, Blum M, Toerner J, Turner M, Portman R. Standardizing Safety Assessment and Reporting for Neonatal Clinical Trials. J Pediatr 2020; 219:243-249.e1. [PMID: 31708158 PMCID: PMC7096275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Davis
- The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston, MA.
| | - Gerri R Baer
- US Food and Drug Administration, Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Susan McCune
- US Food and Drug Administration, Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, Silver Spring, MD
| | | | - Junko Sato
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Susan Tansey
- Independent Consultant Pharmaceutical Physician, Durham, NC
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Salaets
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lynne Yao
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Michael Blum
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Joseph Toerner
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Mark Turner
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bucci-Rechtweg CM, Ward RM. Tiny and Forgotten: A Call for Focused Neonatal Policy Reform. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2019; 53:615-617. [DOI: 10.1177/2168479018821922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
8
|
Sivanandan S, Jain K, Plakkal N, Bahl M, Sahoo T, Mukherjee S, Gupta YK, Agarwal R. Issues, challenges, and the way forward in conducting clinical trials among neonates: investigators' perspective. J Perinatol 2019; 39:20-30. [PMID: 31485015 PMCID: PMC8075906 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-019-0469-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Clinical trials are essential to test the safety and efficacy of new treatments in any population. The paucity of drug trials especially in the neonatal population has led to the widespread use of unlicensed or off-label medications, exposing them to the risks of drug toxicity and ineffective treatment. Ethical and operational challenges are no longer considered valid excuses for not conducting drug trials in neonates. We recently participated in a combined phase-2 and phase-3 trial investigating a new indigenous goat lung surfactant extract (GLSE) for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm neonates. In this article, we share pertinent challenges faced by us during the trial to better inform and foster-positive discussion among drug developers, administrators, regulatory authorities, patient advocacy groups, and researchers. Also, we provide many tools developed for the GLSE trial that can be modified and used by prospective trialists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Sivanandan
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India
| | - Kajal Jain
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Nishad Plakkal
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India
| | - Monika Bahl
- Clinical Development Services Agency, Faridabad, India
| | - Tanushree Sahoo
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Shirshendu Mukherjee
- Grand Challenges India, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Ramesh Agarwal
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yen E, Davis JM, Milne CP. Impact of Regulatory Incentive Programs on the Future of Pediatric Drug Development. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2019; 53:609-614. [PMID: 30983385 DOI: 10.1177/2168479019837522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Surveys evaluating industry experience with performing pediatric studies under the Best Pharmaceutical for Children Act (BPCA) and Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) regulatory regime were conducted by Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (Tufts CSDD) in 2000, 2006, and 2016. These survey results are being used to assess the future impact of regulatory incentive programs on generating pediatric specific labeling information and development of age-appropriate drug formulations. A second perspective will be provided through the experience and expertise of neonatal/pediatric clinicians and researchers with a focus on the urgent need for the study of new and existing drugs in this vulnerable population (especially with 90% of drugs in neonates still being used off-label). This group will also address the impact of existing regulations and the likely trajectory of future pediatric drug development efforts after nearly 2 decades of regulatory incentives (both mandatory and voluntary). Finally, this review will provide input on approaches that are needed to continue to advance pediatric drug development with an emphasis on rare diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Yen
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan M Davis
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,2 The Tufts Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lee KEM, Diacovo TG, Calderon J, Byrne MW, Ing C. Outcomes Research in Vulnerable Pediatric Populations. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2019; 31:140-143. [PMID: 30767939 PMCID: PMC9109709 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Pediatric Anesthesia and Neurodevelopment Assessment (PANDA) study team held its biennial symposium in April 2018 to discuss issues on anesthetic neurotoxicity in the developing brain. One of the sessions invited speakers with different areas of expertise to discuss "Outcomes Research in Vulnerable Pediatric Populations." The vulnerable populations included neonates, children with congenital heart disease, children from low socioeconomic status, and children with incarcerated parents. Each speaker presented some of the ongoing research efforts in these groups as well as the challenges encountered in studying them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Eun M Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
| | - Thomas G Diacovo
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Johanna Calderon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Mary W Byrne
- Columbia University School of Nursing, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
| | - Caleb Ing
- Department of Anesthesiology and Epidemiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Allegaert K, Smits A, van den Anker JN. Drug evaluation studies in neonates: how to overcome the current limitations. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2018; 11:387-396. [PMID: 29421929 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1439378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regulatory initiatives have stimulated drug research in infants, but the potential impact of drugs to improve health outcome in neonates remains underexplored. Areas covered: In this review, we focus on current limitations in drug evaluation studies and how to overcome these. The low volume of studies has additional weaknesses such as single center studies, non-commercial sponsorship, overrepresentation of high postulated risk reductions, and underrepresentation of therapeutic exploratory studies. Master protocols and selection criteria for neonatal centers to participate in studies are useful to improve logistics related to performance. Limitations also relate to inaccurate assessment of drug effects (efficacy/safety). This is because of poor symptom recognition, case definitions, and suboptimal data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) epidemiology. To overcome these limitations, it is necessary to develop core outcome sets, reference values, and specific ADR tools. The limitations identified and approaches suggested to improve drug evaluation are illustrated using neonatal abstinence syndrome as an example. Expert commentary: We anticipate to see an evolving neonatal clinical pharmacology discipline driven by neonatal pathophysiology and knowledge. Multidisciplinary collaborative efforts between health care providers, academia, pharmaceutical industry, advocacy groups and regulatory agencies are crucial to improve the impact of drug evaluation studies in neonates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karel Allegaert
- a Department of Development and Regeneration , KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.,b Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery , Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital , Rotterdam , the Netherlands
| | - Anne Smits
- c Neonatal intensive care unit , University Hospitals Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - John N van den Anker
- b Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery , Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital , Rotterdam , the Netherlands.,d Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics , Children's National Health System , Washington, DC , USA.,e Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics , University of Basel Children's Hospital , Basel , Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ward RM, Benjamin DK, Davis JM, Gorman RL, Kauffman R, Kearns GL, Murphy MD, Sherwin CMT. The Need for Pediatric Drug Development. J Pediatr 2018; 192:13-21. [PMID: 28942898 PMCID: PMC7942021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jonathan M. Davis
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Neonatal Advisory Committee in the Office of the FDA Commissioner
| | - Richard L. Gorman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute
| | - Ralph Kauffman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute
| | - Gregory L. Kearns
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Pharmacotherapy is a powerful tool to improve the outcome of neonates. Unfortunately, the potential health impact of pharmacotherapy in neonates remains underexplored. This necessitates a structured approach to go beyond the current practice of trial and error, reflected in off-label prescription. The existing regulatory framework hereby provides a structure to reflect about aspects like pharmacokinetic models for dose selection and outcome assessment, including long-term safety. Future medicine development should also be driven by neonatal needs, diseases and pathophysiology, since surfactant is the latest product developed for preterm neonates. The potential impact is illustrated by ongoing repurposing (propranolol, allopurinol, erythropoietin, Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) projects. Clinical researchers will be crucial to close the knowledge gap by developing dose selection tools and outcome assessment tools and by exploring pathophysiological mechanisms. The final step of such a structured approach cycle is the subsequent translation of accumulated knowledge into improved prescribing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karel Allegaert
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Neonatology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium..
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Safety, dosing, and pharmaceutical quality for studies that evaluate medicinal products (including biological products) in neonates. Pediatr Res 2017; 81:692-711. [PMID: 28248319 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The study of medications among pediatric patients has increased worldwide since 1997 in response to new legislation and regulations, but these studies have not yet adequately addressed the therapeutic needs of neonates. Additionally, extant guidance developed by regulatory agencies worldwide does not fully address the specificities of neonatal drug development, especially among extremely premature newborns who currently survive. Consequently, an international consortium from Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United States was organized by the Critical Path Institute to address the content of guidance. This group included neonatologists, neonatal nurses, parents, regulators, ethicists, clinical pharmacologists, specialists in pharmacokinetics, specialists in clinical trials and pediatricians working in the pharmaceutical industry. This group has developed a comprehensive, referenced White Paper to guide neonatal clinical trials of medicines - particularly early phase studies. Key points include: the need to base product development on neonatal physiology and pharmacology while making the most of knowledge acquired in other settings; the central role of families in research; and the value of the whole neonatal team in the design, implementation and interpretation of studies. This White Paper should facilitate successful clinical trials of medicines in neonates by informing regulators, sponsors, and the neonatal community of existing good practice.
Collapse
|
15
|
Ward RM, Sherwin CM. Newborns still lack drug data to guide therapy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2016; 82:1410-1411. [PMID: 27696484 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Ward
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Catherine M Sherwin
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Neonates and medicines: a roadmap to further improve neonatal pharmaceutical care. Eur J Pediatr 2016; 175:743-6. [PMID: 26744132 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-015-2686-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
17
|
Montgomery SM, Kusel J. The prevalence of child-specific utilities in NICE appraisals for paediatric indications: rise of the economic orphans? Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2016; 16:347-50. [PMID: 27082293 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2016.1179116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Children are not mini-adults, and thus require studies to be conducted in the population of interest to inform decisions about their care. The paucity of such studies for clinical efficacy lead them to be termed 'therapeutic orphans'. Following the introduction of the 'fourth hurdle' of reimbursement approval on the basis of cost-utility analysis, utility data is now a key requirement for patients to access treatments in England and many other countries. This special report considers whether a paucity of utility valuation studies in children may have made them 'economic orphans' as well and presents results of a review of NICE appraisals as a window on this problem over time.
Collapse
|
18
|
Coppini R, Simons SHP, Mugelli A, Allegaert K. Clinical research in neonates and infants: Challenges and perspectives. Pharmacol Res 2016; 108:80-87. [PMID: 27142783 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
To date, up to 65% of drugs used in neonates and infants are off-label or unlicensed, as they were implemented in clinical care without the usual regulatory phases of pharmacological drug development. Pharmacotherapy in this age group is still mainly based on the individual clinical expertise of specialized pediatricians. Pharmacological trials involving neonates are indeed more difficult to perform: appropriate dosing is hampered by the rapid physiological changes occurring at this stage of development, and the selection of proper end-points and biomarkers is complicated by the limited knowledge of the pathophysiology of the specific diseases of infancy. Moreover, there are many ethical challenges in planning and conducting drug studies in pediatric patients (especially in newborns and infants). In the current review, we address some challenges and discuss possible perspectives to stimulate scientific and clinical pharmacological research in neonates and infants. We hereby aim to illustrate the add on value of the regulatory framework for model-based neonatal medicinal development currently used in Europe and the United States. We provide several examples of successful recent pharmacological trials performed in neonates and infants. In these examples, success was ensured by the implementation of specific pharmacokinetic assessments, thanks to accurate drug dosing achieved with a combination of dose validation, population pharmacokinetics and mathematical models of drug clearance and distribution; moreover, age-specific pharmacodynamics was considered via appropriate evaluations of drug efficacy with end-points adapted to the peculiar pathophysiology of diseases in this age group. These "pharmacological" challenges add to the ethical challenges that are always present in planning and conducting clinical studies in neonates and infants and support the opinion that clinical research in pediatrics should be evaluated by ad hoc ethical committees with specific expertise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Coppini
- Department of Neuroscience, Drug Research and Child's Health (NeuroFarBa), Division of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy.
| | - Sinno H P Simons
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Mugelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Drug Research and Child's Health (NeuroFarBa), Division of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wilbaux M, Fuchs A, Samardzic J, Rodieux F, Csajka C, Allegaert K, van den Anker JN, Pfister M. Pharmacometric Approaches to Personalize Use of Primarily Renally Eliminated Antibiotics in Preterm and Term Neonates. J Clin Pharmacol 2016; 56:909-35. [PMID: 26766774 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates, and, as a consequence, antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs in this vulnerable patient population. Growth and dynamic maturation processes during the first weeks of life result in large inter- and intrasubject variability in the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of antibiotics. In this review we (1) summarize the available population PK data and models for primarily renally eliminated antibiotics, (2) discuss quantitative approaches to account for effects of growth and maturation processes on drug exposure and response, (3) evaluate current dose recommendations, and (4) identify opportunities to further optimize and personalize dosing strategies of these antibiotics in preterm and term neonates. Although population PK models have been developed for several of these drugs, exposure-response relationships of primarily renally eliminated antibiotics in these fragile infants are not well understood, monitoring strategies remain inconsistent, and consensus on optimal, personalized dosing of these drugs in these patients is absent. Tailored PK/PD studies and models are useful to better understand relationships between drug exposures and microbiological or clinical outcomes. Pharmacometric modeling and simulation approaches facilitate quantitative evaluation and optimization of treatment strategies. National and international collaborations and platforms are essential to standardize and harmonize not only studies and models but also monitoring and dosing strategies. Simple bedside decision tools assist clinical pharmacologists and neonatologists in their efforts to fine-tune and personalize the use of primarily renally eliminated antibiotics in term and preterm neonates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Wilbaux
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aline Fuchs
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Janko Samardzic
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Frédérique Rodieux
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Csajka
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Service of Biomedicine, Department of Laboratory, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes N van den Anker
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Marc Pfister
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.,Quantitative Solutions LP, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Only a small fraction of drugs widely used in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are specifically authorized for this population. Even if unlicensed or off-label use is necessary, it is associated with increased adverse drug reactions, which must be carefully weighed against expected benefits. In particular, renal damage is frequent among preterm babies, and is considered a predisposing factor for the development of chronic kidney disease in adulthood. Apart from specific conditions affecting premature neonates (e.g. respiratory distress syndrome, perinatal asphyxia), drugs play an important role in impairing renal function because of well-known nephrotoxicity and/or interaction with renal developmental factors. From a review of the available studies on drug use in NICU patients, we identified and described the most commonly administered drugs that are correlated to renal damage. Early detection of kidney injury is becoming an essential aspects for clinicians because of the limited number of biomarkers applicable in the neonatal population. Postnatal changes of biochemical processes that influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects need to be further investigated in order to better understand the mechanisms of drug toxicity in this population. The most promising strategies for dose adjustment and therapeutic schemes are discussed. The purpose of this review was to describe current knowledge on drug use among premature babies and their implication in kidney injury development, as well as to highlight available strategies for early detection of renal damage.
Collapse
|
21
|
Offringa M, Davis JM, Turner MA, Ward R, Bax R, Maldonado S, Sinha V, McCune SK, Zajicek A, Benjamin DK, Bucci-Rechtweg C, Nelson RM. Applying Regulatory Science to Develop Safe and Effective Medicines for Neonates: Report of the US Food and Drug Administration First Annual Neonatal Scientific Workshop, October 28–29, 2014. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2015; 49:623-631. [DOI: 10.1177/2168479015597730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
22
|
Linakis MW, Roberts JK, Lala AC, Spigarelli MG, Medlicott NJ, Reith DM, Ward RM, Sherwin CMT. Challenges Associated with Route of Administration in Neonatal Drug Delivery. Clin Pharmacokinet 2015; 55:185-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s40262-015-0313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
23
|
Allegaert K, van den Anker J. Neonatal drug therapy: The first frontier of therapeutics for children. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2015; 98:288-97. [PMID: 26095519 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about the safe and effective use of medicines in neonates has increased substantially but has resulted in few label changes. Drugs developed for use in adults are reshaped and tailored to specific neonatal indications. However, the use of drugs in neonates should not only mirror adult pharmacotherapy, but should be driven by their own specific needs. Therefore, building collaborative networks may assist to develop a newborn-driven research agenda addressing their clinical needs and diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Allegaert
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J van den Anker
- Division of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Integrative Systems Biology, Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Pharmacology, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Samardzic J, Turner MA, Bax R, Allegaert K. Neonatal medicines research: challenges and opportunities. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2015; 11:1041-52. [PMID: 25958820 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2015.1046433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The key feature of the newborn is its fast age-dependent maturation, resulting in extensive variability in pharmacokinetics and -dynamics, further aggravated by newly emerging covariates like treatment modalities, environmental issues or pharmacogenetics. This makes clinical research in neonates relevant and needed, but also challenging. AREAS COVERED To improve this knowledge, tailoring research tools as well as building research networks and clinical research skills for neonates are urgently needed. Tailoring of research tools is illustrated using the development of dried blood spot techniques and the introduction of micro-dosing and -tracer methodology in neonatal drug studies. Both techniques can be combined with sparse sampling techniques through population modeling. Building research networks and clinical research skills is illustrated by the initiatives of agencies to build and integrate knowledge on neonatal pharmacotherapy through dedicated working groups. EXPERT OPINION Challenges relating to neonatal medicine research can largely be overcome. Tailored tools and legal initiatives, combined with clever trial design will result in more robust information on neonatal pharmacotherapy. This necessitates collaborative efforts between clinical researchers, sponsors, regulatory authorities, and last but not least patient representatives and society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janko Samardzic
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Extensive within-population variability is the essence of neonatal pharmacology. Despite this, infants remain one of the last therapeutic orphans. Together with additional legal initiatives, tailoring of already available tools (modeling, covariates, pharmacovigilance) may significantly improve pharmacotherapy in infants. AREAS COVERED Modeling approaches that hold the promise to improve pharmacotherapy in infants are between-compound extrapolation for compounds that undergo the same route of elimination and integration of time-varying physiology to adapt for the fast maturational changes. Besides these maturational covariates (size, age), newly emerging covariates relate to novel treatment modalities (extracorporeal circulation, hypothermia), environmental issues (microbiome, critical illness) or pharmacogenetics. All these covariates interact with the maturational variation. Finally, pharmacovigilance also needs to be tailored to the characteristics of this population. This relates to preventive strategies, signal detection and assessment of causality. EXPERT OPINION Knowledge on pharmacotherapy in infants is lagging. Tailoring available tools to the specific characteristics (maturation) and clinical needs (newly emerging covariates) of infants is feasible but needs creativity and a multidisciplinary collaboration between modelers, academia, clinical researchers and, obviously, the public, including parents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karel Allegaert
- University Hospitals Leuven, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven , Belgium +32 16 343850 ; +32 16 343209 ;
| |
Collapse
|