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Choi GW, Kim JH, Kang DW, Cho HY. A journey into siRNA therapeutics development: A focus on Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics. Eur J Pharm Sci 2025; 205:106981. [PMID: 39643127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 12/02/2024] [Accepted: 12/03/2024] [Indexed: 12/09/2024]
Abstract
siRNA therapeutics are emerging novel modalities targeting highly specific mRNA via RNA interference mechanism. Its unique pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) are significant challenges for clinical use. Furthermore, naked siRNA is a highly soluble macromolecule with a negative charge, making plasma membrane penetration a significant hurdle. It is also vulnerable to nuclease degradation. Therefore, advanced formulation technologies, such as lipid nanoparticles and N-acetylgalactosamine conjugation, have been developed and are now used in clinical practice to enhance target organ delivery and stability. The innate complex biological mechanisms of siRNA, along with its formulation, are major determinants of the PK/PD characteristics of siRNA products. To systematically and quantitatively understand these characteristics, it is essential to develop and utilize quantitative PK/PD models for siRNA therapeutics. In this review, the effects of formulation on the PKs and PK/PD models of approved siRNA products were presented, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate biomarkers and understanding formulation, PKs, and PDs for quantitative interpreting the relationship between plasma concentration, organ concentration, biomarkers, and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go-Wun Choi
- College of Pharmacy, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hea-Young Cho
- College of Pharmacy, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea.
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Mercier AK, Ueckert S, Sunnåker M, Hamrén B, Ambery P, Greasley PJ, Åstrand M. From Plan to Pivot: How Model-Informed Drug Development Shaped the Dose Strategy of the Zibotentan/Dapagliflozin ZENITH Trials. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 116:653-664. [PMID: 38961664 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Getting the dose right is a key challenge in drug development; model-informed drug development (MIDD) provides powerful tools to shape dose strategies and inform decision making. In this tutorial, the case study of the ZENITH trials showcases how a set of clinical pharmacology and MIDD approaches informed an impactful dose strategy. The endothelin A receptor antagonist zibotentan, combined with the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin, has yielded a robust and significant albuminuria reduction in the Phase IIb trial ZENITH-CKD and is being investigated for reduction of kidney function decline in a high-risk chronic kidney disease population in the Phase III trial ZENITH High Proteinuria. Endothelin antagonist treatment has, until now, been limited by the class effect fluid retention. ZENITH-CKD investigated a wide range of zibotentan doses based on pharmacokinetics in renal impairment, competitor-data exposure-response modeling, and clinical trial simulations. Recruitment delays reduced interim analysis data availability; here, supportive dose-response modeling recovered decision-making confidence. At trial completion, the low-dose arm enabled Phase III dose selection between Phase IIb doses. Dose-response modeling of efficacy and Kaplan-Meier analyses of tolerability identified a kidney-function-based low-dose strategy of 0.25 or 0.75 mg zibotentan (with 10 mg dapagliflozin) to balance benefit/risk in ZENITH High Proteinuria. The applied clinical pharmacology and MIDD principles enabled successful Phase IIb dose finding, rationalized and built confidence in the innovative Phase III dosing strategy and identified a potential therapeutic window for zibotentan/dapagliflozin, providing the opportunity for a significant improvement in the treatment of chronic kidney disease with high proteinuria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kristina Mercier
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Ueckert
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sunnåker
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bengt Hamrén
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Phil Ambery
- Clinical Late Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter J Greasley
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Åstrand
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Madabushi R, Benjamin J, Zhu H, Zineh I. The US Food and Drug Administration's Model-Informed Drug Development Meeting Program: From Pilot to Pathway. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 116:278-281. [PMID: 38445751 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajanikanth Madabushi
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Jessica Benjamin
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Hao Zhu
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Issam Zineh
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Clewe O, Rekić D, Quartino AL, Carlsson B, Higashimori M, Wernevik L, Hofherr A, Rydén-Bergsten T, Nilsson C, Knöchel J. Population pharmacokinetics of a novel PCSK9 antisense oligonucleotide. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024; 90:1503-1513. [PMID: 38504437 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of AZD8233, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that targets the PCSK9 transcript to reduce hepatocyte PCSK9 protein production and plasma levels. AZD8233 utilizes generation 2.5 S-constrained ethyl motif (cET) chemistry and is conjugated to a triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc3) ligand for targeted hepatocyte uptake. METHODS A non-linear mixed-effect modelling approach utilizing NONMEM software was applied to AZD8233 concentration-time data from 3416 samples in 219 participants from four phase 1-2 studies, one in healthy volunteers (NCT03593785) and three in patients with dyslipidaemia (NCT04155645, NCT04641299 and NCT04823611). RESULTS The final model described the AZD8233 plasma concentration-time profile from four phase 1-2 studies in healthy volunteers or participants with dyslipidaemia, covering a dose range of 4 to 120 mg. The pharmacokinetics of AZD8233 were adequately described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption. The supra-proportional increase in maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) across the observed dose range was described by non-linear Michaelis-Menten elimination (maximum elimination rate, 9.9 mg/h [12% relative standard error]; concentration yielding half-maximal elimination rate, 4.8 mg/L [18% relative standard error]). Body weight, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate and disease status (healthy participant vs. patient with dyslipidaemia) were identified as factors affecting exposure to AZD8233. CONCLUSIONS Covariate analysis showed body weight to be the main factor affecting exposure to AZD8233, which largely explained the higher Cmax observed in the Asian population relative to non-Asians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Clewe
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dinko Rekić
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Angelica L Quartino
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Björn Carlsson
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mitsuo Higashimori
- Science Enablement Department, Data Science & Innovation Division, R&D, AstraZeneca K.K., Osaka, Japan
| | - Linda Wernevik
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexis Hofherr
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tina Rydén-Bergsten
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Catarina Nilsson
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jane Knöchel
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Agnello F, Ingala S, Laterra G, Scalia L, Barbanti M. Novel and Emerging LDL-C Lowering Strategies: A New Era of Dyslipidemia Management. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1251. [PMID: 38592091 PMCID: PMC10931739 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) represents a major global health challenge, significantly contributing to mortality rates. This chronic inflammatory condition affecting blood vessels is intricately linked to hypercholesterolemia, with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) recognized as a central and modifiable risk factor. The effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) in mitigating ASCVD risk is well established, with studies revealing a substantial reduction in major ischemic events correlating with LDL-C reduction. While statins, often combined with ezetimibe, remain fundamental in dyslipidemia management, a significant proportion of patients on statin therapy continue to experience cardiovascular events. Recent pharmacological advancements, driven by a deeper understanding of atherogenesis, have unveiled novel therapeutic targets and potent drugs. Notably, agents like bempedoic acid and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors (evolocumab, alirocumab, inclisiran) have emerged as effective options to intensify LLT and achieve LDL-C goals, addressing limitations associated with statins, such as myopathy. Molecular insights into alternative pathways have spurred the investigation of emerging agents, offering promising perspectives for novel medications with efficacy comparable to established treatments, associated with advantages in cost and administration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of lipid-lowering strategies, highlighting the progress made in addressing ASCVD risk and the potential of upcoming therapies to further optimize cardiovascular prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Agnello
- Division of Cardiology, Ospedale Umberto I, ASP 4 di Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy; (F.A.); (S.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Salvatore Ingala
- Division of Cardiology, Ospedale Umberto I, ASP 4 di Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy; (F.A.); (S.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Giulia Laterra
- Division of Cardiology, Ospedale Umberto I, ASP 4 di Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy; (F.A.); (S.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Lorenzo Scalia
- Division of Cardiology, Ospedale Umberto I, ASP 4 di Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy; (F.A.); (S.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Marco Barbanti
- Division of Cardiology, Ospedale Umberto I, ASP 4 di Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy; (F.A.); (S.I.); (L.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
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