Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Linagliptin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model of evogliptin: Severe uremia increases the bioavailability of evogliptin

Uremia, a condition characterized by the retention of uremic toxins due to impaired renal function, may affect drug metabolism mediated by CYP3A4 enzymes. Evogliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor diabetic drug that is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. This study aimed to construct a population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) model for evogliptin in patients with varying degrees of renal disease, including end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. A total of 688 evogliptin concentration and 598 DPP-4 activity data were available from 46 subjects. PK and PD data analyses were performed using a nonlinear mixed-effects model. The PK of evogliptin was optimally described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption. The significant covariates in the final model included blood amylase and triglyceride on F1 (relative bioavailability). The simulation findings, together with previously reported PK data, provided evidence of a significant inhibition of the first-pass effect of evogliptin in patients with renal impairment. A direct link sigmoidal Emax model was developed to describe the relationship between evogliptin concentration and DPP-4 inhibition. The PD model predicted significant inhibition of DPP-4 at maximum effect (Emax: 88.9%) and a low EC50 value (1.08 μg/L), indicating the high potency and efficacy of evogliptin. The developed PK/PD model accurately predicted exposure and the resulting DPP-4 activity of evogliptin in renal impairment. The findings of this study suggest that renal impairment and associated biochemical changes may impact the bioavailability of CYP3A4-metabolized drugs.

Pharmacometrics-Enhanced Bayesian Borrowing for Pediatric Extrapolation - A Case Study of the DINAMO Trial

Bayesian borrowing analyses have an important role in the design and analysis of pediatric trials. This paper describes use of a prespecified Pharmacometrics Enhanced Bayesian Borrowing (PEBB) analysis that was conducted to overcome an expectation for reduced statistical power in the pediatric DINAMO trial due to a greater than expected variability in the primary endpoint. The DINAMO trial assessed the efficacy and safety of an empagliflozin dosing regimen versus placebo and linagliptin versus placebo on glycemic control (change in HbA1c over 26 weeks) in young people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Previously fitted pharmacokinetic and exposure-response models for empagliflozin and linagliptin based on available historical data in adult and pediatric patients with T2D were used to simulate participant data and derive the informative component of a Bayesian robust mixture prior distribution. External experts and representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided recommendations to determine the effective sample size of the prior and the weight of the informative prior component. Separate exposure response-based Bayesian borrowing analyses for empagliflozin and linagliptin showed posterior mean and 95% credible intervals that were consistent with the trial results. Sensitivity analyses with a full range of alternative weights were also performed. The use of PEBB in this analysis combined advantages of mechanistic modeling of pharmacometric differences between adults and young people with T2D, with advantages of partial extrapolation through Bayesian dynamic borrowing. Our findings suggest that the described PEBB approach is a promising option to optimize the power for future pediatric trials.

Evaluation of Age-Related Changes in Teneligliptin Pharmacokinetics in Japanese and European Descent Subjects Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model

INTRODUCTION

Drugs often show differing pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles, such as higher plasma concentrations, in older people than in younger people owing to age-related decreases in physiological functions. However, it is difficult to evaluate the PK in older populations. Therefore, we simulated the plasma age-related changes in the PK of teneligliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, using physiologically based PK (PBPK) models.

METHODS

The previously developed PBPK model was revalidated by comparison between simulated data and clinical study data that included older subjects (up to 75 years old). We then simulated the plasma concentration-time profiles for teneligliptin at a dose of 20 mg (single and multiple doses) in virtual Japanese (20-70 years old) and European descent (20-98 years old) subjects. PK parameters were calculated by race and age group.

RESULTS

We confirmed the validity of the previous PBPK model by comparison between simulated data and clinical study data. In the evaluation of age-related changes in PK after single and multiple doses using the PBPK model, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of teneligliptin tended to increase slightly with age in both populations up to 70 years old. However, no clear age-related change in the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of teneligliptin was observed. In the European descent subjects aged ≥ 70 years, the AUC tended to increase but the ratio of the change in Cmax was smaller than that in AUC. In both populations, there were positive correlations between AUC and age, but not between Cmax and age.

CONCLUSION

The simulation using a PBPK model showed a tendency for the AUC of teneligliptin to increase with age, whereas Cmax was less affected by age than AUC.

A model-informed approach to accelerate the clinical development of cofrogliptin (HSK7653), a novel ultralong-acting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor

AIM

To employ a model-informed drug development approach in facilitating decision making and expediting the clinical progress of cofrogliptin (HSK7653), a novel ultralong-acting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) via a biweekly dosing regimen.

METHODS

Firstly, a population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PopPKPD) model was developed using PK and PD data from a single ascending dose study to simulate the PK and PD time profiles of HSK7653 after multiple doses. Secondly, model-based meta-analysis (MBMA) was performed on published clinical studies of Eastern Asian subjects for all DPP-4 inhibitors. We hypothesized a consistent relationship between PK and DPP-4 inhibition in both healthy individuals and in those with T2D, establishing a quantitative correlation between DPP-4 inhibition and HbA1c. Finally, the predicted PK/DPP-4 inhibition/HbA1c profiles were validated by T2D patients in late clinical trials.

RESULTS

The PK/DPP-4 inhibition/HbA1c profiles of T2D patients treated with HSK7653 matched the modelled data. Our PopPKPD and MBMA models predict multiple ascending dosing PK and PD characteristics from single ascending dosing data, as well as the long-term efficacy in T2D patients, based on healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful waiver approval for the phase 2b dose-finding study was achieved through model-informed recommendations, facilitating the clinical development of HSK7653 and other DPP-4 inhibitors.

Target-Mediated Drug Disposition-A Class Effect of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors

Pharmacological target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) represents a special source of nonlinear pharmacokinetics, and its occurrence in large-molecule compounds has been well recognized because numerous protein drugs have been reported to have TMDD due to specific binding to their pharmacological targets. Although TMDD can also happen in small-molecule compounds, it has been largely overlooked. In this mini-review, we summarize the occurrence of TMDD that we discovered recently in a series of small-molecule soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors. Our journey started with an accidental discovery of target-mediated kinetics of 1-(1-propanoylpiperidin-4-yl)-3-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]urea (TPPU), a potent sEH inhibitor, in a pilot clinical study. To confirm what we observed in humans, we conducted a series of mechanism experiments in animals, including pharmacokinetic experiments using sEH knockout mice as well as in vivo displacement experiments with co-administration of another potent sEH inhibitor. Our mechanism studies confirmed that the TMDD of TPPU is due to its pharmacological target sEH. We further expanded our evaluation to various other sEH inhibitors and found that TMDD is a class effect of this group of small-molecule sEH inhibitors. In addition to summarizing the occurrence of TMDD in sEH inhibitors, in this mini-review we also highlighted the importance of recognizing TMDD of small-molecule compounds and its impact in clinical development as well as using pharmacometric modeling in facilitating quantitative understanding of TMDD.

Does Rabeprazole Sodium Alleviate the Anti-diabetic Activity of Linagliptin? Drug-Drug Interaction Analysis by In vitro and In vivo Methods

Drug interaction has turned into the preeminent regarding issues for a prescriber during polypharmacy. The foremost objective of this research was to form a complex between linagliptin and rabeprazole sodium by in vitro interactions. The interactions between the drugs have been examined by monitoring some chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses viz. TLC, HPLC, FT-IR, UV, Job's plot, conductometric titrations, and Ardon's spectrophotometric strategy. Rabeprazole sodium formed a stable complex with linagliptin, which was ensured from the insight of these analytical data. The developed complex's bright spot was clearly watched in the TLC plate. The retention time (R_t) of the formed complex was 5.303 min, where the R_t were 3.364 and 3.103 min for linagliptin and rabeprazole sodium, respectively, in HPLC chromatograms. In FT-IR and UV spectra of the formed complex revealed some disappearance of characteristic peaks that affirmed the complexation. All of the variations of the spectrophotometric and chromatographic properties from the antecedent drugs indicated the drug-drug interaction. Another crucial fact for the experimental aim was to affirm the assumed drug interaction by in vivo model examination. The assessment of anti-diabetic property on alloxan-induced Swiss albino mice proved significant in vivo interaction between the drugs. It was outlined from the animal study that the hypoglycemic activity of linagliptin might be significantly affected due to the complex formation of the drug with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Nonetheless, it is the primary outcome of the interaction, which recommends the bigger in vivo study or clinical monitoring on the human model.

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of the DPP-4 Inhibitor Linagliptin to Describe its Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics in Humans

Linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor, for type 2 diabetes exhibits nonlinear plasma protein binding in the therapeutic concentration range due to its high affinity binding to the pharmacological target DPP-4, and its pharmacokinetics both in plasma and urine is also nonlinear. The purpose of the present study was to explain the nonlinear pharmacokinetic profiles using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model with saturable binding of linagliptin to soluble and membrane-bound DPP-4 in blood and organs including kidneys. The model was first fitted to previously reported full-scale plasma concentrations and urinary excretion data at 4 intravenous (iv) dose levels. Additional fitting to the data from 4 oral (po) dose levels was then performed to yield the final iv-po based model including gastrointestinal absorption-associated parameters. Data from [¹⁴C]linagliptin mass balance study were also used for optimizing parameters related to enterohepatic circulation. The PBPK model was thus constructed and well describes the nonlinear pharmacokinetic profiles of linagliptin in both plasma and urine, demonstrating that the nonlinear pharmacokinetics are fully explained by its specific binding to target protein. The present study thus introduces the involvement of target-mediated disposition for linagliptin in humans.

Neuroprotective Properties of Linagliptin: Focus on Biochemical Mechanisms in Cerebral Ischemia, Vascular Dysfunction and Certain Neurodegenerative Diseases

Linagliptin is a representative of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors which are registered and used effectively in a treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. They increase the levels of active forms of endogenous incretins such as GLP-1 and GIP by inhibiting their enzymatic decomposition. Scientific reports suggest beneficial effects of linagliptin administration via immunological and biochemical pathways involved in neuroprotective processes of CNS. Linagliptin’s administration leads to a decrease in the concentration of proinflammatory factors such as: TNF-α, IL-6 and increases the number of anti-inflammatory patrolling monocytes CX3CR1^bright. Significant reduction in Aβ42 level has been associated with the use of linagliptin implying potential application in Alzheimer’s disease. Linagliptin improved vascular functions by increasing production of nitric oxide (NO) and limiting concentration of apolipoprotein B. Linagliptin-induced decrease in macrophages infiltration may provide improvement in atheromatous plaque stabilization. Premedication with linagliptin increases neuron’s survival after stroke and augments neuronal stem cells proliferation. It seems to be connected with SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway. Linagliptin prevented abnormal proliferation and migration of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells in a state of hypoperfusion via SIRT1/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway. The article presents a summary of the studies assessing neuroprotective properties of linagliptin with special emphasis on cerebral ischemia, vascular dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between linagliptin and tadalafil in healthy Egyptian males using a novel LC–MS method

Aim: Assessment of pharmacokinetic interaction between linagliptin (LNG) and tadalafil (TDL) in healthy males. Methods: First, a novel LC–MS method was developed; second, a Phase IV, open-label, cross-over study was performed. Volunteers took single 20-mg TDL dose on day 1 followed by wash out period of 2 weeks then multiple oral dosing of 5-mg/day LNG for 13 days. On day 13, volunteers were co-administered 20-mg TDL. Results: LNG and TDL single doses did not affect QTc interval. Smoking did not alter pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of LNG and TDL. Co-administration of LNG with TDL resulted in TDL longer time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax), decreased oral clearance (Cl/F) and oral volume of distribution (Vd/F), increased its maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under concentration-time curve (AUC), muscle pain and QTc prolongation. Conclusion: LNG and TDL co-administration warrants monitoring and/or TDL dose adjustment.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of linagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with consideration of Asian patient populations

Our aims were to summarize the clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitor, linagliptin, and to consider how these characteristics influence its clinical utility. Differences between linagliptin and other dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors were also considered, in addition to the influence of Asian race on the pharmacology of linagliptin. Linagliptin has a xanthine‐based structure, a difference that might account for some of the pharmacological differences observed with linagliptin versus other dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors. The long terminal half‐life of linagliptin results from its strong binding to dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4. Despite this, linagliptin shows a short accumulation half‐life, as a result of saturable, high‐affinity binding to dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of linagliptin make it suitable for once‐daily dosing in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unlike most other dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors, linagliptin has a largely non‐renal excretion route, and dose adjustment is not required in patients with renal impairment. Furthermore, linagliptin exposure is not substantially altered in patients with hepatic impairment, and dose adjustment is not necessary for these patients. The 5‐mg dose is also suitable for patients of Asian ethnicity. Linagliptin shows unique pharmacological features within the dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitor class. Although most clinical trials of linagliptin have involved largely Caucasian populations, data on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of linagliptin show that these features are not substantially altered in Asian populations. The 5‐mg dose of linagliptin is suitable for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus irrespective of their ethnicity or the presence of renal or hepatic impairment.

Quantitative prediction of human pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of imigliptin, a novel DPP-4 inhibitor, using allometric scaling, IVIVE and PK/PD modeling methods

PURPOSE

To predict the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiles of imigliptin, a novel DPP-4 inhibitor, in first-in-human (FIH) study based on the data from preclinical species.

METHODS

Imigliptin was intravenously and orally administered to rats, dogs, and monkeys to assess their PK/PD properties. DPP-4 activity was the PD biomarker. PK/PD profiles of sitagliptin and alogliptin in rats and humans were obtained and digitized from literatures. PK/PD profiles of all dose levels for each drug in each species were analyzed using modeling approach. Human CL, Vss and PK profiles of imigliptin were then predicted using Allometric Scaling (AS), in vitro in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), and the steady-state plasma drug concentration - mean residence time (Css-MRT) methods. In vitro EC50 corrected by fu and in vivo EC50 in rats corrected by interspecies difference of sitagliptin and alogliptin were utilized separately to predict imigliptin human EC50. The prediction by integrating all above methods was evaluated by comparing observed and simulated PK/PD profiles in healthy subjects.

RESULTS

Full PK/PD profiles in animal were summarized for imigliptin, sitagliptin and alogliptin. Imigliptin CL, Vss, and Fa were predicted to be 19.1L/h, 247L, and 0.81 in humans, respectively. Predicted imigliptin AUCs, AUECs, and Emax in humans were within 0.8-1.2 times of observed values whereas other predicted PK/PD parameters were within 0.5-1.5 times of observed values.

CONCLUSIONS

By integrating available preclinical and clinical data, FIH PK/PD profiles of imigliptin could be accurately predicted.

Comparable pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety of linagliptin 5 mg among Japanese, Asian and white patients with type 2 diabetes

Aims/Introduction

The efficacy and safety of drugs can vary between different races or ethnic populations because of differences in the relationship of dose to exposure, pharmacodynamic response or clinical efficacy and safety. In the present post‐hoc analysis, we assessed the influence of race on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of monotherapy with the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, linagliptin, in patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in two comparable, previously reported randomized phase III trials.

Materials and Methods

Study 1 (with a 12‐week placebo‐controlled phase) recruited Japanese patients only (linagliptin, n = 159; placebo, n = 80); study 2 (24‐week trial) enrolled Asian (non‐Japanese; linagliptin, n = 156; placebo, n = 76) and white patients (linagliptin, n = 180; placebo, n = 90).

Results

Linagliptin trough concentrations were equivalent across study and race groups, and were higher than half‐maximal inhibitory concentration, resulting in dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibition >80% at trough. Linagliptin inhibited plasma dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 activity to a similar degree in study 1 and study 2. Linagliptin reduced fasting plasma glucose concentrations by a similar magnitude across groups, leading to clinically relevant reductions in glycated hemoglobin in all groups. Glycated hemoglobin levels decreased to a slightly greater extent in study 1 (Japanese) and in Asian (non‐Japanese) patients from study 2. Linagliptin had a favorable safety profile in each race group.

Conclusions

Trough exposure, pharmacodynamic response, and efficacy and safety of linagliptin monotherapy were comparable among Japanese, Asian (non‐Japanese) and white patients, confirming that the recommended 5‐mg once‐daily dose of linagliptin is appropriate for use among different race groups.

Antidiabetic treatment with gliptins: focus on cardiovascular effects and outcomes

The traditional oral pharmacological therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been based on the prescription of metformin, a biguanide, as first line antihyperglycemic agent world over. It has been demonstrated that after 3 years of treatment, approximately 50 % of diabetic patients could achieve acceptable glucose levels with monotherapy; but by 9 years this had declined to only 25 %. Therefore, the implementation of a combined pharmacological therapy acting via different pathways becomes necessary, and its combination with a compound of the sulfonylurea group was along decades the most frequently employed prescription in routine clinical practice. Meglitinides, glitazones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors were subsequently developed, but the five mentioned groups of oral antihyperglycemic agents are associated with variable degrees of undesirable or even severe cardiovascular events. The gliptins—also called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors—are an additional group of antidiabetic compounds with increasing clinical use. We review the status of the gliptins with emphasis on their capabilities to positively or negatively affect the cardiovascular system, and their potential involvement in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Alogliptin, anagliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, teneligliptin and vildagliptin are the compounds currently in clinical use. Regardless differences in chemical structure and metabolic pathways, gliptins as a group exert favorable changes in experimental models. These changes, as an almost general rule, include improved endothelial function, reduction of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress ischemia/reperfusion injury and atherogenesis. In addition, increased adiponectin levels and modest decreases in lipidemia and blood pressure were reported. In clinical settings, several trials—notably the longer one, employing sitagliptin, with a mean follow-up period of 3 years—did not show an increased risk for ischemic events. Anyway, it should be emphasized that the encouraging results from basic science were not yet translated into clinical evidence, probably due the multiple and pleiotropic enzymatic effects of DPP4 inhibition. Moreover, when employing saxagliptin, while the drug was not associated with an augmented risk for ischemic events, it should be pinpointed that the rate of hospitalization for heart failure was significantly increased. Gliptins as a group constitute a widely accepted therapy for the management of T2DM, usually as a second-line medication. Nonetheless, for the time being, a definite relationship between gliptins treatment and improved cardiovascular outcomes remains uncertain and needs yet to be proven.