Effects of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, evogliptin (DA-1229)

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.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Evogliptin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis with Bayesian Inference Through a Quality-management System

PURPOSE

Evogliptin is one of the latest dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, and a number of clinical trials have been performed following its development, including several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed to evaluate its efficacy and tolerability. In our study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy and tolerability by collecting RCTs and confirmed the results with Bayesian inference. Moreover, an updated quality-management system was integrated into the study process of systematic review.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for literature published between May 1990 and November 2020. We selected 6 homogeneous RCTs in 1017 subjects for efficacy and 1070 subjects for tolerability analysis. Regarding the efficacy profile, the mean differences from baseline (95% CIs) in hemoglobin (Hb) A_1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were generated as end points and derived from each study. Regarding the tolerability profile, risk ratios of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, adverse drug reactions, and hypoglycemia were generated from baseline to outcome measurements as derived from each study. A subsequent meta-analysis was performed with Bayesian inference.

FINDINGS

For HbA_1c and FPG, the results suggested a statistically significant improvement with evogliptin versus placebo (HbA_1c, -0.44 [95% CI, -0.54 to -0.34; P < 0.00001] and posterior median, -0.38 [95% CI, -0.51 to -0.24]; FPG, -0.61 [95% CI, -0.90 to -0.31; P < 0.0001] and posterior median, -0.48 [95% CI, -0.90 to -0.16]), but no statistically significant difference with evogliptin versus other DPP-4 inhibitors (HbA_1c, -0.01 [95% CI, -0.14 to 0.12] and posterior median, -0.06 [95% CI, -0.25 to 0.12]; FPG, 0.17 [95% CI, -0.10 to 0.44] and posterior median, 0.27 [95% CI, -0.12 to 0.65]). In terms of tolerability, the overall prevalence of adverse events, including hypoglycemia, was similar between evogliptin and other DPP-4 inhibitors and placebo.

IMPLICATIONS

Evogliptin appears more efficacious in terms of changes in HbA_1c and FPG compared with placebo, with an efficacy comparable to those of other DPP-4 inhibitors, although with the limited data studied and the minuscule sample sizes, the predictions of posterior medians, mean differences, and risk ratios of HbA_1c, FPG, and AEs by Bayesian inference were consistent with our findings through our quality-management system.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of evogliptin in hepatically impaired patients

AIMS

Evogliptin is a potent and selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor for glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Since evogliptin is mainly eliminated through hepatic metabolism, we investigated the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety characteristics of evogliptin in Korean patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.

METHODS

An open-label, parallel-group study was conducted in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and healthy control subjects matched to each patient for sex, age and body mass index. A single dose (5 mg) of evogliptin was administered orally, and serial blood samples were collected over 120 h to assess the PK profile of evogliptin and its main metabolites (M7 and M8).

RESULTS

Patients with mild hepatic impairment and their matched healthy controls showed similar maximum concentration (C_max ) and area under the concentration-time curve values from 0 to 120 h (AUC_last ); the geometric mean ratio (GMR) and 90% confidence interval (CI) were 1.04 (0.80, 1.35) and 1.01 (0.90, 1.14), respectively. Exposure to evogliptin (C_max and AUC_last ) was increased by about 40% in patients with moderate hepatic impairment-the GMR and 90% CI were 1.37 (1.09, 1.72) and 1.44 (1.18, 1.75), respectively. The metabolic ratios of M7 and M8 were lower in patients with moderate hepatic impairment than in matched healthy controls. Evogliptin was well tolerated by both patients and healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

Although evogliptin exposure was increased in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, the increase is unlikely to affect safety and efficacy adversely, and no dose adjustment is warranted.

Optimization and validation of a fluorogenic dipeptidyl peptidase 4 enzymatic assay in human plasma

During the development of a specific dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor to treat type 2 diabetes, a fluorogenic kinetic analysis for DPP4 enzymatic activity using Gly-Pro-Aminomethylcoumarin (AMC) as a substrate was optimized and validated for recombinant DPP4 and human plasma samples. The sensitivity, calibration curve, detection range, accuracy, precision, recovery efficiency, Km constant, short/long-term stability, and stability after freezing-thawing cycles were analyzed. DPP4 enzymatic activity (mU/min) was measured as the initial velocity (Vo) of the enzymatic reaction over time. The sensitivity of the Vo value was 14,488 mU/min for recombinant DPP4 and 17,995 mU/min for human plasma samples. The dynamic ranges of the calibration curve were linear and reliable between 1.11 × 10⁴-1.86 × 10⁶ mU/min of the mean Vo value and in the DPP4 concentration range of 23.4-3,000 ng/mL. The assay's accuracy and precision met acceptance criteria for all samples. Plasma DPP4 was stable under various storage temperatures, even after three freeze-thaw cycles. Our optimized, validated bioanalytic method for measuring DPP4 activity in plasma samples was successfully employed to evaluate the effect of evogliptin (DA-1229) tartrate, which irreversibly and dose-dependently inhibits DPP4 enzymatic activity, without the dilution effect of human plasma samples and irrespective of the co-treated metformin.

Efficacy and safety of evogliptin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicentre, active-controlled, randomized, double-blind study with open-label extension (the EVERGREEN study)

AIM

To investigate the efficacy and safety of evogliptin compared with linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this 12-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, and 12-week open-label extension study, a total of 207 patients with type 2 diabetes who had HbA1c levels of 7.0%-10.0% were randomized 1:1 to receive evogliptin 5 mg (n = 102) or linagliptin 5 mg (n = 105) daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline HbA1c at week 12. The secondary endpoint was the change in the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (MAGE) assessed by continuous glucose monitoring. In the extension study conducted during the following 12 weeks, evogliptin 5 mg daily was administered to both groups: evogliptin/evogliptin group (n = 95) and linagliptin/evogliptin group (n = 92).

RESULTS

After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean change in HbA1c in the evogliptin group and in the linagliptin group was -0.85% and -0.75%, respectively. The between-group difference was -0.10% (95% CI: -0.32 to 0.11), showing non-inferiority based on a non-inferiority margin of 0.4%. The change in MAGE was -24.6 mg/dL in the evogliptin group and -16.7 mg/dL in the linagliptin group. These values were significantly lower than the baseline values in both groups. However, they did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the evogliptin/evogliptin group at week 24, HbA1c decreased by -0.94%, with HbA1c values of <7.0% in 80.2% of the patients. The incidence and types of adverse events were comparable between the two groups for 24 weeks.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the glucose-lowering efficacy of evogliptin was non-inferior to linagliptin. It was maintained at week 24 with a 0.94% reduction in HbA1c. Evogliptin therapy improved glycaemic variability without causing any serious adverse events in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Fluorinated phenylalanines: synthesis and pharmaceutical applications

Recent advances in the chemistry of peptides containing fluorinated phenylalanines (Phe) represents a hot topic in drug research over the last few decades. ᴅ- or ʟ-fluorinated phenylalanines have had considerable industrial and pharmaceutical applications and they have been expanded also to play an important role as potential enzyme inhibitors as well as therapeutic agents and topography imaging of tumor ecosystems using PET. Incorporation of fluorinated aromatic amino acids into proteins increases their catabolic stability especially in therapeutic proteins and peptide-based vaccines. This review seeks to summarize the different synthetic approaches in the literature to prepare ᴅ- or ʟ-fluorinated phenylalanines and their pharmaceutical applications with a focus on published synthetic methods that introduce fluorine into the phenyl, the β-carbon or the α-carbon of ᴅ-or ʟ-phenylalanines.

Efficacy and safety of evogliptin versus sitagliptin as an add-on therapy in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with metformin: A 24-week randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority, EVOLUTION INDIA study

AIM

This study aimed to assess efficacy and safety of evogliptin versus sitagliptin, when added to background metformin therapy in Indian patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

METHOD

Overall, 184 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (7% ≤ HbA_1c < 10%) receiving ≥8 weeks of stable metformin monotherapy (≥1 g/day), were randomized to receive add-on treatment (evogliptin 5 mg or sitagliptin 100 mg) for 24 weeks. Primary endpoint was change in HbA_1c from baseline to 12 weeks (non-inferiority margin: <0.35).

RESULTS

Mean reductions in HbA1c at 12 weeks in evogliptin- and sitagliptin-treated patients were -0.37 (1.06) and -0.32 (1.14), respectively. The adjusted mean difference between treatment groups was -0.022 (95% CI: -0.374, 0.330; P = 0.901), that demonstrated non-inferiority. Reductions in FPG and PPG were similar between evogliptin and sitagliptin at 12 and 24 weeks. Changes in body weight were comparable between the treatment groups. Patients achieving target HbA_1c < 7.0% (evogliptin, 26.7% vs. sitagliptin, 20%) was almost equal in both groups. Treatment-emergent adverse events occured in 52 patients (evogliptin, 25% and sitagliptin, 31.5%) and were generally mild.

CONCLUSIONS

Evogliptin was non-inferior to sitagliptin in HbA_1c reduction. It effectively improved glycemic control and was well tolerated in type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled by metformin alone.

Assessment of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 3A Activity Using Metabolic Markers in Patients with Renal Impairment

BACKGROUND

The renal function of individuals is one of the reasons for the variations in therapeutic response to various drugs. Patients with renal impairment are often exposed to drug toxicity, even with drugs that are usually eliminated by hepatic metabolism. Previous study has reported an increased plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate and decreased plasma concentration of 4β-hydroxy (OH)-cholesterol in stable kidney transplant recipients, implicating indoxyl sulfate as a cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibiting factor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of renal impairment severity-dependent accumulation of indoxyl sulfate on hepatic CYP3A activity using metabolic markers.

METHODS

Sixty-six subjects were enrolled in this study; based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), they were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment. The plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate was quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Urinary and plasma markers (6β-OH-cortisol/cortisol, 6β-OH-cortisone/cortisone, 4β-OH-cholesterol) for hepatic CYP3A activity were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total plasma concentration of cholesterol was measured using the enzymatic colorimetric assay to calculate the 4β-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol ratio. The correlation between variables was assessed using Pearson's correlation test.

RESULTS

There was a significant negative correlation between MDRD eGFR and indoxyl sulfate levels. The levels of urinary 6β-OH-cortisol/cortisol and 6β-OH-cortisone/cortisone as well as plasma 4β-OH-cholesterol and 4β-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol were not correlated with MDRD eGFR and the plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic CYP3A activity may not be affected by renal impairment-induced accumulation of plasma indoxyl sulfate.

Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of [14C]evogliptin tartrate in male rats and dogs

The objective of this study was to determine the absorption, excretion, and metabolism of a novel, oral antihyperglycemic drug, evogliptin, in male rats and dogs. Plasma, urine, feces, and expired air samples were collected after a single oral dose administration of [¹⁴C]evogliptin, samples were analyzed by measuring overall radioactivity levels using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and radioactivity levels were measured by utilizing LC-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The total amounts of radioactivity excreted in urine, feces, and expired air up to 168 h after administration of [¹⁴C]evogliptin tartrate to rats (30 mg evogliptin/kg) and dogs (10 mg evogliptin/kg) were 96.7% and 96.8% of initial doses administered, respectively. The extent of urinary and fecal excretion in the rat up to 168 h constituted 29.7% and 66.5% of the given dose, respectively; and in dog was 43.3% and 53.5%, respectively. A total of 23 possible metabolites were detected with radiochromatograms of plasma, urinary, and fecal samples, but only the structures of 12 metabolites were identified via LC-MS/MS analysis. Evogliptin was the major component. Regarding the total radiochromatographic peak areas, peaks 9 (evogliptin acid) and 11 (hydroxyevogliptin) were the major metabolites in rats, and peaks 8 [4(S)-hydroxyevogliptin glucuronide], 15 [4(S)-hydroxyevogliptin], and 17 [4(R)-hydroxyevogliptin] were the predominant metabolites in dogs. Data demonstrated that evogliptin was the major component excreted in urine and feces of rats and dogs, but the metabolite profiles varied between species.

Efficacy and safety of adding evogliptin versus sitagliptin for metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes: A 24-week randomized, controlled trial with open label extension

AIMS

This trial consisted of a 24-week multicentre, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled study and a 52-week open label extension study to assess the efficacy and safety of evogliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, compared to sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycaemic control with metformin alone.

METHODS

Adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N = 222) with HbA1c 6.5% to 11% who were receiving stable doses of metformin (≥1000 mg/d) were randomized 1:1 to add-on evogliptin 5 mg (N = 112) or sitagliptin 100 mg (N = 110) once daily for 24 weeks. The primary efficacy analysis consisted of a comparison of the change from baseline HbA1c at week 24. Non-inferiority was concluded if the upper limit of the 2-sided 95% confidence interval for the HbA1c difference between treatments was <0.35%.

RESULTS

Mean changes in HbA1c following addition of evogliptin or sitagliptin were -0.59% and -0.65%, respectively. The between-group difference was 0.06% (2-sided 95% confidence interval, -0.10 to 0.22), demonstrating non-inferiority. After the 52-week treatment, evogliptin caused a persistently decreased level of HbA1c (-0.44% ± 0.65%, P  < .0001). In general, both treatments were well tolerated, with incidences and types of adverse events comparable between the two groups. Hypoglycaemic events, mostly mild, were reported in 0.9% of patients treated with evogliptin and in 2.8% of patients treated with sitagliptin for 24 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Evogliptin 5 mg added to metformin therapy effectively improved glycaemic control and was non-inferior to sitagliptin and well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus that was inadequately controlled by metformin alone.