In vitro-in vivo Pharmacokinetic correlation model for quality assurance of antiretroviral drugs / Modelo de correlación farmacocinético in vitro-in vivo para el aseguramiento de la calidad de medicamentos antirretrovirales

Introduction: The in vitro-in vivo pharmacokinetic correlation models (IVIVC) are a fundamental part of the drug discovery and development process. The ability to accurately predict the in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of a drug based on in vitro observations can have several applications during a successful development process. Objective: To develop a comprehensive model to predict the in vivo absorption of antiretroviral drugs based on permeability studies, in vitro and in vivo solubility and demonstrate its correlation with the pharmacokinetic profile in humans. Methods: Analytical tools to test the biopharmaceutical properties of stavudine, lamivudine y zidovudine were developed. The kinetics of dissolution, permeability in caco-2 cells and pharmacokinetics of absorption in rabbits and healthy volunteers were evaluated. Results: The cumulative areas under the curve (AUC) obtained in the permeability study with Caco-2 cells, the dissolution study and the pharmacokinetics in rabbits correlated with the cumulative AUC values in humans. These results demonstrated a direct relation between in vitro data and absorption, both in humans and in the in vivo model. Conclusions: The analytical methods and procedures applied to the development of an IVIVC model showed a strong correlation among themselves. These IVIVC models are proposed as alternative and cost/ effective methods to evaluate the biopharmaceutical properties that determine the bioavailability of a drug and their application includes the development process, quality assurance, bioequivalence studies and pharmacosurveillance.

Introducción: Los modelos de correlación In vitro-in vivo (IVIVC) son parte integral del proceso de investigación y desarrollo de fármacos. La capacidad de predecir con exactitud el perfil in vivo a partir de las observaciones in vitro tiene diversas aplicaciones durante el desarrollo exitoso de una formulación. Objetivo: Desarrollar un modelo integral para predecir la absorción in vivo de fármacos antirretrovirales con base en estudios de permeabilidad, solubilidad in vitro e in vivo y demostrar su correlación con la farmacocinética en humanos. Métodos: Se desarrollaron y validaron las técnicas bioanalíticas para valorar las propiedades biofarmacéuticas de Estavudina, Lamivudina y Zidovudina. Se evaluó las cineticas de disolución, la permeabilidad en monocapas celulares Caco-2 y la farmacocinética de absorción in vivo en conejos y voluntarios sanos. Resultados: Los valores de AUC acumulados en el sistema de células Caco-2, en la disolución y en el modelo animal, fueron correlacionados con los valores de AUC acumulados en el humano. Con lo anterior se demostró una relación directamente proporcional entre los resultados in vitro con respecto a los obtenidos en la fase de absorción tanto en el humano como en el modelo animal. Conclusiones: Los métodos analíticos y procedimientos aplicados en la IVIVC demostraron las correspondencias directas entre sí, con altos niveles de correlación. Se proponen estos modelos IVIVC como métodos alternativos costo/efectivos para la valoración de las propiedades biofarmacéuticas que determinan la biodisponibilidad, en el desarrollo de productos, en el aseguramiento de la calidad y como pruebas de bioequivalencia en los programas de farmacovigilancia.

Pharmacokinetics of lamivudine & stavudine in generic fixed-dose combinations in HIV-1 infected adults in India.

Background & objectives: Antiretroviral drug concentrations are important determinants of clinical response to a drug accounting for both toxicity and efficacy. Several factors such as age, ethnicity, body weight and patients’ immune status may influence antiretroviral drug concentrations. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of immunological status, sex and body mass index on the steady state pharmacokinetics of lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T) in HIV-infected adults, who were undergoing treatment with generic fixed dose combinations (FDC) of these drugs in India. Methods: Twenty seven HIV-1 infected patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least two weeks at the Government ART clinic at Tambaram, Chennai, took part in the study. Serial blood samples were collected predosing and at different time points after drug administration. Plasma 3TC and d4T levels were estimated by HPLC. Results: The patients’ immune status, sex or body mass index had no impact on the pharmacokinetics of 3TC. In the case of d4T, peak concentration was significantly lower in patients with CD4 cell counts < 200 cells/μl than those with ≥ 200 cells/ μl (P < 0.05), but were within the therapeutic range. The mean CD4 cell counts increased from 101 cells/μl at initiation of ART to 366 cells/μl at 12 months of treatment. Interpretation & conclusions: Blood levels of 3TC and d4T drugs that are part of generic FDCs commonly used by HIV-infected individuals in India were within the therapeutic range and not influenced by nutritional or immune status. There was a significant improvement in CD4 cell counts over 12 months of treatment. Indian generic FDCs manufactured and used widely in the developing world provide effective concentrations of antiretroviral drugs.