Bioequivalence of two recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor formulations in healthy male volunteers.

To evaluate the equivalence of the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety properties of two recombinant G-CSF formulations in healthy male volunteers, a standard 2-way randomized crossover double-blind study, with a 3 week washout period, was conducted. A single 300 microg G-CSF dose was administered subcutaneously. Hebervital (Heber Biotec, Havana, formulation A) and Neupogen (Hoffmann-La Roche S.A, formulation B) were compared. Twenty-four healthy male volunteers were included. The serum G-CSF level was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) during the first 36 h after administration. Absolute neutrophils (ANC), white blood cells (WBC) and CD34+ cells counts were the pharmacodynamic variables measured up to 120 h. Other clinical and laboratory determinations were used as safety criteria. The pharmacokinetic parameters for formulation A and B were very close to each other (i.e. AUC, 235.9 vs 270.0 ng.h/ml; C(max), 29.2 vs 33.4 ng/ml; T(max), 4.2 vs 4.7 h; half-life, 3.2 vs 2.8 h; CL, 260.9 vs 277.2 ml/h; V(d), 1.2 vs 1.1 l; and MRT, 7.58 vs 7.38 h). The confidence intervals for the means ratio of all these parameters were within or very close to the 0.8-1.25 acceptance range. The pharmacodynamics showed high similarity since ANC and WBC had the same profiles for both products and no differences were detected for the estimated parameters. The CD34+ cells count increments were evident for both formulations in a similar way as well. The treatments were well tolerated. Registered adverse events were similar; back/spine pain was the most frequent. According to the overall results these formulations could be considered as clinically comparable.

Bioequivalence of two recombinant interferon alpha-2b liquid formulations in healthy male volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: Interferon (IFN) alpha-2b is a protein with antiviral, antiproliferative and immunoregulatory properties that is approved for several clinical indications. A new liquid, albumin-free, IFNalpha-2b formulation has recently been developed. This study aimed to evaluate the equivalence of the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety properties of the new formulation with a reference one in healthy male volunteers. METHODS: A randomised, crossover, double-blind study with a 3-week washout period was performed in which Heberon Alfa R (formulation A) and Viraferon (formulation B) were compared. A single 20 x 10(6) IU IFNalpha-2b dose was administered subcutaneously to 14 apparently healthy male subjects. Serum IFN level was measured over 48 hours by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and by antiviral activity titration. Clinical and laboratory variables were determined, as were pharmacodynamic and safety criteria. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous with regard to all demographic and baseline variables. Pharmacokinetic comparison by EIA did not show differences between the formulations: area under the curve (AUC) 2572 versus 2561 ng x h/L, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) 318 versus 354 ng/L, time to Cmax (tmax) 8.2 versus 8.5 h, elimination half-life (t(1/2)) 5.87 versus 6.08 h, terminal elimination rate (lambda) 0.122 versus 0.118 h(-1), and mean residence time (MRT) 10.9 versus 12.0 h for formulations A and B, respectively. The differences never reached 20%, which is the clinically significant threshold. The 90% confidence interval of the ratio between them was in all cases within the 0.8, 1.25 range. The two formulations were clinically equivalent with regard to serum IFN antiviral activity titration (0.8, 1.25 criterion) regarding their pharmacokinetic parameters. There were no significant differences with respect to the pharmacodynamic variables: serum beta2-microglobulin and temperature increase. Heart rate and blood pressure changes did not differ either. Both products provoked similar haematological count decreases and had similar safety profiles. The most frequent adverse reactions were fever, tachycardia, headache and arthralgias. CONCLUSION: The overall analysis strongly suggests the bioequivalence of these two products.

Bioequivalencia. Introducción a la correlación in vivo-in vitro. Parte I / Bioequivalence. In vivo - in vitro correlation introducction. Part I

El control de calidad sugerido por la farmacopea, para formas de dosificación oral, no asegura en muchos casos la bioequivalencia de todos los lotes que salen al mercado, por lo que se discutieron las causas que provocan esta deficiencia, entre las que se encuentran: la selección inadecuada de las especificaciones y condiciones de disolución y subestimar la influencia de las variables de manufactura críticas en el comportamiento de las formulaciones. Además, se estimuló el establecimiento de las correlaciones in vivo-in vitro, como la solución más aceptada internacionalmente para garantizar la calidad lote a lote. Se expusieron también las definiciones de correlación in vivo-in vitro y niveles de correlación propuestos. En las conclusiones se enfatizó la importancia que tiene el establecimiento, ajuste y control de las variables críticas y la obtención de una correlación in vivo-in vitro para determinar las especificaciones de disolución in vitro adecuadas (AU)

Bioequivalencia. Introducción a la correlación in vivo-in vitro: parte I / Bioequivalence. In vivo - in vitro correlation introducction: part I

El control de calidad sugerido por la farmacopea, para formas de dosificación oral, no asegura en muchos casos la bioequivalencia de todos los lotes que salen al mercado, por lo que se discutieron las causas que provocan esta deficiencia, entre las que se encuentran: la selección inadecuada de las especificaciones y condiciones de disolución y subestimar la influencia de las variables de manufactura críticas en el comportamiento de las formulaciones. Además, se estimuló el establecimiento de las correlaciones in vivo-in vitro, como la solución más aceptada internacionalmente para garantizar la calidad lote a lote. Se expusieron también las definiciones de correlación in vivo-in vitro y niveles de correlación propuestos. En las conclusiones se enfatizó la importancia que tiene el establecimiento, ajuste y control de las variables críticas y la obtención de una correlación in vivo-in vitro para determinar las especificaciones de disolución in vitro adecuadas