First-in-Human Safety, Imaging, and Dosimetry of a Carbonic Anhydrase IX-Targeting Peptide, [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452, in Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

[68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452, a first-in-class carbonic anhydrase IX-binding radiolabeled peptide, is the imaging agent of a theranostic pair with [177Lu]Lu-DPI-4452, developed for selecting and treating patients with carbonic anhydrase IX-expressing tumors. Here, [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 imaging characteristics, dosimetry, pharmacokinetics, and safety were assessed in 3 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Methods: After [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 administration, patients underwent serial full-body PET/CT imaging. Blood and urine were sampled. Safety was monitored for 7 d after injection. Results: Tumor uptake was observed at all time points (15 min to 4 h). Across 36 lesions, the SUVmax at 1 h after administration ranged from 6.8 to 211.6 (mean, 64.6 [SD, 54.8]). The kidneys, liver, and bone marrow demonstrated low activity. [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 was rapidly eliminated from blood and urine. No clinically significant toxicity was observed. Conclusion: [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 showed exceptional tumor uptake in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, with very high tumor-to-background ratios and no significant adverse events, suggesting potential diagnostic and patient selection applications.

Discovery of RO7185876, a Highly Potent γ-Secretase Modulator (GSM) as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease.

γ-Secretase (GS) is a key target for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease. While inhibiting GS led to serious side effects, its modulation holds a lot of potential to deliver a safe treatment. Herein, we report the discovery of a potent and selective gamma secretase modulator (GSM) (S)-3 (RO7185876), belonging to a novel chemical class, the triazolo-azepines. This compound demonstrates an excellent in vitro and in vivo DMPK profile. Furthermore, based on its in vivo efficacy in a pharmacodynamic mouse model and the outcome of the dose range finding (DRF) toxicological studies in two species, this compound was selected to undergo entry in human enabling studies (e.g., GLP toxicology and scale up activities).

A Phase IC Study Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Cognitive Outcomes of BI 409306 in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and cognitive outcomes of BI 409306-a selective phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) inhibitor-in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate schizophrenia were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive BI 409306 at 25, 50, or 100 mg or placebo once daily over 14 days. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability; the secondary endpoints were PK and cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 40 randomized patients, 38 (95%) completed the study. Patients were predominantly male (87.5%; mean age, 40.2 years). After a single dose, C max was reached within 30-45 min. The geometric mean (gMean) C max and AUC0-∞ ranged from 138 to 998 nmol/L and 217 to 2020 nmol∙h/L, respectively. Elimination was rapid (gMean t 1/2 range 1.10-1.85 h). After multiple doses, C max,ss was reached within 1 h; elimination was similar to that observed after a single dose. Total exposure at steady state and after a single dose were similar (accumulation ratio range: AUC, 0.758-1.13 and Cmax, 0.768-1.40). No deaths, adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation, or serious AEs were observed. Treatment-emergent AEs were mild, with no apparent dose-related trends. There was no worsening of schizophrenia symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and no trends in suicidality (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale). The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) showed no effect on cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Administration of BI 409306 in patients with mild-to-moderate schizophrenia resulted in satisfactory safety and tolerability. BI 409306, PK was characterized by rapid absorption, monophasic to biphasic elimination, and minor accumulation with multiple dosing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01892384. FUNDING: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG.

A phase I, randomized, proof-of-clinical-mechanism study assessing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the oral PDE9A inhibitor BI 409306 in healthy male volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors are hypothesized to improve cognition in schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease by increasing cGMP levels in certain brain regions. This phase I, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study provides proof-of-mechanism evidence for BI 409306, a novel, oral PDE9A inhibitor. METHODS: In healthy males, exposure of BI 409306 (25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-mg single dose) and placebo was assessed in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Effect of BI 409306 on CSF cGMP levels was evaluated, and adverse events (AEs) were monitored. RESULTS: In all enrolled subjects (N = 20), plasma BI 409306 concentration increased rapidly (median tmax : 0.75-1.25 hr) followed by rapid increases in CSF (median tmax : 1.5-2.0 hr). Maximum CSF cGMP concentrations were achieved within 2 to 5 hr, declining to baseline levels 10 to 14 hr after dosing. Dose-dependent increases in plasma and CSF exposure and CSF cGMP were shown. BI 409306 was safe and well tolerated. Most AEs were mild to moderate in intensity and study procedure-related. CONCLUSIONS: BI 409306 increased rapidly in plasma and was subsequently detected in CSF, resulting in dose-dependent increases in cGMP levels in CSF. Results indicate BI 409306 efficiently crosses the blood-CSF barrier, with an acceptable level of AEs.

Relative bioavailability study of linagliptin/metformin tablets in healthy Chinese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative bioavailability of single pill combination (SPC) tablets of linagliptin and metformin compared with separate tablets co-administered in healthy Chinese subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an open-label, single-dose, randomized, two-period, crossover study in healthy Chinese subjects with two dose groups: linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 850 mg and linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 500 mg. Within each group (n=24), subjects received one dose of the SPC tablet in one period and one dose of the separate tablets in the other. Primary endpoints were area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 72 hours (AUC0-72) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) for linagliptin, and AUC from 0 to the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0-tz) and Cmax for metformin. RESULTS: With the linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 850 mg dose, the adjusted geometric mean ratio of the SPC to the separate tablets for linagliptin was 99.53% (90% confidence interval (CI): 94.75-104.55) for AUC0-72 and 101.93% (90% CI: 95.36-108.95) for Cmax; for metformin the ratio was 96.99% (90% CI: 90.62-103.81) for AUC0-tz and 94.64% (90% CI: 85.43-104.84) for Cmax. With the linagliptin 2.5 mg/metformin 500 mg dose, the ratio with linagliptin for AUC0-72 and Cmax was 100.81% (90% CI: 95.14-106.82) and 111.37% (90% CI: 100.40-123.54), respectively; the same statistical parameters with metformin for AUC0-tz and Cmax were 102.95% (90% CI: 96.24-110.12) and 102.46% (90% CI: 92.20-113.87), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SPC tablets of linagliptin and metformin were bioequivalent to separate tablets co-administered in healthy Chinese subjects.

Comparative pharmacodynamics of the new oxazolidinone tedizolid phosphate and linezolid in a neutropenic murine Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia model.

Tedizolid phosphate (TR-701) is a novel oxazolidinone prodrug (converted to the active form tedizolid [TR-700]) with potent Staphylococcus aureus activity. The current studies characterized and compared the in vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of TR-701/TR-700 and linezolid against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model. The pharmacokinetic properties of both drugs were linear over a dose range of 0.625 to 40 mg/kg of body weight. Protein binding was 30% for linezolid and 85% for TR-700. Mice were infected with one of 11 isolates of S. aureus, including MSSA and community- and hospital-acquired MRSA strains. Each drug was administered by oral-gastric gavage every 12 h (q12h). The dosing regimens ranged from 1.25 to 80 mg/kg/12 h for linezolid and 0.625 to 160 mg/kg/12 h for TR-701. At the start of therapy, mice had 6.24 ± 0.40 log(10) CFU/lungs, which increased to 7.92 ± 1.02 log(10) CFU/lungs in untreated animals over a 24-h period. A sigmoid maximum-effect (E(max)) model was used to determine the antimicrobial exposure associated with net stasis (static dose [SD]) and 1-log-unit reduction in organism relative to the burden at the start of therapy. The static dose pharmacodynamic targets for linezolid and TR-700 were nearly identical, at a free drug (non-protein-bound) area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h in the steady state divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio) of 19 and 20, respectively. The 1-log-unit kill endpoints were also similar, at 46.1 for linezolid and 34.6 for TR-700. The exposure targets were also comparable for both MSSA and MRSA isolates. These dosing goals support further clinical trial examination of TR-701 in MSSA and MRSA pneumonia.

Concentration-dependent effects of antimicrobials on Staphylococcus aureus toxin-mediated cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: Toxins contribute to the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus infections by inducing a dysregulated inflammatory response. This study evaluated the impact of anti-staphylococcal antibiotic exposures over an increasing concentration range on cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after S. aureus toxin exposures. METHODS: Human PBMCs were suspended in complete Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum at 10(6) cells/mL with 100 ng/mL S. aureus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), α-toxin or Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL). Vancomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tigecycline, daptomycin, linezolid, clindamycin and azithromycin were added at a concentration range of 0.5-100 mg/L. Cytokine [interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-8, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] concentrations were measured in duplicate by ELISA following exposure and were compared with response with toxin alone. RESULTS: At concentrations approximating serum C(max), tigecycline decreased IL-6 by 52%-57% and IFN-γ production by 43%-53% compared with toxin alone (P ≤ 0.05) and linezolid inhibited TNF-α by 12%-35% and IL-8 by 25%-42% (P ≤ 0.02). However, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole increased TNF-α and IL-8 production (P = 0.002). Clindamycin, daptomycin, vancomycin and azithromycin had no consistent significant effect at approximate serum C(max) concentrations. All antibiotics had a concentration-dependent effect on cytokine production, with tigecycline, clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole being the most potent inhibitors of cytokine production at concentrations exceeding 25 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus toxins stimulate production of inflammatory cytokines in PBMCs. Antimicrobials with high tissue penetration, including tigecycline, clindamycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and linezolid, reduced cytokine production, which, along with their antimicrobial effects, may have importance in the therapeutic outcome of severe infections.

Simulated antibiotic exposures in an in vitro hollow-fiber infection model influence toxin gene expression and production in community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain MW2.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strain MW2 harbors a plethora of toxins to mediate its virulence. However, toxin expression and regulation with simulated clinical antimicrobial exposures are unclear. This study evaluated these relationships using an in vitro pharmacodynamic hollow-fiber infection model. Clinical doses of clindamycin, linezolid, minocycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), and vancomycin were simulated over 72 h against MW2 in the hollow fiber model. Expression levels of lukSF-PV and enterotoxin genes sec4, sek, seq, and sel2 were quantified by real-time PCR. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cytotoxicity was determined on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Vancomycin produced the maximum MW2 killing (2.53 log(10) CFU/ml) after the first dose, but the greatest sustained killing over 72 h occurred with linezolid and clindamycin. Vancomycin and minocycline induced gene upregulation from 0 to 8 h, followed by downregulation for the remaining simulation period. Clindamycin decreased gene expression in the first 24 h, followed by moderate increases (2.5-fold) thereafter. Linezolid increased gene expression 11.4- to 200.4-fold but inhibited PVL production (0.6 ± 0.3 versus 5.9 ± 0.2 µg/ml, linezolid versus control at 72 h; P < 0.05). Similar effects on PVL production occurred with clindamycin and minocycline. SXT increased PVL production at 48 h (2.8-fold) and 72 h (4.9-fold) of treatment (P < 0.05), resulting in increased PVL cytotoxicity on PMNs. Linezolid, clindamycin, and minocycline were the most effective agents on decreasing the virulence potential in CA-MRSA, notably after 8 h of treatment. SXT had minimal effects on toxin gene regulation, but it increased production and cytotoxicity of PVL toxin in the model and may enhance virulence when it is used to treat severe infections.

Invasive community-associated MRSA infections: epidemiology and antimicrobial management.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is now a predominant cause of infections in the community and is adding to the overwhelming MRSA burden in the hospital setting. CA-MRSA is most commonly noted as a prominent pathogen in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) but has been increasingly described in more invasive disease. New developments in the epidemiology and treatment of CA-MRSA have emerged to improve the understanding of this disease. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: We present the latest epidemiologic and clinical treatment studies of CA-MRSA in a variety of infection types. The methods used involve a comprehensive literature search of the previous 10 years, including a detailed focus on new literature in the last 5 years. The search terms used were 'CA-MRSA epidemiology', 'S. aureus resistance', 'CA-MRSA treatment', and 'S. aureus virulence'. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: An in-depth understanding of the changing epidemiology of CA-MRSA and management of SSTI and more invasive infections with this pathogen. Adjunctive and alternative therapies are also reviewed. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The epidemiology of CA-MRSA is rapidly evolving. Increasing multi-drug resistance along with virulence factors associated with this serious disease complicate its treatment. Additional clinical trials are needed to select optimal regimens in the treatment of invasive CA-MRSA infections.

Cost-effectiveness of UGT1A1*28 genotyping in preventing severe neutropenia following FOLFIRI therapy in colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Functional polymorphisms of the UGT1A1 gene, particularly the UGT1A1*28 variant, are associated with the severity of the bone marrow suppression in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving irinotecan. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of screening for UGT1A1*28 polymorphism associated with primary prophylactic Granulocytes Colony Stimulating Factor in patients homozygous for the *28 allele. The effectiveness was estimated based on the number of neutropenia avoided. METHODS: We modelled a theoretical population treated with combined 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) for metastatic colorectal cancer. A decision tree simulated the health outcomes, measured by the prevalence of neutropenic events for two strategies, with or without UGT1A1 genotype screening. The model incorporated direct hospital costs and was validated with a sensitivity analysis. We calculated the cost-effectiveness ratio: CE=∆C / ∆E = "genotyping" cost - "no genotyping" cost / number of febrile neutropenia avoided. RESULTS: In the "genotyping strategy", the cost to avoid one febrile neutropenia event per 1000 patients treated was € 942.8 to € 1090.1. The sensitivity analysis showed a better CE ratio of € 733.4 to € 726.6 per febrile neutropenic event avoided. CONCLUSIONS: UGT1A1 genotype screening before irinotecan treatment is a cost-efficient strategy for the hospital. Systematic genotyping prior to chemotherapy, and administration of CSF in patients homozygotes for the *28 allele allow to avoid 91 febrile neutropenias at an acceptable cost.