Pharmacokinetic and exposure-response analyses of leuprolide following administration of leuprolide acetate 3-month depot formulations to children with central precocious puberty.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A pharmacokinetic substudy was conducted within a phase 3 clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of two leuprolide acetate 3-month depot formulations in children with central precocious puberty (CPP), where the pharmacokinetics of leuprolide and the exposure-response relationship between leuprolide concentration and the probability of luteinizing hormone (LH) suppression were assessed. METHODS: Children diagnosed with CPP (N = 42 in each dosing cohort), who were treatment naïve or previously treated, received a total of two intramuscular injections of either leuprolide acetate depot 11.25 or 30 mg formulations administered 3 months apart. Serial blood samples were collected for leuprolide concentration determination in a subset of subjects (N = 24 in each cohort). One-way analysis of covariance was used to assess dose proportionality. The probability of LH suppression (peak-stimulated LH concentrations <4 mIU/mL) exposure-response relationship was modelled using repeated measures logistic regression. The predicted probability of LH suppression and the corresponding 95 % confidence interval at the mean leuprolide concentration of each dose group and at each time of measurement were computed. RESULTS: Mean leuprolide concentrations between weeks 4 and 12 for 11.25 and 30 mg doses were relatively constant and dose proportional, with no accumulation of leuprolide upon repeated administration. Body weight and age were not found to be significant covariates on leuprolide pharmacokinetics. Higher leuprolide concentrations were associated with higher probability of LH suppression and both doses provided LH suppression levels <4 mIU/mL. CONCLUSION: Leuprolide pharmacokinetics were characterized for 11.25 and 30 mg 3-month depot injections. An exposure-response model was developed to link leuprolide concentrations and probability of peak-stimulated LH suppression.

Efficacy of Leuprolide Acetate 1-Month Depot for Central Precocious Puberty (CPP): Growth Outcomes During a Prospective, Longitudinal Study.

INTRODUCTION: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) are the treatment of choice for CPP. We investigated growth in GnRHa-naïve subjects, treated with leuprolide acetate 1-month depot for CPP. METHODS: This prospective, open-label study had a long-term, observational, follow-up period. Forty-nine females and 6 males were enrolled. Leuprolide acetate depot was administered intramuscularly every 28 days. Height and growth rate during and after treatment until adulthood were measured. RESULTS: Among 30 of 49 females having an adult height (AH) measurement, 29 had target heights available (mean = 163.8 cm) and 27 had pretreatment predicted adult heights (PAHs; mean = 157.4 cm). After treatment, the mean AH at mean age 21.8 years [range 13.7-26.7 years] was 162.5 cm, a mean height gain over baseline PAH of 4.0 cm. The mean height standard deviation score was -0.1 at AH. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of CPP with leuprolide acetate 1-month depot had beneficial effects on growth rate and preservation of AH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00660010.

Validation of the PAGI-SYM and PAGI-QOL among healing and maintenance of erosive esophagitis clinical trial participants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Valid instruments are needed to assess important patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in erosive esophagitis (EE). METHODS: Data from 4,092 patients in clinical trials to determine efficacy of dexlansoprazole MR to heal EE and maintain healed EE were used to assess the psychometric properties of the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders-Quality of Life (PAGI-QOL) and the PAGI-Symptoms Severity Index (PAGI-SYM). A daily diary, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Symptoms Investigator Assessment and endoscopy results were also used in this study. RESULTS: PAGI-QOL and PAGI-SYM subscales and total score internal consistency reliability estimates for both studies were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.81-0.97). Most subscale and total scores yielded moderate-to-strong correlations with other measures reflecting signs and symptoms of EE. Some subscales were able to detect differences >1 standard error of measurement (SEM) in change scores among patients with improved heartburn frequency compared to those with stable/worsening heartburn frequency in the healing study. Those with relapsed EE demonstrated differences >1 SEM in some PAGI-QOL and PAGI-SYM subscale or total scores compared to patients who maintained their healing status. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the consideration of the PAGI-QOL and PAGI-SYM in future clinical trials and in the general EE population.