In vivo pharmacodynamics of new lipopeptide MX-2401.

MX-2401 is a novel lipopeptide (amphomycin analog) with a broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against Gram-positive organisms. We used murine thigh and lung infection models in neutropenic and normal mice to characterize the in vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) activities of MX-2401. The compound (2.5 to 40 mg/kg of body weight) demonstrated linear PK characterized by an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 228 to 3,265 µg·h/ml and half-lives of 5.7 to 8.8 h. MICs ranged from 0.25 to 2 µg/ml. The in vivo postantibiotic effect was prolonged (8.5 h with Staphylococcus aureus and 10.3 to 12.3 with Streptococcus pneumoniae). MX-2401 exhibited dose-dependent in vivo activity against various strains of S. pneumoniae and S. aureus; penicillin and macrolide resistance in the pneumococci and methicillin resistance in the staphylococci had no impact on the antimicrobial activity of the drug. To determine which PK/PD index correlated best with MX-2401 activity, dose fractionation studies over a 72-hour period were performed. The maximum concentration of drug in serum divided by the MIC (C(max)/MIC) correlated best with the efficacy for both S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. Static doses required free-drug C(max)/MIC values of 0.683 to 1.06. Free-drug 72-h AUC/MIC values for the static dose were in the range of 7.49 to 32.3 and were less than expected. The drug showed modest enhancement in activity in the presence of white blood cells (1.7- to 3.4-fold). The potency of the drug in the lung was only marginally lower than in the thigh (1.3- to 1.9-fold). Based on its PK/PD profile, MX-2401 appears to be a promising new lipopeptide agent for treatment of infections by Gram-positive bacteria, including those induced by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

In vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a new triazole, voriconazole, in a murine candidiasis model.

In vivo studies have described the pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of several triazoles. These investigations have demonstrated that the 24-h area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC ratio is the critical pharmacokinetic (PK)-PD parameter associated with treatment efficacy. Further analyses from these in vivo studies have demonstrated that a triazole free drug 24-h AUC/MIC of 20 to 25 is predictive of treatment success. We used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida albicans infection to similarly characterize the PK-PD of the new triazole voriconazole. PK and PD parameters (percentage of time that the concentration remains above the MIC [T > MIC], AUC/MIC ratio, and peak level in serum/MIC ratio) were correlated with in vivo efficacy, as measured by the organism number in kidney cultures after 24 h of therapy. Voriconazole kinetics and protein binding were studied in infected neutropenic mice. Peak level/dose and AUC/dose values ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 and 0.1 to 0.7, respectively. The serum elimination half-life ranged from 0.7 to 2.9 h. The level of protein binding in mouse serum was 78%. Treatment efficacy with the four dosing intervals studied was similar, supporting the AUC/MIC ratio as the PK-PD parameter predictive of efficacy. Nonlinear regression analysis also suggested that the AUC/MIC ratio was strongly predictive of treatment outcomes (R(2) for AUC/MIC ratio = 82%, R(2) for peak level/MIC ratio = 63%, R(2) for T > MIC = 75%). Similar studies were conducted with nine additional C. albicans isolates with various voriconazole susceptibilities (MICs, 0.007 to 0.25 micro g/ml) to determine if a similar 24-h AUC/MIC ratio was associated with efficacy. The voriconazole free drug AUC/MIC ratios were similar for all of the organisms studied (range, 11 to 58; mean +/- standard deviation, 24 +/- 17 [P = 0.45]). These AUC/MIC ratios observed for free drug are similar to those observed for other triazoles in this model.

In vivo pharmacodynamics of HMR 3270, a glucan synthase inhibitor, in a murine candidiasis model.

In vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characterization for numerous antibacterial compounds has had a significant impact upon optimal dosing regimen design and the development of in vivo susceptibility breakpoints. More recently, similar characterization has been undertaken for antifungal drug classes. Very little is known of these pharmacodynamic relationships for the new echinocandin class of compounds. We utilized a neutropenic murine model of disseminated candidiasis to describe the time course antifungal activity of HMR 3270, a new glucan synthase inhibitor. Single-dose in vivo time kill studies with four 16-fold escalating doses demonstrated concentration-dependent killing when drug levels in serum were more than four times the MIC. Postantifungal effects were dose dependent, ranging from 8 to 80 h duration. Multiple dosing regimen studies utilized six total doses, four dosing intervals, and a treatment duration of 6 days. Shortening the dosing interval from every 144 h (q144h) to q36h resulted in a fourfold rise in the dose necessary to achieve a net fungistatic effect. The peak/MIC ratio most strongly correlated with treatment outcomes (peak/MIC ratio, R(2) = 98%; ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h to the MIC, R(2) = 79%, percentage of time above the MIC, R(2) = 61%). Studies were also conducted with five additional Candida albicans isolates to determine if a similar peak/MIC ratio was associated with efficacy. In vivo concentration-dependent killing was similarly observed in studies with each of the additional isolates. The peak/MIC ratio necessary to produce efficacy was relatively similar among the strains studied (P = 0.42). The peak/MIC ratio (mean +/- standard deviation) necessary to achieve a fungistatic effect was 3.72 +/- 1.84, and the ratio necessary to achieve maximal killing was near 10.

In vivo pharmacodynamics of a new triazole, ravuconazole, in a murine candidiasis model.

In vivo studies have characterized the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the triazole fluconazole. These investigations demonstrated that the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h to the MIC (24-h AUC/MIC ratio) is the critical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameter associated with treatment efficacy. Further analysis demonstrated that a fluconazole 24-h AUC/MIC ratio of 20 to 25 was predictive of treatment success in both experimental models and clinical trials. We used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida albicans infection to similarly characterize the time course activity of the new triazole ravuconazole. The PK/PD parameters (percent time above the MIC, AUC/MIC ratio, and peak level in serum/MIC ratio) were correlated with in vivo efficacy, as measured by organism number in kidney cultures after 24 and 72 h of therapy. Ravuconazole kinetics and protein binding were performed in neutropenic infected mice. Peak/dose and AUC/dose values ranged from 0.03 to 0.04 and 0.30 to 0.34, respectively. Serum elimination half-life ranged from 3.9 to 4.8 h. Protein binding was 95.8%. Single-dose postantifungal effect studies demonstrated prolonged suppression of organism regrowth after serum ravuconazole levels had fallen below the MIC. Treatment efficacies with the five dosing intervals studied were similar, supporting the argument for the AUC/MIC ratio as the PK/PD parameter predictive of efficacy. Nonlinear regression analysis also suggested that the AUC/MIC ratio was strongly predictive of treatment outcomes (AUC/MIC ratio, R(2) = 91%; peak/MIC ratio, R(2) = 85%; percent time above the MIC, R(2) = 47 to 65%). Similar studies were conducted with seven additional C. albicans isolates with various ravuconazole susceptibilities (MIC, 0.016 to 0.12 micro g/ml) to determine if a similar 24-h AUC/MIC ratio was associated with efficacy. The ravuconazole free-drug AUC/MIC ratios were similar for all of the organisms studied (10 to 36; mean +/- SD = 20.3 +/- 8.2; P = 0.43). These free-drug AUC/MIC ratios are similar to those observed for fluconazole in this model.

In vivo pharmacodynamic activities of two glycylcyclines (GAR-936 and WAY 152,288) against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

The in vivo pharmacodynamic activities of two glycylcyclines (GAR-936 and WAY 152,288) were assessed in an experimental murine thigh infection model in neutropenic mice. Mice were infected with one of several strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Most infections were treated with a twice-daily dosing schedule, with administration of 0.75 to 192 mg of GAR-936 or WAY 152,288 per kg of body weight. A maximum-effect dose-response model was used to calculate the dose that produced a net bacteriostatic effect over 24 h of therapy. This dose was called the bacteriostatic dose. More extensive dosing studies were performed with S. pneumoniae 1199, E. coli ATCC 25922, and K. pneumoniae ATCC 43816, with doses being given as one, two, four, or eight equal doses over a period of 24 h. The dosing schedules were designed in order to minimize the interrelationship between the various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters studied. These parameters were time above 0.03 to 32 times the MIC, area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), and maximum concentration of drug in serum (C(max)). The bacteriostatic dose remained essentially the same, irrespective of the dosing frequency, for S. pneumoniae 1199 (0.3 to 0.9 mg/kg/day). For E. coli ATCC 25922 and K. pneumoniae ATCC 43816, however, more frequent dosing led to lower bacteriostatic doses. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated dose-dependent elimination half-lives of 1.05 to 2.34 and 1.65 to 3.36 h and serum protein bindings of 59 and 71% for GAR-936 and WAY 152,288, respectively. GAR-936 and WAY 152,288 were similarly effective against the microorganisms studied, with small differences in maximum effect and 50% effective dose. The glycylcyclines were also similarly effective against tetracycline-sensitive and tetracycline-resistant bacteria. Time above a certain factor (range, 0.5 to 4 times) of the MIC was a better predictor of in vivo efficacy than C(max) or AUC for most organism-drug combinations. The results demonstrate that in order to achieve 80% maximum efficacy, the concentration of unbound drug in serum should be maintained above the MIC for at least 50% of the time for GAR-936 and for at least 75% of the time for WAY 152,288. The results of these experiments will aid in the rational design of dose-finding studies for these glycylcyclines in humans.