Do inhibitory metabolites impact DDI risk assessment? Analysis of in vitro and in vivo data from NDA reviews between 2013 and 2018

Abstract

Evaluating the potential of new drugs and their metabolites to cause drug‐drug interactions (DDIs) is critical for understanding drug safety and efficacy. Although multiple analyses of proprietary metabolite testing data have been published, no systematic analyses of metabolite data collected according to current testing criteria have been conducted. To address this knowledge gap, 120 new molecular entities approved between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed. Comprehensive data on metabolite‐to‐parent area‐under‐the‐curve ratios (AUCM/AUCP), inhibitory potency of parent and metabolites, and clinical drug‐drug interactions (DDI) were collected. 64% of the metabolites quantified in vivo had AUCM/AUCP≥25% and 75% of these metabolites were tested for cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition in vitro, resulting in 15 metabolites with potential DDI risk identification. While 50% of the metabolites with AUCM/AUCP<25% were also tested in vitro, none of them showed meaningful CYP inhibition potential. The metabolite % plasma total radioactivity cutoff of ≥10% did not appear to add value to metabolite testing strategies. No relationship between metabolite versus parent drug polarity and inhibition potency was observed. Comparison of metabolite and parent maximum concentration (Cmax) divided by inhibition constant Ki values suggested that metabolites can contribute to in vivo DDIs and hence, quantitative prediction of clinical DDI magnitude may require both parent and metabolite data. This systematic analysis of metabolite data for newly approved drugs supports an AUCM/AUCP cutoff of ≥25% to warrant metabolite in vitro CYP screening to adequately characterize metabolite inhibitory DDI potential and support quantitative DDI predictions.

Mechanisms and clinical relevance of pharmacokinetic-based clinical drug-drug interactions for drugs recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration

Identification and Quantification of Drugs, Metabolites, Drug Metabolizing Enzymes, and Transporters – Concepts, Methods, and Translational Sciences. Second Edition 2020, Chapter 11, 339-358.

Abstract

New drug application reviews contain critical drug interaction study results with newly approved drugs tested both as victims and as perpetrators of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Pharmacokinetic-based DDI data for drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2013–2017 (N = 137) were analyzed using the University of Washington Drug Interaction Database. For the largest metabolism- and transporter-based drug interactions, defined as a change in exposure ≥ 5-fold in victim drugs, the mechanisms and clinical relevance were characterized. Consistent with the major role of CYP3A in drug disposition, CYP3A inhibition and induction explained a majority of the observed interactions (new drugs as victims or as perpetrators). However, transporter-mediated interactions were also prevalent, with OATP1B1/1B3 playing a significant role. As victims, 17 and 4 new molecular entities (NMEs) were identified to be sensitive substrates of enzymes and transporters, respectively. When considered as perpetrators, three drugs showed strong inhibition of CYP3A, one was a strong CYP3A inducer, and two showed strong inhibition of transporters (OATP1B1/1B3 and/or BCRP). All DDIs with AUC changes ≥ 5-fold had labeling recommendations in their respective drug labels, contraindicating or limiting the coadministration with known substrates or perpetrators of the enzyme/transporter involved. The majority of sensitive substrates or strong inhibitors were oncology and antiviral treatments, suggesting a significant risk of DDIs in these patient populations for whom therapeutic management is already complex due to poly-therapy. Pharmacogenetic studies and physiologically based pharmacokinetic models were commonly used to assess the drug interaction potential in specific populations and clinical scenarios. Finally, absorption-based DDIs were evaluated in approximately 30% of drug applications, and 14 NMEs had label recommendations based on the results.

Main mechanisms of pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions triggering label recommendations for drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018

Presented at ISSX conference, June 2019, Portland, OR, USA
Jingjing Yu, Ichiko Petrie, and Isabelle Ragueneau-Majlessi

2019 ISSX Poster Presentation – 2018 NDA Clinical DDI Review

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to review pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction (DDI) data available in New Drug Applications (NDAs) for drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018 and analyze the mechanisms mediating interactions that triggered label recommendations.

Mechanisms and Clinical Significance of Pharmacokinetic-Based Drug-Drug Interactions With Drugs Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017

Abstract

Pharmacokinetic-based drug-drug interaction (DDI) data for drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 (N = 34) were analyzed using the University of Washington Drug Interaction Database. The mechanisms and clinical relevance of these interactions were characterized based on information from new drug application reviews. CYP3A inhibition and induction explained most of the observed drug interactions (new drugs as victims or as perpetrators), and transporters mediated about half of all DDIs, alone or with enzymes. Organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1/1B3 played a significant role, mediating more than half of the drug interactions with area under the time-plasma curve (AUC) changes ≥5-fold. As victims, five new drugs were identified as sensitive substrates: abemeciclib, midostaurin, and neratinib for CYP3A and glecaprevir and voxilaprevir for OATP1B1/1B3. As perpetrators, three drugs were considered strong inhibitors: ribociclib for CYP3A, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for OATP1B1/1B3, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir for OATP1B1/1B3 and breast cancer resistance protein. No strong inducer of enzymes or transporters was identified. DDIs with AUC changes ≥5-fold and almost all DDIs with AUC changes 2- to 5-fold had dose recommendations in their respective drug labels. A small fraction of DDIs with exposure changes <2-fold had a labeling impact, mostly related to drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. As with drugs approved in recent years, all drugs found to be sensitive substrates or strong inhibitors of enzymes or transporters were among oncology or antiviral treatments, suggesting a serious risk of DDIs in these patient populations for whom effective therapy is already complex because of polytherapy.

Risk of Clinically Relevant Pharmacokinetic-Based Drug-Drug Interactions with Drugs Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Between 2013 and 2016

Drug Metab Dispos. 2018 Jun; 46(6): 835-845.
Published online 2018 Mar 23

Abstract

A total of 103 drugs (including 14 combination drugs) were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2013 to 2016. Pharmacokinetic-based drug interaction profiles were analyzed using the University of Washington Drug Interaction Database, and the clinical relevance of these observations was characterized based on information from new drug application reviews. CYP3A was involved in approximately two-thirds of all drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Transporters (alone or with enzymes) participated in about half of all interactions, but most of these were weak-to-moderate interactions. When considered as victims, eight new molecular entities (NMEs; cobimetinib, ibrutinib, isavuconazole, ivabradine, naloxegol, paritaprevir, simeprevir, and venetoclax) were identified as sensitive substrates of CYP3A, two NMEs (pirfenidone and tasimelteon) were sensitive substrates of CYP1A2, one NME (dasabuvir) was a sensitive substrate of CYP2C8, one NME (eliglustat) was a sensitive substrate of CYP2D6, and one NME (grazoprevir) was a sensitive substrate of OATP1B1/3 (with changes in exposure greater than 5-fold when coadministered with a strong inhibitor). Approximately 75% of identified CYP3A substrates were also substrates of P-glycoprotein. As perpetrators, most clinical DDIs involved weak-to-moderate inhibition or induction. Only idelalisib showed strong inhibition of CYP3A, and lumacaftor behaved as a strong CYP3A inducer. Among drugs with large changes in exposure (≥5-fold), whether as victim or perpetrator, the most-represented therapeutic classes were antivirals and oncology drugs, suggesting a significant risk of clinical DDIs in these patient populations.

Understanding the risk of clinically significant pharmacokinetic-based drug-drug interactions with drugs newly approved by the US FDA – a review of recent new drug applications (2013-2016)

Presented at ISSX conference, September 2017, Providence, RI, USA
Jingjing Yu and Isabelle Ragueneau-Majlessi

2017 ISSX Poster Presentation – 2013-2016 NDA Review

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to systematically review pharmacokinetic-based drug-drug interaction (DDI) data available in the most recent (2013-2016) New Drug Applications (NDAs) and highlight significant findings. The University of Washington Metabolism and Transport Drug Interaction Database was used to extract the results of metabolism, transport, and clinical DDI studies. All the DDI studies (new molecular entity (NME) as victim or perpetrator) with AUC changes ≥ 2-fold or < 2-fold but triggering dose recommendations were included in the analysis.

Detailed Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic-based Drug-drug Interaction Data Contained in New Drug and Biologic License Applications of Drugs Approved by the U.S. FDA in 2015

Presented at ASCPT conference, March 2017, Washington, DC, USA
Jingjing Yu, Zhu Zhou, Katie Owens, Tasha K. Ritchie, and Isabelle Ragueneau-Majlessi

2017 ASCPT Poster Presentation – 2015 NDA Review

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to perform a systematic analysis of metabolism, transport, and drug interaction data available in New Drug Applications (NDAs) and Biologic License Applications (BLAs) of drugs approved in 2015, and highlight significant findings.

What Can Be Learned From Recent New Drug Applications? A Systematic Review of Drug Interaction Data for Drugs Approved by the US FDA in 2015

Drug Metab Dispos. 2017 Jan; 45(1); 86-108.
Published online 2016 Nov 7

Abstract

As a follow up to previous reviews, the aim of the present analysis was to systematically examine all drug metabolism, transport, pharmacokinetics (PK), and drug-drug interaction (DDI) data available in the 33 new drug applications (NDAs) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015, using the University of Washington Drug Interaction Database, and to highlight the significant findings. In vitro, a majority of the new molecular entities (NMEs) were found to be substrates or inhibitors/inducers of at least one drug metabolizing enzyme or transporter. In vivo, 95 clinical DDI studies displayed positive PK interactions, with an area under the curve (AUC) ratio ≥ 1.25 for inhibition or ≤ 0.8 for induction. When NMEs were considered as victim drugs, 21 NMEs had at least one positive clinical DDI, with three NMEs shown to be sensitive substrates of CYP3A (AUC ratio ≥ 5 when coadministered with strong inhibitors): cobimetinib, isavuconazole (the active metabolite of prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate), and ivabradine. As perpetrators, nine NMEs showed positive inhibition and three NMEs showed positive induction, with some of these interactions involving both enzymes and transporters. The most significant changes for inhibition and induction were observed with rolapitant, a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6 and lumacaftor, a strong inducer of CYP3A. Physiologically based pharmacokinetics simulations and pharmacogenetics studies were used for six and eight NMEs, respectively, to inform dosing recommendations. The effects of hepatic or renal impairment on the drugs’ PK were also evaluated to support drug administration in these specific populations.

Drug Disposition and Drug-Drug Interaction Data in 2013 FDA New Drug Applications: A Systematic Review

Drug Metab Dispos. 2014 Dec; 42(12); 1991-2001.
Published online 2014 Sep 30

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to perform a systematic review of drug metabolism, transport, pharmacokinetics, and DDI data available in the NDAs approved by the FDA in 2013, using the University of Washington Drug Interaction Database, and to highlight significant findings. Among 27 NMEs approved, 22 (81%) were well characterized with regard to drug metabolism, transport, or organ impairment, in accordance with the FDA drug interaction guidance (2012) and were fully analyzed in this review. In vitro, a majority of the NMEs were found to be substrates or inhibitors/inducers of at least one drug metabolizing enzyme or transporter. However, in vivo, only half (n = 11) showed clinically relevant drug interactions, with most related to the NMEs as victim drugs and CYP3A being the most affected enzyme. As perpetrators, the overall effects for NMEs were much less pronounced, compared with when they served as victims. In addition, the pharmacokinetic evaluation in patients with hepatic or renal impairment provided useful information for further understanding of the drugs’ disposition.