CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism of Action
Ciclesonide is a pro-drug that is enzymatically
hydrolyzed to a pharmacologically active metabolite,
C21-desisobutyryl-ciclesonide (des-ciclesonide or RM1) following intranasal
application. Des-ciclesonide has anti-inflammatory activity with affinity for
the glucocorticoid receptor that is 120 times higher than the parent compound. The
precise mechanism through which ciclesonide affects allergic rhinitis symptoms is
not known. Corticosteroids have been shown to have a wide range of effects on
multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages,
and lymphocytes) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and
cytokines) involved in allergic inflammation.
Pharmacodynamics
Adrenal Function
In a 6-week trial in adolescents and adults 12-73 years
of age with perennial allergic rhinitis, a daily dose of 200 mcg of OMNARIS
Nasal Spray was compared to placebo nasal spray. Dexamethasone 6 mg was used as
an active control during the last 4 days of the treatment period. Adrenal
function was assessed by measurement of 24 hour serum cortisol levels before
and after 6 consecutive weeks of treatment. The difference from placebo for the
change from baseline in serum cortisol AUC(0-24) was 10.4 mcg•hour/dL (95% CI:
-4.7, 25.5) for 200 mcg of OMNARIS Nasal Spray. The effects observed with the active
control (dexamethasone, n=18) validate the sensitivity of the study to assess
the effect of ciclesonide on the HPA axis.
In a 12-week study in children 6 to 11 years of age with
perennial allergic rhinitis, daily doses of 200 mcg, 100 mcg, and 25 mcg of
OMNARIS Nasal Spray were compared to placebo nasal spray. Adrenal function was
assessed by measurement of 24-hour urinary-free cortisol (in 32 to 44 patients
per group) and morning plasma cortisol levels (in 45 to 61 patients per group)
before and after 12 consecutive weeks of treatment. The ciclesonidetreated groups
had a numerically greater decline in 24-hour urinary-free cortisol compared to the
placebo-treated group. The differences (and 95% confidence intervals) from
placebo in the mean change from baseline to 12 weeks were -0.81 (-4.0, 2.4),
-0.08 (-3.1, 2.9), and -2.11 (-5.3, 1.1) mcg/day for 200 mcg, 100 mcg, and 25
mcg dose groups, respectively. The mean AM plasma cortisol value did not show
any consistent treatment effect with differences (and 95% confidence intervals)
from placebo in the mean change from baseline to 12 weeks of 0.35 (-1.4, 2.1),
0.12 (-1.5, 1.7), and -0.38 (-2.1, 1.3) mcg/dL for 200 mcg, 100 mcg, and 25 mcg
dose groups, respectively. In this study, serum was assayed for ciclesonide and
des-ciclesonide [see Pharmacokinetics].
In a 6-week study in children 2 to 5 years of age with
perennial allergic rhinitis, daily doses of 200 mcg, 100 mcg, and 25 mcg of
OMNARIS Nasal Spray were compared to placebo nasal spray. Adrenal function was
assessed by measurement of 24-hour urinary-free cortisol (in 15 to 22 patients
per group) and morning plasma cortisol levels (in 28 to 30 patients per group)
before and after 6 consecutive weeks of treatment. The ciclesonidetreated groups
had a numerically greater decline in 24-hour urinary-free cortisol compared to the
placebo-treated group. The differences (and 95% confidence intervals) from
placebo in the mean change from baseline to 6 weeks were -2.04 (-4.4, 0.3),
-1.96 (-4.5, 0.6), and -1.76 (-4.3, 0.8) mcg/day for the 200 mcg, 100 mcg, and
25 mcg dose groups, respectively.
The plasma cortisol also decreased numerically after
treatment with ciclesonide. The differences (and 95% confidence intervals) from
placebo in the mean change in plasma cortisol from baseline to 6 weeks were
-1.04 (-2.7, 0.7), -0.36 (-2.1, 1.4), and -0.12 (-1.8, 1.6) mcg/dL for the 200
mcg, 100 mcg, and 25 mcg dose groups, respectively. In this study, serum was
assayed for ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide [see Pharmacokinetics].
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide have negligible oral
bioavailability (both less than 1%) due to low gastrointestinal absorption and
high first-pass metabolism. The intranasal administration of ciclesonide at
recommended doses results in negligible serum concentrations of ciclesonide.
However, the known active metabolite (desciclesonide) is detected in the serum
of some patients after nasal inhalation of ciclesonide. The bioanalytical assay
used has a lower limit of quantification of 25 pg/mL and 10 pg/mL, for
ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide, respectively.
In healthy adults treated for two weeks with 50 to 800
mcg of ciclesonide nasal spray daily (n=6 in each treatment group), the peak
serum concentrations of des-ciclesonide in all subjects were found to be below
30 pg/mL. Of those treated with 800 mcg and 400 mcg daily, 100% and 67% had
detectable levels of des-ciclesonide, respectively. With daily doses of 200 mcg
or less, detectable serum levels of des-ciclesonide were not observed. The low systemic
exposure following ciclesonide nasal spray administration was confirmed in a crossover
study in twenty-nine healthy adults. The median Cmax was less than 10 pg/mL and
602 pg/mL following a single dose of ciclesonide nasal spray (300 mcg) and
orally inhaled ciclesonide (320 mcg), respectively.
Distribution
Following intravenous administration of 800 mcg of
ciclesonide, the volumes of distribution of ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide
were approximately 2.9 L/kg and 12.1 L/kg, respectively. The percentage of
ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide bound to human plasma proteins averaged ≥
99% each, with ≤ 1% of unbound drug detected in the systemic circulation.
Des-ciclesonide is not significantly bound to human transcortin.
Metabolism
Ciclesonide is hydrolyzed to a biologically active
metabolite, desciclesonide, by esterases. Des-ciclesonide undergoes further
metabolism in the liver to additional metabolites mainly by the cytochrome P450
(CYP) 3A4 isozyme and to a lesser extent by CYP 2D6. The full range of
potentially active metabolites of ciclesonide has not been characterized. After
intravenous administration of 14C-ciclesonide, 19.3% of the resulting
radioactivity in the plasma is accounted for by ciclesonide or des-ciclesonide;
the remainder may be a result of other, as yet, unidentified multiple
metabolites.
Elimination
Following intravenous administration of 800 mcg of
ciclesonide, the clearance values of ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide were high
(approximately 152 L/h and 228 L/h, respectively). 14C-labeled ciclesonide was
predominantly excreted via the feces after intravenous administration (66%)
indicating that excretion through bile is the major route of elimination.
Approximately 20% or less of drug-related radioactivity was excreted in the
urine.
Special Populations
The pharmacokinetics of intranasally administered
ciclesonide have not been assessed in patient subpopulations because the
resulting blood levels of ciclesonide and des-ciclesonide are insufficient for
pharmacokinetic calculations. However, population pharmacokinetic analysis
showed that characteristics of des-ciclesonide after oral inhalation of
ciclesonide were not appreciably influenced by a variety of subject characteristics
such as body weight, age, race, and gender.
Hepatic Impairment
Compared to healthy subjects, the systemic exposure (Cmax
and AUC) in patients with liver impairment increased in the range of 1.4 to
2.7-fold after exactuator administration of 1280 mcg ciclesonide via oral
inhalation. Dose adjustment in liver impairment is not necessary. Renal
Impairment: Studies in renally-impaired patients were not conducted since renal
excretion of des-ciclesonide is a minor route of elimination ( ≤ 20%).
Pediatric
In pediatric subjects treated with 25 to 200 mcg of
ciclesonide nasal spray daily, serum concentrations of des-ciclesonide were
below 45 pg/mL, with the exception of one value of 64.5 pg/mL. In a 12-week
study in children 6 to 11 years of age with perennial allergic rhinitis,
des-ciclesonide was detected in 50% of the subjects treated with 200 mcg and in
5% of those treated with 100 mcg ciclesonide nasal spray daily. In a 6-week
study in children 2 to 5 years of age with perennial allergic rhinitis,
des-ciclesonide was detected in 41%, 22%, and 13% of the subjects treated with
200 mcg, 100 mcg, and 25 mcg ciclesonide nasal spray daily, respectively.
Drug-Drug Interactions
Based on in vitro studies in human liver microsomes,
desciclesonide appears to have no inhibitory or induction potential on the
metabolism of other drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The
inhibitory potential of ciclesonide on cytochrome P450 isoenzymes has not been
studied. In vitro studies demonstrated that the plasma protein binding of
des-ciclesonide was not affected by warfarin or salicylic acid, indicating no
potential for protein binding-based drug interactions.
In a drug interaction study, co-administration of orally
inhaled ciclesonide and oral ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of cytochrome
P450 3A4, increased the exposure (AUC) of the active metabolite of ciclesonide,
des-ciclesonide, by approximately 3.6-fold at steady state, while levels of
ciclesonide remained unchanged.
In another drug interaction study, co-administration of
orally inhaled ciclesonide and oral erythromycin, a moderate inhibitor of
cytochrome P450 3A4, had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of either
des-ciclesonide or erythromycin.
Animal Toxicology and Pharmacology
Reproductive Toxicology Studies: Oral administration of
ciclesonide in rats up to 900 mcg/kg (approximately 35 times the maximum human
daily dose in adults based on mcg/m²) produced no teratogenicity or other fetal
effects. However, subcutaneous administration of ciclesonide in rabbits at 5
mcg/kg (less than the maximum daily intranasal dose in adults based on mcg/m²)
or greater produced fetal toxicity. This included fetal loss, reduced fetal
weight, cleft palate, skeletal abnormalities including incomplete
ossifications, and skin effects. No toxicity was observed at 1 mcg/kg (less
than the maximum human daily intranasal dose in adults based on mcg/m²).
Clinical Studies
Seasonal and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
Adults and Adolescent Patients 12 Years of Age and Older
The efficacy of OMNARIS Nasal Spray was evaluated in 3
randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, placebo-controlled
clinical trials of 2 to 6 weeks duration conducted in the United States and
Canada in adolescents and adults with allergic rhinitis. The three trials included
a total of 1524 patients (495 males and 1029 females) of whom 79 were adolescents,
ages 12 to 17 years. The racial distribution in these three trials included
1374 Caucasians, 69 Blacks, 31 Asians, and 50 patients classified as Other. Of
the 1524 patients, 546 patients received OMNARIS Nasal Spray 200 mcg once daily
administered as 2 sprays in each nostril. Patients enrolled in the studies were
12 to 86 years of age with a history of seasonal or perennial allergic
rhinitis, a positive skin test to at least one relevant allergen, and active
symptoms of allergic rhinitis at study entry. Assessment of efficacy in these
trials was based on patient recording of four nasal symptoms (runny nose, nasal
itching, sneezing, and nasal congestion) on a 0-3 categorical severity scale
(0=absent, 1=mild, 2=moderate, and 3=severe) as reflective or instantaneous
scores. Reflective scoring required the patients to record symptom severity
over the previous 12 hours; the instantaneous scoring required patients to
record symptom severity at the time of recording. The results of these trials showed
that patients treated with OMNARIS Nasal Spray 200 mcg once daily exhibited statistically
significantly greater decreases in total nasal symptom scores than
placebo-treated patients. Secondary measures of efficacy were also generally
supportive.
Dose-Ranging Trial
One of the three trials was a 2-week dose-ranging trial
that evaluated efficacy of four doses of OMNARIS Nasal Spray in patients with
seasonal allergic rhinitis. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference
from placebo in the change from baseline of the sum of morning and evening
reflective total nasal symptom score averaged over the 2-week treatment period.
Results of the primary efficacy endpoint are shown in Table 3. In this trial
OMNARIS Nasal Spray 200 mcg once daily was statistically significantly
different from placebo, but the lower doses were not statistically significantly
different from placebo.
Table 3 : Mean change in reflective total nasal
symptom score over 2 weeks in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Treatment |
N |
Baseline* |
Change from Baseline |
Difference from Placebo** |
Estimate |
95% CI |
p-value |
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Trial - Reflective total nasal symptom score |
Ciclesonide 200 mcg |
144 |
18.8 |
-5.73 |
-1.35 |
(-2.43, -0.28) |
0.014 |
Ciclesonide 100 mcg |
145 |
18.7 |
-5.26 |
-0.88 |
(-1.96, 0.19) |
0.11 |
Ciclesonide 50 mcg |
143 |
18.4 |
-4.82 |
-0.44 |
(-1.52, 0.63) |
0.42 |
Ciclesonide 25 mcg |
146 |
18.7 |
-4.74 |
-0.35 |
(-1.42, 0.71) |
0.51 |
Placebo |
148 |
17.8 |
-4.38 |
|
|
|
*Sum of AM and PM Scores; Maximum score = 24
** Estimates, 95% Confidence Intervals, and p-values were obtained from
repeated measures ANCOVA analysis with treatment, baseline, day, and treatment
by day interaction effects included in the model. |
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Trial
The second trial was a 4-week single dose level trial conducted
in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The primary efficacy endpoint in
the seasonal allergic rhinitis trial was the difference from placebo in the
change from baseline of the average of morning and evening reflective total
nasal symptom score averaged over the first 2 weeks of treatment. In this
trial, OMNARIS Nasal Spray 200 mcg once daily was statistically significantly
different from placebo (Table 4). Statistically significant differences in the
morning pre-dose instantaneous total nasal symptom score indicate that the effect
was maintained over the full 24-hour dosing interval.
Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Trial
The third trial was a 6-week single dose level trial conducted
in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. The primary efficacy endpoint in
the perennial allergic rhinitis trial was the difference from placebo in the
change from baseline of the average of morning and evening reflective total
nasal symptom score averaged over the 6 weeks of treatment. In this trial,
OMNARIS Nasal Spray 200 mcg once daily was statistically significantly
different from placebo (Table 4). Statistically significant differences in the
morning pre-dose instantaneous total nasal symptom score indicate that the effect
was maintained over the full 24-hour dosing interval.
Table 4 : Mean changes in reflective total nasal
symptom score and instantaneous total nasal symptom score in allergic rhinitis
trials
Treatment |
N |
Baseline* |
Change from Baseline |
Difference from Placebo** |
Estimate |
95% CI |
p-value |
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Trial - Reflective total nasal symptom score |
Ciclesonide 200 mcg |
162 |
8.96 |
-2.40 |
-0.90 |
(-1.36, -0.45) |
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