Clinical Pharmacology for Rapivab
Mechanism Of Action
Peramivir is an antiviral drug with activity against influenza virus [see Microbiology].
Cardiac Electrophysiology
At twice the maximum recommended dose, RAPIVAB did not prolong the QTc interval to any clinically relevant extent.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of RAPIVAB was evaluated in Phase 1 trials in adults. The pharmacokinetic parameters following intravenous administration of RAPIVAB (0.17 to 2 times the recommended dose) showed a linear relationship between dose and exposure parameters (Cmax and AUC).
Following intravenous administration of a single dose of RAPIVAB 600 mg over 30 minutes, a maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 46,800 ng/mL (46.8 μg/mL) was reached at the end of infusion. AUC0-∞ values were 102,700 ngμhr/mL.
Distribution
In vitro binding of peramivir to human plasma proteins is <30%.
Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, the central volume of distribution was 12.56 L.
Metabolism And Elimination
Peramivir is not a substrate for cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, does not affect glucuronidation, and is not a substrate or inhibitor of P-glycoprotein mediated transport.
Peramivir is not significantly metabolized in humans.
The elimination half-life of RAPIVAB following intravenous administration to healthy subjects of 600 mg as a single dose is approximately 20 hours. The major route of elimination of RAPIVAB is via the kidney. Renal clearance of unchanged peramivir accounts for approximately 90% of total clearance. Negligible accumulation was observed following multiple doses, either once or twice daily, for up to 10 days.
Specific Populations
Race
Pharmacokinetics of peramivir was evaluated primarily in Caucasians and Asians. Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis including race as a covariate, volume of distribution was dependent on weight and Asian race. No dose adjustment is required based on weight or Asian race.
Gender
Peramivir pharmacokinetics was similar in male and female subjects.
Pediatric Patients
The pharmacokinetics of peramivir has been evaluated in a study in pediatric subjects 6 months to 17 years of age with acute uncomplicated influenza. Pharmacokinetic sampling in this study was limited to approximately 3 hours after administration of peramivir. Geometric mean (GM) PK parameters are provided in Table 5.
Table 5: Geometric Mean (%CV) Cmax and AUC0-3 by Age Group in Comparison to Adults
| Age Group |
GM Cmax (ng/mL) (%CV) |
GM AUC0-3 (ng.h/mL) (%CV) |
| 6 months to <2 years |
38,000 (73.7) |
46,200 (35.8) |
| 2 to <7 years |
47,400 (48.4) |
62,700 (39.7) |
| 7 to <13 years |
61,200 (53) |
76,300 (43.1) |
| 13 to <18 years |
51,500 (33) |
65,500 (28.1) |
| Healthy Adults (Study 113) |
45,700 (21.5) |
68,500 (19.1) |
Peramivir pharmacokinetics in subjects 2 to 17 years of age was similar to adults. In pediatric patients 6 months to less than 2 years of age, the GM AUC0-3 and Cmax were lower than that of healthy adult subjects, with GM ratios (90% CI) of 0.68 (0.52 to 0.88) and 0.83 (0.59 to 1.18), respectively. The difference in exposure is not considered to be clinically significant.
Geriatric Patients
Peramivir pharmacokinetics in elderly subjects was similar to non-elderly subjects. Peak concentrations of peramivir after a single 4 mg/kg intravenous dose were approximately 10% higher in elderly subjects when compared to young adults (22,647 vs 20,490 ng/mL, respectively). Exposure (AUC0-12) to peramivir at steady state was roughly 34% higher in elderly subjects compared to young adults (61,572 vs 46,000 ngμhr/mL, respectively). Dose adjustment is not required for elderly patients.
Patients With Impaired Renal Function
A trial was conducted in adult subjects with various degrees of renal impairment. When compared to a concurrent cohort with normal renal function, no change in mean Cmax was observed (6 subjects per cohort). However, mean AUC0-∞ after a single 2 mg/kg intravenous dose was increased by 28%, by 302%, and by 412% in subjects with creatinine clearance 50 to 79, 30 to 49, and 10 to 29 mL/min, respectively.
Hemodialysis was effective in reducing systemic exposure of peramivir by 73% to 81%.
A reduced dose of RAPIVAB is recommended for adult and adolescent patients 13 years and older with creatinine clearance <50 mL/min [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
The pharmacokinetics of peramivir has not been studied in pediatric subjects with renal impairment. Given that the pharmacokinetics in pediatric subjects with normal renal function is comparable to that observed in adults, the same proportional dose reduction is recommended in pediatric patients with renal impairment >2 years of age [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
In pediatric patients with renal impairment less than 2 years of age, given the developmental immaturity of renal function in this age group, a recommendation for dose reduction cannot be made [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Patients With Hepatic Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of peramivir in subjects with hepatic impairment has not been studied. No clinically relevant alterations to peramivir pharmacokinetics are expected in patients with hepatic impairment based on the route of peramivir elimination.
Assessment Of Drug Interactions
The potential for CYP-mediated interactions involving RAPIVAB with other drugs is low, based on the known elimination pathway of RAPIVAB, and data from in vitro studies indicating RAPIVAB does not induce or inhibit CYP P450.
There was no evidence of drug-drug interactions when RAPIVAB was administered with oral rimantadine, oseltamivir, or oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel; or when peramivir IM was administered with oral probenecid.
RAPIVAB is primarily cleared in the urine by glomerular filtration.
Microbiology
Mechanism Of Action
Peramivir is an inhibitor of influenza virus neuraminidase, an enzyme that releases viral particles from the plasma membrane of infected cells. The median neuraminidase inhibitory activities (IC50 values) of peramivir in biochemical assays against influenza A/H1N1 virus, influenza A/H3N2 virus, and influenza B virus clinical isolates were 0.16 nM (n = 44; range: 0.01 to 1.77 nM), 0.13 nM (n = 32; range: 0.05 to 11 nM), and 0.99 nM (n = 39; range: 0.04 to 54.2 nM), respectively, in a neuraminidase assay with a fluorescently labeled MUNANA substrate.
Antiviral Activity
The antiviral activity of peramivir against laboratory strains and clinical isolates of influenza virus was determined in cell culture. The concentrations of peramivir required for inhibition of influenza virus in cell culture varied depending on the assay method used and the virus tested. The median 50% effective concentrations (EC50 values) of peramivir in cell culture assays were 2.6 nM (n = 13; range: 0.09 to 21 nM), 0.08 nM (n = 17; range: 0.01 to 1.9 nM) and 4.8 nM (n = 11; range: 0.06 to 120 nM) for influenza A/H1N1 virus, A/H3N2 virus, and B virus strains, respectively.
The relationship between the antiviral activity in cell culture, inhibitory activity in the neuraminidase assay, and the inhibition of influenza virus replication in humans has not been established.
Resistance
Cell culture
Influenza A and B virus isolates with reduced susceptibility to peramivir were recovered by serial passage of virus in cell culture in the presence of increasing concentrations of peramivir. Reduced susceptibility of influenza virus to inhibition by peramivir may be conferred by amino acid substitutions in the viral neuraminidase or hemagglutinin proteins (Table 6).
Table 6: Amino Acid Substitutions Selected by Peramivir in Cell Culture Studies
| Protein |
Influenza Virus Type/Subtype |
| A/H1N1a |
A/H3N2b |
Bc |
| HAd |
D125S, R208K |
N63K, G78D, N145D, K189E |
T139N, G141E, R162M, D195N, T198N, Y319H |
| NA |
N58D, I211T, H275Y |
- |
H273Y |
a Numbering based on A/California/04/2009.
b Numbering based on A/Texas/50/2012.
c Numbering based on B/Massachusetts/02/2012.
d Numbering begins after the predicted signal peptide. |
In vivo
Influenza A and B virus isolates with amino acid substitutions associated with reduced susceptibility to peramivir were observed in clinical isolates collected during clinical trials with peramivir (Table 7). Amino acid substitutions have also been observed in viral isolates sampled during community surveillance studies which may be associated with reduced susceptibility to peramivir (Table 7). The clinical impact of this reduced susceptibility is unknown and may be strain dependent.
Table 7: Neuraminidase and Hemagglutinin Amino Acid Substitutions Associated with Reduced Susceptibility to Peramivir in Clinical Virus Isolates
| Protein |
|
Influenza Virus Type / Subtype |
| A/H1N1a |
A/H3N2b |
Bc |
| NA |
Clinical Trial |
R152K, H275Y |
R292K, N294S |
- |
| Community Surveillance Studies |
G147R, I223R/V, S247N/R, H275Y, N295S, I427T |
E119V, Q136K, V143M+S315R, D151A/E/G/N/Vd, V313A, Q391K |
G104E, E105K, I115T, H134N/Y, P139S, G145E/R, D197E/N/Y, A200T, I221T/V, G243S, A245T, G247D+I361V, H273Y, N294S, K360E, R374K, A395E, D432G/N |
| HA |
Clinical Trial |
V479F |
- |
- |
a Numbering based on A/California/04/2009.
b Numbering based on A/Texas/50/2012.
c Numbering based on B/Massachusetts/02/2012.
d Substitutions at this site may be potential cell culture artifacts. |
Circulating seasonal influenza strains expressing neuraminidase resistance-associated substitutions have been observed in individuals who have not received RAPIVAB. Prescribers should consider available information from the CDC on influenza virus drug susceptibility patterns and treatment effects when deciding whether to use RAPIVAB.
Zoonotic Viruses
Amino acid substitutions have been observed in H5N1 and H7N9 clinical viral isolates that conferred reduced susceptibility to peramivir in neuraminidase biochemical assays (Table 8). The clinical impact of reduced susceptibility in these viruses is unknown, and the effects of specific substitutions on virus susceptibility to peramivir may be strain dependent.
Table 8: Amino Acid Substitutions Observed in Avian Influenza Viruses with Zoonotic Potential and Associated with Reduced Susceptibility to Peramivir
| Protein |
Influenza Virus Type/Subtype |
| A/H5N1a |
A/H7N9b |
| NA |
H275Y |
R292K |
a Numbering based on A/California/04/2009.
b Numbering based on A/Texas/50/2012. |
Cross Resistance
Cross-resistance between peramivir, oseltamivir, and zanamivir was observed in neuraminidase biochemical assays and cell culture assays. The amino acid substitutions that resulted in reduced susceptibility to peramivir and either oseltamivir or zanamivir are summarized in Table 9. The clinical impact of this reduced susceptibility is unknown and may be strain dependent.
Table 9: Summary of Amino Acid Substitutions with Cross-Resistance between Peramivir and Oseltamivir or Zanamivir in Susceptibility Assays
|
Protein |
Influenza Virus Type/Subtype |
| A/H1N1a |
A/H3N2b |
Bc |
| Oseltamivir |
HAd |
- |
N63K, N145D |
- |
| NA |
E119D/V, D151G/N, R152K, Y155H, D199G, I223R/T/V, S247N, G249R+I267V, H275Y, N295S, Q313R, R368K, I427T |
E119I/V, I222V, S247P, R292K, N294S, V313A |
G104E, E105K, G108E, P139S, G140R, G145R, D197E/N/Y, A200T, I221T/V/L, G243S, A245T, H273Y, N294S, R374K, A395E, G407S |
| Zanamivir |
HAd |
- |
N63K, N145D |
- |
| NA |
E119D/G, Q136Ke, R152K, Y155H, D199G, I223T, I223R+H275Y, S247N, G249R+I267V, N295S, Q313R, R368K, I427T |
E119G/V, T148I, D151A/G/N/V, I222V, S247P, R292K, N294S |
G104E, E105K, G108E, E117A/D/G, H134N, P139S, G145R, R150K, D197E/N/Y, A200T, I221T/L, G243S, A245T, G247D+I361V, R292K, R374K, G407S |
a Numbering based on A/California/04/2009.
b Numbering based on A/Texas/50/2012.
c Numbering based on B/Massachusetts/02/2012.
d Numbering begins after the predicted signal peptide.
e Substitutions at this site may be potential cell culture artifacts. |
Cross-resistance between neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors and M2 ion channel inhibitors (adamantanes), or between NA inhibitors and polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease inhibitors (baloxavir), is not expected because these classes of drugs target different viral proteins. However, a virus may carry multiple substitutions that each confer resistance to a different inhibitor class and together can confer multi-class resistance. The clinical relevance of phenotypic cross-resistance evaluations has not been established and may be strain dependent.
Immune Response
No influenza vaccine/peramivir interaction study has been conducted.
Animal Toxicology And/Or Pharmacology
Peramivir caused renal tubular necrosis and abnormal renal function in rabbits. Toxicities included tubular dilatation and necrosis with protein casts in cortical areas, dilated tubules with mineralization in corticomedullary junction areas, and multifocal tubular regeneration. The rabbit appeared to be the sensitive species for peramivir renal toxicity, which was noted at exposures approximately 2- to 4-fold those in humans at the clinically recommended dose.
Clinical Studies
Acute Uncomplicated Influenza In Adults
Study 621 was a randomized, multicenter, blinded study conducted in Japan that evaluated a single intravenous administration of RAPIVAB 300 mg, RAPIVAB 600 mg, or placebo administered over 30 minutes in subjects 20 to 65 years of age with acute uncomplicated influenza. Subjects were eligible if they had fever ≥38°C (axillary) and a positive rapid antigen test for influenza virus, accompanied by at least 2 symptoms (cough, nasal symptoms, sore throat, myalgia, chills/sweats, malaise, fatigue, or headache). In addition, all subjects enrolled were allowed to take fever-reducing medications.
Study treatment was started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Subjects participating in the study were required to self-assess their influenza symptoms as “none”, “mild”, “moderate”, or “severe” twice daily. The primary endpoint, time to alleviation of symptoms, was defined as the number of hours from initiation of study drug until the start of the 24-hour period in which all 7 symptoms of influenza (cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, feverishness, myalgia, and fatigue) were either absent or present at a level no greater than mild for at least 21.5 hours.
The overall efficacy population, consisting of subjects with confirmed influenza and administered study drug, totaled 297 subjects. Among the 98 subjects enrolled in the RAPIVAB 600 mg dose group, the mean age was 34 years; 55% were male; 34% were smokers; 99% were infected with influenza A virus and 1% were infected with influenza B virus. The majority of subjects (53%) had influenza illness lasting <24 hours at the time of presentation.
Overall, subjects receiving RAPIVAB 600 mg experienced alleviation of their combined influenza symptoms a median of 21 hours sooner than those receiving placebo. The median time to recovery to normal temperature (<37°C) in the 600 mg group was approximately 12 hours sooner compared to placebo.
Insufficient numbers of subjects infected with influenza B virus were enrolled to determine efficacy of RAPIVAB in this influenza type.
Acute Uncomplicated Influenza In Pediatric Subjects
Study 305 was a randomized, multicenter, open-label, active-controlled trial to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of a single intravenous dose of RAPIVAB administered for a minimum of 15 minutes in subjects 6 months to 17 years of age with acute uncomplicated influenza who had fever ≥37.8°C (oral) with at least one respiratory symptom (cough or rhinitis) or a positive influenza rapid antigen test. Study treatment was started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Subjects were randomized to receive RAPIVAB 600 mg (13 to 17 years of age), RAPIVAB 12 mg/kg up to a maximum dose of 600 mg (6 months to 12 years of age), or oral oseltamivir taken twice daily for 5 days. In addition, all enrolled subjects were allowed to take fever-reducing medications.
The overall efficacy population, consisting of subjects with confirmed influenza who were administered study drug, totaled 97 subjects. Among the 81 subjects treated with RAPIVAB, the median age was 7.5 years; 52% were male; 60% were infected with influenza A virus, 33% were infected with influenza B virus, and 6% were co-infected with influenza A and B viruses.
The primary endpoint was the safety of peramivir compared to oseltamivir as measured by adverse
events, laboratory analysis, vital signs, and physical exams. Secondary endpoints included efficacy outcomes such as time to resolution of influenza symptoms and time to resolution of fever; however, the study was not powered to detect statistically significant differences in these secondary endpoints. Subjects receiving RAPIVAB experienced a median time to alleviation of their combined influenza symptoms of 79 hours (interquartile range: 31 to 126 hours) compared to 100 hours (interquartile range: 57 to 145 hours) in subjects receiving oseltamivir. The median time to recovery to normal temperature (<37°C) was 40 hours (interquartile range: 21 to 68 hours) and 35 hours (interquartile range: 16 to 42 hours) in subjects receiving RAPIVAB and oseltamivir, respectively [see Use In Specific Populations].
Serious Influenza Requiring Hospitalization
The efficacy of RAPIVAB could not be established in patients with serious influenza requiring hospitalization [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE].
A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial (Study 301) was conducted in 398 subjects with serious influenza requiring hospitalization. Subjects were randomized to receive RAPIVAB 600 mg daily for 5 days plus standard of care versus standard of care plus placebo within 72 hours of start of symptoms. The primary endpoint was time to clinical resolution defined as the time in hours from initiation of study treatment until resolution of at least 4 of 5 signs (temperature, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, heart rate, or systolic blood pressure), maintained for at least 24 hours. RAPIVAB plus standard of care did not improve median time to clinical resolution compared with standard of care alone.