Clinical Pharmacology for Vivjoa
Mechanism Of Action
Oteseconazole is an antifungal drug [see Microbiology].
Pharmacodynamics
Oteseconazole exposure-response relationships and the time course of pharmacodynamic response are unknown.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
At 5 times the maximum exposures for the recommended dose, VIVJOA does not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent.
Pharmacokinetics
The AUC of oteseconazole increased approximately dose proportionally while the Cmax increased less than dose proportionally over a dose range of 20 mg (0.13 times the lowest recommended dose) to 320 mg (0.53 times the highest recommended dose). The pharmacokinetic parameters of oteseconazole associated with the administration of the recommended dosing regimen of VIVJOA are presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Pharmacokinetic (PK) Parameters of Oteseconazole
| PK Parametera |
Mean (± SD) |
| Cmax (μg/mL) |
2.8 (1.25) |
| AUC24h (h·μg/mL) |
64.2 (29.4) |
| Cmin (μg/mL) |
2.5 (1.19) |
| aFollowing repeat dose administration of VIVJOA at the approved recommended dosage for RVVC at the end of treatment. |
Absorption
The time to peak plasma concentrations of oteseconazole was approximately 5 to 10 hours.
Effect of Food
Administration of VIVJOA with a high-fat, high-calorie meal (800-1000 Calories; 50% fat) increased Cmax and AUC0-72h by 45% and 36%, but no significant differences were observed with a low-fat, low-calorie meal.
Distribution
The central volume of distribution of oteseconazole is approximately 423 L. Oteseconazole is 99.599.7% bound to plasma proteins. Animal studies indicated that oteseconazole exposures in vaginal tissue are comparable to plasma exposures.
Elimination
The median terminal half-life of oteseconazole is approximately 138 days.
Metabolism
Oteseconazole does not undergo significant metabolism.
Excretion
Following oral administration of radiolabeled oteseconazole, approximately 56% of the radiolabeled dose was recovered in feces primarily through biliary excretion and 26% was recovered in urine.
Specific Populations
There were no clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of oteseconazole based on sex or race/ethnicity.
Patients With Renal Impairment
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of oteseconazole were observed in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment when AUC0-672h estimates were compared to subjects with normal renal function. VIVJOA has not been studied in subjects with end-stage renal disease not on dialysis. As oteseconazole is >99% protein bound, dialysis is not expected to alter oteseconazole exposures.”
Patients With Hepatic Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of oteseconazole were not altered in subjects with mild or moderate (Child-Pugh Class A or B) hepatic impairment when AUC0-672h estimates were compared to healthy subjects.
The impact of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) on the pharmacokinetics of oteseconazole is unknown.
Drug Interaction Studies
BCRP Substrates
Oteseconazole increased the Cmax and AUC0-24h of rosuvastatin, a BCRP substrate, by 118% and 114%, respectively.
Other Drugs
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of the following drugs were observed when co-administered with oteseconazole: Midazolam (sensitive CYP3A4 substrate), ethinyl estradiol (CYP3A4 substrate), norethindrone (CYP3A4 substrate), or digoxin (P-gp substrate).
Microbiology
Mechanism Of Action
Oteseconazole is an azole metalloenzyme inhibitor targeting the fungal sterol, 14α demethylase (CYP51), an enzyme that catalyzes an early step in the biosynthetic pathway of ergosterol, a sterol required for fungal cell membrane formation and integrity. Inhibition of CYP51 results in the accumulation of 14-methylated sterols, some of which are toxic to fungi. Through the inclusion of a tetrazole metal-binding group, oteseconazole has a lower affinity for human CYP enzymes.
Resistance
The potential for increases in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to oteseconazole has been evaluated in vitro including specific mechanisms of resistance. Increases in oteseconazole MIC were associated with upregulation of the efflux pumps CDR1, MDR1, and the azole target, lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51). Against certain Candida spp. oteseconazole maintained meaningful in vitro activity against clinical isolates that were resistant to fluconazole.
Antimicrobial Activity
The following in vitro data is available, but their clinical significance is unknown. Oteseconazole has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following microorganisms associated with RVVC [see INDICATIONS]:
- Candida albicans
- Candida glabrata
- Candida krusei
- Candida parapsilosis
- Candida tropicalis
- Candida lusitaniae
- Candida dubliniensis
Animal Toxicology And/Or Pharmacology
In an oral carcinogenicity study, Sprague Dawley rats were administered doses of 0.5, 1.5, or 5 mg/kg/day oteseconazole once daily for up to 90 weeks. The high dose was initially reduced from 5 to 3 mg/kg/day in males due to excess mortality. Incidences of hemorrhage were increased in the adrenals, brain, coagulating gland, ears, epididymides, head, heart, lung, nose, pancreas, pharynx, prostate, seminal vesicles, spinal cord, testes, thymus, and bladder of male Crl:CD®(SD) rats (after 77 weeks of dosing at about 5 times the MRHD based on AUC comparisons). There were no increases in the incidence of hemorrhage in rats after 26 weeks at 5 mg/kg. The clinical relevance of these findings after very high doses (5 to 7 times the MRHD) for the lifetime of the rat remains unclear.
Clinical Studies
Overview Of The Clinical Studies
A total of 656 adults and post-menarchal pediatric females with RVVC (defined as ≥3 episodes of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in a 12-month period) were randomized in two multicenter, multinational, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials: Trial 1 (NCT#03562156) and Trial 2 (NCT#03561701). A total of 219 adults and post-menarchal pediatric females with RVVC were randomized in a multicenter, double-blind trial [Trial 3 (NCT#03840616)]. Although females of reproductive potential were included in the clinical efficacy data, VIVJOA is contraindicated in females of reproductive potential due to the risk of embryo-fetal toxicity [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
Trial 1 And Trial 2
Trial 1 and Trial 2 were both randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of VIVJOA in the reduction of RVVC. Both trials consisted of two phases: an open-label induction phase and an 11-week maintenance phase. Patients received three sequential doses of 150 mg of fluconazole (every 72 hours) on Days, 1, 4 and 7 during the induction phase. Patients returned 14 days after the first dose of fluconazole and if the acute VVC episode was resolved (vulvovaginal signs and symptoms score < 3) they were randomized (2:1) to receive either 150 mg of VIVJOA or placebo for 7 days followed by 11 weekly doses in the maintenance phase.
In Trial 1, a total of 483 patients were enrolled in the induction phase with 326 patients entering the maintenance phase with 217 patients randomized to VIVJOA and 109 patients randomized to placebo. A total of 182 patients (84%) in the VIVJOA group and 91 patients (83%) in the placebo group completed the trial. The mean age of patients was 34 years old (range 17-78 years old) with 85% of patients aged 18-44 years and 15% of patients aged 45 years and older. Patients were 72% White, 13% Black or African American, 14% Asian, and 8% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
In Trial 2, a total of 425 patients were enrolled into the induction phase with 330 patients entering the maintenance phase with 220 subjects randomized to VIVJOA and 110 patients randomized to placebo. A total of 191 patients (87%) in the VIVJOA group and 91 patients (83%) in the placebo group completed the trial. The mean age of patients was 34 years old (range 18-73 years old) with 85% of patients aged 18-44 years and 15% of patients aged 45 years and older. Patients were 89% White, 10% Black or African American and 15% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.
For both Trial 1 and Trial 2, efficacy was assessed by the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture-verified acute VVC episode (positive fungal culture for Candida species associated with a clinical signs and symptoms score of ≥3) during the Maintenance Phase through Week 48. Evaluation of clinical signs and symptoms included erythema (redness), edema (swelling), excoriation (skin picking), itching, burning and irritation. Since treatment for acute VVC was allowed to be provided to a patient if it was deemed to be clinically needed when the patient had a signs and symptoms score ≥ 3 and a positive KOH test, the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture-verified acute VVC episode or who took medication known to treat VVC during the Maintenance Phase through Week 48 is also presented.
VIVJOA was superior to placebo with reference to the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture-verified acute VVC episode through Week 48 (Table 2) or the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture-verified acute VVC episode or who took medication known to treat VVC during the Maintenance Phase through Week 48. For both Trial 1 and Trial 2, the average percentage of patients was lower in the VIVJOA groups compared with the placebo group (Table 2).
Table 2: Trial 1 and 2 Efficacy Endpoints: ITT Population
|
Trial 1 |
Trial 2 |
VIVJOA
(N=217) |
Placebo
(N=109) |
VIVJOA
(N=218) |
Placebo
(N=108) |
| Proportion of Patients with ≥1 Culture-verified Acute VVC Episode (Day 1 through Week 48)a |
6.7% |
42.8% |
3.9% |
39.4% |
| Treatment Difference p-valueb |
<0.001 |
<0.001 |
| Proportion of Patients with ≥1 Culture-verified Acute VVC Episode or received VVC medication (Day 1 through Week 48)a |
27.3% |
50.8% |
21.3% |
49.7% |
| Treatment Difference p-valueb |
<0.001 |
<0.001 |
Abbreviations: ITT=Intent-to-Treat (Population); VVC=vulvovaginal candidiasis.
a.Average %. Missing values were imputed with multiple imputation using the following auxiliary information: region, treatment, Baseline body mass index, Baseline age, ethnicity, and visit.
b.The p-value was obtained using a Chi-square test comparing VIVJOA with placebo. |
Trial 3
Trial 3 was a randomized, double-blind trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of VIVJOA versus fluconazole and placebo in adults and post-menarchal pediatric females with RVVC. The trial consisted of two phases: induction and maintenance.
During the induction phase, patients received 1050 mg of VIVJOA over two days (600 mg [4x150mg] on Day 1 and 450 mg [3x150mg] on Day 2) or three sequential doses of 150 mg of fluconazole (every 72 hours) on Days, 1, 4 and 7. Patients returned 14 days after the first dose and moved to the maintenance phase if the acute VVC episode was resolved. During the maintenance phase, patients received 150 mg VIVJOA weekly or placebo weekly for 11 weeks.
A total of 219 patients were randomized (2:1) into the induction phase: 147 to VIVJOA and 72 to fluconazole/placebo. One patient in the VIVJOA group did not receive drug therefore 146 patients received VIVJOA. A total of 112 patients (76%) in the VIVJOA group and 55 patients (76%) in the fluconazole/placebo group completed the trial.
The mean age of patients was 35 years (range 16-78) with 80% of patients aged 18-44 years and 19% of patients aged 45 years and older. Patients were 59% White, 34% Black or African American, 1% Asian and 26% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The trial was conducted completely in the United States.
Efficacy was assessed by the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture verified acute VVC episode during the maintenance phase (post-randomization through Week 50) or who failed clearing their infection during the induction phase. A recurring acute VVC episode was defined as a positive culture for Candida species and a clinical signs and symptoms score of ≥3. Evaluation of clinical signs and symptoms included erythema(redness), edema (swelling), excoriation (skin picking), itching, burning and irritation. Additionally, the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture verified acute VVC episode or who took medication known to treat VVC during the maintenance phase (post-randomization through Week 50) or who failed clearing their infection during the induction phase is presented.
VIVJOA was superior to fluconazole/placebo in the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture-verified recurring acute VVC episode during the maintenance phase (post randomization through Week 50) or failed clearing their infection during the induction phase and the proportion of patients with ≥1 culture-verified recurring acute VVC episode or took VVC medication known to treat VVC during the maintenance phase (post randomization through Week 50) or who failed clearing their infection during the induction phase. The average percentage of patients was lower in the VIVJOA group compared with the fluconazole/placebo group (Table 3).
Table 3: Trial 3 Efficacy Endpoints ITT population
|
VIVJOA
(N=147) |
Fluconazole/ Placebo
(N=72) |
Treatment Difference p-valueb |
| Proportion of Patients with ≥1 Culture-verified Acute VVC Episode through Week 50 or Unresolved VVC Episode During the Induction Phasea |
10.3% |
42.9% |
<0.001 |
| Proportion of Patients with ≥1 Culture-verified Acute VVC Episode or took VVC medication through Week 50 or Unresolved VVC Episode During the Induction Phasea |
43.5% |
59.0% |
0.039 |
Abbreviations: ITT=Intent-to-Treat (Population); VVC=vulvovaginal candidiasis
a.Average %, Missing values were imputed with multiple imputation using the following auxiliary information: treatment, baseline body mass index, baseline age, ethnicity, and visit.
b.The p-value was obtained using a Chi-square test comparing VIVJOA with fluconazole/placebo. |