Clinical Pharmacology for Zytiga
Mechanism Of Action
Abiraterone acetate (ZYTIGA) is converted in vivo to abiraterone, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, that inhibits 17 α–hydroxylase/C17,20–lyase (CYP17). This enzyme is expressed in testicular, adrenal, and prostatic tumor tissues and is required for androgen biosynthesis.
CYP17 catalyzes two sequential reactions: 1) the conversion of pregnenolone and progesterone to their 17α–hydroxy derivatives by 17α–hydroxylase activity and 2) the subsequent formation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, respectively, by C17, 20 lyase activity. DHEA and androstenedione are androgens and are precursors of testosterone. Inhibition of CYP17 by abiraterone can also result in increased mineralocorticoid production by the adrenals [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Androgen sensitive prostatic carcinoma responds to treatment that decreases androgen levels. Androgen deprivation therapies, such as treatment with GnRH agonists or orchiectomy, decrease androgen production in the testes but do not affect androgen production by the adrenals or in the tumor.
ZYTIGA decreased serum testosterone and other androgens in patients in the placebo–controlled clinical trial. It is not necessary to monitor the effect of ZYTIGA on serum testosterone levels.
Changes in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels may be observed but have not been shown to correlate with clinical benefit in individual patients.
Pharmacodynamics
Cardiac Electrophysiology
In a multi–center, open–label, single–arm trial, 33 patients with metastatic CRPC received ZYTIGA orally at a dose of 1,000 mg once daily at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal in combination with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily. Assessments up to Cycle 2 Day 2 showed no large changes in the QTc interval (i.e., >20 ms) from baseline. However, small increases in the QTc interval (i.e., < 10 ms) due to abiraterone acetate cannot be excluded due to study design limitations.
Pharmacokinetics
Following administration of abiraterone acetate, the pharmacokinetics of abiraterone have been studied in healthy subjects and in patients with metastatic CRPC. In vivo, abiraterone acetate is converted to abiraterone. In clinical studies, abiraterone acetate plasma concentrations were below detectable levels (<0.2 ng/mL) in >99% of the analyzed samples.
Absorption
Following oral administration of abiraterone acetate to patients with metastatic CRPC, the median time to reach maximum plasma abiraterone concentrations is 2 hours. Abiraterone accumulation is observed at steady–state, with a 2–fold higher exposure (steady–state AUC) compared to a single 1,000 mg dose of abiraterone acetate.
At the dose of 1,000 mg daily in patients with metastatic CRPC, steady–state values (mean ± SD) of Cmax were 226 ± 178 ng/mL and of AUC were 993 ± 639 ng.hr/mL. No major deviation from dose proportionality was observed in the dose range of 250 mg to 1,000 mg. However, the exposure was not significantly increased when the dose was doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 mg (8% increase in the mean AUC).
Effect of Food
Systemic exposure of abiraterone is increased when abiraterone acetate is administered with food. In healthy subjects abiraterone Cmax and AUC0–∞ were approximately 7–and 5–fold higher, respectively, when a single dose of abiraterone acetate was administered with a low–fat meal (7% fat, 300 calories) and approximately 17–and 10–fold higher, respectively, when a single dose of abiraterone acetate was administered with a high–fat (57% fat, 825 calories) meal compared to overnight fasting. Abiraterone AUC0–∞ was approximately 7–fold or 1.6–fold higher, respectively, when a single dose of abiraterone acetate was administered 2 hours after or 1 hour before a medium fat meal (25% fat, 491 calories) compared to overnight fasting.
Systemic exposures of abiraterone in patients with metastatic CRPC, after repeated dosing of abiraterone acetate were similar when abiraterone acetate was taken with low–fat meals for 7 days and increased approximately 2–fold when taken with high–fat meals for 7 days compared to when taken at least 2 hours after a meal and at least 1 hour before a meal for 7 days.
Given the normal variation in the content and composition of meals, taking ZYTIGA with meals has the potential to result in increased and highly variable exposures.
Distribution
Abiraterone is highly bound (>99%) to the human plasma proteins, albumin and alpha–1 acid glycoprotein. The apparent steady–state volume of distribution (mean ± SD) is 19,669 ± 13,358 L.
Elimination
In patients with metastatic CRPC, the mean terminal half–life of abiraterone in plasma (mean ± SD) is 12 ± 5 hours.
Metabolism
Following oral administration of 14C–abiraterone acetate as capsules, abiraterone acetate is hydrolyzed to abiraterone (active metabolite). The conversion is likely through esterase activity (the esterases have not been identified) and is not CYP mediated. The two main circulating metabolites of abiraterone in human plasma are abiraterone sulphate (inactive) and N–oxide abiraterone sulphate (inactive), which account for about 43% of exposure each. CYP3A4 and SULT2A1 are the enzymes involved in the formation of N–oxide abiraterone sulphate and SULT2A1 is involved in the formation of abiraterone sulphate.
Excretion
Following oral administration of 14C–abiraterone acetate, approximately 88% of the radioactive dose is recovered in feces and approximately 5% in urine. The major compounds present in feces are unchanged abiraterone acetate and abiraterone (approximately 55% and 22% of the administered dose, respectively).
Specific Populations
Patients With Hepatic Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of abiraterone was examined in subjects with baseline mild (N=8) or moderate (N=8) hepatic impairment (Child–Pugh Class A and B, respectively) and in 8 healthy control subjects with normal hepatic function. Systemic exposure to abiraterone after a single oral 1,000 mg dose given under fasting conditions increased approximately 1.1–fold and 3.6–fold in subjects with mild and moderate baseline hepatic impairment, respectively. The mean half–life of abiraterone is prolonged to approximately 18 hours in subjects with mild hepatic impairment and to approximately 19 hours in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment.
In another trial, the pharmacokinetics of abiraterone were examined in subjects with baseline severe (N=8) hepatic impairment (Child–Pugh Class C) and in 8 healthy control subjects with normal hepatic function. The systemic exposure (AUC) of abiraterone increased by approximately 7–fold in subjects with severe baseline hepatic impairment compared to subjects with normal hepatic function. In addition, the mean protein binding was found to be lower in the severe hepatic impairment group compared to the normal hepatic function group, which resulted in a two–fold increase in the fraction of free drug in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Patients With Renal Impairment
The pharmacokinetics of abiraterone were examined in patients with end–stage renal disease (ESRD) on a stable hemodialysis schedule (N=8) and in matched control subjects with normal renal function (N=8). In the ESRD cohort of the trial, a single 1,000 mg ZYTIGA dose was given under fasting conditions 1 hour after dialysis, and samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected up to 96 hours post dose. Systemic exposure to abiraterone after a single oral 1,000 mg dose did not increase in subjects with end–stage renal disease on dialysis, compared to subjects with normal renal function.
Drug Interaction Studies
Clinical Studies
Effect of Other Drugs on ZYTIGA
Strong CYP3A4 inducers: In a clinical pharmacokinetic interaction study of healthy subjects pretreated with a strong CYP3A4 inducer (rifampin, 600 mg daily for 6 days) followed by a single dose of abiraterone acetate 1,000 mg, the mean plasma AUC∞ of abiraterone was decreased by 55%.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Co–administration of ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of abiraterone.
Effect of ZYTIGA on Other Drugs
CYP2D6 substrates: The Cmax and AUC of dextromethorphan (CYP2D6 substrate) were increased 2.8–and 2.9–fold, respectively when dextromethorphan 30 mg was given with abiraterone acetate 1,000 mg daily (plus prednisone 5 mg twice daily). The AUC for dextrorphan, the active metabolite of dextromethorphan, increased approximately 1.3 fold.
CYP1A2 substrates: When abiraterone acetate 1,000 mg daily (plus prednisone 5 mg twice daily) was given with a single dose of 100 mg theophylline (CYP1A2 substrate), no increase in systemic exposure of theophylline was observed.
CYP2C8 substrates: The AUC of pioglitazone (CYP2C8 substrate) was increased by 46% when pioglitazone was given to healthy subjects with a single dose of 1,000 mg abiraterone acetate.
In Vitro Studies
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes: Abiraterone is a substrate of CYP3A4 and has the potential to inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C8 and to a lesser extent CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4/5.
Transporter Systems: In vitro studies show that at clinically relevant concentrations, abiraterone acetate and abiraterone are not substrates of P–glycoprotein (P–gp) and that abiraterone acetate is an inhibitor of P–gp. In vitro, abiraterone and its major metabolites were shown to inhibit the hepatic uptake transporter OATP1B1. There are no clinical data available to confirm transporter based interaction.
Animal Toxicology And/Or Pharmacology
A dose–dependent increase in cataracts was observed in rats after daily oral abiraterone acetate administration for 26 weeks starting at ≥50 mg/kg/day (similar to the human clinical exposure based on AUC). In a 39–week monkey study with daily oral abiraterone acetate administration, no cataracts were observed at higher doses (2 times greater than the clinical exposure based on AUC).
Clinical Studies
The efficacy and safety of ZYTIGA with prednisone was established in three randomized placebo–controlled international clinical studies. All patients in these studies received a GnRH analog or had prior bilateral orchiectomy. Patients with prior ketoconazole treatment for prostate cancer and a history of adrenal gland or pituitary disorders were excluded from these trials. Concurrent use of spironolactone was not allowed during the study period.
COU–AA–301
Patients With Metastatic CRPC Who Had Received Prior Docetaxel Chemotherapy
In COU–AA–301 (NCT00638690), a total of 1195 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either ZYTIGA orally at a dose of 1,000 mg once daily in combination with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily (N=797) or placebo once daily plus prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily (N=398). Patients randomized to either arm were to continue treatment until disease progression (defined as a 25% increase in PSA over the patient’s baseline/nadir together with protocol–defined radiographic progression and symptomatic or clinical progression), initiation of new treatment, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal.
The following patient demographics and baseline disease characteristics were balanced between the treatment arms. The median age was 69 years (range 39–95) and the racial distribution was 93% Caucasian, 3.6% Black, 1.7% Asian, and 1.6% Other. Eighty–nine percent of patients enrolled had an ECOG performance status score of 0–1 and 45% had a Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form score of ≥4 (patient’s reported worst pain over the previous 24 hours). Ninety percent of patients had metastases in bone and 30% had visceral involvement. Seventy percent of patients had radiographic evidence of disease progression and 30% had PSA–only progression. Seventy percent of patients had previously received one cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen and 30% received two regimens.
The protocol pre–specified interim analysis was conducted after 552 deaths and showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) in patients treated with ZYTIGA with prednisone compared to patients in the placebo with prednisone arm (Table 9 and Figure 1). An updated survival analysis was conducted when 775 deaths (97% of the planned number of deaths for final analysis) were observed. Results from this analysis were consistent with those from the interim analysis (Table 7).
Table 7: Overall Survival of Patients Treated with Either ZYTIGA or Placebo in Combination with Prednisone in COU–AA–301 (Intent–to–Treat Analysis)
|
ZYTIGA with Prednisone
(N=797) |
|
Placebo with Prednisone
(N=398) |
| Primary Survival Analysis |
| Deaths (%) |
333 (42%) |
|
219 (55%) |
| Median survival (months) |
14.8
(14.1, 15.4) |
|
10.9
(10.2, 12.0) |
| (95% CI) |
|
|
|
| p–value1 |
|
<0.0001 |
|
| Hazard ratio (95% CI)2 |
|
0.646
(0.543, 0.768) |
|
| Updated Survival Analysis |
| Deaths (%) |
501 (63%) |
|
274 (69%) |
| Median survival (months) |
15.8
(14.8, 17.0) |
|
11.2
(10.4, 13.1) |
| (95% CI) |
|
|
|
| Hazard ratio (95% CI)2 |
|
0.740
(0.638, 0.859) |
|
1 p–value is derived from a log–rank test stratified by ECOG performance status score (0–1 vs. 2), pain score (absent vs. present), number of prior chemotherapy regimens (1 vs. 2), and type of disease progression (PSA only vs. radiographic).
2 Hazard Ratio is derived from a stratified proportional hazards model. Hazard ratio <1 favors ZYTIGA with prednisone. |
Figure 1: Kaplan–Meier Overall Survival Curves in COU–AA–301 (Intent–to–Treat Analysis)
COU–AA–302
Patients With Metastatic CRPC Who Had Not Received Prior Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
In COU–AA–302 (NCT00887198), 1088 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either ZYTIGA orally at a dose of 1,000 mg once daily (N=546) or Placebo orally once daily (N=542). Both arms were given concomitant prednisone 5 mg twice daily. Patients continued treatment until radiographic or clinical (cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation or surgical treatment for cancer, pain requiring chronic opioids, or ECOG performance status decline to 3 or more) disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal. Patients with moderate or severe pain, opiate use for cancer pain, or visceral organ metastases were excluded.
Patient demographics were balanced between the treatment arms. The median age was 70 years. The racial distribution of patients treated with ZYTIGA was 95% Caucasian, 2.8% Black, 0.7% Asian and 1.1% Other. The ECOG performance status was 0 for 76% of patients, and 1 for 24% of patients. Co–primary efficacy endpoints were overall survival and radiographic progression–free survival (rPFS). Baseline pain assessment was 0–1 (asymptomatic) in 66% of patients and 2–3 (mildly symptomatic) in 26% of patients as defined by the Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form (worst pain over the last 24 hours).
Radiographic progression–free survival was assessed with the use of sequential imaging studies and was defined by bone scan identification of 2 or more new bone lesions with confirmation (Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria) and/or modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria for progression of soft tissue lesions. Analysis of rPFS utilized centrally–reviewed radiographic assessment of progression.
The planned final analysis for OS, conducted after 741 deaths (median follow up of 49 months) demonstrated a statistically significant OS improvement in patients treated with ZYTIGA with prednisone compared to those treated with placebo with prednisone (Table 8 and Figure 2). Sixty–five percent of patients on the ZYTIGA arm and 78% of patients on the placebo arm used subsequent therapies that may prolong OS in metastatic CRPC. ZYTIGA was used as a subsequent therapy in 13% of patients on the ZYTIGA arm and 44% of patients on the placebo arm.
Table 8: Overall Survival of Patients Treated with Either ZYTIGA or Placebo in Combination with Prednisone in COU–AA–302 (Intent–to–Treat Analysis)
|
ZYTIGA with Prednisone
(N=546) |
|
Placebo with Prednisone
(N=542) |
| Overall Survival |
| Deaths |
354 (65%) |
|
387 (71%) |
| Median survival (months) (95% CI) |
34.7
(32.7, 36.8) |
|
30.3
(28.7, 33.3) |
| p–value1 |
|
0.0033 |
|
| Hazard ratio2 (95% CI) |
|
0.81
(0.70, 0.93) |
|
1p–value is derived from a log–rank test stratified by ECOG performance status score (0 vs. 1).
2 Hazard Ratio is derived from a stratified proportional hazards model. Hazard ratio <1 favors ZYTIGA with prednisone. |
Figure 2: Kaplan Meier Overall Survival Curves in COU–AA–302
At the pre–specified rPFS analysis, 150 (28%) patients treated with ZYTIGA with prednisone and 251 (46%) patients treated with placebo with prednisone had radiographic progression. A significant difference in rPFS between treatment groups was observed (Table 9 and Figure 3).
Table 9: Radiographic Progression–free Survival of Patients Treated with Either ZYTIGA or Placebo
|
ZYTIGA with Prednisone
(N=546) |
|
Placebo with Prednisone
(N=542) |
| Radiographic Progression–free Survival |
| Progression or death |
150 (28%) |
|
251 (46%) |
| Median rPFS (months) |
NR |
|
8.28 |
| (95% CI) |
(11.66, NR) |
|
(8.12, 8.54) |
| p–value1 |
|
<0.0001 |
|
| Hazard ratio2 (95% CI) |
|
0.425
(0.347, 0.522) |
|
1p–value is derived from a log–rank test stratified by ECOG performance status score (0 vs. 1).
2 Hazard Ratio is derived from a stratified proportional hazards model. Hazard ratio <1 favors ZYTIGA with prednisone. |
Figure 3: Kaplan Meier Curves of Radiographic Progression–free Survival in COU–AA–302 (Intent–to–Treat Analysis)
The primary efficacy analyses are supported by the following prospectively defined endpoints. The median time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy was 25.2 months for patients in the ZYTIGA arm and 16.8 months for patients in the placebo arm (HR=0.580; 95% CI: [0.487, 0.691], p < 0.0001).
The median time to opiate use for prostate cancer pain was not reached for patients receiving ZYTIGA and was 23.7 months for patients receiving placebo (HR=0.686; 95% CI: [0.566, 0.833], p=0.0001). The time to opiate use result was supported by a delay in patient reported pain progression favoring the ZYTIGA arm.
LATITUDE
Patients With Metastatic High–Risk CSPC
In LATITUDE (NCT01715285), 1199 patients with metastatic high–risk CSPC were randomized 1:1 to receive either ZYTIGA orally at a dose of 1,000 mg once daily with prednisone 5 mg once daily (N=597) or placebos orally once daily (N=602). High–risk disease was defined as having at least two of three risk factors at baseline: a total Gleason score of ≥8, presence of ≥3 lesions on bone scan, and evidence of measurable visceral metastases. Patients with significant cardiac, adrenal, or hepatic dysfunction were excluded. Patients continued treatment until radiographic or clinical disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal or death. Clinical progression was defined as the need for cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation or surgical treatment for cancer, pain requiring chronic opioids, or ECOG performance status decline to ≥3.
Patient demographics were balanced between the treatment arms. The median age was 67 years among all randomized subjects. The racial distribution of patients treated with ZYTIGA was 69% Caucasian, 2.5% Black, 21% Asian, and 8.1% Other. The ECOG performance status was 0 for 55%, 1 for 42%, and 2 for 3.5% of patients. Baseline pain assessment was 0–1 (asymptomatic) in 50% of patients, 2–3 (mildly symptomatic) in 23% of patients, and ≥4 in 28% of patients as defined by the Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form (worst pain over the last 24 hours).
A major efficacy outcome was overall survival. The pre–specified interim analysis after 406 deaths showed a statistically significant improvement in OS in patients on ZYTIGA with prednisone compared to those on placebos. Twenty–one percent of patients on the ZYTIGA arm and 41% of patients on the placebos arm received subsequent therapies that may prolong OS in metastatic CRPC. An updated survival analysis was conducted when 618 deaths were observed. The median follow–up time was 52 months. Results from this analysis were consistent with those from the prespecified interim analysis (Table 10 and Figure 4). At the updated analysis, 29% of patients on the ZYTIGA arm and 45% of patients on the placebos arm received subsequent therapies that may prolong OS in metastatic CRPC.
Table 10: Overall Survival of Patients Treated with Either ZYTIGA or Placebos in LATITUDE
|
ZYTIGA with Prednisone
(N=597) |
|
Placebo with Prednisone
(N=602) |
| Overall Survival1 |
| Deaths (%) |
169 (28%) |
|
237 (39%) |
| Median survival (months) |
NE (NE, NE) |
|
34.7 (33.1, NE) |
| (95% CI) |
|
|
|
| p–value1 |
|
<0.0001 |
|
| Hazard ratio(95% CI)3 |
|
0.62 (0.51, 0.76) |
|
| Updated Overall Survival |
| Deaths (%) |
275 (46%) |
|
343 (57%) |
| Median survival (months) |
53.3 |
|
36.5 |
| (95% CI) |
(48.2, NE) |
|
(33.5, 40.0) |
| Hazard ratio (95% CI)3 |
|
0.66 (0.56, 0.78) |
|
NE=Not estimable
1 This is based on the pre–specified interim analysis
2 p value is from log–rank test stratified by ECOG PS score (0/1 or 2) and visceral (absent or present).
3 Hazard Ratio is derived from a stratified proportional hazards model. Hazard ratio <1 favors ZYTIGA with prednisone. |
Figure 4: Kaplan–Meier Plot of Overall Survival; Intent–to–treat Population in LATITUDE Updated Analysis
The major efficacy outcome was supported by a statistically significant delay in time to initiation of chemotherapy for patients in the ZYTIGA arm compared to those in the placebos arm. The median time to initiation of chemotherapy was not reached for patients on ZYTIGA with prednisone and was 38.9 months for patients on placebos (HR = 0.44; 95% CI: [0.35, 0.56], p < 0.0001).