Pharmacotherapeutic group: antihaemorrhagics.
ATC code: B02BX 05.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Eltrombopag differs from TPO with respect to the effects on platelet aggregation. Unlike TPO, eltrombopag treatment of normal human platelets does not enhance adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation or induce P-selectin expression. Eltrombopag does not antagonise platelet aggregation induced by ADP or collagen.
Mechanism of action: Eltrombopag olamine is an oral small molecule, and a thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) agonist. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the main cytokine involved in the regulation of megakaryopoiesis and platelet production, and is the endogenous ligand for the thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R). Eltrombopag interacts with the transmembrane domain of the human TPO-R, and initiates signaling cascades similar, but not identical, to that of endogenous thrombopoietin (TPO), inducing proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes and bone marrow progenitor cells.
Clinical trials: Chronic immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) studies: Adults: The safety and efficacy of REVOLADE have been demonstrated in two, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (TRA102537 RAISE and TRA100773B) and one open label study (EXTEND TRA105325) in adult patients with previously treated chronic ITP.
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Studies: RAISE (TRA102537): The primary efficacy endpoint was the odds of achieving a platelet count ≥ 50 x 10
9/L and ≤ 400 x 10
9/L, during the 6 month treatment period, for patients receiving REVOLADE relative to placebo. One hundred and ninety seven patients were randomized 2:1, REVOLADE (n=135) to placebo (n=62), and were stratified based upon splenectomy status, use of ITP medication at baseline and baseline platelet count. Patients received study medication for up to 6 months, during which time the dose of REVOLADE could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts. In addition, patients could have tapered off concomitant ITP medications and received rescue treatments as dictated by local standard of care.
The odds of achieving a platelet count between 50 x 10
9/L and 400 x 10
9/L during the 6 month treatment period were 8 times higher for REVOLADE treated patients than for placebo-treated patients (Odds Ratio: 8.2 [99 % Cl: 3.59, 18.73] p = < 0.001). Median platelet counts were maintained above 50 x 10
9/L at all on-therapy visits starting at Day 15 in the REVOLADE group; in contrast, median platelet counts in the placebo group remained below 30 x 10
9/L throughout the study.
At baseline, 77 % of patients in the placebo group and 73 % of patients in the REVOLADE group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4); clinically significant bleeding (WHO Grades 2-4) at baseline was reported in 28 % and 22 % of patients in the placebo and REVOLADE groups, respectively. The proportion of patients with any bleeding (Grades 1-4) and clinically significant bleeding (Grades 2-4) was reduced from baseline by approximately 50 % throughout the 6 month treatment period in REVOLADE-treated patients. When compared to the placebo group, the odds of any bleeding (Grades 1-4) and the odds of clinically significant bleeding (Grades 2-4) were 76 % and 65 % lower in the REVOLADE-treated patients compared to the placebo-treated patients (p < 0.001).
REVOLADE therapy allowed significantly more patients to reduce or discontinue baseline ITP therapies compared to placebo (59 % vs. 32 %; p < 0.016).
Significantly fewer REVOLADE-treated patients required rescue treatment compared to placebo-treated patients [18 % vs. 40 %; p = 0.001].
Four placebo and 14 REVOLADE patients had at least 1 haemostatic challenge (defined as an invasive diagnostic or surgical procedure) during the study. Fewer REVOLADE-treated patients (29 %) required rescue treatment to manage their haemostatic challenge, compared to placebo-treated patients (50 %).
In terms of improvements in health related quality of life, statistically significant improvements from baseline were observed in the REVOLADE group in fatigue, including severity and impact on thrombocytopenia-impacted daily activities and concerns [as measured by the vitality subscale of the SF36, the motivation and energy inventory, and the 6-item extract from the thrombocytopenia subscale of the FACIT-Th]. Comparing the REVOLADE group to the placebo group, statistically significant improvements were observed with thrombocytopenia impacted activities and concerns specifically regarding motivation, energy and fatigue, as well as physical and emotional role and overall mental health. The odds of meaningful improvement in health related quality of life while on therapy were significantly greater among patients treated with REVOLADE than placebo.
TRA100773B: In TRA100773B, the primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of responders, defined as patients who had an increase in platelet counts to ≥ 50 x 10
9/L at Day 43 from a baseline < 30 x 10
9/L; patients who withdrew prematurely due to a platelet count > 200 x 10
9/L were considered responders, those discontinued for any other reason were considered non-responders irrespective of platelet count. A total of 114 patients with previously treated chronic ITP were randomised 2:1, with 76 randomised to REVOLADE and 38 randomized to placebo.
Fifty-nine percent of patients on REVOLADE responded, compared to 16 % of patients on placebo. The odds of responding were 9 times higher for REVOLADE treated patients compared to placebo (Odds Ratio: 9.6 [95 % Cl: 3.31, 27.86] p < 0.001). At baseline, 61 % of patients in the REVOLADE group and 66 % of patients in the placebo group reported any bleeding (Grade 1-4). At Day 43, 39 % of patients in the REVOLADE treatment group had bleeding compared with 60 % in the placebo group. Analysis over the treatment period using a repeated measures model for binary data confirmed that a lower proportion of REVOLADE patients had bleeding (Grade 1-4) at any point in time over the course of their treatment (Day 8 up to Day 43) compared to patients in the placebo group (OR=0.49, 95 % CI=[0.26,0.89], p = 0.021). Two placebo and one REVOLADE patient had at least one haemostatic challenge during the study.
In both RAISE (TRA102537) and TRA100773B, the response to REVOLADE relative to placebo was similar irrespective of ITP medication use, splenectomy status and baseline platelet count (≤ 15 x 10
9/L, > 15 x 10
9/L) at randomization.
Open Label Studies: EXTEND (TRA105325): EXTEND is an open label extension study which has evaluated the safety and efficacy of REVOLADE in patients with chronic ITP who were previously enrolled in a REVOLADE study. In this study, patients were permitted to modify their dose of study medication as well as decrease or eliminate concomitant ITP medications.
REVOLADE was administered to 207 ITP patients; 104 completed 3 months of treatment, 74 completed 6 months, and 27 completed 1 year of therapy. The median baseline platelet count was 18 x 10
9/L prior to REVOLADE administration. REVOLADE increased median platelet counts to ≥ 50 x 10
9/L at the majority of the post-baseline visits on the study. The median platelet count post-baseline increased to ≥ 50 x 10
9/L beginning at the second week on study and remained elevated until the end of the observation period presented (i.e. 55 weeks), with the exception of weeks 29, 33, and 45, where the median platelet counts was 44 x 10
9/L, 43 x 10
9/L, and 42 x 10
9/L respectively. Just over half of the patients (51 %) experienced ≥ 4 weeks of continuous elevation of platelets ≥ 50 x 10
9/L and 2 x baseline while receiving REVOLADE.
At baseline, 59 % of patients had any bleeding (WHO Bleeding Grades 1-4) and 18 % had clinically significant bleeding (WHO Bleeding Grades 2 indicating clinically significant bleeding). By weeks 24, 36 and 48, 26 %, 8 % and 33 % of patients, respectively, had any bleeding and 9 %, 4 % and 25 % of patients, respectively, had clinically significant bleeding. The apparent increase in proportion of patients with clinically significant bleeding at week 48 in comparison to baseline may be due to few patients having assessments by week 48.
Seventy percent of patients who reduced a baseline medication permanently discontinued or had a sustained reduction of their baseline ITP medication and did not require any subsequent rescue treatment. Sixty-five percent of these patients maintained this discontinuation or reduction for at least 24 weeks. Sixty-one percent of patients completely discontinued at least one baseline ITP medication, and 55 % of patients permanently discontinued all baseline ITP medications, without subsequent rescue treatment.
Twenty-four patients experienced at least one haemostatic challenge during the study. No patient experienced unexpected bleeding complications related to the procedure while on study.
Paediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years): The safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in paediatric patients with previously treated chronic ITP have been demonstrated in two studies.
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Studies: TRA115450 (PETIT 2): The primary endpoint was a sustained response, defined as the proportion of patients receiving eltrombopag, compared to placebo, achieving platelet counts ≥ 50 x 10
9/L for at least 6 out of 8 weeks (in the absence of rescue therapy), between Weeks 5 to 12 during the double-blind randomised period. Patients were refractory or relapsed to at least one prior ITP therapy, or unable to continue other ITP treatments for a medical reason, and had platelet count < 30 x 10
9/L. Ninety-two patients were randomised by three age cohort strata (2:1) to eltrombopag (n = 63) or placebo (n = 29). The dose of eltrombopag could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts.
Overall, a significantly greater proportion of eltrombopag patients (40 %) compared with placebo patients (3 %) achieved the primary endpoint (Odds Ratio:18.0 [95 % CI: 2.3, 140.9], p < 0.001) which was similar across the three age cohorts (see Table 1).
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A significantly greater proportion of patients treated with eltrombopag (75 %) compared with placebo (21 %) had a platelet response (at least one platelet count > 50 x 10
9/L during the first 12 weeks of randomised treatment in absence of rescue therapy) (Odds Ratio: 11.7, [95 % CI: 4.0, 34.5], p < 0.001).
Baseline platelet count was evaluated for effect on the primary endpoint. The majority of patients in the study population (57/91, 62.6 %) had a baseline platelet count ≤ 15 x 10
9/L. In subgroups defined by baseline platelet count ≤ 15 x 10
9/L and >15 x 10
9/L, response rates were 29 % (11/38) and 54 % (13/24) respectively in the eltrombopag treatment group.
The proportion of patients who responded to eltrombopag in the open-label 24-week period (80 %) was similar to that observed during the randomized portion of the study.
Statistically fewer eltrombopag patients required rescue treatment during the randomised period compared to placebo patients (19 % [12/63] vs. 24 % [7/29], p = 0.032).
At baseline, 71 % of patients in the eltrombopag group and 69 % in the placebo group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4). At Week 12, the proportion of eltrombopag patients reporting any bleeding was decreased to half of baseline (36 %). In comparison, at Week 12, 55 % of placebo patients reported any bleeding.
Patients were permitted to reduce or discontinue baseline ITP therapy only during the open-label phase of the study and 53 % (8/15) of patients were able to reduce (n = 1) or discontinue (n = 7) baseline ITP therapy, mainly corticosteroids, without needing rescue therapy.
TRA108062 (PETIT): The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving platelet counts ≥ 50 x 10
9/L at least once between Weeks 1 and 6 of the randomised period. Patients were refractory or relapsed to at least one prior ITP therapy with a platelet count <30 x 10
9/L (n = 67). During the randomised period of the study, patients were randomised by 3 age cohort strata (2:1) to eltrombopag (n = 45) or placebo (n = 22). The dose of eltrombopag could be adjusted based on individual platelet counts.
Overall, a significantly greater proportion of eltrombopag patients (62 %) compared with placebo patients (32 %) met the primary endpoint (Odds Ratio: 4.3 [95 % CI: 1.4, 13.3] p = 0.011). Table 2 shows platelet response across the three age cohorts. (See Table 2.)
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A significantly greater proportion of patients treated with eltrombopag (36 %) compared with placebo (0 %) had a platelet response (platelet counts > 50 x 10
9/L for at least 60 % of assessments between Weeks 2 and 6) (Odds Ratio: 5.8, [95 % CI: 1.2, 28.9], p = 0.002).
Statistically fewer eltrombopag-treated patients required rescue treatment during the randomised period compared to placebo treated patients (13 % [6/45] vs. 50 % [11/22], p = 0.002).
At baseline, 82 % of patients in the eltrombopag group and 78 % in the placebo group reported any bleeding (WHO Grades 1-4). The proportion of eltrombopag patients reporting any bleeding decreased to 22 % at Week 6. In comparison, 73% of placebo patients reported any bleeding at Week 6.
Patients were permitted to reduce or discontinue baseline ITP therapy only during the open-label phase of the study and 46 % (6/13) of patients were able to reduce (n = 3) or discontinue (n = 3) baseline ITP therapy, mainly corticosteroids, without needing rescue therapy.
Long-term use (greater than nine months) of REVOLADE has not been studied in paediatric patients.
Chronic hepatitis C associated thrombocytopenia studies: Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Studies: The efficacy and safety of REVOLADE for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with HCV infection were evaluated in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre studies (TPL103922 ENABLE 1 and TPL108390 ENABLE 2).
ENABLE 1 utilised peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for antiviral treatment and ENABLE 2 utilised peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin. In both studies, patients with a platelet count of < 75 x 10
9/L were enrolled and stratified by platelet count (< 50 x 10
9/L and ≥ 50 x 10
9/L to < 75 x 10
9/L), screening HCV RNA (< 8 x 10
5 IU/mL and ≥ 8 x 10
5 IU/mL), and HCV genotype (genotype 2/3, and genotype 1/4/6).
The studies consisted of two phases: a pre-antiviral treatment phase and an antiviral treatment phase. In the pre-antiviral treatment phase, patients received open-label REVOLADE to increase the platelet count to ≥ 90 x 10
9/L for ENABLE 1 and ≥ 100 x 10
9/L for ENABLE 2. REVOLADE was administered at an initial dose of 25 mg once daily for 2 weeks and increased in 25 mg increments over 2 to 3 week periods to achieve the required platelet count for phase 2 of the study. The maximal time patients could receive open-label REVOLADE was 9 weeks. If sufficient platelet counts were achieved, patients were randomized (2:1) to the same dose of REVOLADE at the end of the pre-treatment phase or to placebo. REVOLADE was administered in combination with antiviral treatment per their respective product information for up to 48 weeks.
The primary efficacy endpoint for both studies was sustained virological response (SVR), defined as the percentage of patients with no detectable HCV-RNA at 24 weeks after completion of the planned treatment period. Approximately 70 % of patients were genotype 1/4/6 and 30 % were genotype 2/3. Approximately 30 % of patients had been treated with prior HCV therapies, primarily pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The median baseline platelet counts (approximately 60 x 10
9/L) were similar among all treatment groups. The median time to achieve the target platelet count ≥ 90 x 10
9/L was 2 weeks. The median time to achieve the target platelet count ≥ 90 x 10
9/L (ENABLE 1) or ≥ 100 x 10
9/L (ENABLE 2) was 2 weeks.
In both HCV studies, a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with REVOLADE achieved SVR compared to those treated with placebo (see Table 3). Significantly fewer patients treated with REVOLADE had any antiviral dose reductions compared to placebo. The proportion of patients with no antiviral dose reductions was 45 % for REVOLADE compared to 27 % for placebo. Significantly fewer patients treated with REVOLADE prematurely discontinued antiviral therapy compared to placebo (45 % vs. 60 %, p < 0.0001). The majority of patients treated with REVOLADE (76 %) had minimum platelet counts that were ≥ 50 x 10
9/L compared to 19 % for placebo. A greater proportion of patients in the placebo group (20 %) had minimum platelet counts fall below 25 x 10
9/L during antiviral treatment compared to the REVOLADE group (3 %). In the REVOLADE group, SVR rates in patients with high viral loads (> 8 x 10
5 IU/mL) were 18 % as compared to 8 % in the placebo group. Significantly more patients reached the antiviral milestones of early virologic response (EVR), complete early virologic response (cEVR), end of treatment response (ETR) and sustained virologic response at 12-week follow-up (SVR12) when treated with REVOLADE. (See Table 3.)
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Definitive immunosuppressive therapy-naive severe aplastic anaemia study: CETB115AUS01T: REVOLADE in combination with horse antithymocyte globulin (h-ATG) and ciclosporin was investigated in a single-arm, single-centre, open-label, sequential cohort study in patients with severe aplastic anaemia who had not received prior definitive immunosuppressive therapy (i.e., ATG therapy, alemtuzumab, or high dose cyclophosphamide). The multiple cohorts differed by treatment start day and duration of REVOLADE treatment and the initiation of low dose of ciclosporin (maintenance dose) for patients who achieved a hematologic response at 6 months. A total of 153 patients received REVOLADE in sequential cohorts: REVOLADE on Day 14 to Month 6 (D14-M6) plus h-ATG and ciclosporin (Cohort 1 regimen, n=30).
REVOLADE on Day 14 to Month 3 (D14-M3) plus h-ATG and ciclosporin (Cohort 2 regimen, n=31), with half of the patients eligible to receive low dose of ciclosporin (maintenance dose) if they achieved a hematologic response at 6 months.
REVOLADE on Day 1 to Month 6 (D1-M6) plus h-ATG and ciclosporin (Cohort 3 regimen, n=92), with all patients eligible to receive low dose of ciclosporin (maintenance dose) if they achieved a hematologic response at 6 months.
The starting dose of REVOLADE for adults and paediatric patients aged 12 to 17 years was 150 mg once daily (a reduced dose of 75 mg was administered for East and Southeast Asians), 75 mg once daily for patients aged 6 to 11 years (a reduced dose of 37.5 mg was administered for East and Southeast Asians), and 2.5 mg/kg once daily for patients aged 2 to 5 years (a reduced dose of 1.25 mg/kg was administered for East and Southeast Asians). The dose of REVOLADE was reduced if the platelet count exceeded 200 x 10
9/L and interrupted and reduced if it exceeded 400 x 10
9/L.
All patients received h-ATG 40 mg/kg/day on Days 1 to 4 of the 6-month treatment period and a total daily dose of 6 mg/kg/day of ciclosporin for 6 months in patients aged 12 years and older or a total daily dose of 12 mg/kg/day for 6 months in patients aged 2 to 11 years. A 2 mg/kg/day maintenance dose of ciclosporin was administered for an additional 18 months to 15 patients who achieved a hematologic response at 6 months in the REVOLADE D14-M3 cohort and all patients who achieved a hematologic response at 6 months in the REVOLADE D1-M6 cohort.
Data from the recommended schedule of REVOLADE on Day 1 to Month 6 (D1-M6) in combination with h-ATG and ciclosporin (Cohort 3 regimen) are presented as follows. This cohort had the highest complete response rates.
In the REVOLADE D1-M6 cohort, the median age was 28.0 years (range 5 to 82 years) with 16.3% and 28.3% of patients ≥65 years of age and <18 years of age, respectively. 45.7% of patients were male and the majority of patients were White (62.0%).
The efficacy of REVOLADE in combination with h-ATG and ciclosporin was established on the basis of complete haematological response at 6 months. A complete response was defined as haematological parameters meeting all 3 of the following values on 2 consecutive serial blood count measurements at least one week apart: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >1 x 10
9/L, platelet count >100 x 10
9/L and haemoglobin >10 /L. A partial response was defined as blood counts no longer meeting the standard criteria for severe pancytopenia in severe aplastic anaemia equivalent to 2 of the following values on 2 consecutive serial blood count measurements at least one week apart: ANC > 0.5 x 10
9/L, platelet count > 20 x 10
9/L, or reticulocyte count > 60 x 10
9/L. (See Table 4.)
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The overall and complete haematological response rates at Year 1 (N=78) are 56.4% and 38.5% and at Year 2 (N=62) are 38.7% and 30.6%, respectively.
Paediatric patients: Thirty-seven patients aged 2 to 17 years were enrolled in the single-arm, sequential-cohort study. Of the 36 patients who reached the 6-month assessment point or withdrew earlier, the complete response rate at 6 months was 30.6 % (0/2 in patients aged 2 to 5 years, 1/12 in patients aged 6 to 11 years, and 10/22 in patients aged 12 to 17 years) and the overall response rate at 6 months was 72.2% (2/2 in patients aged 2 to 5 years, 7/12 in patients aged 6 to 11 years, and 17/22 in patients aged 12 to 17 years). Out of 25 evaluable patients in the REVOLADE D1-M6 cohort, the complete response rate at 6 months was 28.0 % (7/25) and the overall response rate at 6 months was 68.0 % (17/25).
Refractory Severe Aplastic Anaemia: CETB115AUS28T: REVOLADE was studied in a single-arm, single-centre open-label study (ELT112523) in 43 patients with severe aplastic anaemia who had an insufficient response to at least one prior immunosuppressive therapy, and had a platelet count ≤ 30 x 10
9/L (see Table 4). REVOLADE was administered at an initial dose of 50 mg once daily for 2 weeks and increased over 2 week periods up to a maximum dose of 150 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was haematological response assessed after 12 weeks of REVOLADE treatment.
Haematological response was defined as meeting one or more of the following criteria: 1) platelet count increases to 20 x 10
9/L above baseline or stable platelet counts with transfusion independence for a minimum of 8 weeks; 2) haemoglobin increase by > 15 g/L, or a reduction in ≥ 4 units of RBC transfusions for 8 consecutive weeks, compared to the number of transfusions in the 8 weeks pre-treatment; 3) absolute neutrophil count (ANC) increase of 100 % or an ANC increase > 0.5 x 10
9/L. (See Table 5.)
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REVOLADE was discontinued after 16 weeks if no haematological response or transfusion independence was observed. Patients who responded continued therapy in an extension phase of the study.
The treated population had a median age of 45 years (range 17 to 77 years) and 56 % of patients were male. At baseline the median platelet count was 20 x 10
9/L, haemoglobin was 84 g/L, and ANC was 0.58 x 10
9/L. The prior immunosuppressive history of these patients is given in Table 5. The majority of patients (84 %) had received at least 2 prior immunosuppressive therapies. Three patients had cytogenetic abnormalities at baseline (see Cytogenetic abnormalities under Precautions).
At baseline, 91 % (39/43) and 86 % (37/43) of patients were platelet and RBC transfusion dependent respectively. Of these, 59 % (23/39) became platelet transfusion independent (28 days without platelet transfusion) and 27 % (10/37) became RBC transfusion independent (56 days without RBC transfusion) while being treated with REVOLADE.
The haematological response rate was 40 % (17/43 patients; 95 % CI 25, 56). In the 17 responders, the platelet transfusion-free period ranged from 8 to 1,190 days with a median of 287 days, and the RBC transfusion-free period ranged from 15 to 1,190 days with a median of 266 days. No major differences were observed in responses between cohorts regarding the number of prior ISTs received.
In the extension phase, 9 patients achieved a multi-lineage response; 5 of these patients subsequently tapered off of treatment with REVOLADE and maintained the response (median follow up: 20.6 months, range: 5.7 to 22.5 months).
Pharmacokinetics: The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of eltrombopag after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with ITP are shown in Table 6. Plasma eltrombopag concentration-time data collected in 590 patients with HCV enrolled in Phase III studies TPL103922/ ENABLE 1 and TPL108390/ ENABLE 2 were combined with data from patients with HCV enrolled in the Phase II study TPL102357 and healthy adult patients in a population PK analysis. (See Table 6.)
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Plasma eltrombopag C
max and AUC
(0-τ) estimates for patients with HCV enrolled in Phase III studies TPL103922 (ENABLE 1) and TPL108390 (ENABLE 2) are presented for each dose studied in Table 7. A higher eltrombopag exposure was observed in patients with HCV at a given eltrombopag dose. (See Table 7.)
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The pharmacokinetic parameters of eltrombopag after administration of REVOLADE 150 mg once daily 45 patients with definitive immunosuppressive therapy-naïve severe aplastic anaemia are shown in Table 8. (See Table 8.)
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Special Patient Populations: Renal Impairment: The PK of eltrombopag has been studied after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with renal impairment. Following administration of a single 50 mg-dose, the AUC
0-∞ of eltrombopag was decreased by 32 % (90 % CI: 63 % decrease, 26 % increase) in patients with mild renal impairment, 36 % (90 % CI: 66 % decrease, 19 % increase) in patients with moderate renal impairment, and 60 % (90 % CI: 18 % decrease, 80 % decrease) in patients with severe renal impairment compared with healthy volunteers. There was a trend for reduced plasma eltrombopag exposure in patients with renal impairment, but there was substantial variability and significant overlap in exposures between patients with renal impairment and healthy volunteers. Patients with impaired renal function should use eltrombopag with caution and close monitoring (see Precautions).
Hepatic Impairment: The PK of eltrombopag has been studied after administration of eltrombopag to adult patients with liver cirrhosis (hepatic impairment). Following the administration of a single 50 mg dose, the AUC
0-∞ of eltrombopag was increased by 41 % (90 % CI: 13 % decrease, 128 % increase) in patients with mild hepatic impairment, 93 % (90 % CI: 19 %, 213 %) in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, and 80 % (90 % CI: 11 %, 192 %) in patients with severe hepatic impairment compared with healthy volunteers. There was substantial variability and significant overlap in exposures between patients with hepatic impairment and healthy volunteers.
ITP patients with liver cirrhosis (hepatic impairment) (Child-Pugh score ≥ 5), should use eltrombopag with caution and close monitoring (see Precautions). For patients with chronic ITP and with mild, moderate and severe hepatic impairment, initiate eltrombopag at a reduced dose of 25 mg once daily (see Dosage & Administration).
The influence of hepatic impairment on the PK of eltrombopag following repeat administration was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 28 healthy adults and 714 patients with hepatic impairment (673 patients with HCV and 41 patients with chronic liver disease of other aetiology). Of the 714 patients, 642 were with mild hepatic impairment, 67 with moderate hepatic impairment, and 2 with severe hepatic impairment. Compared to healthy volunteers, patients with mild hepatic impairment had approximately 111 % (95 % CI: 45 % to 283 %) higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) values and patients with moderate hepatic impairment had approximately 183% (95 % CI: 90 % to 459 %) higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) values.
A similar analysis was also conducted in 28 healthy adults and 635 patients with HCV. A majority of patients had Child-Pugh score of 5-6. Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, patients with HCV had higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) values as compared to healthy patients, and AUC
(0-τ) increased with increasing Child-Pugh score, HCV patients with mild hepatic impairment had approximately 100-144 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) compared with healthy patients. For patients with HCV initiate REVOLADE at a dose of 25 mg once daily (see Dosage & Administration).
Race: Immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP): The influence of East-Asian ethnicity on the PK of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 111 healthy adults (31 East-Asians) and 88 patients with ITP (18 East-Asians). Based on estimates from the population pharmacokinetic analysis, East-Asian ITP patients had approximately 87 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) values as compared to non-East-Asian patients who were predominantly Caucasian, without adjustment for body weight differences (see Dosage & Administration).
HCV-associated thrombocytopenia: The influence of East-/Southeast-Asian ethnicity on the PK of eltrombopag was also evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 635 patients with HCV (214 East-/Southeast-Asians). On average, East-/Southeast-Asian patients had approximately 55 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) values as compared to patients of other races who were predominantly Caucasian (see Dosage & Administration).
Gender: The influence of gender on the PK of eltrombopag was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis in 111 healthy adults (14 females) and 88 patients with ITP (57 females). Based on estimates from the population PK analysis, female ITP patients had approximately 50 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) as compared to male patients, without adjustment for body weight differences.
The influence of gender on eltrombopag PK was evaluated also using population pharmacokinetics analysis in 635 patients with HCV (260 females). Based on model estimates, female HCV patients had approximately 41 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) as compared to male patients.
Elderly Population: The age difference of eltrombopag PK was evaluated using population PK analysis in 28 healthy patients and 635 patients with HCV ranging from 19 to 74 years old. Based on model estimates, elderly (> 60 years) patients had approximately 36 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) as compared to younger patients (see Dosage & Administration).
Paediatric population (patients aged 1 to 17 years): The PK of eltrombopag have been evaluated in 168 paediatric ITP patients dosed once daily in two studies, TRA108062/PETIT and TRA115450/PETIT-2. Patients aged 1 to 5 years received the eltrombopag powder for oral suspension. Patients aged 6 to 17 years received the eltrombopag tablet. The PK parameters of eltrombopag in paediatric patients with ITP are shown in Table 9. Plasma eltrombopag apparent clearance following oral administration (CL/F) increased with increasing body weight. Approximately 43 % higher plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-τ) was observed in patients of East-/Southeast-Asian descent and 25 % higher AUC
(0-τ) was observed in female patients. The bioavailability of the powder for oral suspension in children was estimated as 29 % lower than the tablet. Age and/or formulation may be confounding factors in the analysis. (See Table 9.)
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Absorption: Eltrombopag is absorbed with a peak concentration occurring 2 to 6 hours after oral administration.
The absolute oral bioavailability of eltrombopag after administration to humans has not been established. Based on urinary excretion and metabolites eliminated in faeces, the oral absorption of drug-related material following administration of a single 75 mg eltrombopag solution dose was estimated to be at least 52 %.
In a relative bioavailability study in healthy adults, the eltrombopag powder for oral suspension delivered 22 % higher plasma AUC
(0-∞) than the tablet formulation. In a pooled analysis of data from paediatric ITP patients aged 1 to 17 years, the bioavailability of the powder for oral suspension in children was estimated as 29 % lower than the tablet. Patients aged 1-5 years received the powder for oral suspension and patients aged 6-17 years received the tablets, so age may be a confounding factor in this analysis.
Food & Chelation: Administration of eltrombopag concomitantly with antacids and other products containing polyvalent cations such as dairy products and mineral supplements significantly reduces eltrombopag exposure (see Dosage & Administration, and Effects of other drugs on REVOLADE and effects of REVOLADE on other drugs: Polyvalent Cations (Chelation) under Interactions).
The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of eltrombopag was studied in adults. Administration of a single 50 mg-dose of REVOLADE tablet with a standard high-calorie, high-fat breakfast that included dairy products reduced plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-∞) by 59 % (90 % CI: 54%, 64 %) and C
max by 65 % (90 % CI: 59 %, 70 %).
The administration of a single 25 mg dose of REVOLADE powder for oral suspension with a high-calcium, moderate fat and calorie meal reduced plasma eltrombopag AUC by 75% (90% CI: 71%, 88%) and C
max by 79% (90% CI: 76%, 82%).
The administration of a single 25 mg dose of REVOLADE powder for oral suspension 2 hours after the high-calcium meal reduced plasma eltrombopag AUC by 47% (90% CI: 40%, 53%) and C
max by 48% (90% CI: 40%, 54%).
The administration of a single 25 mg-dose of eltrombopag powder for oral suspension 2 hours before a high-calcium meal attenuated the effect, where plasma eltrombopag AUC
(0-∞) was decreased by 20% (90% CI: 9%, 29%) and C
max by 14% (90% CI: 2%, 25%). Food low in calcium (<50 mg calcium) including fruit, lean ham, beef and unfortified (no added calcium, magnesium, iron) fruit juice, unfortified soy milk, and unfortified grain did not significantly impact plasma eltrombopag exposure, regardless of calorie and fat content.
REVOLADE should be taken at a time away from food containing polyvalent cations, and preferably at the same time in relation to food (see Dosage & Administration).
Distribution: Eltrombopag is highly bound to human plasma proteins (> 99.9 %). Eltrombopag is a substrate for BCRP, but is not a substrate for P-glycoprotein or OATP1B1.
Metabolism: Eltrombopag is primarily metabolized through cleavage, oxidation and conjugation with glucuronic acid, glutathione, or cysteine. In a human radiolabel study, eltrombopag accounted for approximately 64 % of plasma radiocarbon AUC
0-∞. Minor metabolites, each accounting for < 10 % of the plasma radioactivity, arising from glucuronidation and oxidation were also detected. Based on a human study with radiolabel eltrombopag, it is estimated that approximately 20 % of a dose is metabolised by oxidation.
In vitro studies identified CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 as the isoenzymes responsible for oxidative metabolism, uridine diphosphoglucuronyl transferase UGT1A1 and UGT1A3 as the isozymes responsible for glucuronidation, and that bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal tract may be responsible for the cleavage pathways.
Excretion: Absorbed eltrombopag is extensively metabolised. The predominant route of eltrombopag excretion is via faeces (59 %) with 31 % of the dose found in the urine as metabolites. Unchanged parent compound (eltrombopag) is not detected in urine. Unchanged eltrombopag excreted in faeces accounts for approximately 20 % of the dose. The plasma elimination half-life of eltrombopag is approximately 21-32 hours in healthy patients, and 26-35 hours in ITP patients.
Toxicology: Preclinical Safety Data: Genotoxicity: Eltrombopag was not mutagenic in a bacterial mutation assay or clastogenic in two
in vivo assays in rats (micronucleus and unscheduled DNA synthesis, 8 times the human clinical exposure based on C
max, in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 5 times the human clinical exposure in HCV patients at 100 mg/day). In the
in vitro mouse lymphoma assay, eltrombopag was marginally positive (< 3-fold increase in mutation frequency). The clinical significance of the
in vitro finding remains unclear.
Carcinogenicity: Eltrombopag was not carcinogenic in mice at doses up to 75 mg/kg/day or in rats at doses up to 40 mg/kg/day (exposures greater than 3 times the anticipated clinical exposure based on plasma AUC in ITP patients at 75 mg/day and 2 times the human clinical exposure based on AUC in HCV at 100 mg/day). Eltrombopag activates TPO receptors on the surface of haematopoietic cells and has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of megakaryocytic leukaemia cells
in vitro. There is therefore a theoretical possibility that eltrombopag may increase the risk for haematologic malignancies.