Staquis

White to off-white ointment.
The medicinal product contains 2% crisaborole (w/w) in an ointment.
One gram of ointment contains 20 mg of crisaborole.
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: White Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Mono- and Di-glycerides, Paraffin, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Edetate Calcium Disodium.

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of action: Crisaborole is an anti-inflammatory benzoxaborole phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor that suppresses the secretion of certain cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5), and interferon gamma (IFNγ), and improves skin barrier function as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Crisaborole applied on atopic dermatitis lesions of patients reduces expression of atopic inflammation associated chemokines including CCL17, CCL18, and CCL22.
Clinical efficacy: Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled trials (Trials 1 and 2), which were identical in design, included a total of 1,522 subjects 2 to 79 years of age. Of these, 61.9% subjects were 2-11 years old, 24.4% of subjects were 12-17 years old, 13.3% of subjects were 18-64 years old, and 0.5% of subjects were 65 years of age or older; the number of subjects ≥18 years of age was limited. The treatable body surface area (BSA) ranged from 5% to 95% (mean = 18.3%, standard deviation [SD] = 17.8%; 9.6% of subjects had >40% treatable BSA); the trials did not include sufficient numbers of subjects with >40% treatable BSA to determine the safety and efficacy of STAQUIS in this subpopulation. At baseline (pooled study data), 38.5% of the subjects had an Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) of mild (2), and 61.5% had an ISGA of moderate (3), in the overall assessment of atopic dermatitis (erythema, induration/papulation, and oozing/crusting) on a severity scale of 0 to 4.
In both trials, subjects were randomized 2:1 to receive STAQUIS or vehicle applied twice daily for 28 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of subjects at Day 29 who achieved an ISGA of clear (0) or almost clear (1) with at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline, comparing twice daily STAQUIS-treated subjects to vehicle-treated subjects. In both trials, a statistically significantly greater percentage of subjects achieved this endpoint in the STAQUIS-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated group.
The secondary efficacy endpoints were the proportion of subjects at Day 29 with an ISGA of clear or almost clear and the time to achieve an ISGA of clear or almost clear with at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline.
The safety and efficacy of STAQUIS on sensitive skin areas (such as the face and neck) compared to non-sensitive skin areas (such as the arms and legs) were not separately assessed in the clinical trials.
Efficacy results from the two trials are summarized in Table 1. (See Table 1.)

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A log-rank test showed the twice daily STAQUIS-treated group had a statistically significantly earlier time to success in ISGA than the twice daily vehicle-treated group in both studies (p-values <0.001). (See Figure 1.)

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The pooled primary efficacy results by race category are summarized in Table 2. (See Table 2.)

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The pooled primary efficacy results by age category and baseline percent body surface area (%BSA) are summarized in Table 3. (See Table 3.)

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This primary endpoint analyses demonstrate overall the favorable treatment benefit of crisaborole compared to vehicle across the various age and %BSA subgroups. Some subgroups may have a less consistent trend of treatment response, but this is probably related to the small sample size of these subgroups and the larger variability observed.
In a multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial, 137 pediatric subjects aged 3 months to less than 2 years were treated with STAQUIS twice daily for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint of safety was evaluated through 4 weeks, with support from pharmacokinetic analyses showing similar drug exposure to older subjects. Efficacy was considered an exploratory objective in this study. At Baseline, 38.0% of the subjects had an ISGA of mild (2), and 61.3% had an ISGA of moderate (3). At Day 29, 30.2% of subjects achieved an ISGA of clear (0) or almost clear (1) with at least a 2-grade improvement. In addition, 47.3% of subjects had achieved an ISGA of clear or almost clear. Mean treatable percent BSA affected with atopic dermatitis decreased from 28.1% at Baseline to 12.4% at Day 29. The results on ISGA and treatable percent BSA were comparable to those observed among STAQUIS-treated subjects in Trials 1 and 2.
Maintenance therapy: One Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial (Trial 4) assessed the efficacy and safety of STAQUIS once daily over 52 weeks as maintenance treatment to reduce the incidence of flares in adult and pediatric patients (3 months to 17 years) with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, who responded to STAQUIS twice daily during open-label treatment of up to 8 weeks.
A total of 497 subjects, 5 months to 79 years of age, with a 2% to 90% treatable BSA, entered into an open-label period to receive STAQUIS twice daily for up to 8 weeks. At baseline, 66.2% of the subjects had an ISGA of moderate (3), and 33.6% had an ISGA of mild (2), in the overall assessment of atopic dermatitis (erythema, induration/papulation, and oozing/crusting) on a severity scale of 0 to 4.
Of the 497, a total of 270 subjects aged 5 months to 79 years, who achieved both ISGA success (score of clear [0] or almost clear [1] with a ≥2 grade improvement from baseline) and EASI50 response (at least 50% improvement from baseline in EASI scores) were randomized 1:1 into a double-blind maintenance period to receive STAQUIS once daily or vehicle for 52 weeks. At baseline in the maintenance period, 60.0% of the subjects had an ISGA of almost clear (1) and 38.5% had an ISGA of clear (0).
Efficacy was demonstrated by a statistically significant prolonged duration of flare-free days when comparing STAQUIS-treated subjects with vehicle-treated subjects (Table 4, Figure 2).
Secondary efficacy endpoints included the number of flare-free days and number of flares during the 52-week maintenance period. Subjects treated with STAQUIS once daily maintenance dose experienced more flare-free days and fewer flares than vehicle-treated subjects during the maintenance period (see Table 4 and Figure 2).

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QT study results: Results from a thorough QT study of STAQUIS applied to 60% BSA in healthy volunteers did not demonstrate QT prolongation. Although healthy volunteers had lower crisaborole concentrations compared to patients with atopic dermatitis, clinical studies of STAQUIS did not identify any cardiac effects including prolongation of QT interval.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: The pharmacokinetics (PK) of STAQUIS were investigated in 33 pediatric subjects 2 to 17 years of age with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and a mean ± standard deviation (SD) BSA involvement of 49±20% (range 27% to 92%). In this study, subjects applied approximately 3 mg/cm² of STAQUIS ointment (dose range was approximately 6 g to 30 g per application) twice daily for 8 days. Plasma concentrations were quantifiable in all subjects. The mean ± SD maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and area under the concentration time curve from 0 to 12 hours post dose (AUC_0-12) for crisaborole on Day 8 were 127±196 ng/mL and 949±1240 ng*h/mL, respectively. Systemic concentrations of crisaborole were at steady state by Day 8. Based on the ratios of AUC_0-12 between Day 8 and Day 1, the mean accumulation factor for crisaborole was 1.9. Systemic levels of crisaborole and its main metabolites were similar between age cohorts of 2 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 to 17 years.
Systemic exposure (C_max and AUC_0-12) of crisaborole and its main metabolites increased with increasing % BSA treated.
A separate PK study evaluated 18 subjects aged 3 months to <2 years of age. Following STAQUIS twice daily administration, large variations in plasma concentrations of crisaborole were observed, with 5 infants exhibiting more than 2-fold higher AUC compared to adults. Sampling methodology errors may have contributed to this result. When excluding values associated with potential sampling errors, results indicated comparable systemic crisaborole exposures in infants and toddlers as observed in older patients at similar treated BSA. However, an actual increase in exposure in infants and toddlers relative to older patients cannot be excluded.
Distribution: Based on an in vitro study, crisaborole is 97% bound to human plasma proteins.
Biotransformation and elimination: Crisaborole is substantially metabolized into inactive metabolites. The main metabolite 5-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxyl benzylalcohol (metabolite 1), is formed via hydrolysis; this metabolite is further metabolized into downstream metabolites, among which 5-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxyl benzoic acid (metabolite 2), formed via oxidation, is also a main metabolite. PK of metabolites 1 and 2 were assessed in the PK study as previously described and the systemic concentrations were at or near steady state by Day 8. Based on the ratios of AUC_0-12 between Day 8 and Day 1, the mean accumulation factors for metabolites 1 and 2 were 1.7 and 6.3, respectively. Renal excretion of metabolites is the major route of elimination.
Drug interactions: Potential for crisaborole to influence the PK of other drugs: In vitro studies using human liver microsomes indicated that under the conditions of clinical use, crisaborole and metabolite 1 are not expected to inhibit CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, and 3A4.
In vitro human liver microsomes studies for metabolite 2 showed that it did not inhibit activities of CYP2C19, 2D6, and 3A4; was a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2 and 2B6; and a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C8 and 2C9. The most sensitive enzyme, CYP2C9, was further investigated in a clinical trial using warfarin as a CYP2C9 substrate. The results of this study showed no drug interaction potential.
In vitro studies indicate that under the condition of clinical use, crisaborole and metabolites 1 and 2 are not expected to induce CYP enzymes.
In vitro studies showed that crisaborole and metabolite 1 did not inhibit the activities of UGT1A1, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B7, and 2B15. Metabolite 2 did not inhibit UGT1A4, 1A6, 2B7, and 2B15. Metabolite 2 showed weak inhibition of UGT1A1, however, no clinically significant drug interactions are expected between crisaborole (and its metabolites) and UGT1A1 substrates at therapeutic concentrations. Metabolite 2 showed moderate inhibition of UGT1A9 and may result in a moderate increase of the concentrations of sensitive UGT1A9 substrates.
In vitro studies indicate that under the condition of clinical use, crisaborole and metabolites 1 and 2 are not expected to cause clinically significant interactions with substrates of transporters such as P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and organic anionic or cationic transporters.
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated-dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, juvenile toxicity, or toxicity to reproduction and development.
The repeated-dose toxicology studies demonstrated that administration of crisaborole by both the dermal and oral routes in mice, rats, and minipigs at plasma exposures up to 11 times that in humans did not result in significant toxicity relevant to its use in humans.
Crisaborole revealed no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic potential based on the results of two in vitro genotoxicity tests (Ames assay and human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration assay) and one in vivo genotoxicity test (rat micronucleus assay).
In an oral carcinogenicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats, oral doses of 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg/day crisaborole were administered once daily. A crisaborole-related increased incidence of benign granular cell tumors in the uterus with cervix and vagina (combined) was noted in 300 mg/kg/day crisaborole-treated female rats (2 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on an area under the curve (AUC) comparison basis). The clinical relevance of this finding is unknown, however given the tumor type and benign status in a single species and single sex, the relevance to humans is considered to be low.
In a dermal carcinogenicity study in CD-1 mice, topical doses of 2%, 5%, or 7% crisaborole ointment were administered once daily. No crisaborole-related neoplastic findings were noted at topical doses up to 7% crisaborole ointment (1 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis).
Crisaborole was not found to be a reproductive toxicant nor a teratogen in reproductive toxicology studies at maternally non-toxic doses that examined effects on fertility, embryo-fetal development, and the F1 generation. Maternal toxicity in rats (associated with decreased fetal body weight and delayed skeletal ossification) but no crisaborole-related fetal malformations were noted after oral administration of crisaborole during organogenesis at doses up to 600 mg/kg/day (13 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis). Crisaborole did not cause adverse effects to the fetus at oral doses up to the highest dose tested of 100 mg/kg/day in pregnant rabbits administered during the period of organogenesis (2 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis).
In a rat prenatal/postnatal development study, crisaborole did not have any adverse effects on fetal development at doses up to 300 mg/kg/day (3 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis). Maternal toxicity was produced at the high dose of 600 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats and was associated with findings of stillbirths, pup mortality, and reduced pup weights.
No effects on fertility were observed in male or female rats that were administered oral doses up to 600 mg/kg/day crisaborole (13 times the MRHD on an AUC comparison basis) prior to and during early pregnancy.
Juvenile rat and minipig studies did not reveal any relevant findings suggestive of a specific risk for use in the pediatric population.

STAQUIS is indicated for topical treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients 3 months of age and older (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).

Posology: Adults: STAQUIS is to be applied as a thin layer twice daily to affected areas for the management of active disease. Once clinical effect is achieved, consider reducing application to once daily for maintenance treatment. The efficacy of STAQUIS for continuous twice daily application beyond 8 weeks has not been studied in a clinical trial (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
STAQUIS can be used on all skin areas, including the face, neck, and intertriginous areas. The use of STAQUIS on the scalp has not been studied.
Pediatric population: For children and adolescents (3 months to 17 years of age) the posology is the same as for adults. The safety and effectiveness of STAQUIS in pediatric patients below the age of 3 months have not been established.
Special populations: Clinical trials with hepatic or renal impaired subjects have not been conducted. However, dosage adjustment is not expected to be necessary in subjects with mild to moderate hepatic impairment or in subjects with renal impairment.
Clinical studies of STAQUIS did not include sufficient numbers of subjects 65 years of age and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. However, dosage adjustment is not expected to be necessary in this patient population.
Method of administration: STAQUIS is for topical use only and not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
STAQUIS has not been studied under occlusion. However, clinical experience available for use of the ointment under occlusion (i.e., diapers/nappies or clothing) has not shown the necessity for any dosage adjustment.
Patients should be instructed to wash their hands after applying STAQUIS, unless it is their hands that are being treated. If someone else applies STAQUIS to the patient, they too should wash their hands after application.

There has been no experience of overdose with STAQUIS. Overdose following topical administration is unlikely. If too much STAQUIS has been applied, the excess can be wiped off.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in Description.

STAQUIS is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. In cases of accidental exposure to these areas, the ointment should be thoroughly wiped off and/or rinsed with water.
Available data indicate that local skin reactions, such as burning or stinging, may be more likely to occur on sensitive skin areas (such as the face and neck).
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity, including contact urticaria, has occurred in patients treated with STAQUIS. Hypersensitivity should be suspected in the event of severe pruritus, swelling and erythema at the application site or at a distant site. If signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity occur, discontinue STAQUIS immediately and initiate appropriate therapy.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No studies with STAQUIS on the effect of the ability to drive or use machines have been performed, therefore STAQUIS has no known influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

Pregnancy: There is a limited amount of data from the use of STAQUIS in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity at maternally non-toxic doses (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions). Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of the human response, as a precautionary measure, the mother's clinical benefit of STAQUIS along with any potential risk on the fetus should be considered.
Breast-feeding: Animal studies on milk excretion after topical application were not conducted and the use of STAQUIS in breast-feeding women has not been studied. STAQUIS is systemically absorbed. It is unknown whether crisaborole/metabolites are excreted in human milk following topical application of STAQUIS or the effects of the medicinal product on the breastfed infant or on human milk production. The lack of clinical data during lactation precludes a clear determination of the risk of STAQUIS to a breastfed infant. Therefore, the developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for STAQUIS and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from STAQUIS or from the underlying maternal condition.
To avoid unintentional ingestion by the newborn, STAQUIS should not be applied to the breast.
Fertility: Reproduction studies in male or female rats using oral administration of crisaborole revealed no effects on fertility (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions).

The most common adverse drug reactions from completed STAQUIS clinical trials (Trials 1 and 2) were application site reactions (5.6% and 3.6% for STAQUIS and vehicle groups, respectively) and most were classified as mild. Of these drug-related application site reactions, application site pain (e.g., burning or stinging) was the only adverse drug reaction that showed a clinically relevant difference in rates between the treatment groups (4.4% and 1.2% for STAQUIS and vehicle groups, respectively). Generally, application site pain was noted early in the treatment period and was transient in nature, resolving spontaneously.
Treatment-emergent adverse events reported by ≥1% of subjects from either treatment group, based on the pooled safety population (Trial 1 and Trial 2) are listed in Table 5. (See Table 5.)

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Uncommon (<1%) adverse reactions in subjects treated with STAQUIS included contact urticaria (see Precautions).
The safety profile from a completed STAQUIS open-label clinical trial (Trial 3) in which STAQUIS was applied intermittently in 28-day treatment courses for up to 48 weeks was consistent with that of Trial 1 and Trial 2 (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions). (See Table 6.)

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In Trial 4, the adverse drug reactions observed during the twice daily treatment open-label period for up to 8 weeks were consistent with the known safety profile of twice daily STAQUIS. During the double-blind maintenance period in Trial 4 through Week 52, no cases of application site pain in the once daily STAQUIS-treated group were reported compared to 1.5% (2/135 subjects) in the once daily vehicle-treated group (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Pediatric clinical trial: In a multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial, 137 pediatric subjects aged 3 months to less than 2 years were treated with STAQUIS twice daily for 4 weeks. Overall, the safety profile of STAQUIS in this age group was consistent with that of Trials 1 and 2 in subjects 2 years of age and older.
Post-market reported adverse reactions: The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of STAQUIS. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Application site reactions.

Neither crisaborole nor its 2 main metabolites are expected to cause drug interactions by induction or inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes based on in vitro and in vivo data (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Based on in vitro data, concomitant administration of STAQUIS and CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir) or CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., ciprofloxacin, fluvoxamine) can increase systemic crisaborole concentrations (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
STAQUIS has not been evaluated in combination with other cutaneous medicinal products including emollients to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

Incompatibilities: Not applicable.
Special precautions for disposal and other handling: Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Store below 30°C.

Other Dermatologicals

D11AH06 - crisaborole ; Belongs to the class of agents for atopic dermatitis, excluding corticosteroids. Used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

POM