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Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology

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01-03-2021 | Pharmacokinetics | Original Article

A phase 1 pharmacokinetic study of oral NEPA, the fixed combination of netupitant and palonosetron, in Chinese healthy volunteers

Authors: Rui Chen, Hongyun Wang, Wen Zhong, Salvatore Chessari, Corinna Lanzarotti, Alberto Bernareggi, Pei Hu

Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Oral NEPA, the only fixed-combination antiemetic, is composed of the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist netupitant (300 mg) and the 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist palonosetron (0.50 mg). This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of netupitant and its main metabolites M1 and M3, and palonosetron in Chinese subjects. Oral NEPA tolerability and safety were also analyzed.

Methods

This was a single-center, single-dose phase 1 study in healthy, adult Chinese volunteers. Eligible subjects received oral NEPA, and blood samples were collected on day 1 predose and at various time points up until day 10 postdose. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed using noncompartmental methods. For safety assessments, adverse events (AEs) were monitored during the study.

Results

In total 18 Chinese healthy volunteers received oral NEPA. Netupitant mean maximum plasma concentration (C_max) [± standard deviation] of 698 ± 217 ng/mL was reached at 3–6 h, with a mean total exposure (AUC_0–inf) of 22,000 ± 4410 h·ng/mL. For palonosetron, a mean C_max of 1.8 ± 0.252 ng/mL was reached at 2–6 h postadministration, with a mean AUC_0–inf of 81.0 ± 14.0 h·ng/mL. The most common treatment-related AEs in > 2 subjects were constipation (n = 9) and tiredness (n = 3). No severe AEs were observed, and no subject withdrew due to AEs.

Conclusion

Following single-dose administration of oral NEPA in Chinese subjects, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the NEPA components were mostly similar to those reported previously in Caucasians. NEPA was well tolerated with a safety profile in line with that observed in pivotal trials in Caucasians.

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Title: A phase 1 pharmacokinetic study of oral NEPA, the fixed combination of netupitant and palonosetron, in Chinese healthy volunteers
Authors: Rui Chen
Hongyun Wang
Wen Zhong
Salvatore Chessari
Corinna Lanzarotti
Alberto Bernareggi
Pei Hu
Publication date: 01-03-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Pharmacokinetics
Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0344-5704
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-020-04200-2

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

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Conclusion

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