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The effects of degree of hepatic or renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of exemestane in postmenopausal women

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Abstract

Purpose

Two studies were conducted to compare the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of exemestane in postmenopausal subjects with various degrees of impairment of hepatic or renal function with those in healthy postmenopausal subjects.

Methods

All subjects were postmenopausal females. In study 1, nine subjects had normal hepatic function (Child-Pugh grade A), and nine had moderately (grade B) and eight severely (grade C) impaired hepatic function. In study 2, six subjects had normal renal function, and six moderately (creatinine clearance, CrCL, 30–60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and seven severely (CrCL <29 ml/min per 1.73 m2) impaired renal function. Each subject took a single oral dose of 25 mg exemestane. Samples of plasma (to 168 h after dosing) and urine (to 72 h in study 1, or 96 h in study 2) were taken for pharmacokinetic analysis. Safety and tolerability were assessed by monitoring vital signs, laboratory safety tests, ECG and adverse events.

Results

Exposure to exemestane was increased two- to threefold in patients with hepatic impairment. Thus, the geometric mean AUC0–∞ values were 41.71 (90% CI 32.2 to 54.0), 99.02 (76.5 to 128.2) and 118.59 ng·h/ml (90.2 to 156.0) in healthy subjects, and in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment, respectively (P<0.01). Cmax also increased twofold. Compared with healthy subjects, patients with hepatic impairment had lower apparent oral clearance and apparent volume of distribution of exemestane. Renal impairment was also associated with two- to threefold increases in AUC0–∞: 34.64 (90% CI 23.9 to 50.2), 94.10 (64.9 to 136.4) and 65.52 ng·h/ml (46.5 to 92.4) in healthy subjects, and in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment, respectively (P<0.05). Cmax did not change significantly. Apparent oral clearance was directly correlated with CrCL (r 2=0.43). Exemestane was tolerated well, with no safety concerns.

Conclusions

Oral clearance of exemestane was reduced in the presence of significant hepatic or renal disease. However, in view of the relatively large safety margin and the mild nature of the side effects of exemestane, the therapeutic implications of these changes in pharmacokinetics are considered minor and of no clinical significance.

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Acknowledgements

The study sponsor was Pharmacia, Nerviano, Italy, which provided financial and material support. The authors would like to thank Kirsteen Donaldson, DM, who provided assistance with the preparation of the manuscript, and Patrick Duchene, PhD (ADME Bioanalysis), François Ducret, MD (Centre Hospitalier d’Annecy), Angelika Weil, MD (Apex Research), and Violette Leclerc, MD (Aster-Cephac) for their contribution and support.

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Correspondence to Maria Gabriella Jannuzzo.

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Jannuzzo, M.G., Poggesi, I., Spinelli, R. et al. The effects of degree of hepatic or renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of exemestane in postmenopausal women. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 53, 475–481 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-004-0774-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-004-0774-5

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