Modelling the long-acting administration of anti-tuberculosis agents using PBPK: a proof of concept study

Date: 
8/1/18
Citation: 

Rajoli RKR, Podany AT, Moss DM, Swindells S, Flexner C, Owen A, Siccardi M. Modelling the long-acting administration of anti-tuberculosis agents using PBPK: a proof of concept study. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2018 Aug 1;22(8):937-944. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.17.0515. PMID: 29991405; PMCID: PMC6166436.

Abstract

Setting: Anti-tuberculosis formulations necessitate uninterrupted treatment to cure tuberculosis (TB), but are characterised by suboptimal adherence, which jeopardises therapeutic efficacy. Long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations or implants could address these associated issues.

Objective: niazid, rifapentine, bedaquiline and delamanid-in adults for treatment for latent tuberculous infection (LTBI).

Design: PBPK models were developed and qualified against available clinical data by integrating drug physicochemical properties and in vitro and population pharmacokinetic data into a mechanistic description of drug distribution. Combinations of optimal dose and release rates were simulated such that plasma concentrations were maintained over the epidemiological cut-off or minimum inhibitory concentration for the dosing interval.

Results: The PBPK model identified 1500 mg of delamanid and 250 mg of rifapentine as sufficient doses for monthly intramuscular administration, if a formulation or device can deliver the required release kinetics of 0.001-0.0025 h-1 and 0.0015-0.0025 h-1, respectively. Bedaquiline and isoniazid would require weekly to biweekly intramuscular dosing.

Conclusion: We identified the theoretical doses and release rates of LAI anti-tuberculosis formulations. Such a strategy could ease the problem of suboptimal adherence provided the associated technological complexities for LTBI treatment are addressed.