An Open-Label, Randomized, Single-Center, Two-Period, Phase I, Crossover Study of the Effect of Zibotentan (ZD4054) on the Pharmacokinetics of Midazolam in Healthy Male Volunteers

Background: Zibotentan (ZD4054) is an oral, specific endothelin A receptor antagonist presently under investigation for the treatment of hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Preclinical in vitro studies suggest that zibotentan has the potential to act as a time-dependent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 isozyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolic pathway. In clinical practice, it is likely that zibotentan will be coadministered with drugs metabolized by this pathway; the potential exists, therefore, that zibotentan-induced drug interactions could occur. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of zibotentan on the pharmacokinetics of a clinically relevant dose of midazolam in healthy volunteers. Secondary objectives were to evaluate exposure to zibotentan, ensure the safety of the healthy volunteers dosed, and investigate the effect of zibotentan on the pharmacokinetics of the midazolam metabolites 1-hydroxy midazolam and 4-hydroxy midazolam. The potency of zibotentan as a CYP3A4 inhibitor was also assessed. Methods: This was an open-label, randomized, single-center, 2-period, Phase I, crossover study. Volunteers were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 1 of 2 cohorts. In cohort 1, volunteers received a single dose of midazolam 7.5 mg on day 1 (treatment A) of a 2-day study period. After a minimum 7-day washout period, volunteers received zibotentan 10 mg once daily on days 1 through 7, plus a single dose of midazolam 7.5 mg on day 6 (treatment B) of a 7-day study period. In cohort 2, volunteers received treatment B followed by treatment A, with a minimum 7-day washout period between treatments. AUC(0-infinity) and C-max data were expressed as geometric least squares mean ratios and 90% CIs for midazolam + zibotentan:midazolam. A moderate interaction between midazolam and zibotentan was predefined to have occurred if the upper 90% CI of the ratio was >1.5. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3. AE data were assessed based on information provided by the volunteer, through open-ended and nonleading verbal questions to the volunteer at each visit, and through observation by the investigational team, other care providers, or relatives. Results: Six volunteers (all white) were included in each cohort (cohort 1, mean [SD] age, 48 [7] years; mean weight, 74 [6] kg; cohort 2, mean age, Si [11] years; mean weight, 75 [13] kg). Steady-state levels of zibotentan, achieved over 7 days, increased the midazolam AUG(0-infinity) by 1.2-fold compared with midazolam alone. The upper limits of the 90% CIs for the AUC(0-infinity) and C-max ratios were below the predefined level of 1.5 (1.37 and 1.32, respectively). Zibotentan had no apparent effect on the pharmacokinetics of 1-hydroxy midazolam and 4-hydroxy midazolam. Fatigue was reported in 11 volunteers (92%) receiving midazolam monotherapy and 10 (83%) receiving midazolam combined with zibotentan. Headache was reported in all 12 volunteers after zibotentan monotherapy. Conclusions: In this population of healthy male volunteers, once-daily zibotentan 10 mg increased the AUC(0-infinity) of midazolam 1.2-fold; however, the treatment ratio was below the predefined limit for clinical significance. Zibotentan was well tolerated when given alone or in combination with midazolam. The results indicate that once-daily zibotentan 10 mg acted as a weak inhibitor of the CYP3A4 pathway. Clinical Trials. gov identifier: NCT00709553. (ClinTher. 2010;32:1372 1386) (C) 2010 Excerpta Medica Inc.