Phase I/IIa, randomized, open-label, drug-drug interaction study of trabectedin and rifampin in patients with advanced cancer.
e13512 Background: Trabectedin (Yondelis; T) is a tetrahydroisoquinoline compound initially isolated from the marine tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, and currently produced synthetically. It is primarily metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 enzyme. Thus, potent inducers or inhibitors of this enzyme may alter the plasma concentrations of T. This study assessed the effects of rifampin (R), a strong CYP3A4 inducer, on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of T. Methods: In this 2-way crossover study, patients (≥18 years of age) with locally advanced or metastatic disease were randomized (1:1) to receive one of the 2 treatment sequences: sequence 1: R plus T followed 28 days later by T; sequence 2: T followed 28 days later by R plus T. During each sequence, R (600 mg/day) was administered for 6 consecutive days and T (1.3 mg/m2, IV) was administered over a 3 hour infusion. Dexamethasone (20 mg, IV) was administered before T administration. PK and safety of T were evaluated with and without coadministration of R. Results: Of the 11 enrolled patients, 8 were PK evaluable. Coadministration of R with T decreased mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) by approximately 22% and mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast) by approximately 31% (Table 1). Coadministration of R with T also resulted in 23% shorter elimination half-life. Overall, the safety profile of T was comparable when administered alone or with R. Conclusions: In comparison with T alone, coadministration of R resulted in reduced systemic exposure of T in these 8 patients, as measured by Cmax and AUClast. The coadministration of potent inducers of CYP3A4 with T may increase the metabolic clearance of T. Clinical trial information: NCT01273480. [Table: see text]