The mean (CV%) Cmax and AUC following a 2- to 10-minute intravenous infusion of 27 mg/m2 of carfilzomib were 4232 ng/mL (49%) and 379 ng•hr/mL (25%), respectively. Following repeated doses of carfilzomib at 15 and 20 mg/m2, systemic exposure (AUC) and half-life were similar on Days 1 and 15 or 16 of Cycle 1, suggesting there was no systemic carfilzomib accumulation.
Following a 30-minute infusion of the 56 mg/m2 dose, the mean (CV%) AUC of 948 ng•hr/mL (34%) was approximately twice that observed following a 2- to 10-minute infusion at the 27 mg/m2 dose with a mean (CV%) of 379 ng•hr/mL (25%). The mean (CV%) Cmax of 2079 ng/mL (44%) following a 30-minute infusion of the 56 mg/m2 dose was lower compared to that of 27 mg/m2 over the 2- to 10-minute infusion with a mean (CV%) of 4232 ng/mL (49%).
At doses between 20 and 56 mg/m2, there was a dose-dependent increase in exposure at either infusion duration.
Distribution: The mean steady-state volume of distribution of a 20 mg/m2 dose of carfilzomib was 28 L. When tested in vitro, the binding of carfilzomib to human plasma proteins averaged 97% over the concentration range of 0.4 to 4 micromolar.
Metabolism: Carfilzomib was rapidly and extensively metabolized. The predominant metabolites measured in human plasma and urine, and generated in vitro by human hepatocytes, were peptide fragments and the diol of carfilzomib, suggesting that peptidase cleavage and epoxide hydrolysis were the principal pathways of metabolism. Cytochrome P450-mediated mechanisms played a minor role in overall carfilzomib metabolism. The metabolites have no known biologic activity.
Elimination: Following intravenous administration of doses ≥ 15 mg/m2, carfilzomib was rapidly cleared from the systemic circulation with a half-life of ≤ 1 hour on Day 1 of Cycle 1. The systemic clearance ranged from 151 to 263 L/hour, and exceeded hepatic blood flow, suggesting that carfilzomib was largely cleared extrahepatically. In 24 hours, approximately 25% of the administered dose of carfilzomib was excreted in urine as metabolites. Urinary and fecal excretion of the parent compound was negligible (0.3% of total dose).
Specific Populations
Age, Gender, and Race: Clinically significant differences were not observed in the pharmacokinetics of carfilzomib based on age (35-88 years), gender, and race.
Hepatic Impairment: The pharmacokinetics of carfilzomib was studied in patients with relapsed or progressive advanced malignancies with mild (bilirubin > 1 to 1.5×ULN or AST > ULN) or moderate (bilirubin > 1.5 to 3×ULN) chronic hepatic impairment relative to those with normal hepatic function.
Compared to patients with normal hepatic function, patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment had approximately 50% higher carfilzomib AUC. The pharmacokinetics of carfilzomib has not been evaluated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (bilirubin > 3×ULN and any AST).
Renal Impairment: The pharmacokinetics of carfilzomib was studied in relapsed multiple myeloma patients with normal renal function; mild, moderate or severe renal impairment; and patients with ESRD requiring hemodialysis. Exposures of carfilzomib (AUC and Cmax) in patients with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment were similar to those with normal renal function. Relative to patients with normal renal function, ESRD patients on hemodialysis showed 33% higher carfilzomib AUC. No starting dose adjustment is required in patients with baseline renal impairment.
Drug Interactions
Carfilzomib is primarily metabolized via peptidase and epoxide hydrolase activities, and as a result, the pharmacokinetic profile of carfilzomib is unlikely to be affected by concomitant administration of cytochrome P450 inhibitors and inducers. Carfilzomib is not expected to influence exposure of other drugs.
Cytochrome P450: In an in vitro study using human liver microsomes, carfilzomib showed modest direct (Ki = 1.7 micromolar) and time-dependent inhibition (Ki = 11 micromolar) of human cytochrome CYP3A4/5. In vitro studies indicated that carfilzomib did not induce human CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in cultured fresh human hepatocytes. Cytochrome P450-mediated mechanisms play a minor role in the overall metabolism of carfilzomib. A clinical trial of 17 patients using oral midazolam as a CYP3A probe demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics of midazolam were unaffected by concomitant carfilzomib administration. Kyprolis is not expected to inhibit CYP3A4/5 activities and/or affect the exposure to CYP3A4/5 substrates.
P-gp: Carfilzomib is a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate. In vitro, carfilzomib inhibited the efflux transport of P-gp substrate digoxin by 25% in a Caco-2 monolayer system. However, given that Kyprolis is administered intravenously and is extensively metabolized, the pharmacokinetics of Kyprolis is unlikely to be affected by P-gp inhibitors or inducers.