title: Randomized dose-ranging controlled trial of AQ-13, a candidate antimalarial, and chloroquine in healthy volunteers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine: (1) the pharmacokinetics and safety of an investigational aminoquinoline active against multidrug-resistant malaria parasites (AQ-13), including its effects on the QT interval, and (2) whether it has pharmacokinetic and safety profiles similar to chloroquine (CQ) in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phase I double-blind, randomized controlled trials to compare AQ-13 and CQ in healthy volunteers. Randomizations were performed at each step after completion of the previous dose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tulane-Louisiana State University-Charity Hospital General Clinical Research Center in New Orleans.
  
  
  METHODS
  126 healthy adults 21-45 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  10, 100, 300, 600, and 1,500 mg oral doses of CQ base in comparison with equivalent doses of AQ-13.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and laboratory adverse events (AEs), pharmacokinetic parameters, and QT prolongation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No hematologic, hepatic, renal, or other organ toxicity was observed with AQ-13 or CQ at any dose tested. Headache, lightheadedness/dizziness, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract-related symptoms were the most common AEs. Although symptoms were more frequent with AQ-13, the numbers of volunteers who experienced symptoms with AQ-13 and CQ were similar (for AQ-13 and CQ, respectively: headache, 17/63 and 10/63, p = 0.2; lightheadedness/dizziness, 11/63 and 8/63, p = 0.6; GI symptoms, 14/63 and 13/63; p = 0.9). Both AQ-13 and CQ exhibited linear pharmacokinetics. However, AQ-13 was cleared more rapidly than CQ (respectively, median oral clearance 14.0-14.7 l/h versus 9.5-11.3 l/h; p < or = 0.03). QTc prolongation was greater with CQ than AQ-13 (CQ: mean increase of 28 ms; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18 to 38 ms, versus AQ-13: mean increase of 10 ms; 95% CI, 2 to 17 ms; p = 0.01). There were no arrhythmias or other cardiac AEs with either AQ-13 or CQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These studies revealed minimal differences in toxicity between AQ-13 and CQ, and similar linear pharmacokinetics.
authors.affiliation: Center for Infectious Diseases, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Fawaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mzayek
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Frances J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Mather
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Wasilevich
authors.forename: Huayin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Christiane M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Chansolme
authors.forename: Holly A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Bekir H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Melek
authors.forename: Alan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Tenaglia
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mushatt
authors.forename: Albert W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Dreisbach
authors.forename: Juan J L
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lertora
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Krogstad