title: Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling of the antimalarial effect of Actelion-451840 in an induced blood stage malaria study in healthy subjects.
abstract: The aim of this study was to use data from an experimental induced blood stage malaria clinical trial to characterize the antimalarial activity of the new compound Actelion-451840 using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling. Then, using simulations from the model, the dose and dosing regimen necessary to achieve cure of infection were derived.
  
  
  
  Eight healthy male subjects were infected with blood stage P. falciparum. After 7 days, a single dose of 500 mg of Actelion-451840 was administered under fed conditions. Parasite and drug concentrations were sampled frequently. Parasite growth and the relation to drug exposure were estimated using PK/PD modelling. Simulations were then undertaken to derive estimates of the likelihood of achieving cure in different scenarios.
  
  
  
  Actelion-451840 was safe and well tolerated. Single dose treatment markedly reduced the level of P. falciparum parasitaemia, with a weighted average parasite reduction rate of 73.6 (95% CI 56.1, 96.5) and parasite clearance half-life of 7.7 h (95% CI 7.3, 8.3). A two compartment PK/PD model with a steep concentration-kill effect predicted maximum effect with a sustained concentration of 10-15 ng ml(-1) and cure achieved in 90% of subjects with six once daily doses of 300 mg once daily.
  
  
  
  Actelion-451840 shows clinical efficacy against P. falciparum infections. The PK/PD model developed from a single proof-of-concept study with eight healthy subjects enabled prediction of therapeutic effects, with cure rates with seven daily doses predicted to be equivalent to artesunate monotherapy. Larger doses or more frequent dosing are not predicted to achieve more rapid cure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Allschwil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Allschwil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jasper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dingemanse
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Allschwil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathis
authors.affiliation: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marquart
authors.affiliation: Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jörg J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Möhrle
authors.affiliation: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C000619473:ACT-451840; D000178:Acrylamides; D000962:Antimalarials; D010879:Piperazines
keywords: Plasmodium falciparum; challenge model; malaria; pharmacodynamics; pharmacokinetics; proof of concept