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The Effects of CYP3A4 Inhibition on Erlotinib Pharmacokinetics: Computer-based Simulation (Simcyp) Predicts In Vivo Metabolic Inhibition

BACKGROUND:
Erlotinib is an orally active antitumor agent. Analyses in vitro using human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes showed thaterlotinib was metabolized primarily by CYP3A4, with a secondary contribution from CYP1A2.
METHODS:
A computer-based simulation model, SimCYP®, predicted that CYP3A4 contributed to approximately 70% of the metabolic elimination oferlotinib, with CYP1A2 being responsible for the other approximately 30%. A drug-drug interaction study was therefore conducted for erlotinib and a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, ketoconazole, in healthy male volunteers to evaluate the impact of CYP3A4 inhibition on erlotinib exposure.
RESULTS:
Ketoconazole caused an almost two-fold increase in erlotinib plasma area under the concentration curve and in maximum plasma concentration. This is consistent with the SimCYP® prediction of a two-fold increase in erlotinib AUC, further validating a primary (approximately 70%) role of CYP3A4 in erlotinib elimination.
CONCLUSION:
Prediction of clinically important drug-drug interaction with SimCYP® using in vitro human metabolism data can be a powerful tool during early clinical development to ensure safe administration of anticancer drugs, which are often co-administered at maximum tolerated doses with other drugs as part of a palliative treatment regimen.

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