Population Pharmacokinetics of Edoxaban in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 Study, a Phase III Clinical Trial.

<bold>Introduction: </bold>Edoxaban is a novel factor Xa inhibitor. This study characterizes the population pharmacokinetics of edoxaban in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) included in the phase III ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 study, evaluates covariates for the dose-exposure relationship in this population, and assesses the impact of protocol-specified dose reductions on exposure using simulations.<bold>Methods: </bold>Model development was performed using NONMEM(®) and based on sparse data from the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 study augmented with dense data from 13 phase I studies to inform and stabilize the model. The influence of body weight (WT), creatinine clearance (CLCR), concomitant P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors, age, sex, race, and NVAF on pharmacokinetic parameters was evaluated based on statistical significance and clinical relevance.<bold>Results: </bold>A two-compartment model with first-order elimination and first-order absorption after an absorption lag-time best described the data. Apparent volume and clearance terms increased with increasing WT. Apparent renal clearance increased with increasing CLCR. Apparent non-renal, renal, and inter-compartmental clearance terms differed between phase I volunteers and NVAF patients. Asian patients were found to have increased apparent central volume of distribution, bioavailability, and total apparent clearance. Concomitant P-gp inhibitors increased the bioavailability statistically significantly, but this did not reach clinical relevance.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Edoxaban disposition and the variability in this disposition, including influence of covariates, after oral administration were adequately characterized in patients with NVAF. The 50 % dose reduction in patients with low WT (≤60 kg), moderate renal impairment (CLCR ≤50 mL/min), or concomitant P-gp inhibitors led to 30 % lower exposure than in the other patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]