Relative bioavailability and food effect study of an oral suspension of alectinib in healthy volunteers using venipuncture and capillary microsampling

Alectinib, approved as 150 mg capsules for the treatment of adults with advanced ALK‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer, is being assessed in children with ALK‐positive solid and central nervous system tumors. An ad hoc pediatric‐friendly suspension of alectinib, prepared from capsule contents, is under investigation as an alternative formulation for children who cannot swallow capsules. This randomized, crossover, relative bioavailability, and food effect study evaluated alectinib administered as an oral suspension versus capsule formulation following conventional venipuncture and capillary microsampling. A total of 28 healthy adult subjects received a 600 mg single dose of alectinib in two groups: fasted (n = 14) and mixed fed (n = 14; seven receiving high‐fat meal and seven receiving low‐fat meal). Combined alectinib + M4 (active metabolite) exposure was higher for suspension versus capsule, with geometric mean ratio (GMR) of 2.6 for area under the concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC(0‐∞)) and 3.0 for maximum observed concentration (C (max)) under fasted conditions, and 1.7 for both parameters for mixed fed. The suspension showed increased alectinib + M4 AUC(0‐∞) following a high‐fat meal versus fasted conditions (GMR 1.7 [90% confidence interval 1.4–2.2]). Alectinib AUC(0‐∞) and C (max) measured in venous and capillary samples were generally similar for the suspension and capsule. Single oral doses of 600 mg alectinib suspension and capsule were well tolerated, with no safety concerns. Based on these findings, the oral suspension of alectinib appears suitable for use in pediatric studies after appropriate dose adjustment relative to the capsule.