Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of CFTR Modulation in People with Cystic Fibrosis Transitioning from Mono or Dual Regimens to Triple-Combination Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor

INTRODUCTION: The triple-combination (TC) cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator regimen elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor was shown to be safe and efficacious in phase 3 trials of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) ≥ 12 years of age with ≥ 1 F508del-CFTR allele. Here, a simulation study predicted ivacaftor, tezacaftor, and elexacaftor exposures and impacts on CFTR modulation following transition from ivacaftor [a cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) substrate], lumacaftor (a CYP3A inducer)/ivacaftor, or tezacaftor/ivacaftor to TC. METHODS: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling was used to evaluate plasma exposures during transition from mono- or dual-combination CFTR modulator regimens to TC. PBPK models were parameterized using data from human hepatocytes to account for CYP3A induction by lumacaftor and validated to match clinical data from healthy volunteers and pwCF. Using dosing regimens for pwCF ≥ 12 years of age, simulations were performed for ivacaftor, lumacaftor/ivacaftor, and tezacaftor/ivacaftor dosing for 14 days followed by immediate transition to elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor dosing for 14 days. Drug exposures during transitions were compared with respective half-maximal effective concentrations (EC(50)) estimated from efficacy endpoint data from clinical studies. RESULTS: In simulations of immediate transition from ivacaftor or tezacaftor/ivacaftor to TC, the preceding treatment had no impact on ivacaftor, tezacaftor, or elexacaftor exposures. In simulations of immediate transition from lumacaftor/ivacaftor to TC, ivacaftor exposure decreased to 64% of maximum effective concentration (EC), due to reduction in ivacaftor dose and residual CYP3A4 induction, then returned to 90–95% of maximum EC. Lumacaftor-mediated CYP3A induction resolved within approximately 2 weeks. In all simulations, ivacaftor, tezacaftor, and elexacaftor exposures approached steady state within 2 weeks following transition and, at all times, ivacaftor and ≥ 1 CFTR corrector remained above EC(50). CONCLUSION: PBPK modeling indicates that immediate transition to the elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor regimen from an ivacaftor, lumacaftor/ivacaftor, or tezacaftor/ivacaftor regimen results in sustained CFTR modulation in pwCF ≥ 12 years of age. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s41030-020-00124-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.