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Comparative pharmacokinetics of RAD001 (everolimus) in normal and tumor-bearing rodents

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Abstract

Purpose

Comparative pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) in rats and mice.

Methods

Blood cell partitioning, plasma protein binding and PK parameters of RAD001 in blood and tissues (including brain) of both mice and rats were determined. PK modeling predicted plasma/blood and tumor levels from a variety of regimens and these were compared with the known human PK profile. DCE-MRI was used to compare tumor vascularity between mice and rats. Estimation of IC50 values in vitro and ED50 values in vivo were used to provide an indication of anti-tumor activity.

Results

The PK properties of RAD001 differed between mice and rats, including erythrocyte partitioning, plasma protein binding, plasma/blood t 1/2, oral bioavailability, volume of distribution, tissue/tumor penetration and elimination. Modeling of tumor and blood/plasma PK suggested that in mice, multiple daily administrations result in a ~2-fold increase in tumor levels of RAD001 at steady state, whereas in rats, a ~7.9-fold increase would occur. Weekly high-dose regimens were predicted not to facilitate tumor accumulation in either species. Total tumor levels of RAD001 were four- to eight-fold greater in rats than in mice. Rat tumors had a >2-fold greater plasma content and permeability compared to mouse tumors, which could contribute to differences in tumor drug uptake. Maximal antitumor effects (T/C of 0.04–0.35) were observed in both species after daily administration with similar C max and AUC values of unbound (free) RAD001. These free levels of RAD001 are exceeded in serum from cancer patients receiving clinically beneficial daily regimens. In rodents, brain penetration of RAD001 was poor, but was dose-dependent and showed over-proportional uptake in rats with a longer t 1/2 compared to the systemic circulation.

Conclusions

The PK of RAD001 differed between mice and rats, with rats having a PK profile closer to that of humans. High intermittent doses of RAD001 may be more appropriate for treatment of brain tumors.

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Acknowledgments

M. Lemaire, J. Figueiredo, G. Kraus and H. Kaufmann are thanked for their input in obtaining part of the data. Melanie Muller, Marc Hattenberger, Julianne Vaxelaire, and Stephane Ferretti provided excellent technical assistance.

Author information

Author notes

  1. L. McMahon

    Present address: Wyeth Medica Ireland, Newbridge, Co, Kildare, Ireland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology Research, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, WKL-125.13.17, 4002, Basel, Switzerland

    Terence O’Reilly & Paul M. J. McSheehy

  2. Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland

    R. Kawai, O. Kretz, A. Bruelisauer & H.-P. Gschwind

  3. Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, East Hanover, NJ, USA

    L. McMahon

  4. Department of Oncology Research, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002, Basel, Switzerland

    J. Brueggen & P. R. Allegrini

  5. Basilea Pharmaceutica International AG, Brenzacherstrasse 487, Basel, Switzerland

    H. A. Lane

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  1. Terence O’Reilly
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Correspondence to Paul M. J. McSheehy.

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O’Reilly, T., McSheehy, P.M.J., Kawai, R. et al. Comparative pharmacokinetics of RAD001 (everolimus) in normal and tumor-bearing rodents. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 65, 625–639 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-009-1068-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-009-1068-8

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