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FormalPara Fuzuloparib (AiRuiYi®, 艾瑞颐): Key points

A small molecule PARP inhibitor is being developed by Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (formerly Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.) for the treatment of ovarian cancer and other solid cancers

Received its first approval on 11 Dec 2020 in China

Approved for use in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer in patients with germline BRCA mutation who have undergone second-line or above chemotherapy

1 Introduction

Fuzuloparib (AiRuiYi®, 艾瑞颐; formerly fluzoparib) is a PARP inhibitor being developed by Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (formerly Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.) for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer (including fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer) and other solid cancers. Fuzuloparib is the first original PARP inhibitor to be developed in China and it expands the number of PARP inhibitors available for the treatment of cancer [1]. Fuzuloparib received its first approval on 11 Dec 2020 in China for the treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer (hereafter referred to as ovarian cancer) in patients with germline BRCA mutation (gBRCAm) who have undergone second-line or above chemotherapy [1,2,3]. Fuzuloparib is not yet indicated for maintenance therapy of ovarian cancer [3], however, development in this indication is ongoing.

The recommended dosage of fuzuloparib is 150 mg taken orally twice daily. Detection of a harmful or suspected harmful gBRCA1/2 mutation using a method approved by the National Medical Products Administration is required in China prior to starting treatment with fuzuloparib. Reducing the dose to 50 mg is recommended with the concurrent administration of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor; concurrent administration with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or inducer is not recommended. Dose reduction or interruption may also be required to manage adverse events (AEs). The use fuzuloparib is contraindicated during breastfeeding; do not breastfeed during treatment and for one month after the last dose of fuzuloparib [3].

figure a

Key milestones in the development of fuzuloparib for the treatment of OC. NDA New drug application, OC ovarian cancer

2 Scientific Summary

2.1 Pharmacodynamics

Inhibition of the PARP1 enzyme with fuzuloparib was comparable with olaparib (PARP1 IC50 1.46 nM with fuzuloparib and 1.34 nM with olaparib) when measured using ELISA [4]. Both fuzuloparib and olaparib inhibited BRCA1 or BRCA2-deficient lung fibroblast, ovarian cancer and breast cancer cell lines in cell culture experiments (IC50 0.053–1.57 µM with fuzuloparib and 0.035–2.16 µM with olaparib); though no relevant inhibition of BRCA1 or BRCA2-positive cell lines were observed with both inhibitors (IC50 > 10 µM with both inhibitors). In animal studies, fuzuloparib 30 mg/kg and olaparib 30 mg/kg inhibited the growth of BRCA1-negative breast cancer in mice (day 21 inhibition rate 59% with fuzuloparib and 44% with olaparib). Neither PARP inhibitor was associated with significant differences in body weight compared with placebo treated mice [4].

PARP inhibition is known to induce embryo-foetal toxicity in animal studies, and fuzuloparib may cause foetal harm in pregnant women. Contraception is recommended in women of childbearing age during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose of fuzuloparib [3].

figure b

Chemical structure of fuzuloparib

2.2 Pharmacokinetics

A dose-proportional increase in the AUC0–t and Cmax of fuzuloparib occurs across a dose range of 10–150 mg when administered as a single dose. The accumulation ratio (in AUC0–t) after 13 days is 1.86 in patients receiving fuzuloparib 150 mg twice daily. The administration of fuzuloparib after a high-fat meal does not have a significant effect on the AUC, though the tmax is delayed from 3 h to 6 h. The apparent volume of distribution of fuzuloparib is 34.6 L. Plasma binding of fuzuloparib is 74.3–81.6% over a concentration range of 20–2000 ng/mL. The terminal half-life of fuzuloparib is 9.14 h in patients administered multiple doses of fuzuloparib 150 mg twice daily. Fuzuloparib is predominantly metabolised by CYP3A4, with the most common metabolites being mono-oxidation and subsequently hydrogenated products; each metabolite contributes < 10% of the total plasma radioactivity. 44.2% and 59.1% of the radioactivity from the original dose is excreted into the faeces and urine. 15.8–16.8% of the original dose is excreted as unchanged fuzuloparib in urine [3].

Concomitant administration of itraconazole (strong CYP3A4 inhibitor) increases the Cmax, AUC0–t and AUC∞ of fuzuloparib by 51.0%, 325% and 381%, respectively; increases of 32.4%, 104.5% and 109.6%, respectively, are observed with fluconazole (moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor). Induction of CYP3A4 by rifampicin decreases the Cmax, AUC0–t and AUC∞ of fuzuloparib to 32.0%, 10.4%, and 10.4%, respectively. Inhibition of the CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 enzymes by fuzuloparib poses a low risk for drug–drug interactions, and no drug–drug inhibition studies are required according to relevant guidelines. Fuzuloparib may induce CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 at a concentration of 5 µM, based on data from in vitro studies. Clinical studies to investigate the induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 by fuzuloparib are ongoing. Fuzuloparib is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment or renal impairment as data are not yet available in these patient populations. Mild hepatic impairment and mild renal impairment does not cause relevant changes in clearance of fuzuloparib [3].

Features and properties of fuzuloparib

Alternative names

Fluzoparib, AiRuiYi®, 艾瑞颐, 氟唑帕利胶囊, HS10160, SHR3162

Class

2-ring heterocyclic compounds, antineoplastics, fluorobenzenes, phthalazines, pyrazines, small molecules, triazoles

Mechanism of action

Small molecule PARP inhibitor; inhibition of DNA repair pathways leads to cell cycle arrest and prevents the proliferation of tumour cells

Route of administration

Oral

Pharmacodynamics

PARP1 IC50 1.46 nM; IC50 1.57 µM in BRCA1-negative MDA-MB-436 cells and 0.053 µM in BRCA2-negative V-C8 cells; no relevant inhibition of BRCA1 or 2-positive cell lines; day 21 inhibition rate 59% in ovarian MDA-MB-436 tumours in mice

Pharmacokinetics

Proportional increases in AUC0–t and Cmax with single fuzuloparib doses between 10–150 mg; accumulation ratio of 1.86 after 13 days of receiving fuzuloparib 150 mg twice daily; Vd 34.6 L; 74.3%–81.6% human plasma protein binding; mainly metabolised by CYP3A4; most common metabolites were mono-oxidation and subsequently hydrogenated products (< 10% each in plasma); t½ 9.14 h; ~ 60% of the dose is excreted in urine and ~ 40% in faeces; ~ 16% of the dose is excreted in urine as unchanged drug

Most frequent adverse events

 All-grade events (incidence ≥ 40%)

Anaemia, nausea, leukopenia, fatigue and thrombocytopenia

 Most frequent grade ≥ 3 events (incidence ≥ 2%)

Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia and lymphopenia

ATC codes

 

 WHO ATC code

L01X-X

 EphMRA ATC code

L1X9

Chemical name

4-[[4-fluoro-3-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-6,8-dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine-7-carbonyl]phenyl]methyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one

2.3 Therapeutic Trials

2.3.1 Ovarian Cancer

The first approval of fuzuloparib in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer was granted following the results from a phase II, open-label trial (NCT03509636). This trial enrolled patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent, BRCA1/2-mutant, high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer who had previously received 2–4 lines of platinum-based chemotherapy. 113 patients were treated with fuzuloparib 150 mg twice daily in 28-day cycles. Fuzuloparib achieved an independent review committee (IRC)-assessed objective response rate (ORR) of 69.9% (primary endpoint); with 4.4% of patients achieving a complete response (CR) and 65.5% with a partial response (PR). The median follow-up duration was 15.9 months as of the latest data cut-off (21 Mar 2020) [5].

Fuzuloparib was investigated as a maintenance therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer in a randomised phase III trial (NCT03863860) in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent, high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer who received at least two previous lines of platinum-based chemotherapy and achieved either CR or PR to their most recent regimen. 167 patients were randomised to receive fuzuloparib 150 mg twice daily in 28-day cycles, and 85 patients were assigned to receive placebo. Fuzuloparib significantly (p < 0.0001) prolonged blinded independent review committee (BIRC)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in the overall trial population. The median BIRC-assessed PFS was 12.9 and 5.5 months in the fuzuloparib and placebo treatment groups [hazard ratio (HR) 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17–0.36], though the median PFS for fuzuloparib was an estimate as data are not yet mature. Furthermore, fuzuloparib was superior to placebo in extending BIRC-assessed PFS in a subgroup of patients with gBRCAm [HR 0.14; 95% CI 0.07–0.28] (co-primary endpoints). As of the latest data cut-off date (1 Jul 2020), 67% of planned PFS events occurred in the overall population and the median follow-up duration was 8.5 months [6].

2.3.2 Other Solid Cancers

Fuzuloparib as a monotherapy in advanced solid tumours was examined in a phase I study (NCT02575651). 79 patients who had advanced solid tumours (including ovarian, breast and colorectal cancers) which were refractory to standard treatment or cancers which did not have a standard treatment were enrolled in this study. Patients were treated with fuzuloparib dosages ranging from 10 mg once daily to 200 mg twice daily. An ORR of 6.2% (all PR) and a disease control rate of 30.8% at 24 weeks was reported in 65 evaluable patients [7].

In a dose-escalation phase I study (NCT03026881), 39 patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer who did not respond to platinum-based chemotherapy were treated with a combination of fuzuloparib, apatinib and paclitaxel. 12 of 36 evaluable patients achieved a confirmed PR and 13 patients had stable disease following combination treatment [8].

2.4 Adverse Events

Safety data on monotherapy with fuzuloparib 150 mg twice daily were collected from three studies that enrolled a total of 294 patients with ovarian cancer [3]. All-grade AEs were reported in 94.9% of patients, with the most common AEs with an incidence ≥ 40% being anaemia (58.5% of patients), nausea (57.1%), leukopenia (54.4%), fatigue (43.5%) and thrombocytopenia (41.5%). The most common grade ≥ 3 AEs with an incidence ≥ 2% were haematological AEs; anaemia (25.5%), thrombocytopenia (13.3%), neutropenia (10.5%), leukopenia (9.9%) and lymphocytopenia (5.1%). The overall incidence of grade ≥ 3 haematological AEs was 40.5%. Dose interruption or reduction were required in some patients due to anaemia (dose interruption in 23.1% of patients and dose reduction in 9.2% of patients), thrombocytopenia (13.9% and 6.5%), neutropenia (8.8% and 2.0%), leukopenia (9.5% and 3.4%) and lymphocytopenia (2.0% and 0.7%). Monitor complete blood count at baseline then every fortnight for three months after initiating treatment and regularly afterwards. Consult local prescribing information for recommendations on dose reduction or interruption. Cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) have been reported during clinical trials in other PARP inhibitors used for the treatment of cancer. If signs and symptoms of MDS or AML are observed, discontinue fuzuloparib treatment and administer appropriate therapy [3].

Gastrointestinal AEs have been reported with fuzuloparib, with an overall all-grade incidence of 72.8% (2.4% for grade ≥ 3). The incidence of all-grade nausea was 57.1% (0.3% for grade ≥ 3) and 26.2% (1.4% for grade ≥ 3) for vomiting. Grade ≥ 2 nausea and vomiting may be managed with dose interruption, dose reduction and/or antiemetic medications [3].

2.5 Ongoing Clinical Trials

Fuzuloparib is being investigated in phase II and III trials in various solid cancers. There are four trials of fuzuloparib in ovarian cancer, NCT03863860 for maintenance therapy in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer who received at least two previous lines of platinum-based chemotherapy and achieved either CR or PR to their most recent regimen (phase III; fuzuloparib vs placebo); NCT04229615 for maintenance treatment in patients with advanced ovarian cancer following response on first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (phase III; fuzuloparib with/without apatinib vs placebo); NCT04517357 in patients with high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer who completed two or more platinum-containing regimens (phase II; fuzuloparib monotherapy vs fuzuloparib plus apatinib) and NCT03509636 in patients with platinum-sensitive BRCA1/2-mutant disease who received 2–4 chemotherapy regimens (phase II; fuzuloparib arm only).

Two trials are assessing fuzuloparib in pancreatic cancer, NCT04300114 for maintenance therapy in patients with gBRCA/PALB2-mutatant metastatic pancreatic cancer whose disease has not progressed following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (phase III; fuzuloparib vs placebo) and NCT04228601 for combination therapy and subsequent maintenance therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer (phase I/II; fuzuloparib plus mFOLFIRINOX followed by fuzuloparib maintenance therapy vs placebo plus mFOLFIRINOX followed by placebo maintenance therapy).

Three trials are evaluating fuzuloparib in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, NCT04691804 for combination therapy as a first-line treatment (phase III; fuzuloparib plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone vs placebo plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone), NCT04869488 for combination therapy or monotherapy in patients who failed prior treatment with abiraterone/enzalutamine and with or without homologous recombination repair gene mutations (phase II; fuzuloparib with/without apatinib vs abiraterone/enzalutamine plus prednisone) and NCT04102124 for combination therapy in patients who did not respond to abiraterone and docetaxel treatment (phase II; fuzuloparib plus rezvilutamide vs rezvilutamide plus placebo vs placebo).

Other trials of fuzuloparib includes NCT04296370 in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer with gBRCAm who received no more than two lines of chemotherapy, received prior therapy with an anthracycline and a taxane and did not respond to one endocrine therapy or are not candidates for endocrine therapy (phase III; fuzuloparib with/without apatinib vs chemotherapy) and NCT04400188 combination therapy in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer who failed at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy (phase I/II; fuzuloparib plus temozolomide with/without adebrelimab).

Key Phase II and III clinical trials of fuzuloparib in China (sponsored by Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.)

Drug(s)

Indication

Phase

Status

Identifier

Ovarian cancers

Fuzuloparib, placebo

Maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer after at least two previous lines of platinum-based chemotherapy and achieved either CR or PR to their most recent regimen

III

Active

NCT03863860

Fuzuloparib, apatinib, placebo

Maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer following response on first-line platinum-based chemotherapy

III

Recruiting

NCT04229615

Fuzuloparib, apatinib

Advanced ovarian cancer following 2 or more platinum-containing regimens

II

Recruiting

NCT04517357

Fuzuloparib

Platinum-sensitive, BRCA1/2-mutant recurrent ovarian cancer following 2 or more chemotherapy regimens

II

Active

NCT03509636

Pancreatic cancers

Fuzuloparib, placebo

Maintenance therapy in patients with gBRCA/PALB2-mutant metastatic pancreatic cancer whose disease has not progressed following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy

III

Recruiting

NCT04300114

Fuzuloparib, placebo, mFOLFIRINOX

Combination therapy and subsequent maintenance therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer

I/II

Recruiting

NCT04228601

Prostate cancers

Fuzuloparib, placebo, abiraterone acetate and prednisone

First-line treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

III

Not yet recruiting

NCT04691804

Fuzuloparib, abiraterone, apatinib, enzalutamine, prednisone

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in patients who failed prior treatment with abiraterone/enzalutamine and with or without homologous recombination repair gene mutations

II

Not yet recruiting

NCT04869488

Fuzuloparib, rezvilutamide, placebo

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who did not respond to abiraterone and docetaxel treatment

II

Active

NCT04102124

Breast cancers

Fuzuloparib, apatinib, chemotherapy

HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer with germline BRCA mutation in patients who received no more than two lines of chemotherapy, received prior therapy with an anthracycline and a taxane and did not respond to one endocrine therapy or are not candidates for endocrine therapy

III

Recruiting

NCT04296370

Lung cancers

Fuzuloparib, adebrelimab, temozolomide

Relapsed small cell lung cancer in patients who failed one line of platinum-based chemotherapy

I/II

Recruiting

NCT04400188

3 Current Status

Fuzuloparib received its first approval on 11 Dec 2020 for treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer in patients with gBRCAm who have undergone second-line or above chemotherapy in China [1,2,3].