Phase 1 study to evaluate the effects of rifampin or itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of limertinib (ASK120067), a novel mutant-selective inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor in healthy Chinese subjects

BackgroundLimertinib is a novel mutant-selective and irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor under development. A phase 1 open, two-period, single-sequence, self-controlled, two-part study was initiated to characterize the effects of a strong CYP3A4 inducer (rifampin) or inhibitor (itraconazole) on the pharmacokinetics of limertinib.Research design and methodsTwenty-four healthy subjects in each part received a single dose of limertinib alone (160 mg, Part A; 80 mg, Part B) and with multiple doses of rifampin 600 mg once daily (Part A) or itraconazole 200 mg twice daily (Part B).ResultsCoadministration of rifampin decreased exposure (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity, AUC0-inf) of limertinib and its active metabolite CCB4580030 by 87.86% (geometric least-squares mean [GLSM] ratio, 12.14%; 90% confidence interval [CI], 9.89-14.92) and 66.82% (GLSM ratio, 33.18%; 90% CI, 27.72-39.72), respectively. Coadministration of itraconazole increased the AUC0-inf of limertinib by 289.8% (GLSM ratio, 389.8%; 90% CI, 334.07-454.82), but decreased that of CCB4580030 by 35.96% (GLSM ratio, 64.04%; 90% CI, 50.78-80.77).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the concomitant use of limertinib with strong CYP3A inducers or inhibitors is not recommended. A single dose of limertinib, administered with or without rifampin or itraconazole, is generally safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects.Clinical trial registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT05631678.