Population Pharmacokinetics of Abrocitinib in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Psoriasis or Atopic Dermatitis

Plain Language Summary Abrocitinib is a drug approved in the UK and Japan for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. A population pharmacokinetic model for abrocitinib was developed based on data from 11 clinical trials that included 995 healthy individuals or patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Simulations of different patient factors, such as age, race, sex, body weight, liver function, and drug-drug interactions, were tested to examine differences in abrocitinib drug levels achieved in the body. The results of these simulations indicate that although there are some differences in abrocitinib exposure, no dose adjustments of abrocitinib are necessary based on these factors. Background and Objective Abrocitinib is a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor in development for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). This work characterized orally administered abrocitinib population pharmacokinetics in healthy individuals, patients with psoriasis, and patients with AD and the effects of covariates on abrocitinib exposure. Methods Abrocitinib concentration measurements (n = 6206) from 995 individuals from 11 clinical trials (seven phase I, two phase II, and two phase III) were analyzed, and a non-linear mixed-effects model was developed. Simulations of abrocitinib dose proportionality and steady-state accumulation of maximal plasma drug concentration (C-max) and area under the curve (AUC) were conducted using the final model. Results A two-compartment model with parallel zero- and first-order absorption, time-dependent bioavailability, and time- and dose-dependent clearance best described abrocitinib pharmacokinetics. Abrocitinib coadministration with rifampin resulted in lower exposure, whereas Asian/other race coadministration with fluconazole and fluvoxamine, inflammatory skin conditions (psoriasis/AD), and hepatic impairment resulted in higher exposure. After differences in body weight are accounted for, Asian participants demonstrated a 1.43- and 1.48-fold increase in C-max and AUC, respectively. The overall distribution of exposures (C-max and AUC) was similar in adolescents and adults after accounting for differences in total body weight. Conclusions A population pharmacokinetics model was developed for abrocitinib that can be used to predict abrocitinib steady-state exposure in the presence of drug-drug interaction effects or intrinsic patient factors. Key covariates in the study population accounting for variability in abrocitinib exposures are Asian race and adolescent age, although these factors are not clinically meaningful.