The effect of CYP3A4 inhibition or induction on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally administered ruxolitinib (INCB018424 phosphate) in healthy volunteers

J Clin Pharmacol. 2012 Jun;52(6):809-18. doi: 10.1177/0091270011405663. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

Ruxolitinib, a selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1&2 inhibitor in development for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms, is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. The effects of inhibition or induction of CYP3A4 on single oral dose ruxolitinib pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Coadministration of ketoconazole (a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor) and erythromycin (a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor) increased total ruxolitinib plasma exposure (AUC(0-∞)) by 91% and 27%, respectively, and ruxolitinib PD, as measured by the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6-stimulated STAT3 phosphorylation in whole blood, was generally consistent with the PK observed. Pretreatment with rifampin, a potent CYP3A4 inducer, decreased ruxolitinib AUC(0-∞) by 71% while resulting in only a 10% decrease in the overall PD activity. This apparent PK/PD discrepancy may be explained, in part, by an increase in the relative abundance of ruxolitinib active metabolites with the rifampin coadministration. The collective PK/PD data suggest that starting doses of ruxolitinib should be reduced by 50% if coadministered with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, whereas adjustments in ruxolitinib starting doses may not be needed when coadministered with inducers or mild/moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4. All study doses of ruxolitinib were generally safe and well tolerated when given alone and in combination with ketoconazole, erythromycin, or rifampin.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / blood
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / biosynthesis*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Enzyme Induction / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Erythromycin / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Janus Kinase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ketoconazole / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Metabolic Detoxication, Phase I
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitriles
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / blood
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects
  • Pyrazoles / blood
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacokinetics*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines
  • Rifampin / pharmacology*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / blood
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Nitriles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Erythromycin
  • ruxolitinib
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 1
  • Janus Kinase 2
  • Ketoconazole
  • Rifampin