Oral bioavailability of a novel paclitaxel formulation (Genetaxyl) administered with cyclosporin A in cancer patients

摘要

The formulation excipient Cremophor EL (CrEL) is known to limit absorption of oral paclitaxel given together with cyclosporin A (CsA). We hypothesized that the use of oral Genetaxyl, a paclitaxel formulation containing only 20% CrEL would have an improved oral bioavailability. Cohorts of 6 patients were treated with oral Genetaxyl at a dose of 60, 120, or 180 mg/m² and 10 mg/kg of oral CsA in cycle 1. In cycle 2, patients received intravenous (i.v.) Genetaxyl (175 mg/m², 3-hour infusion). Three additional patients received one dose of generic i.v. paclitaxel (Genaxol, containing 50% CrEL; 175 mg/m², 3-hour infusion). The median area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and peak concentration of total paclitaxel following i.v. Genetaxyl were lower than those for i.v. Genaxol, as a result of significantly increased clearance (P = 0.017), and the AUC ratio for unbound to total paclitaxel for i.v. Genetaxyl was about 2 times higher than that for i.v. Genaxol (P = 0.0077). After oral administration of Genetaxyl at doses of 60, 120, and 180 mg/m², the median total paclitaxel AUCs were 1.29, 1.60, and 1.85 µg×h/mL, respectively, suggesting a less than proportional increase in systemic exposure with increasing doses. The corresponding median values for the apparent bioavailability of oral Genetaxyl were similar when calculated either based on data for total paclitaxel (30.1%) or unbound paclitaxel (30.6%) when compared to i.v. Genetaxyl.