Thorough QT/QTc Evaluation of the Cardiac Safety of Enarodustat (JTZ-951), an Oral Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent, in Healthy Adults

Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2021 Aug;10(8):884-898. doi: 10.1002/cpdd.933. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of enarodustat on cardiac repolarization in healthy subjects. Enarodustat (20 and 150 mg [supratherapeutic dose]), placebo, and moxifloxacin (positive control, 400 mg) were administered orally to males and females (N = 54) in a crossover fashion. Continuous 12-lead Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) data were obtained before and after dosing, and blood samples were obtained for pharmacokinetic assessments of enarodustat, its circulating metabolite (R)-M2, and moxifloxacin. Central tendency analysis was performed for relevant ECG parameters, the relationship between individual-corrected interval from beginning of the QRS complex to end of the T wave in the frontal plane (QTcI, the primary end point) and plasma concentrations of enarodustat and (R)-M2 were assessed, and ECG waveforms were evaluated for morphological changes. The supratherapeutic dose resulted in 7- and 9-fold higher geometric mean maximum concentrations for enarodustat and (R)-M2, respectively, than the 20 mg dose. Based on time point analysis, the upper bound of the 2-sided 90% confidence interval (CI) for QTcI did not exceed 10 milliseconds at any of the time points for either dose. Based on QTcI-concentration analysis, the slopes for enarodustat and (R)-M2 were not statistically different than 0, and the upper bounds of the 2-sided 90% CI for QTcI at the geometric mean maximum concentrations for the supratherapeutic dose were 1.97 and 1.68 milliseconds for enarodustat and (R)-M2, respectively. The lower bound of the 2-sided 90% CI for moxifloxacin was ≥5 milliseconds, demonstrating assay sensitivity. The study demonstrated no clinically relevant effect of enarodustat and (R)-M2 on cardiac repolarization. There was no evidence of any clinically significant effect on the PR interval and QRS duration, and ECG waveforms showed no new clinically relevant morphological changes.

Keywords: HIF-PH; JTZ-951; cardiac repolarization; clinical pharmacology; enarodustat; pharmacokinetics; thorough QT/QTc study.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Heart / physiology*
  • Heart Function Tests / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Moxifloxacin / blood*
  • N-substituted Glycines / administration & dosage*
  • N-substituted Glycines / adverse effects
  • N-substituted Glycines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridines / administration & dosage*
  • Pyridines / adverse effects
  • Pyridines / pharmacokinetics
  • Triazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Triazoles / adverse effects
  • Triazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • N-substituted Glycines
  • Pyridines
  • Triazoles
  • enarodustat
  • Moxifloxacin