Evaluation of the bioequivalence and food effect on the bioavailability of CC-486 (oral azacitidine) tablets in adult patients with cancer.

Reference
Babiker HM, Milhem M, Aisner J, Edenfield W, Shepard D, Savona M, Iyer S, Abdelrahim M, Beach CL, Skikne B, et al. 2020. Evaluation of the bioequivalence and food effect on the bioavailability of CC-486 (oral azacitidine) tablets in adult patients with cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 85:621–626. doi:10.1007/s00280-020-04037-9.
Abstract

PURPOSE: CC-486 is an oral formulation of azacitidine that allows for extended dosing schedules to prolong azacitidine exposure to malignant cells and maximize clinical activity. CC-486 300 mg daily, administered for 14 or 21 days of 28-day treatment cycles, is currently under investigation in two ongoing phase III trials. The 300-mg daily dose in these studies is administered as two 150-mg tablets (Formulation A).

METHODS: We evaluated the bioequivalence of one 300-mg CC-486 tablet (Formulation B) with Formulation A and food effect on Formulation B, in adult patients with cancer in a 2-stage crossover design study.

RESULTS: The ratios of the geometric means of the maximum azacitidine plasma concentration (C) and of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC) were 101.5% and 105.7%, demonstrating the bioequivalence of Formulations A and B. Formulation B was rapidly absorbed under fasted and fed conditions. The geometric mean of C was significantly decreased by 21% in the fed state. Median T was reached at 2 h and 1 h post-dose in fed and fasted states, respectively (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, systemic drug exposure (AUC) in fed and fasted states was within the 80-125% boundaries of bioequivalence and differences in C and T are not expected to have a clinical impact.

CONCLUSION: The single 300-mg CC-486 tablet was bioequivalent to two 150-mg tablets, which have shown to be efficacious and generally well-tolerated in clinical trials, and can be taken with or without food.