Prediction of the drug–drug interaction potential of the α1-acid glycoprotein bound, CYP3A4/CYP2C9 metabolized oncology drug, erdafitinib

Erdafitinib is a potent oral pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor being developed as oncology drug for patients with alterations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor pathway. Erdafitinib binds preferentially to α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 and 3A4. This article describes a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for erdafitinib to assess the drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 inhibitors and CYP3A4/CYP2C9 inducers on erdafitinib pharmacokinetics (PK) in patients with cancer exhibiting higher AGP levels and in populations with different CYP2C9 genotypes. Erdafitinib's DDI potential as a perpetrator for transporter inhibition and for time-dependent inhibition and/or induction of CYP3A was also evaluated. The PBPK model incorporated input parameters from various in vitro and clinical PK studies, and the model was verified using a clinical DDI study with itraconazole and fluconazole. Erdafitinib clearance in the PBPK model consisted of multiple pathways (CYP2C9/3A4, renal, intestinal; additional hepatic clearance), making the compound less susceptible to DDIs. In poor-metabolizing CYP2C9 populations carrying the CYP2C9*3/*3 genotype, simulations shown clinically relevant increase in erdafitinib plasma concentrations. Simulated luminal and enterocyte concentration showed potential risk of P-glycoprotein inhibition with erdafitinib in the first 5 h after dosing, and simulations showed this interaction can be avoided by staggering erdafitinib and digoxin dosing. Other than a simulated ~ 60% exposure reduction with strong CYP3A/2C inducers such as rifampicin, other DDI liabilities were minimal and considered not clinically relevant.