In patients with Parkinson's disease, the characteristic motor symptoms, i.e., slowness of movement (bradykinesia), tremor and rigidity, are consequences of the progressive degeneration of neurons containing and releasing dopamine. The first-line treatment of Parkinson´s is oral administration of levodopa - a precursor to dopamine that (unlike dopamine) passes the blood brain barrier. After the first few years of treatment with levodopa, many patients do however develop a highly variable response to the drug characterised by rapid shifts between impaired locomotion and drug induced dyskinesias (referred to as the on-off syndrome). This is cased by the marked variation in serum levodopa levels following per oral administration, and it is known that intravenous administration of levodopa give a more stable level of levodopa with improved on-off symptoms. Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) - under the name of Duodopa® - is delivered directly to the proximal jejunum via a tube connected to a portable infusion pump. Infusion of Duodopa in the jejunum bypasses gastric emptying, helping to avoid the fluctuation in plasma levodopa levels. However, while clearly confirming that an even administration of levodopa is of considerable benefit to Parkinson patients with on-off symptomatology, the LCIG approach is marred by the need for surgery (for the insertion of the intestinal tube) and various possible complications following this, as well as by side effects such as abdominal pain. Researchers have now succeeded in producing a physiologically acceptable levodopa solution (called Infudopa) in a concentration allowing for a continuous intravenous (i.v.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of therapeutic doses to humans. Early experience of this strategy confirms that both s.c. and i.v. administration of this solution results in even serum levodopa levels and markedly improved motor functioning. The aim of this study is to compare the pharmacokinetic profile of Infudopa administered i.v. and s.c. with that of Duodopa administered enterally in parkinsonian patients with on-off complications.
IPO-001 is a prospective, randomized, 3-period cross-over, open-label multicentre trial comparing intravenous and subcutaneous Infudopa with intestinal Duodopa. The patients will be identified and recruited at neurology clinics at university hospital clinical sites in Sweden, and travel from their living location to a clinical phase I site with full Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standard at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg for the three treatment visits. At the phase I study clinic, patients will receive Duodopa at optimal dosage for 16 hours at one of the treatment visits, i.v. Infudopa at a concentration estimated to yield corresponding serum levels of levodopa for the same duration at another treatment visit, and they will again receive the corresponding amount of levodopa but in the form of s.c. Infudopa at a third visit. The study will hence have a cross-over design with a minimum of three days on Duodopa between the different treatment visits, where the order of treatments will be non-blinded but randomized. Blood samples will be drawn according to a set schedule during the treatment visits, and subjects will be monitored for safety throughout the study, with focus on the local tolerability at the injection sites of i.v. and s.c. administration.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
25
Infudopa i.v. infusion will be given through an indwelling catheter placed in the arm. Infudopa i.v. will be delivered in 75% of the subject's individual pre-study dosing of Duodopa. From patient 6 and onwards: Infudopa IntraV, at 81% of the subject's individual pre-study daily Duodopa dose, will be delivered over a 16-h period and administered as a continuous fixed infusion rate preceded by a morning bolus dose. The i.v. morning bolus is 110% of the hourly continuous dose delivered at the rate of 60 ml/h (mixed volume rate Infudopa Active + Infudopa Buffer IntraV). The morning dose will not exceed 24 mL, corresponding to 240 mg levodopa. The maximum daily dose levodopa during i.v. administration is not allowed to exceed 3240mg (equal to 81% of the maximum allowed daily dosage for Duodopa that is 4000 mg).
A suitable infusion needle will be placed laterally on the abdomen for the s.c. infusion of Infudopa. Infudopa s.c. will be delivered in the same dosage as the subject's individual pre-study dosing of Duodopa, as a morning rapid s.c. constant rate administration followed by continuous s.c. infusion up to 16 h. From patient 6 and onwards: Two infusion needles will be placed on the abdomen for the s.c. infusion of Infudopa SubC in 86% of the the subject's individual pre-study daily Duodopa dose. The intervention is given as a continuous fixed infusion rate for 16h preceded by a morning bolus dose. The s.c. morning bolus is 155% of the hourly continuous dose delivered at the rate of 80 ml/h (mixed volume rate Infudopa Active + Infudopa Buffer SubC). The morning dose will not exceed 30 mL. The maximum daily dose levodopa during s.c. administration is not allowed to exceed 3440mg (equal to 86% of the maximum allowed daily dosage for Duodopa that is 4000 mg).
Duodopa will be administered directly to the proximal small intestine via a PEG-J tube connected to a portable infusion pump. Individually optimized dosing of Duodopa will be administered as a morning rapid constant rate administration followed by continuous infusion and, if needed, intermittent extra doses (subject-initiated based on symptom experience). The maximum daily dose levodopa during Duodopa administration should normally not exceed 3350 mg, and is not allowed to exceed 4000 mg. From patient 6 and onwards: The pre-study daily Duodopa dose will be delivered over a 16-h period and administered as a continuous fixed infusion rate preceded by a morning bolus dose. The morning bolus is 110% of the hourly continuous dose delivered at the rate of 40 ml/h. The morning dose will not exceed 15 mL, corresponding to 300 mg levodopa. The maximum daily dose levodopa is not allowed to exceed 4000mg.
Sahlgrenska Universtiy Hospital, Dep of Neurology
Gothenburg, Sweden
Steady state plasma concentration - levodopa
To demonstrate that Infudopa i.v. and s.c. yield steady state plasma concentration of levodopa that is equivalent with that of Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Area under plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) - levodopa
AUC of levodopa plasma concentrations during the dosage interval with Infudopa i.v. and s.c. will be compared to Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Coefficient of variation (COV) for plasma levodopa concentrations
COV for plasma levodopa concentrations during the dosage interval with Infudopa i.v. and s.c. will be compared to Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Local skin tolerability to the investigated products, Draize score
The number of participants with treatment-related local skin reactions during or following s.c and i.v. infusion of the IMP will be assessed. Local skin reactions will be rated by a dermatologist using Draize scoring.
Time frame: For each treatment visit - Baseline: Day -1; Post infusion: t=24h, day 30±5 (only s.c. infusion), 30+/-5 days after last treatment visit.
Local skin tolerability to the investigated products, subjective symptom ratings
In participants with skin reactions the skin symptoms tenderness and itching will be rated by the participants using a horizontal 10 cm visual analogue scale graded 0-100 where 0 represents no symptom and 100 worst possible.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Day 1 during infusion: t=2h, t=8h, t=16h after infusion start; Day 2 post infusion: t=24h after infusion start, day 30±5 (only s.c. infusion), 30+/-5 days after last treatment visit.
Bioavailability - levodopa
To establish the bioavailability of levodopa given s.c. and as Duodopa compared to the i.v. administration
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Bioavailability - carbidopa
To establish the bioavailability of carbidopa given s.c. and as Duodopa compared to the i.v. administration
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) - levodopa
Compare maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of levodopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) - carbidopa
Compare maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of carbidopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Time of the maximum plasma concentration (tmax) - levodopa
Compare time of the maximum plasma concentration (tmax) of levodopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Time of the maximum plasma concentration (tmax) - carbidopa
Compare time of the maximum plasma concentration (tmax) of carbidopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Area under the curve (AUC) - levodopa
Compare area under the curve (AUC) of levodopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Area under the curve (AUC) - carbidopa
Compare area under the curve (AUC) of carbidopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Elimination half-life (t½) - levodopa
Compare elimination half-life (t½) of levodopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Elimination half-life (t½) - carbidopa
Compare elimination half-life (t½) of carbidopa during treatment with s.c and i.v Infudopa versus Duodopa.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Pre-dose, t=15 min, t=30 min, t=1h, t=1.5h, t=2h, t=2.5h, t=3h, t=3.5h, t=4h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=8h, t=10h, t=12h, t=14h, t=16h, t=16.5h, t=17h, t=17.5h, t=18h, t=23h, and t=24h from infusion start.
Parkinson's disease motor symptom ratings
Bradykinesia and dyskinesia will be assessed using the Treatment Response Scale, TRS (Nyholm et al, 2005). For this assessment the following items from the UPDRS will be performed: Finger tapping (item 23), Rapid alternating hand movements (item 25), eg agility (item 26), arising from chair (item 27), gait (item 29), and global bradykinesia (item 31). The occurrence of dyskinesia during these items will be assessed according to the definitions of the Modified Dyskinesia Scale (Goetz et al. 1994). The TRS outcome measure is a Likert scale that ranges from -3 to +3 (severely bradykinetic to severely dyskinetic).
Time frame: For each treatment visit: pre-dose, t=1,5h, t=5h, t=6h, t=7h, t=16h and t=24h from infusion start.
Parkinson Kinetigraph objective bradykinesia measurement (BK score)
The 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of the BK scores from a 24h recording will be determined.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Between 9-18 as well as +1h to +16h after infusion start.
Parkinson Kinetigraph objective dyskinesia measurement (DK score)
The 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of the DK scores from a 24h recording will be determined.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Day 1: Between 9-18 as well as +1h to +16h after infusion start.
Parkinson Kinetigraph objective tremor episodes
The percent of time with ongoing tremor consisting of at least 10 seconds meeting the operational tremor criteria defined by Braybrook et al (2016) will be measured.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Day 1: Between 9-18 as well as +1h to +16h after infusion start.
Parkinson Kinetigraph objective Fluctuation dyskinesia score (FDS)
The fluctuation dyskinesia score will be calculated from the interquartile range of BK and DK scores.
Time frame: For each treatment visit: Day 1: Between 9-18 as well as +1h to +16h after infusion start.
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