Drug Interactions between bexarotene and valoctocogene roxaparvovec

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may enhance the oral bioavailability of bexarotene. In one clinical study, bexarotene peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) resulting from a 75 to 300 mg dose were 35% and 48% higher, respectively, when administered after a fat-containing meal relative to a glucose solution. In all clinical trials, patients were instructed to take bexarotene with or immediately following a meal.

Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 such as grapefruit juice may theoretically increase the plasma concentrations of bexarotene. In vitro studies suggest that bexarotene is metabolized by CYP450 3A4. However, concomitant administration with multiple doses of ketoconazole, a potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, did not alter bexarotene plasma concentrations, which would imply that bexarotene elimination is not substantially dependent on CYP450 3A4 metabolism in vivo.

MANAGEMENT: Because safety and efficacy data are based upon administration with food, bexarotene should be administered once daily with a meal. Patients may want to avoid consuming large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with other hepatotoxic agents such as alcohol may increase the risk of liver injury and decrease the therapeutic efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, a liver-directed adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector designed to help replace missing coagulation factor VIII. Most of the patients treated with valoctocogene roxaparvovec in clinical studies experienced ALT elevations, presumably due to immune-mediated injury of transduced hepatocytes, which may decrease the therapeutic efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec. In a clinical trial of adults with severe hemophilia (n=134) receiving a single dose of valoctocogene roxaparvovec (6 x 10[13] vector genomes [vg]/kg), 107 patients (96%) experienced increased ALT levels greater than or equal to 1.5 times baseline or greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN), while 12 patients (9%) experienced increased ALT levels greater than 5 to 20 times ULN. Some of the ALT elevations were associated with decreased factor VIII activity, and some were attributed to alcohol consumption. Most patients treated with valoctocogene roxaparvovec required immunosuppressive medications, including corticosteroids, to control elevations in transaminases and prevent loss of transgene expression.

MANAGEMENT: After administration of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, alcohol consumption should be avoided for at least 1 year and limited thereafter.