Drug Interactions between etranacogene dezaparvovec and macitentan / tadalafil

MONITOR: Coadministration with other hepatotoxic agents may increase the risk of liver injury and decrease the therapeutic efficacy of fidanacogene elaparvovec and etranacogene dezaparvovec, liver-directed adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors designed to help replace missing coagulation factor IX. Increased transaminase levels, particularly those observed in the first 3 to 4 months after administration of these agents, have been attributed to immune-mediated injury of transduced hepatocytes, which may decrease its therapeutic efficacy. In a prospective, open-label, single-arm, multinational clinical study of adult male patients with moderately severe to severe hemophilia B (n=45) receiving a single dose of fidanacogene elaparvovec (5 x 10[11] vector genomes [vg]/kg), 29 patients experienced increased transaminase levels greater than or equal to 1.5 times baseline. Of these patients, 28 received treatment with corticosteroids due to increased transaminases and/or a decline in factor IX activity, with a mean initiation time to corticosteroid therapy reported at 45 days. However, no serious adverse reactions were reported. Likewise, clinical studies with etranacogene dezaparvovec have also reported asymptomatic and mostly mild elevations in transaminases. The majority of elevated ALT levels returned to baseline; however, there were cases where they remained between 48 IU/L to 193 IU/L at two years post-administration of etranacogene dezaparvovec.

MANAGEMENT: As part of monitoring post-administration of fidanacogene elaparvovec, the manufacturer generally recommends monitoring of ALT and factor IX activity levels (e.g., one to two times a week for at least 4 months). The manufacturer of etranacogene dezaparvovec advises weekly transaminase level monitoring at weekly intervals for 3 months after its administration and, in patients with elevated levels, until those enzymes return to baseline. Initiation of corticosteroid therapy and monitoring of Factor IX activity should be considered in cases where ALT levels rise above the upper limit of normal or double baseline levels. The risk of additive hepatotoxicity and decreased therapeutic efficacy of fidanacogene elaparvovec should be considered after coadministration with other hepatotoxic agents. Alternative treatment may be required if an interaction is suspected. The manufacturer of etranacogene dezaparvovec does not provide specific recommendations concerning coadministration with other hepatotoxic agents. Local protocols and/or the product labeling of the concomitant drug(s) should be consulted for additional guidance.

Based on their pharmacology, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors may conceivably potentiate the hypotensive effect of antihypertensive medications or effects of agents with hypotensive properties. These agents inhibit PDE5-mediated degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which in vascular smooth muscles can cause peripheral vasodilation. However, clinical pharmacology studies of tadalafil (administered as a 10 mg dose except in studies with angiotensin II receptor (AR) blockers and amlodipine, which used a dose of 20 mg) have demonstrated no clinically significant interaction with various antihypertensive drugs from major classes including calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, thiazide diuretics, and AR blockers. Tadalafil 10 mg and 20 mg also had no clinically significant effect on blood pressure changes due to tamsulosin, an alpha-1a blocker. In addition, analysis of data from Phase 3 clinical trials showed no difference in adverse events in patients taking tadalafil with or without antihypertensive medications. In patients receiving concomitant antihypertensive medications, tadalafil 20 mg may induce a blood pressure decrease that is, in general, minor and not likely to be clinically relevant. In a clinical study of healthy male subjects 45 to 78 years of age, administration of silodosin with a single 20 mg dose of tadalafil resulted in increased frequency of positive orthostatic test results during a 12-hour period following concomitant dosing compared to administration with placebo. No events of symptomatic orthostasis or dizziness were reported in subjects receiving silodosin with tadalafil. Nevertheless, patients should be advised of the potential for interaction and to contact their doctor if they experience symptoms of hypotension such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.