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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods
Published on: September 10, 2018
Single-center, single-dose, open-label, randomized, two-period crossover study on the bioavailability of methotrexate
Boris Bienvenu1, Achille Aouba1, Jacques-Eric Gottenberg2
1a Department of Internal Medicine , Université de Caen , Caen , France.
Objective:
Zeneo 1 is a needle-free injection device. We performed a pharmacokinetic study to investigate the bioequivalence of methotrexate administered subcutaneously using either the needle-free injection device or a conventional needle and syringe.
Research Design And Methods:
This was a single-dose, open-label, laboratory-blind, randomized crossover study performed in adult healthy volunteers. Each participant received two methotrexate injections (each 25 mg), one via needle-free injection device and one via conventional injection, with a 21-28 day wash-out interval between dosing. For each participant, the administration site for both injections was either the abdomen or the thigh.
Main Outcome Measures:
The primary pharmacokinetic outcome parameters were AUC(0-t) and Cmax. Bioequivalence was assessed by standard criteria: whether 90% confidence intervals of geometric mean ratios for the two administration methods were within 80-125%.
Results:
Fifty-two individuals completed the study. Bioequivalence criteria were met for AUC(0-t), for the overall analysis (both injection sites: 90% confidence interval: 99.4-103.1%), and for each injection site separately. Bioequivalence was similarly demonstrated with AUC(0-∞). Bioequivalence criteria for Cmax were fulfilled for abdominal administration but not for the overall analysis. Injection via the needle-free injection device was well tolerated.
Limitations:
Limitations include conducting the study in healthy volunteers and the relatively small subject number (albeit satisfactory for bioequivalence).
Conclusions:
This study shows that methotrexate injection via needle-free injection device is bioequivalent to a conventional needle and syringe in relation to AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-∞). Studies of needle-free injection device use in patients requiring methotrexate therapy are planned.
