Bridging Olaparib Capsule and Tablet Formulations Using Population Pharmacokinetic Meta-analysis in Oncology Patients

Olaparib is a first-in-class potent oral poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor.

The aims of this analysis were to establish an integrated population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of olaparib in patients with solid tumors and to bridge the PK of olaparib between capsule and tablet formulations.

The population PK model was developed using plasma concentration data from 659 patients in 11 phase I, II, and III studies of olaparib tablets/capsules monotherapy. Relative bioavailability between the tablet and capsule formulations was estimated and the relative exposure between olaparib tablet and capsule therapeutic doses was further assessed.

The concentration-time profile was described using a two-compartment model with sequential zero- and first-order absorption and first-order elimination for both capsules and tablets with different absorption parameters. Multiple-dose clearance compared with single-dose clearance was reduced by approximately 15% (auto-inhibition). Disease severity had an impact on olaparib clearance, and tablet strength had an impact on K_a. The olaparib geometric mean area under the curve (AUC) and maximal concentration (C_max) following a single 300 mg tablet were 42.1 μg h/mL and 5.8 μg/mL, respectively, and the steady-state geometric mean AUC and C_max following a 300 mg tablet twice daily were 49.0 μg h/mL and 7.7 μg/mL, respectively. The relative exposure (AUC) of the 300 mg tablet formulation is 13% higher than the 400 mg capsule formulation.

This analysis bridged the olaparib capsule and tablet formulation PK and provided key assessment to support the approval of the olaparib tablet formulation in patients with ovarian cancer, regardless of their BRCA mutation status.