Vemurafenib, a selective inhibitor of oncogenic BRAF kinase carrying the V600 mutation, is approved for treatment of advanced BRAF mutation–positive melanoma. This study characterized mass balance, metabolism, rates/routes of elimination, and disposition of 14C-labeled vemurafenib in patients with metastatic melanoma. Seven patients with metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma received unlabeled vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily for 14 days. On the morning of day 15, patients received 14C-labeled vemurafenib 960 mg (maximum 2.56 MBq [69.2 μCi]). Thereafter, patients resumed unlabeled vemurafenib (960 mg twice daily). Blood, urine, and feces were collected for metabolism, pharmacokinetic, and dose recovery analysis. Within 18 days after dose, ∼95% of 14C-vemurafenib–related material was recovered from feces (94.1%) and urine (<1%). The parent compound was the predominant component (95%) in plasma. The mean plasma elimination half-life of 14C-vemurafenib–related material was 71.1 h. Each metabolite accounted for <0.5% and ≤6% of the total administered dose in urine and feces, respectively (0–96 h postdose). No new metabolites were detected. Vemurafenib was well-tolerated. Excretion of vemurafenib via bile into feces is considered the predominant elimination route from plasma with minor renal elimination (<1%).

Recently, regulatory bodies have published guidance related to this topic. 2-7 A common thread among these various documents is an emphasis on risk-based approach to data management, specifically targeting data and study procedures that are critical and have the greatest impact on maintaining subject safety and determining product efficacy. For example, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Good Practices (GXP) Data Integrity Guidance and Definitions document discusses the data lifecycle, data governance, and other organizational culture features to be considered in a risk-based approach. 2 An open reporting culture in organizations should be encouraged as fundamental to data integrity promotion throughout the data lifecycle, including processes from generation or recording of data to destruction, if needed, and the intervening processes (Figure 1).

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The aim of this work was to explore the major design features of drug-drug interaction trials between antiviral medications (AVs) and oral contraceptives (OCs). Information on these trials (n = 27) was collected from approved drug labels and clinical pharmacology reviews conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The primary objective of all trials was to evaluate changes in OC exposure following the coadministration of AVs. In addition, an evaluation of potential pharmacodynamic interaction was performed in 10 of these trials. Twenty-two trials were open label with a fixed-sequence design, and 5 trials used a double-blind crossover design. The trials were conducted using one, two, or three 28-day ovulatory cycles in 10, 8, and 9 trials, respectively. Only 1 trial enrolled HIV-infected women. The median number of women in a trial was 20 (range, 12 to 52). Norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol (EE) combination was the most commonly used OC (n = 16, 59%) followed by norgestimate/EE (n = 9, 33%). Labeling recommendations were based on exposure changes in 25 cases and on safety observations in the trial in 2 cases. In conclusion, a wide variety of trial designs was used, and there is no preferred design. The answer to the exposure question can be achieved using multiple designs.