Mechanism of Action/Pharmacodynamics

The mechanism of action of pimecrolimus in atopic dermatitis is not known. While the following have been observed, the clinical significance of these observations in atopic dermatitis is not known. It has been demonstrated that pimecrolimus binds with high affinity to macrophilin-12 (FKBP-12) and inhibits the calcium-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin. As a consequence, it inhibits T cell activation by blocking the transcription of early cytokines. In particular, pimecrolimus inhibits at nanomolar concentrations Interleukin-2 and interferon gamma (Th1type) and Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-10 (Th2-type) cytokine synthesis in human T cells. In addition, pimecrolimus prevents the release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators from mast cells in vitro after stimulation by antigen/IgE.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

In adult patients (n=52) being treated for atopic dermatitis [13%-62% Body Surface Area (BSA) involvement] for periods up to a year, a maximum pimecrolimus concentration of 1.4 ng/mL was observed among those subjects with detectable blood levels. In the majority of samples in adult (91%; 1,244/1,362) subjects, blood concentrations of pimecrolimus were below 0.5 ng/mL. Data on blood levels of pimecrolimus measured in pediatric patients are described below in Special Populations, Pediatrics.

Distribution

Laboratory in vitro plasma protein binding studies using equilibrium gel filtration have shown that 99.5% of pimecrolimus in plasma is bound to proteins over the pimecrolimus concentration range of 2-100 ng/mL tested. The major fraction of pimecrolimus in plasma appears to be bound to various lipoproteins. As with other topical calcineurin inhibitors, it is not known whether pimecrolimus is absorbed into cutaneous lymphatic vessels or in regional lymph nodes.

Metabolism

Following the administration of a single oral radiolabeled dose of pimecrolimus numerous circulating O-demethylation metabolites were seen. Studies with human liver microsomes indicate that pimecrolimus is metabolized in vitro by the CYP3A sub-family of metabolizing enzymes. No evidence of skin mediated drug metabolism was identified in vivo using the minipig or in vitro using stripped human skin.

Elimination

Based on the results of the aforementioned radiolabeled study, following a single oral dose of pimecrolimus ~81% of the administered radioactivity was recovered, primarily in the feces (78.4%) as metabolites. Less than 1% of the radioactivity found in the feces was due to unchanged pimecrolimus.

Special Populations

Pediatrics

The systemic exposure to pimecrolimus from ELIDEL® (pimecrolimus) Cream 1% was investigated in 28 pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (20%-80% BSA involvement) between the ages of 8 months-14 yrs. Following twice daily application for three weeks, blood concentrations of pimecrolimus were < 2 ng/mL with 60% (96/161) of the blood samples having blood concentration below the limit of quantification (0.5 ng/mL). However, the children (23 children out of the total 28 children investigated) had at least one detectable blood level as compared to the adults (12 adults out of the total 52 adults investigated) over a 3-week treatment period. Due to the erratic nature of the blood levels observed, no correlation could be made between amount of cream, degree of BSA involvement, and blood concentrations. In general, the blood concentrations measured in adult atopic dermatitis patients were comparable to those seen in the pediatric population.

In a second group of 30 pediatric patients aged 3-23 months with 10%-92% BSA involvement, following twice daily application for three weeks, blood concentrations of pimecrolimus were < 2.6 ng/mL with 65% (75/116) of the blood samples having blood concentration below 0.5ng/mL, and 27% (31/116) below the limit of quantification (0.1 ng/mL) for these studies.

Overall, a higher proportion of detectable blood levels was seen in the pediatric patient population as compared to adult population. This increase in the absolute number of positive blood levels may be due to the larger surface area to body mass ratio seen in these younger subjects. In addition, a higher incidence of upper respiratory symptoms/infections was also seen relative to the older age group in the PK studies. At this time, a causal relationship between these findings and ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) use cannot be ruled out.

ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream is not indicated for use in children less than 2 years of age (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE, WARNINGS, BOXED WARNING, and PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use).

Renal Insufficiency

The effect of renal insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of topically administered pimecrolimus has not been evaluated but dose-adjustment is not expected to be needed as 80% of the drug is excreted in the feces.

Hepatic Insufficiency

The effect of hepatic insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of topically administered pimecrolimus has not been evaluated but dose-adjustment is not expected to be needed.

Clinical Studies

Three randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multi-center, Phase 3 studies were conducted in 589 pediatric patients ages 3 months-17 years old to evaluate ELIDEL® (pimecrolimus) Cream 1% for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Two of the three trials support the use of ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream in patients 2 years and older with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (see PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use). Three other trials in 1,619 pediatric and adult patients provided additional data regarding the safety of ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Two of these other trials were vehicle-controlled with optional sequential use of a medium potency topical corticosteroid in pediatric patients and one trial was an active comparator trial in adult patients with atopic dermatitis (see PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use and ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Two identical 6-week, randomized, vehicle-controlled, multi-center, Phase 3 trials were conducted to evaluate ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. A total of 403 pediatric patients 2-17 years old were included in the studies. The male/female ratio was approximately 50% and 29% of the patients were African American. At study entry, 59% of patients had moderate disease and the mean body surface area (BSA) affected was 26%. About 75% of patients had atopic dermatitis affecting the face and/or neck region. In these studies, patients applied either ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream or vehicle cream twice daily to 5% to 96% of their BSA for up to 6 weeks. At endpoint, based on the physician's global evaluation of clinical response, 35% of patients treated with ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream were clear or almost clear of signs of atopic dermatitis compared to only 18% of vehicle-treated patients. More ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) patients (57%) had mild or no pruritus at 6 weeks compared to vehicle patients (34%). The improvement in pruritus occurred in conjunction with the improvement of the patients' atopic dermatitis.

In these two 6-week studies of ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) , the combined efficacy results at endpoint are as follows:

In the two pediatric studies that independently support the use of ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, a significant treatment effect was seen by day 15. Of the key signs of atopic dermatitis, erythema, infiltration/papulation, lichenification, and excoriations, erythema and infiltration/papulation were reduced at day 8 when compared to vehicle.

The following graph depicts the time course of improvement in the percent body surface area affected as a result of treatment with ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream in 2-17 year olds.

Figure 1

The following graph shows the time course of improvement in erythema as a result of treatment with ELIDEL (pimecrolimus cream) Cream in 2-17 year olds.

Figure 2

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/11/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.