Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, and Safety Profiles of Ferric Carboxymaltose in Chinese Patients with Iron-deficiency Anemia

Purpose: Iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most commonly known nutritional deficiencies and is considered the primary cause of anemia (iron-deficiency anemia). Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), an intravenous iron preparation, has been widely used for >10 years for iron-deficiency anemia treatment worldwide because of its many advantages.

Methods: This single-center, open-label, single dose escalation study in Chinese subjects was designed to assess the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters and safety of FCM in this population. The first 12 subjects received a 500-mg dose; after assessing safety data from the first 6 subjects in this cohort, another 12 subjects were assigned to the 1000-mg dose cohort.

Findings: After an infusion of FCM over 15 min, a rapid dose-dependent increase in total serum iron levels was observed with a median T of 30 min following the start of the infusion for both cohorts. The C and AUC for the 1000-mg dose were ~1.8-fold (p = 0.2929) and 2.3-fold (p = 0.0318) those associated with the 500-mg dose, respectively. Mean terminal t values were 12.3 and 10.5 h for the 2 cohorts. The renal elimination of FCM was negligible (<0.1%). Increase in mean serum iron levels and ferritin concentrations showed dose dependency. Iron-binding capacity was transiently well utilized after dosing, as indicated by transferrin saturation >88% with 500-mg FCM and >90% with 1000-mg FCM. Hemoglobin levels did not show significant changes during the 7-day observation period, whereas mean reticulocyte counts significantly increased in both cohorts, suggesting activation of the hematopoietic system. FCM was well tolerated in these Chinese subjects. No new or unexpected treatment-emergent adverse events were attributable to FCM.

Implications: The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and safety profiles in Chinese subjects seemed comparable to those in white and Japanese populations. ChinaDrugTrials.org.cn identifier: CTR20160863.