Abiron is a CYP17 inhibitor indicated in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with

• Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
• Metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC).

Abiraterone Acetate is converted in vivo to Abiraterone, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, that inhibits 17 α-hydroxylase/C17, 20-lyase (CYP17). This enzyme is expressed in testicular, adrenal, and prostatic tumor tissues and is required for androgen biosynthesis. CYP17 catalyzes two sequential reactions:

1. The conversion of pregnenolone and progesterone to their 17 α-hydroxy derivatives by 17 α-hydroxylase activity and

2. The subsequent formation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, respectively, by C17, 20 lyase activity. DHEA and androstenedione are androgens and are precursors of testosterone. Inhibition of CYP17 by Abiraterone can also result in increased mineralocorticoid production by the adrenals. Androgen sensitive prostatic carcinoma responds to treatment that decreases androgen levels. Androgen deprivation therapies, such as treatment with GnRH agonists or orchiectomy, decrease androgen production in the testes but do not affect androgen production by the adrenals or in the tumor.

Abiraterone Acetate decreased serum testosterone and other androgens in patients in the placebo-controlled clinical trial. It is not necessary to monitor the effect of Abiraterone Acetate on serum testosterone levels. Changes in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels may be observed but have not been shown to correlate with clinical benefit in individual patients.

Recommended Dose For Metastatic CRPC: The recommended dose of Abiraterone Acetate is 1,000 mg (two 500 mg tablets or four 250 mg tablets) orally once daily with Prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily.

Recommended Dose For Metastatic High-Risk CSPC: The recommended dose of Abiraterone Acetate is 1,000 mg (two 500 mg tablets or four 250 mg tablets) orally once daily with Prednisone 5 mg administered orally once daily.

Patients receiving Abiraterone Acetate should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog concurrently or should have had bilateral orchiectomy. Abiraterone Acetate must be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or at least two hours atier a meal. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew tablets.

Dose Modification:

• For patients with baseline moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), reduce the Abiraterone Acetate starting dose to 250 mg once daily.
• For patients who develop hepatotoxicity during treatment, hold Abiraterone Acetate until recovery. Retreatment may be initated at a reduced dose. Abiraterone Acetate should be discontinued if patients develop severe hepatotoxicity.
• Avoid concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Rifampin, Rifabutin, Rifapentine, Phenobarbital) during Abiraterone Acetate treatment. If a strong CYP3A4 inducer must be co-administered, increase the Abiraterone Acetate dosing frequency to twice a day only during the co-administration period (e.g., from 1,000 mg once daily to 1,000 mg twice a day). Reduce the dose back to the previous dose and frequency, if the concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued. Or, as directed by the registered physician.

Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Drugs That Inhibit Or Induce CYP3A4 Enzymes: Based on in vitro data, Abiron is a substrate of CYP3A4. In a dedicated drug interaction trial, co-administration of Rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, decreased exposure of Abiron by 55%. Avoid concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducers during Abiron treatment. If a strong CYP3A4 inducer must be co-administered, increase the Abiron dosing frequency. In a dedicated drug interaction trial, co-administration of ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of Abiron.

Effects Of Abiron On Drug Metabolizing Enzymes: Abiron is an inhibitor of the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C8. In a CYP2D6 drug-drug interaction trial, the Cmax and AUC of Dextromethorphan (CYP2D6 substrate) were increased 2.8- and 2.9-fold, respectively, when Dextromethorphan was given with Abiron 1,000 mg daily and Prednisone 5 mg twice daily. Avoid co-administration of Abiron with substrates of CYP2D6 with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., Thioridazine). If alternative treatments cannot be used, consider a dose reduction of the concomitant CYP2D6 substrate drug. In a CYP2C8 drug-drug interaction trial in healthy subjects, the AUC of Pioglitazone (CYP2C8 substrate) was increased by 46% when Pioglitazone was given together with a single dose of 1,000 mg Abiron. Therefore, patients should be monitored closely for signs of toxicity related to a CYP2C8 substrate with a narrow therapeutic index if used concomitantly with Abiron.

Hypersensitivity to the Abiraterone acetate or to any of the excipients of Abiraterone.

The most common adverse reactions are fatigue, arthalgia, hypertension, nausea, edema, hypokalemia, hot flush, diarrhea, vomiting, upper respiratory infection, cough, and headache.

The safety and efficacy of Abiraterone have not been established in females. Based on findings from animal studies and the mechanism of action, Abiraterone can cause fetal harm and potential loss of pregnancy. There are no human data on the use of Abiraterone in pregnant women. The safety and efficacy of Abiraterone have not been established in females. There is no information available on the presence of abiraterone acetate in human milk, or on the effects on the breastfed child or milk production.

Abiron may cause hypertension, hypokalemia, and fluid retention as a consequence of increased mineralocorticoid levels resulting from CYP17 inhibition. Patients should be monitored for hypertension, hypokalemia, and fluid retention at least once a month. Hypertension and hypokalemia should be controlled and corrected before and during treatment with Abiron. Patients should be monitored for symptoms and signs of adrenocortical insufficiency. Serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and bilirubin levels should be measured prior to starting treatment with Abiron, every two weeks for the first three months of treatment and monthly thereatier.

There is no specific antidote. In the event of an overdose, Abiron should be stopped, general supportive measures are undertaken, including monitoring for arrhythmias and cardiac failure and assess liver function.

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

Do not store above 25°C. Protect from light. Keep out of the reach of children.