Bioavailability study of a new testosterone orodispersible tablet (ODT) administered as single doses of 6 and 12 mg to healthy postmenopausal women

ISRCTN ISRCTN13049111
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13049111
Secondary identifying numbers CRO-PK-14-287
Submission date
14/10/2015
Registration date
16/10/2015
Last edited
04/11/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Testosterone is the most powerful of the male sex hormones (androgens) and is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics seen in men, such as a deeper voice and facial hair. Although testosterone is considered to be a “male hormone”, it is also produced in women, although in much smaller quantities. As men get older, testosterone levels fall. When a man has low testosterone, it can cause them to lose their sex drive, experience erectile dysfunction and even depression. In some cases a man may need to take artificial testosterone in order to maintain their natural levels (hormone replacement therapy). This type of therapy is usually given as an injection, as when pure testosterone is taken by mouth (orally) most of it is broken down and so doesn’t increase blood levels. A new form of oral testosterone has been developed into a tablet which is orodispersible (dissolves in the mouth). These tablets contain a chemical called hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) which helps them to dissolve in saliva so that the testosterone can be absorbed by the body. The aim of this study is to find out whether taking HPBCD orodispersible tablets (ODT) can help to increase levels of testosterone in the blood. The drug is being given to women who have been through the menopause (as they have much less testosterone than men with low testosterone levels).

Who can participate?
Healthy women between the ages of 45 and 65 who have been through the menopause.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into one of three groups, all of whom will receive each of the three treatments in a different order. The first treatment involves allowing a 6mg HPBCD ODT tablet to dissolve on the tongue, the second treatment involves allowing a 12mg HPBCD ODT tablet dissolve on the tongue and the third treatment involves swallowing a 12mg HPBCD ODT tablet with water. Participants wait for 3 days in between receiving each treatment (wash-out period). At regular intervals on the day that each dose is taken, participants have blood samples taken so that testosterone levels can be measured in the laboratory.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no benefits of participating in the study. There are no significant risks of participating, as the doses given are very small and unlikely to trigger unwanted side-effects.

Where is the study run from?
CROSS Research S.A. Phase I Unit (Switzerland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2014 to October 2015

Who is funding the study?
IBSA Institut Biochimique S.A. (Switzerland)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Milko Radicioni

Contact information

Dr Milko Radicioni
Scientific

CROSS Research Phase I Unit
Via F. A. Giorgioli 14
Arzo
CH-6864
Switzerland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-3940-8375

Study information

Study designSingle-dose open-randomised 3-period 3-way cross-over exploratory bioavailability study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised cross over trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeOther
Scientific titleBioavailability study of a new testosterone orodispersible tablet (ODT) administered as single doses of 6 and 12 mg to healthy postmenopausal women. Single dose, open, randomised, 3-period, 3-way cross-over exploratory bioavailability study
Study objectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of the new oral testosterone ODT formulation administered under fasting conditions at the doses of 6 and 12 mg. The safety profile after single dose administration will be evaluated during the whole study.
Ethics approval(s)1. Ethics Committee Cantonale (Comitato Etico Cantonale), 15/09/2014, ref: CE2832
2. Federal Health Authorities (Swissmedic), 09/04/2015, ref: 2015DR1053
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedHealthy adult volunteers under fasting conditions
InterventionThe study was conducted in healthy post-menopausal women as a model to avoid the problem of endogenous levels and fluctuations of testosterone in the pharmacokinetics results. Post-menopausal women have in fact baseline testosterone levels of less than 1.00 ng/mL, as compared to hypogonadal men with levels of of less than 350 ng/dL.
Each volunteer received one single dose of the following test treatments in 3 periods separated by wash-out intervals of at least 3 days, for a minimum study duration of 9 days, screening visit included:
1. 1 testosterone HPBCD ODT 6 mg disintegrated on the tongue (without chewing)
2. 1 testosterone HPBCD ODT 12 mg disintegrated on the tongue (without chewing)
3. 1 testosterone HPBCD ODT 12 mg swallowed with water
The sequence of the 3 test treatments in the study periods was assigned to each volunteer according to a computer generated randomisation list. The follow-up was performed only in case of adverse events, until resolution or stabilization.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase I
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Testosterone hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD)
Primary outcome measureBaseline-corrected rate (Cmax) and extent (AUC0-t) of exposure of total testosterone, free-testosterone and 5α-dihydro-testosterone (DHT) after single dose administration of the test treatments at baseline, 10, 20, 30, 45 minutes, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 hours post-dose
Secondary outcome measures1. tmax and baseline-corrected AUC0-∞, t1/2, and λz of total testosterone, free-testosterone and DHT at baseline, 10, 20, 30, 45 minutes, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 hours post-dose
2. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs), vital signs (BP, HR), body weight, laboratory parameters (hormones included), ECG after administration of each test treatment.
Overall study start date08/07/2014
Completion date07/10/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participantsSixteen (16)
Key inclusion criteria1. Women aged between 45 and 65 inclusive
2. Post-menopausal status for at least 1 year
3. Body Mass Index (BMI): 18.5-30 kg/m2 inclusive
4. Vital signs: systolic blood pressure 100-139 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 50-89 mmHg, heart rate 50-90 bpm
5. Endogenous testosterone levels < 3.5 nmol/L (about 1.00 ng/mL)
6. Normal or not clinically relevant abnormal cervical smears at PAP test
7. Normal or not clinically relevant abnormal mammograms
8. Ability to provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. ECG 12-leads (supine position): clinically relevant abnormalities
2. Clinically relevant abnormal physical findings
3. Clinically relevant abnormal laboratory values
4. Ascertained or presumptive hypersensitivity to the active principle (testosterone) and/or formulations' ingredients
5. Relevant history of cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, haematological, gastrointestinal, immunological, dermatological, endocrine, genito-urinary, neurological or psychiatric diseases that could interfere with the aim of the study; malignant neoplasia
6. Intake of any drug affecting the cytochrome P450 for 28 days before the first dose
7. Any hormonal replacement therapy (estrogen-progestin formulations) within 4 weeks, any sex hormone depot injection within 6 months and any sex hormone implants within 5 years
Date of first enrolment27/04/2015
Date of final enrolment30/06/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Switzerland

Study participating centre

CROSS Research S.A
Phase I Unit
Via F.A. Giorgioli 14
Arzo
CH-6864
Switzerland

Sponsor information

IBSA Institut Biochimique S.A.
Industry

Via del Piano
PO Box 266
Pambio-Noranco
CH-6915
Switzerland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/051tj3a26

Funders

Funder type

Industry

IBSA Institut Biochimique SA

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in repository
Publication and dissemination planNo intention to publish study results
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

04/11/2020: No publications found.