An Investigation on the Effect of Age and BMI on the Pharmacokinetics of Transdermal Granisetron

Sancuso® (granisetron transdermal system [TDS] or patch) was approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2008, indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately and/or highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens of up to 5 consecutive days' duration.

While in vivo pharmacokinetic studies with Sancuso® in healthy adults and in subjects receiving chemotherapy have been conducted, there are limited data from subjects who have altered skin integrity due to advanced age or poor nutritional status related to chronic illness. In addition, available data suggest that granisetron is delivered into subcutaneous fat and is released from that compartment over time. It is possible that individuals with varying nutritional status and resultant differences in subcutaneous fat would have differences in pharmacokinetics.

Inclusion criteria

-- Healthy male or female subjects:

Part I

• Aged ≥ 65 years at screening
• Control group: aged ≥ 18 to 45 years at screening

Part II -- Aged between 18 and 60 years, inclusive, at screening

Part I

-- BMI between 20.0 and 29.9 kg/m², inclusive

Part II

• Underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) or obese (BMI between 30.0 and 39.9 kg/m², inclusive)
• Control group: BMI between 20.0 and 24.9 kg/m², inclusive

Exclusion criteria

• Current or previous disease, disorder, allergy or condition that could affect study conduct or laboratory assessments, or that presents undue risk from study medication or procedures.
• Physical examination or screening investigation result that indicates subject is unfit for study.
• Scarring on upper arms.
• Positive virology, urine drugs of abuse or pregnancy test result (female subjects of childbearing potential only).
• Recent use of prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
• Received an investigational drug within 3 months (90 days) prior to patch application.
• Loss of ≥ 400 mL of blood (e.g. been a blood donor) within the previous 3 months.
• Average weekly alcohol consumption > 21 units (males) or 14 units (females), or habitually smokes ≥ 5 cigarettes or equivalent tobacco per day within the 6 months before patch application.
• Lactating female subjects and female subjects of childbearing potential not willing to use an acceptable form of contraception during and for 90 days after the study.
• Employee of the investigator or study centre, with direct involvement in the proposed study or other studies under the direction of that investigator or study centre, as well as family members of the employees or the investigator.