Aklief

Pregnancy

Risk Summary
Available data from clinical trials with AKLIEF Cream use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are case reports of major birth defects similar to those seen in fetuses exposed to oral retinoids in pregnant women exposed to other topical retinoids, but these case reports do not establish a pattern or association with retinoid-related embryopathy.

In animal reproduction studies, oral doses of trifarotene administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis that resulted in systemic exposures more than 800 times the systemic exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of AKLIEF Cream resulted in adverse fetal effects, including fetal deaths and external, visceral, and skeletal malformations (see Data). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
 

Data
Animal Data
Oral administration of trifarotene to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses that resulted in systemic exposures greater than 1600 times those in humans at the MRHD of AKLIEF Cream resulted in adverse fetal effects, including fetal deaths, reduced mean fetal weight, and external, visceral, and skeletal malformations.

Oral administration of trifarotene to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses that resulted in systemic exposures at least 800 times those in humans at the MRHD of AKLIEF Cream resulted in adverse fetal effects, including defects of the tail, limbs, urogenital organs, and vertebral column.

Trifarotene administered orally to female rats from gestation Day 6 to lactation Day 20, at doses that resulted in systemic exposures up to 594 times those in humans at the MRHD of AKLIEF Cream, had no effect on maternal function or behavior, including gestation, delivery, pup-rearing, lactation and nursing, or survival or development of pups .There were no effects of maternal treatment on behavior, learning, memory, or reproductive function of pups.

Lactation

Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of trifarotene in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. In animal studies, trifarotene was present in rat milk with oral administration of the drug. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. It is possible that topical administration of large amounts of trifarotene could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk (see Clinical Considerations). The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for AKLIEF Cream and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from AKLIEF Cream or from the underlying maternal condition.

Clinical Considerations
To minimize potential exposure to the breastfed infant via breastmilk, use AKLIEF Cream on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible while breastfeeding. Advise breastfeeding women not to apply AKLIEF Cream directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of AKLIEF Cream for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris have been established in pediatric patients age 9 years to 17 years based on evidence from well-controlled clinical trials, a long-term safety trial, and a pharmacokinetic trial. A total of 897 pediatric subjects aged 9 to 17 years received AKLIEF Cream in the clinical trials [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) and Clinical Studies ( 14)] .

Safety and effectiveness of AKLIEF Cream have not been established in pediatric subjects under the age of 9 years.

Geriatric Use

Clinical trials of AKLIEF Cream did not include any subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger subjects.

Skin Irritation

Patients using AKLIEF Cream may experience erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning. Maximum severity of these reactions typically occurred within the first 4 weeks of treatment, and severity decreased with continued use of the medication. Depending upon the severity of these adverse reactions, instruct patients to use a moisturizer, reduce the frequency of application of AKLIEF Cream, or suspend use temporarily. If severe reactions persist the treatment may be discontinued.

Avoid application of AKLIEF Cream to cuts, abrasions, or eczematous or sunburned skin. Use of “waxing” as a depilatory method should be avoided on skin treated with AKLIEF Cream.

Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure

Minimize unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays (including sunlight and sunlamps) during treatment with AKLIEF Cream. Warn patients who normally experience high levels of sun exposure and those with inherent sensitivity to sun to exercise caution. Use of sunscreen products and protective clothing over treated areas is recommended when exposure cannot be avoided.

Clinical trials experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice.  In the three Phase 3 clinical trials, 1673 subjects with acne vulgaris on the face and trunk, 9 years and older were exposed to AKLIEF Cream. Of these, 1220 subjects were treated once daily for up to 12 weeks and 453 were treated once daily for up to 1 year.  

Adverse reactions reported in the 2 randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled 12-week clinical trials in ≥1.0% of subjects treated with AKLIEF Cream (and for which the rate exceeded the rate for vehicle), as well as the corresponding rates reported in subjects treated with the vehicle cream are presented in Table 1.

Additional adverse reactions that were reported in more than one subject treated with AKLIEF Cream (and at a frequency <1%) included application site pain, application site dryness, application site discoloration, application site rash, application site swelling, application site erosion, acne, dermatitis allergic, and erythema.

In the one-year, open-label safety trial that included 453 subjects 9 years and older, with acne vulgaris of the face and trunk, the pattern of adverse reactions for AKLIEF Cream was similar to that experienced in the 12-week controlled trials. A total of 12.6% of subjects had at least one adverse reaction during the trial, and 2.9% of subjects had an adverse reaction leading to treatment discontinuation. The most common adverse reactions (≥1% of subjects) for the entire trial were application site pruritus (4.6%), application site irritation (4.2%), and sunburn (5.5%). The frequency of adverse reactions decreased over time.

Skin irritation was evaluated by active assessment of erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning and collected separately. In the two 12-week Phase 3 clinical trials, these signs/symptoms were assessed at baseline and at least one post-baseline visit, in 1214 subjects (for face) and 1202 subjects (for trunk) treated with AKLIEF Cream. The percentage of subjects who were assessed to have these signs and symptoms at any post baseline visit and at a severity worse than baseline are summarized in Table 2.

Local tolerability on the face in subjects treated with AKLIEF Cream worsened for any of the signs/symptoms compared with baseline to a score of moderate for up to 30% of subjects, or severe for up to 6% of subjects. On the trunk, the corresponding percentages were up to 19% (moderate) and up to 5% (severe). The scores reached maximum severity at Week 1 for the face, and at Week 2 to 4 of treatment for the trunk, and decreased thereafter.

In the open-label, 1-year Phase 3 trial, the local tolerability profile was comparable to that observed in the two pivotal Phase 3 trials.

Mechanism of Action

Trifarotene is an agonist of retinoic acid receptors (RAR), with particular activity at the gamma subtype of RAR. Stimulation of RAR results in modulation of target genes which are associated with various processes, including cell differentiation and mediation of inflammation. The exact process by which trifarotene ameliorates acne is unknown.

Pharmacodynamics

At the approved recommended dosage, AKLIEF Cream does not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent.

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics of trifarotene was evaluated in a study involving 19 adult subjects with acne vulgaris following once daily application of AKLIEF Cream for 29 days (daily dose range 1.5 g/day to 2 g/day) to the face, shoulders, chest and upper back.

Absorption: 
Systemic concentrations were at steady state following 2 weeks of treatment and were quantifiable in 7 subjects. Steady state C maxranged from below the limit of quantification (less than 5 pg/mL) to 10 pg/mL and AUC 0-24hranged from 75 to 104 pg.h/mL in adults. No drug accumulation is expected with long-term use.

Distribution 
Plasma protein binding is approximately 99.9%

Elimination
The terminal half-life ranged from 2 to 9 hours.

Metabolism
Trifarotene is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and to a lesser extent by CYP2B6 in vitro.

Excretion
Trifarotene is primarily excreted by the feces.

Specific Populations
Pediatric Patients
Steady state C maxranged from less than 5 pg/mL to 9 pg/mL and AUC 0-24hranged from 89 to 106 pg.h/mL in pediatrics (10 to 17- years-old). Steady state conditions were achieved in patients following 2 weeks of topical administration. No drug accumulation is expected with long-term use.

Drug Interactions Studies
Clinical Studies and Model-Based Approaches
No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of trifarotene were predicted when used concomitantly with fluconazole (a moderate CYP2C9 and CYP3A inhibitor).

In Vitro Studies
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes: AKLIEF Cream is not expected to inhibit CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4, or induce CYP1A2, 2B6, and 3A4.
Transporter Systems: AKLIEF Cream is not expected to inhibit MATE, OATP, OAT, OCT, BCRP, P-gp, BSEP, or MRP.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Trifarotene was not carcinogenic when topically applied to mice daily for up to 24 months in the vehicle of the product (AKLIEF Cream) at concentrations of 0.0005% or 0.001% w/w. The systemic exposures at the highest doses evaluated in mice were approximately 82 (males) and 99 (females) times higher than the human exposure at the MRHD of AKLIEF Cream.

Trifarotene was not carcinogenic when administered orally to rats daily for up to 24 months at doses up to 0.75 mg/kg/day in males and 0.2 mg/kg/day in females. The systemic exposures at the highest doses evaluated in rats were approximately 645 (males) and 1642 (females) times higher than the human exposure at the MRHD of AKLIEF Cream.

Trifarotene was negative in an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay, an in vitro micronucleus assay in primary human lymphocytes, an in vitro mouse lymphoma assay with L5178Y/TK +/-cells, and an in vivo micronucleus assay in rats.

Trifarotene was assessed for effects on fertility or general reproductive function in rats. Males received trifarotene via oral gavage for 4 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up to scheduled termination (approximately 6 weeks in total), and females were treated via oral gavage for 2 weeks prior to mating through Day 7 of gestation. No adverse effects on fertility or reproductive parameters, including sperm motility and concentration, were observed at the highest doses evaluated, which resulted in systemic exposures approximately 1755 (males) and 1726 (females) times higher than the human exposure at the MRHD of AKLIEF Cream.