Summary
Activation of the platelet membrane receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa is essential
for thrombus formation. The novel nonpeptide GPIIb-IIIa antagonist, lamifiban, represents
a promising approach for antiplatelet therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Since renal impairment frequently occurs in these patients, we designed a phase I
study to assess the tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of lamifiban
in patients with renal impairment. Four healthy volunteers (Group 1) with creatinine
clearance (CLCR) >75 ml/min, eight patients (Group 2) with mild to moderately impaired
renal function (CLCR 30-74 ml/min) and eight patients (Group 3) with severe renal
impairment (CLCR 10-29 ml/min) were studied. They received stepwise increased doses
of lamifiban intravenously (IV). There was a linear relationship between the systemic
clearance of the drug and renal function (R2 = 0.86). The mean plasma concentration required for half-maximal inhibition of thrombin-receptor
agonist peptide (TRAP) induced platelet aggregation (EC50) ex vivo was 21, 28 and 11 ng/ml in Groups 1, 2 and 3. The patients in Group 3 were
sensitized to the anti-platelet effect allowing an 18-fold dosage reduction without
compromising the pharmacodynamics. In conclusion, the decreased clearance of lamifiban
may act in concert with increased potency of the drug in patients with severe renal
impairment, and the drug dosage should be reduced accordingly.