TSPO Occupancy in the Human Lung

Plain-language summary

The investigators would like to explore the role of TSPO in PAH using a pharmacological challenge agent (XBD173) to modulate TSPO function. In order to appropriately design experimental medicine studies examining TSPO function, the investigators first need an understanding of the relationship between XBD173 dose and occupancy of lung TSPO. The aim of the proposed study, therefore, is to answer three questions: 1. What plasma concentrations of XBD173 are required to cause high occupancy of lung TSPO? 2. What doses of XBD173 are required to achieve these plasma concentrations at steady state? 3. Does taking XBD173 with food affect the plasma concentrations achieved? Part A will address question (1). In part A, the investigators will use positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the TSPO targeting PET ligand \[11C\]PBR28 to quantify the amount of TSPO in the lung. The investigators will then administer XBD173 orally (between 10mg and 90mg), and perform two subsequent \[11C\]PBR28 PET scans. XBD173 and \[11C\]PBR28 both bind the same site on the TSPO, and therefore compete with each other for TSPO binding. This allows for quantification of TSPO occupancy by XBD173. Measuring XBD173 plasma concentrations during the PET scan will allow the investigators to learn how much XBD173 is required in the plasma to produce a certain degree of TSPO occupancy in the lung. Using a wide range of doses (10mg-90mg) and scan times ensures that some participants will have high TSPO occupancy and some will have low TSPO occupancy. This will allow the investigators to better understand the plasma concentration/occupancy relationship. Part B will address questions (2) and (3), i.e what doses of XBD173 are required to achieve the plasma concentration leading to high TSPO occupancy at steady state (to be determined in Part A), and does taking XBD173 with food affect the plasma concentrations achieved? The investigators assume that the plasma concentrations required to cause high TSPO occupancy (identified in Part A) will be achieved with a dose of approximately 60mg. Therefore, in Part B for study visits 1, 2 and 3, participants will receive 6 doses of 60mg XBD173 spread over 3 days and the effect of food investigated by dosing with and without food. In Part A at Study Visit 1, a \[11C\]-PBR28 PET scan will be performed under baseline conditions. XBD173 will then be administered (10-90mg, oral) on study visits 2 and 3 and two further PET scans will be performed post dosing to understand how long the drug blocks the binding of the PET tracer. The first two participants will be dosed with 10-90mg. The dose and scan times for remaining subjects will be based on occupancy and plasma drug level data for previous subjects. In Part B at Study Visit 1, participants will arrive fasted in the morning. After placement of a venous cannula will then be dosed with a single dose of oral XBD173 (60mg). Blood samples will be taken at up to 12 timepoints over 8 hours. At Study Visit 2, participants will arrive fasted in the morning. They will be given a standard breakfast and the procedures of Study Visit 1 will be repeated, with dosing occurring within 15 mins of finishing breakfast. They will receive a second dose of XBD173 (60mg) whilst at the ICRF 6-8 hours after the first dose, having had lunch. Participants will then be given a further dose to take at home that night prior to bed. At Study Visit 3, which will occur on the following day, participants will arrive in the morning fasted and will be given a standard breakfast. After placement of a venous cannula, they will be dosed orally with XBD173 (60mg) in the morning and again 6-8 hours later, and blood samples taken throughout the day. Study visits 4, 5 and 6 will be identical to Study visits 1,2 and 3 respectively, but for the dose of XBD173 which will be 40mg or 90mg depending on the plasma levels obtained with 60mg.

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