Pharmacokinetics, Dialysability, and Safety of Gadopiclenol, a New Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent, in Patients With Impaired Renal Function

Objectives The aims of this study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of gadopiclenol, a new macrocyclic gadolinium based-contrast agent, in subjects with impaired renal function, and to assess its dialysability in subjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods and Materials This 2-center, open-label, phase 1 study included 5 successive cohorts of 8 adult subjects: healthy subjects (cohort 1), subjects with mild (cohort 2), moderate (cohort 3), severe (cohort 4) renal impairment, or ESRD (cohort 5), who received a single intravenous injection of gadopiclenol (0.1 mmol/kg). Blood and urine samples were collected at different time points in cohorts 1 to 4, and blood and dialysate samples were collected at each hemodialysis session (4-hour session on day 1, day 3, and day 5) in cohort 5. Gadopiclenol elimination and safety were assessed for up to 6 months. Pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis. Results A total of 40 subjects were included, with a mean age of 51.5 years (range, 18–71 years). No significant difference in the mean maximum concentration values and the distribution volume was observed among cohorts 1 to 4. Urinary excretion of unchanged gadopiclenol was delayed with the degree of renal impairment and ranged between 96% and 84% in subjects with mild to severe renal impairment. Compared with that of healthy subjects, the mean area under the plasma concentration curve was 54%, 148%, and 769% higher in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment, respectively. The mean terminal half-life was prolonged with the degree of renal impairment (1.9, 3.3, 3.8, and 11.7 hours for cohorts 1–4). In ESRD subjects, gadopiclenol was effectively removed from the plasma (95% to 98%) after the first hemodialysis session. Gadopiclenol concentration in plasma was below the limit of quantification for all subjects after the second hemodialysis session. Gadopiclenol concentration was below limit of quantification in all plasma and urine samples collected at 1, 3, and 6 months. Five subjects (12.5%) experienced adverse events related to gadopiclenol, none serious and all resolved. Laboratory measurements, vital signs, and electrocardiography did not raise any safety concern. Conclusions Gadopiclenol elimination half-life was prolonged in subjects with mild to severe renal impairment, yet its renal clearance remains complete or nearly complete. In ESRD subjects, gadopiclenol was effectively removed from the plasma after 1 hemodialysis session, and up to 3 hemodialysis sessions were sufficient to completely clear it. No safety concern was raised. Therefore, no dose adjustment seems necessary in this patient population.