plecanatide and Constipation

Topics: Chronic Disease; Constipation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Guanylyl Cyclase C Agonists; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Isoquinolines; Lubiprostone; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sulfonamides

Topics: Adult; Animals; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Guanylyl Cyclase C Agonists; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides; Quality of Life

Chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation are commonly encountered in ambulatory patients, but limited options exist for patients with persistent or severe symptoms following treatment with nonprescription products. Plecanatide (Trulance, Synergy Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY) is a 16-amino acid peptide analog of uroguanylin that stimulates guanylate cyclase-C receptors to increase chloride and bicarbonate secretion into the intestine and prevents the absorption of sodium ions, thereby increasing the secretion of water into the lumen. The influx of additional fluid accelerates intestinal transit, softens the stool, and facilitates easier defecation. Plecanatide is the second guanylate cyclase-C receptor agonist to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, but plecanatide is unique because its effects are limited to the proximal small bowel.

Topics: Constipation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled; Treatment Outcome

Plecanatide, a uroguanylin analog, activates the guanylate cyclase C receptors in the epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract in a pH-dependent fashion initiating (1) the conversion of intracellular guanosine triphosphate to cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which increases the activity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator to increase chloride and bicarbonate secretion into the intestinal lumen and (2) a decrease in activity of the sodium-hydrogen ion exchanger. The resulting ionic shifts cause an increase in lumenal fluid to facilitate digestion. Plecanatide has been approved by the FDA for use in chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. This manuscript is a critical assessment of the therapeutic efficacy and potential risks associated with the use of plecanatide in CIC. The discussion of CIC as a clinical and investigative disorder focuses on the importance of this problem as well and the difficulties involved in clinical management and scholarly investigation of a symptom arising from multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms. Clinical data from studies of recently approved drugs for CIC are utilized to construct a platform for thoughtful understanding of CIC and of how changes in investigation guidelines influence the interpretation of study data and guide symptom management. Plecanatide is a safe and effective medication for the management of adults with CIC.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Constipation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides; Risk Assessment

Uroguanylin interacting with intestinal Guanylate Cyclase C (GC-C) receptors plays an important role in gastrointestinal fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Plecanatide is the first uroguanylin analog that stimulates GC-C receptors on gastrointestinal mucosa with pH-sensitive receptor binding. Binding to the GC-C receptor activates intracellular conversion of GTP to cGMP resulting in the stimulation of intestinal fluid secretion. Areas covered: Herein, all published research regarding the development of and clinical experience with plecanatide is reviewed. Clinical study results in patients with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) are also reviewed. Success in the treatment of CIC and IBS-C is supported by beneficial effects on stool viscosity, Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movements and visceral sensation. Finally, the discussion within focuses on the importance of plecanatide in understanding the physiology of uroguanylin, the pathophysiology of IBS-C and the potential for development of uroguanylin and guanylin analogs. Expert opinion: Given this broad spectrum of potential activity for GC-C agonists, it would not be surprising to see that the use of agents such as plecanatide in new areas grow to a level even greater than the use for the present CIC and IBS-C indications.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; Constipation; Diarrhea; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; Receptors, Enterotoxin

Linaclotide and plecanatide are guanylate cyclase-C (GCC) agonists for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of GCC agonists based on data from multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs).. We searched PubMED, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, clinicaltrials.gov, major conference abstracts, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites, and United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings of drug sponsors to identify RCTs of CIC or IBS-C patients. We assessed efficacy based on FDA-approved composite responder endpoints, diarrhea as an adverse event, and study withdrawal owing to diarrhea for each therapy. Trial results were pooled using DerSimonian and Laird random effects model of meta-analysis and exact logistic regression when appropriate with 95% confidence intervals. Meta-regression was performed to compare outcomes between therapies adjusting for placebo event rate.. Eight linaclotide trials (five CIC; three IBS-C) and seven plecanatide trials (four CIC; three IBS-C) evaluating 10,369 patients met inclusion criteria. FDA publications documented that different definitions for diarrhea were used in linaclotide vs. plecanatide trials. Both drugs were efficacious in treating CIC (linaclotide 72 μg (Odds ratio (OR)=3.11, 95% CI 1.81-5.34); linaclotide 145 μg (OR=3.25, 2.15-4.91); plecanatide 3 mg (OR=1.99, 1.57-2.51)) and IBS-C (linaclotide 290 μg (OR=2.43, 1.48-3.98); plecanatide 3 mg (OR=1.87, 1.47-2.38); plecanatide 6 mg (OR=1.92, 1.48-2.48)). Diarrhea occurred in excess of placebo in treating CIC (linaclotide 72 μg (OR=3.07, 1.97-4.77); linaclotide 145 μg (OR=3.70, 2.69-5.10); plecanatide 3 mg (OR=3.86, 1.83-8.12)) and IBS-C (linaclotide 290 μg (OR=8.02, 5.20-12.37); plecanatide 3 mg (OR=5.55, 1.62-19.00); plecanatide 6 mg (OR=4.13, 1.57-10.83)). Based on meta-regression, there were no statistically significant differences between therapies in odds ratios for efficacy, diarrhea, or diarrhea-related study withdrawals.. Both linaclotide and plecanatide demonstrate similar efficacy and tolerability in treating IBS-C and CIC. No differences in odds of diarrhea were seen between linaclotide and plecanatide.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Constipation; Diarrhea; Guanylyl Cyclase C Agonists; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a prevalent disorder affecting productivity, quality of life, and health care resource utilization. Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a critical function in managing patients presenting with CIC, with roles including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment decisions, and patient education. For adults with inadequate response or tolerability issues using over-the-counter treatments, three prescription agents (plecanatide, linaclotide, and lubiprostone) are available in the United States to treat CIC, of which plecanatide was mostly recently approved. This review provides NPs with a current overview and summary of plecanatide in the current treatment landscape for CIC.. PubMed was searched for the literature regarding clinical practice guidelines and published trial data for lubiprostone, linaclotide, and plecanatide in CIC.. Efficacy and safety comparisons between prescription agents are limited beacause of the differences in trial duration and primary end points (all different). Generally, plecanatide and linaclotide demonstrated similar efficacy, with plecanatide demonstrating lower rates of adverse events.. The success of CIC treatment can be affected by patient adherence to the regimen, which is dependent on the efficacy and tolerability of treatment. Plecanatide is a promising option for patients whose CIC symptoms are not adequately controlled using their current treatment approach.

Topics: Adult; Constipation; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Prevalence; Quality of Life

Several secretagogues have been approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, their relative efficacy is unclear because there have been no head-to-head randomized controlled trials. We conducted a network meta-analysis to compare their efficacies in patients with IBS-C.. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMBASE Classic, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through June 2018 to identify randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of secretagogues in adults with IBS-C. Trials included in the analysis reported a dichotomous assessment of overall response to therapy, and data were pooled using a random-effects model. Efficacy and safety of secretagogues were reported as a pooled relative risk with 95% confidence interval to summarize the effect of each comparison tested, and treatments were ranked according to their P score.. We identified 15 eligible randomized controlled trials of secretagogues that included 8462 patients. Linaclotide, lubiprostone, plecanatide, and tenapanor were superior to placebo for the treatment of IBS-C. Linaclotide (290 μg once daily) was ranked first in efficacy based on the end point recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for trials in IBS-C, the primary end point used in each trial, abdominal pain, and complete spontaneous bowel movements. Tenapanor (50 mg twice daily) was ranked first for decreasing bloating. Total numbers of adverse events were significantly larger with linaclotide (290 and 500 μg once daily) and plecanatide (3 mg once daily) compared with placebo. However, plecanatide 6 mg once daily ranked first for safety. Diarrhea was significantly more common with all drugs, except lubiprostone (8 μg twice daily). Nausea was significantly more common in patients who received lubiprostone.. In a network analysis of randomized controlled trials of secretagogues for IBS-C, we found all drugs to be superior to placebo. Efficacy was similar among individual drugs and dosages for most end points. However, data were extracted at the 12-week time point, so the long-term relative efficacy of these drugs is unknown.

Topics: Adult; Constipation; Female; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Isoquinolines; Lubiprostone; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Network Meta-Analysis; Peptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Secretagogues; Sulfonamides; Treatment Outcome

Plecanatide (Trulance

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Constipation; Drug Approval; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Molecular Structure; Natriuretic Peptides; United States

A number of new medications were recently demonstrated to be more effective than placebo in treating chronic constipation, including the intestinal chloride channel activator lubiprostone, the prokinetic selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist prucalopride and the guanylate cyclase-C agonist linaclotide. Recent publications have also revisited traditional laxatives like PEG. Moreover, a number of pharmacological treatments are in development and these include another guanylate cyclase-C agonist, plecanatide and an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor, elobixibat.. This review focuses on the pharmacology, efficacy and safety profile of prucalopride, linaclotide, plecanatide and elobixibat.. The possible present or future clinical application of prucalopride, linaclotide, plecanatide and elobixibat in both chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation is reported, and some considerations on the possible role of PEG taking into account recent literature are advanced.

Topics: Benzofurans; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Dipeptides; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Laxatives; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Thiazepines

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a common condition that affects some patient groups more often. Demographic/clinical characteristics can differ in presentation and therapeutic response. The impact of these characteristics on plecanatide efficacy/safety was examined.. Data from 2 identically designed, randomized, phase 3 trials of adults with CIC receiving 3 mg of plecanatide, 6 mg of plecanatide, or placebo for 12 weeks were analyzed. Subgroups were baseline age, body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, and sex/gender. Endpoints included durable overall complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) responder rate, weekly CSBMs and spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), and adverse events.. Overall (N = 2,639; 3 mg of plecanatide [n = 877]; 6 mg of plecanatide [n = 877]; and placebo [n = 885]), CSBM responder rates were significantly greater with 3 mg of plecanatide and 6 mg of plecanatide vs placebo in subgroups with those younger than 65 years ( P < 0.001), females ( P < 0.001), White individuals ( P < 0.001), and BMI <25 kg/m 2 ( P ≤ 0.004) and 25-30 kg/m 2 ( P < 0.001); as well, for 3 mg: 65 years or older ( P = 0.03), non-White individuals ( P < 0.001), and BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 ( P = 0.02). Improvement from baseline in weekly CSBM and SBM frequency occurred in all subgroups for both plecanatide doses vs placebo ( P ≤ 0.02) at week 12, except those aged 65 years or older for 6 mg of plecanatide. The most common adverse event was diarrhea (3 mg [4.9%]; 6 mg [5.4%]; and placebo [1.3%]).. Pooled data from identically designed CIC trials strengthened the ability to identify meaningful subgroup comparisons regarding plecanatide efficacy and safety.

Topics: Adult; Constipation; Defecation; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides

Patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) often experience severe symptoms. The current aim was to evaluate plecanatide in adults with CIC or IBS-C with severe constipation.. Data were analyzed post hoc from randomized, placebo-controlled trials (CIC [n = 2], IBS-C [n = 2]) of plecanatide 3 mg, 6 mg, or placebo administered for 12 weeks. Severe constipation was defined as no complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) and an average straining score ≥3.0 (CIC; 5-point scale) or ≥8.0 (IBS-C; 11-point scale) during a 2-week screening. Primary efficacy endpoints were durable overall CSBM responders (CIC: ≥3 CSBMs/week, plus increase from baseline of ≥1 CSBM/week, for ≥9 of 12 weeks, including ≥3 of the last 4 weeks) and overall responders (IBS-C: ≥30% reduction from baseline in abdominal pain and ≥1 CSBM/week increase for ≥6 of 12 weeks).. Severe constipation was observed in 24.5% (646/2639) and 24.2% (527/2176) of CIC and IBS-C populations, respectively. The CIC durable overall CSBM response rate (plecanatide 3 mg, 20.9%; plecanatide 6 mg, 20.2%; placebo, 11.3%) and IBS-C overall response rate (plecanatide 3 mg, 33.0%; plecanatide 6 mg, 31.0%; placebo, 19.0%) were significantly greater with plecanatide versus placebo (p ≤ 0.01 for all). Median time to first CSBM in CIC and IBS-C populations were significantly shorter with plecanatide 3 mg versus placebo (p = 0.01 for both).. Plecanatide was effective in the treatment of severe constipation in adults with CIC or IBS-C.

Topics: Adult; Constipation; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Treatment Outcome

Plecanatide, an approved therapy for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, is an analogue of uroguanylin that replicates its pH-sensitive activity and binds to guanylate cyclase-C receptors expressed on intestinal epithelium, stimulating fluid secretion. This analysis explores concomitant acid suppression therapy's effect on the efficacy and safety of plecanatide in adults with CIC.. Data from 2 placebo-controlled, 12-week Phase III trials of plecanatide in CIC were pooled. Patients were randomized to receive placebo, plecanatide 3 mg, or plecanatide 6 mg. The primary endpoint was the durable, overall complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) response rate (defined as ≥3 CSBMs in a given week and ≥1 CSBM increase from baseline within a week for ≥9 of 12 weeks, including ≥3 of the last 4 treatment weeks). Safety was also evaluated. Results were stratified by concomitant use or nonuse of acid suppression therapy.. Of the pooled intent-to-treat population, 338 of 2639 patients (12.8%) received concomitant acid suppression medication. Efficacy response rates in patients using acid suppressors were 23.6% with plecanatide 3 mg (P = 0.001 vs placebo), 22.1% with plecanatide 6 mg (P = 0.002), and 7.6% with placebo. Responses were similar in patients not using acid suppressors: 20.4% (plecanatide 3 mg, P < 0.001), 19.6% (plecanatide 6 mg, P < 0.001), and 12.1% (placebo). Serious adverse events were experienced by 3.3% of patients who used concomitant acid suppression and 1.0% of those who did not.. Plecanatide treatment is safe and efficacious for patients with CIC when administered with concomitant acid suppression medication.. gov identifiers: NCT02122471 and NCT01982240.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Defecation; Double-Blind Method; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Treatment Outcome

Many patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) remain unsatisfied with their treatment options. Plecanatide is a pH-sensitive uroguanylin analog that increases fluid and ion movement into the gastrointestinal lumen, softening stools and encouraging motility, while limiting the risk of diarrhea.. The objective of this phase 2 study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of once-daily oral plecanatide in patients with CIC and identify the most effective dose.. A 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study was conducted in patients aged 18-75 years and diagnosed with CIC based on modified Rome III criteria (< 3 complete spontaneous bowel movements [CSBMs] per week and infrequent loose stools without the use of laxatives). Participants were randomized to placebo or plecanatide 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of overall CSBM responders. Key secondary endpoints included time to first CSBM, change in CSBM and spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency rates, patient-reported outcomes, safety, and tolerability.. Of 951 randomized participants, 946 were included in the modified intent-to-treat population. Plecanatide 0.3 and 3.0 mg significantly increased overall CSBM responder rates compared with placebo (0.3 mg, P = 0.016; 3.0 mg, P = 0.009). Plecanatide was associated with decreased time to first CSBM, significant increases in CSBM and SBM frequency, and decreased patient-reported constipation severity compared with placebo. Diarrhea was the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse event.. Plecanatide is a well-tolerated treatment that relieved the symptoms of CIC with a relatively low incidence of diarrhea.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Diarrhea; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) are common functional gastrointestinal disorders. The prevalence of constipation-related issues tends to increase with age. This analysis pooled data from Phase III trials in CIC and IBS-C to assess the safety and efficacy of plecanatide in patients aged ≥65 years.. Patients randomized to receive plecanatide (3 or 6 mg) or placebo from two CIC and two IBS-C trials were pooled. Efficacy end points common to all trials included changes in stool consistency (Bristol Stool Form Scale), changes in weekly frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) and spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), and time to first CSBM and SBM. Efficacy and safety profile results are reported per age group (≥65 and <65 years of age).. The pooled intention-to-treat population comprised 451 patients aged ≥65 years (mean age, 70 years) and 4364 patients aged <65 years (mean age, 41.9 years), of whom 287 and 2914, respectively, were randomized to receive plecanatide. Compared with placebo, plecanatide produced statistically significant improvements in stool consistency from baseline at week 12 (both age groups), CSBM and SBM frequency from baseline at week 12 (plecanatide 3 mg group aged ≥65 years and both plecanatide groups aged <65 years), and time from start of therapy to first CSBM (both age groups) and SBM (plecanatide 6 mg group aged ≥65 years and both plecanatide groups aged <65 years). No new safety issues were observed.. Plecanatide is a well-tolerated and effective treatment option for patients aged ≥65 years with CIC or IBS-C. CLINICALTRIALS.. NCT01982240, NCT02122471, NCT02387359, and NCT02493452.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Constipation; Defecation; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

This multi-center, fixed-dose, open-label study evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of once-daily oral plecanatide for the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).. Eligible patients completed a phase 2b or phase 3 double-blind study of plecanatide, or had not previously been treated with plecanatide. Enrolled patients received plecanatide (3 or 6 mg) for up to 72 weeks. Safety and tolerability were assessed by the incidence, nature, and severity of spontaneously reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Patients also completed Patient Global Assessment questionnaires, which included measures of treatment satisfaction and the desire to continue treatment.. There were 2370 patient exposures in this study, with the vast majority (90.5%) receiving treatment with plecanatide 6 mg. At the time of study closure, 1932 (81.5%) had completed or were still receiving study drug. TEAEs were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those observed in prior double-blind studies. The most common TEAEs were diarrhea (7.1%) and urinary tract infection (2.2%). TEAEs leading to discontinuation occurred in 5.3% of patients, with diarrhea leading to discontinuation in 3.1%. Most TEAEs were mild/moderate in severity and were generally considered not related to plecanatide treatment. At the end of treatment, the median score for treatment satisfaction was 4.0 (quite satisfied), and the median score for treatment continuation was 4.0 (quite likely).. Long-term treatment of adults with CIC demonstrated that plecanatide was safe and well tolerated, with low TEAE and discontinuation rates. Patients indicated satisfaction and a desire to continue with plecanatide treatment.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Constipation; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Two identical, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of plecanatide in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).. Adults meeting Rome III criteria for IBS-C were randomized (1:1:1) to placebo or plecanatide (3 or 6 mg) for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was the percentage of overall responders (patients reporting ≥30% reduction from baseline in worst abdominal pain plus an increase of ≥1 complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM)/week from baseline in the same week for ≥6 of 12 treatment weeks). Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs).. Overall, 2189 individuals were randomized across the two studies and 1879 completed the studies. Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar across treatment groups and between studies. The percentage of overall responders in Study 1 was 30.2% and 29.5% for plecanatide 3 and 6 mg, respectively, vs. 17.8% placebo (P < 0.001 for each dose vs. placebo), and in Study 2 was 21.5% (P = 0.009) and 24.0% (P < 0.001) for plecanatide 3 and 6 mg, respectively, compared to 14.2% for placebo. The percentage of sustained efficacy responders (overall responders plus weekly responders for ≥2 of last 4 weeks of the 12-week treatment period) was significantly greater for both doses of plecanatide vs. placebo across both studies. All secondary end points (stool frequency/consistency, straining, abdominal symptoms) showed statistically significant improvements compared with placebo. The most common AE was diarrhea (3 mg, 4.3%; 6 mg, 4.0%; placebo, 1.0%). Discontinuation due to diarrhea was infrequent (3 mg, 1.2%; 6 mg, 1.4%; placebo, 0).. Plecanatide significantly improved both abdominal pain and constipation symptoms of IBS-C with minimal associated side effects and high levels of tolerability.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Constipation; Defecation; Diarrhea; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Placebos; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of plecanatide, a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist and the first uroguanylin analog approved for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).. This phase III, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomized 1,394 patients with CIC. Patients received either plecanatide (3 or 6 mg) or placebo, orally, once daily, for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients who were durable overall complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) responders over the 12-week treatment period. Patients were instructed to record their daily bowel movements, stool consistency scores, and abdominal symptoms in an electronic diary. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were collected.. Each dose of plecanatide resulted in a significantly greater percentage of durable overall CSBM responders (21.0%, 3 mg; 19.5%, 6 mg) as compared with placebo (10.2%; P<0.001 for both). Plecanatide (3 and 6 mg) also significantly increased mean weekly CSBM frequency from baseline (increase of 2.5 and 2.2/week, respectively) vs. placebo (1.2/week; P<0.001 for both) and mean weekly spontaneous bowel movement frequency (increase of 3.2 and 3.1/week, respectively) vs. placebo (1.3/week; P<0.001, for both) over the 12-week treatment period. Both plecanatide doses significantly improved all secondary and additional efficacy endpoints. The most common AE, diarrhea, occurred in 1.3% (placebo), 5.9% (3 mg) and 5.7% (6 mg) of patients.. Plecanatide significantly improved constipation and its related symptoms with a low rate of adverse events. These results suggest that plecanatide will be a useful treatment option in the management of CIC. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01982240.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Defecation; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Plecanatide is an oral guanylate cyclase-C agonist for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The large-scale supply of plecanatide is restrained primarily by its industrial manufacture. Herein we developed diphenylphosphinyloxyl diphenyl ketone (DDK) derivatives as greener supports with unique precipitation-inducing properties to aid the liquid-phase total synthesis of plecanatide without the use of chromatography. Plecanatide could be obtained in high yield, and the ultimately sheared DDK derivative residue could be directly recycled or regenerated for reuse.

Topics: Constipation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Ketones; Natriuretic Peptides

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Constipation; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Prouroguanylin (ProUGN) in the intestine is cleaved to form uroguanylin (UGN), which stimulates guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C), inducing cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling. Paracrine release regulates fluid secretion, contributing to bowel function, whereas endocrine secretion evoked by eating forms a gut-brain axis, controlling appetite. Whereas hormone insufficiency contributes to hyperphagia in obesity, its contribution to the pathophysiology of constipation syndromes remains unexplored. Here, we compared circulating ProUGN and UGN in healthy subjects and in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).. Circulating ProUGN and UGN levels were measured in 60 healthy subjects, 53 patients with CIC, and 54 patients with IBS-C. After an overnight fast, the participants ingested a standardized meal; blood samples were drawn at fasting and at 30, 60, and 90 minutes thereafter, and hormone levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.. Fasting ProUGN levels were >30% lower in patients with CIC and those with IBS-C compared with healthy subjects regardless of age, sex, or disease state. After eating, ProUGN levels increased compared with fasting levels, although the rate of change was slower and maximum levels were lower in patients with CIC and those with IBS-C. Similarly, fasting UGN levels were lower in patients with CIC and those with IBS-C compared with healthy subjects. However, unlike ProUGN levels, UGN levels did not increase after eating.. These observations support a novel pathophysiologic model in which CIC and IBS-C reflect a contribution of ProUGN insufficiency dysregulating intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion.. This study suggests that CIC and IBS-C can be treated by oral GUCY2C hormone replacement. Indeed, these observations provide a mechanistic framework for the clinical utility of oral GUCY2C ligands like plecanatide (Trulance) and linaclotide (Linzess) to treat CIC and IBS-C.

Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Constipation; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Fasting; Female; Guanylyl Cyclase C Agonists; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptides; Nucleotides, Cyclic; Peptides; Protein Precursors; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor

Five new drugs marketed within the last year, which are used for medical problems often experienced by the elderly, have been selected for consideration in this review. The uses and most important properties of these agents are discussed, and a rating for each new drug is determined using the New Drug Comparison Rating system developed by the author (DAH). Advantages, disadvantages, and other important information regarding each new drug are identified and used as the basis for determining the rating. The drugs include an anticoagulant, an antiparkinson agent, an agent for tardive dyskinesia, an agent for psoriasis, and an agent for constipation. The drugs reviewed are betrixaban, safinamide mesylate, valbenazine tosylate, guselkumab, and plecanatide.

Topics: Aged; Alanine; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Anticoagulants; Antiparkinson Agents; Benzamides; Benzylamines; Constipation; Drug Approval; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides; Psoriasis; Pyridines; Tardive Dyskinesia; Tetrabenazine; Valine

To investigate the effects of plecanatide and dolcanatide on maintenance of paracellular permeability, integrity of tight junctions and on suppression of visceral hypersensitivity.. Transport of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran was measured to assess permeability across cell monolayers and rat colon tissues. Effects of plecanatide and dolcanatide on the integrity of tight junctions in Caco-2 and T84 monolayers and on the expression and localization of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Anti-nociceptive activity of these agonists was evaluated in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammatory as well as in non-inflammatory partial restraint stress (PRS) rat models. Statistical significance between the treatment groups in the permeability studies were evaluated using unpaired. Treatment of T84 and Caco-2 monolayers with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) rapidly increased permeability, which was effectively suppressed when monolayers were also treated with plecanatide or dolcanatide. Similarly, when T84 and Caco-2 monolayers were treated with LPS, cell surface localization of tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 was severely disrupted. When cell monolayers were treated with LPS in the presence of plecanatide or dolcanatide, occludin and ZO-1 were localized at the cell surface of adjoining cells, similar to that observed for vehicle treated cells. Treatment of cell monolayers with plecanatide or dolcanatide without LPS did not alter permeability, integrity of tight junctions and cell surface localization of either of the tight junction proteins. In rat visceral hypersensitivity models, both agonists suppressed the TNBS-induced increase in abdominal contractions in response to colorectal distension without affecting the colonic wall elasticity, and both agonists also reduced colonic hypersensitivity in the PRS model.. Our results suggest that activation of GC-C signaling might be involved in maintenance of barrier function, possibly through regulating normal localization of tight junction proteins. Consistent with these findings, plecanatide and dolcanatide showed potent anti-nociceptive activity in rat visceral hypersensitivity models. These results imply that activation of GC-C signaling may be an attractive therapeutic approach to treat functional constipation disorders and inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Caco-2 Cells; Colon; Constipation; Dextrans; Female; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; Guanylyl Cyclase C Agonists; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Natriuretic Peptides; Nociception; Peptides; Permeability; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Enterotoxin; Signal Transduction; Tight Junctions; Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; Visceral Pain

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Constipation; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Topics: Chronic Disease; Constipation; Defecation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides; Treatment Outcome

Constipation can be a serious and painful problem, and we shouldn't dismiss other people's suffering. On the other hand there's a danger when new medications are compared against placebo rather than against over-the-counter products with a history of effectiveness.

Topics: Chloride Channel Agonists; Chronic Disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; Constipation; Drug Costs; Drug Prescriptions; Gastrointestinal Agents; Guanylyl Cyclase C Agonists; Humans; Laxatives; Lubiprostone; Natriuretic Peptides; Nonprescription Drugs; Peptides

Topics: Constipation; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides

Topics: Constipation; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Drug Approval; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Natriuretic Peptides; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

Topics: Apoptosis; Chlorides; Colon; Constipation; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are the most frequent pathologic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and both significantly reduce patients' quality of life. Recent studies suggest that guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) expressed in the GI tract constitutes a novel pharmacological target in the treatment of FGID and IBD. Endogenous GC-C agonists - guanylin peptides: guanylin and uroguanylin, by the regulation of water and electrolyte transport, are involved in the maintenance of homeostasis in the intestines and integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Linaclotide, a synthetic agonist of GC-C was approved by Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency as a therapeutic in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Lately, several preclinical and clinical trials focused on assessment of therapeutic properties of synthetic agonists of uroguanylin, plecanatide, and SP-333. Plecanatide is currently tested as a potential therapeutic in diseases related to constipation and SP-333 is a promising drug in ulcerative colitis treatment.. Here, we discuss the most recent findings and future trends on the development of GC-C agonists and their use in clinical trials.

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Constipation; Female; Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Male; Natriuretic Peptides; Peptides; Receptors, Enterotoxin; Receptors, Guanylate Cyclase-Coupled; Receptors, Peptide; Signal Transduction