Clinical potential of naloxegol in the management of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction

Abstract

Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OIBD) is a burdensome condition which limits the therapeutic benefit of analgesia. It affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, predominantly by activating opioid receptors in the enteric nervous system, resulting in a wide range of symptoms, such as reflux, bloating, abdominal cramping, hard, dry stools, and incomplete evacuation. The majority of studies evaluating OIBD focus on constipation experienced in approximately 60% of patients. Nevertheless, other presentations of OIBD seem to be equally frequent. Furthermore, laxative treatment is often insufficient, which in many patients results in decreased quality of life and discontinuation of opioid treatment. Novel mechanism-based pharmacological approaches targeting the gastrointestinal opioid receptors have been marketed recently and even more are in the pipeline. One strategy is prolonged release formulation of the opioid antagonist naloxone (which has limited systemic absorption) and oxycodone in a combined tablet. Another approach is peripherally acting, μ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) that selectively target μ-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. However, in Europe the only PAMORA approved for OIBD is the subcutaneously administered methylnaltrexone. Alvimopan is an oral PAMORA, but only approved in the US for postoperative ileus in hospitalized patients. Finally, naloxegol is a novel, oral PAMORA expected to be approved soon. In this review, the prevalence and pathophysiology of OIBD is presented. As PAMORAs seem to be a promising approach, their potential effect is reviewed with special focus on naloxegol’s pharmacological properties, data on safety, efficacy, and patient-focused perspectives. In conclusion, as naloxegol is administered orally once daily, has proven efficacious compared to placebo, has an acceptable safety profile, and can be used as add-on to existing pain treatment, it is a welcoming addition to the targeted treatment possibilities for OIBD.

Keywords:

• opioids
• gut
• dysfunction
• constipation
• naloxegol
• opioid antagonists

Introduction

Opioids have been used for thousands of years for the treatment of diarrhea and moderate to severe pain of both benign and malignant origin. Opioids are currently the most commonly prescribed medications to treat severe pain in the Western world and it has been estimated that up to 90% of US patients presenting to specialized pain centers are treated with opioids.¹

Most opioids are opioid receptor agonists and mainly exert their analgesic effect within the central nervous system (CNS), although it is well known that opioid receptors are synthesized in the dorsal root ganglia and then transported to both central and peripheral nerve terminals.^2,3

Unfortunately, the clinical use is limited by the development of tolerance. Moreover, adverse effects including sedation, respiratory depression, nausea, and gastrointestinal (GI)-related symptoms may also indirectly interfere with opioid efficiency. Some adverse effects are restricted to the peripheral action of opioids. In the GI tract, they mainly exert their action on the enteric nervous system (ENS), where they bind to opioid receptors in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Here they cause dysmotility, decreased fluid secretion, and sphincter dysfunction. In concert, these synergistic effects lead to opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OIBD).⁴ Hence, OIBD is a pharmacologically induced condition manifested with different symptoms such as dry mouth, gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, anorexia, hard stools, constipation, and incomplete evacuation.^5,6 Unfortunately, tolerance to OIBD does not evolve and consequently several studies have confirmed a high prevalence of OIBD in pain patients.^5,7 Regrettably, the negative impact of OIBD is often overlooked and it is one of the most common reasons for patients to avoid or discontinue opioid use.^8,9

Typical treatment strategies to alleviate OIBD rely on the use of different laxatives, in combination with non-pharmacological strategies, such as increased dietary fiber and fluid intake, encouraging exercise, bio-feedback, etc. However, these strategies do not address the underlying pathophysiology of OIBD.⁴ Another approach is to use opioids with additional effects, such as tapentadol, which has a noradrenergic reuptake inhibitory action that results in an additional analgesic effect. Consequently the dose can be reduced, resulting in less opioid receptors (including those in the gut) being blocked, thereby improving the adverse effect profile.^10,11 An alternative treatment targeting the pathophysiology of OIBD is the use of opioid antagonists. For the antagonist not to interfere with the analgesic effect, the antagonistic effect must be restricted to peripheral opioid receptors. One strategy has been the administration of opioid antagonists with limited systemic absorption, as seen in the combined prolonged-release oxycodone and naloxone tablet. Another strategy has been the development of peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) that selectively target μ-receptors in the GI-tract. Currently only two PAMORAs are marketed – the subcutaneously administered methylnaltrexone and the oral tablet alvimopan. However, their clinical use is limited by various factors that will be addressed in the section “Peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists”.

Naloxegol is a novel PAMORA. Approval for marketing has been filed in the US and Europe, and a final positive decision from the US Food and Drug Administration is expected by September 2014. It is an oral polymer conjugate of naloxone, incorporating a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety that limits its capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier.¹²

In the present review, clinical presentation and prevalence of OIDB is presented as background information, along with GI physiology and the relation to opioid pharmacology. Pathophysiology of OIBD and potential methods for assessment are covered in order to understand the potential impact of PAMORAs on OIBD symptoms. Lastly, available treatment possibilities for OIBD are presented and, due to the expected release, special focus on the safety, efficacy, and tolerability profile of naloxegol is presented and discussed, along with patient-focused perspectives for evaluation of the clinical potential of naloxegol in the management of OIBD. Although methylnaltrexone originally was designed to shorten the duration of postoperative ileus, and the indication of alvimopan is postoperative ileus under specific conditions, the scope of the review is bowel dysfunction brought on by the administration of exogenous opioids, and not surgical/anesthesia-induced bowel dysfunction.

Symptoms and prevalence of OIBD

Recently, the prevalence of GI symptoms in patients treated with opioids for non-malignant pain was examined and constipation was found in 47% of patients, gastroesophageal reflux related symptoms in 33%, nausea in 27%, and vomiting in 9%. Furthermore, chronic abdominal pain was reported by 58%.¹³ Similar results appeared in a population-based survey, where increased frequency of constipation-related symptoms (including straining, hard stools, and infrequent bowel movements) were reported, along with other GI symptoms, such as nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, and bloating.¹⁴ Another prospective survey of incidence, prevalence, and severity of morphine adverse effects during repeated individualized dosing for chronic cancer pain found that 95% of all patients reported dry mouth, 88% reported sedation and constipation, and <50% reported nausea.¹⁵

The prevalence of constipation is probably the most studied adverse effect in opioid treated patients. However, prevalence rates vary significantly ranging from 15% to 81% in non-cancer patients.^16–20 The highest rate (81%) of constipation – despite concomitant use of laxatives – was reported in a multinational internet-based survey of 322 chronic pain patients taking daily oral opioids.¹⁷ Along this line, constipation was frequently reported (57% of patients) in a population-based survey of 2,055 patients treated with opioids and laxatives for chronic non-cancer pain.¹⁸ These numbers should be seen in light of the prevalence of chronic constipation in the general population, which has been estimated to affect – depending on the definition used – between 2% and 27% of the adult population with an average around 15%.^21–23 However, conflicting clinical scenarios have also been reported where diarrhea-related symptoms (including urgency, loose bowel movements, and frequent bowel movements) appeared to be increased in patients treated with opioids, most likely a result of overflow diarrhea.²⁴ Of note, constipation is often defined as the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), and in fact this is only ranked number five in patients suffering from constipation, where symptoms such as straining and gas are far more prevalent. This strongly emphasizes the limitations of subjective clinical symptoms such as constipation in clinical trials.²⁵ Furthermore, other risk factors for constipation in pain patients, such as reduced mobility, age, low-fiber diet, sex, and different drugs, may also contribute to the collective GI symptomatology.²²

Collectively, these findings underline the diversity of GI-related adverse effects associated with short term and chronic (often defined as >90 days) opioid use. While constipation may present the dominant symptom in most cases, it is vastly important to keep in mind the multifaceted pathophysiology and symptomatology of OIBD when evaluating patients in the clinic.

Gastrointestinal physiology and opioid pharmacology

The clinical potential of naloxegol in the management of OIBD must be seen in light of the underlying mechanisms of opioid actions by combining knowledge of opioid agonist and antagonist pharmacology together with GI anatomy and physiology.

Visceral afferents

Visceral afferents run predominantly with sympathetic nerves to the CNS; however some afferents join parasympathetic and parallel pathways. They mediate conscious sensation and modulate local functions and reflexes such as gut motility, secretion, mucosal transport, and blood flow.²⁶ Motor neurons in ENS coordinate these functions by transducing neural input originating from local sensory neurons, although some also receive inputs from the CNS via autonomic (both sympathetic and parasympathetic) pathways.²⁷

The enteric nervous system

The GI innervation is established via the ENS and sensory neurons (extrinsic afferents). The ENS is situated within the entire gut wall from esophagus to anus, and forms an integrative nervous network regulating motor neurons and effector systems. Two major divisions of ENS motor neurons exist: 1) musculomotor neurons innervating the muscularis externa and the muscularis mucosae; and 2) secretomotor neurons innervating the intestinal secretory glands.²⁸ The myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus control and regulate these delicate balances.

The myenteric plexus is situated between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers in the gut wall and is primarily responsible for controlling motor activity,^26,29–31 whereas the submucosal plexus controls secretory and absorptive activities.^26,32

Opioid pharmacology

Opioid receptor sub-types exist: μ-receptors, δ-receptors, κ-receptors, and the opioid receptor like-1.³³ μ-, δ-, and κ-subtype receptors have been identified in the GI tract of rodents and humans, but the relative distribution differs throughout the GI tract depending on the specific region and histological layer of the gut, and between species. The primary mediator of opioid analgesic effects in the CNS is the μ-receptor (μ₁), which is also present in the GI- tract (μ₂). In the human GI tract, μ-receptors are predominantly localized on myenteric and submucosal neurons and on immune cells in the lamina propria.^7,31

Endogenous ligands (eg, enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins) and most clinically applied opioids can activate μ-receptors,³⁴ which transduce their signals through interaction with guanine nucleotide binding proteins.³⁵ The comprehensive intracellular signaling involves numerous steps that ultimately result in inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, which converts adenosine triphosphate to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Consequently, opioids decrease the formation of cyclic AMP,³⁶ which otherwise would have activated several target molecules to regulate cellular functions. The overall effect is the reduced release of neurotransmitters and decreased neuronal activity.

Pathophysiology of OIBD

The diverse clinical presentations of OIBD are a net result of disturbances in three essential GI functions: gut motility, secretion, and sphincter function. In the following, the pathophysiological background for OIBD is described. As objective measures are important to provide credible and reliable evaluation of new treatments, suggestions for assessment methods are provided for each of the three functions.

Gut motility

The gut motility is controlled by neurotransmitter secretion from the enteric neurons and excitation–contraction coupling in the circular smooth muscles. Among others, the neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, serotonin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and nitric oxide. Acetylcholine-release activates the cholinergic excitatory motor neurons situated in the longitudinal smooth muscles, in contrast to nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide, which control the inhibition of the non-cholinergic inhibitory motor neurons in the circular smooth muscles. Hence, the coordination of the contractile and propulsive gut motility is determined by a balance between acetylcholine and nitric oxide/vasoactive intestinal peptide release.^37,38 Because opioids inhibit neurotransmitter release, administration will directly disrupt this balance, resulting in abnormal coordination of motility.³⁹

Assessment of gut motility

Assessment of gut motility has traditionally been carried out by radio-opaque marker studies and radionuclide studies; however no golden standard exists.⁴⁰ Moreover, most of these techniques are only capable of estimating total transit time or in one segment (gastric, small bowel, colonic) per examination. As OIBD affects the entire GI tract, objective assessments of interventions should include segmental transit times, ie, gastric emptying, small bowel transit, colonic transit, and total transit. This can be carried out by recently introduced wireless motility capsule systems, such as the SmartPill^®, which samples and transmits intraluminal pH, pressure, and temperature, allowing measurement of segmental transit times comparable to scintigraphic measures, but is carried out in a single examination.^41–43 Another option is the motility tracking system that monitors the progress of a magnetic pill through the GI tract in real time. Besides segmental transit times, it also provides information about the position, direction, velocity, and amplitude of bowel movements, and thus disturbed propulsive dynamics of OIBD can be evaluated.^44,45 The principle of the motility tracking system is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Principle of the motility tracking system for evaluation of gut motility.

Notes: An elastic belt with detector is fixed to the patient’s abdomen. The magnetic capsule(s) is swallowed, and information about the position, direction, velocity, and amplitude of bowel movements can be recorded. When the capsule is expelled, data is extracted from the detector and segmental transit times can be calculated.

Gut secretion

Intestinal fluid secretion is crucial to the establishment of an ideal environment favoring effective digestion, nutrient absorption, and propulsion. The GI tract secretes approximately 8–9 L of fluid on a daily basis (approximately 2 L saliva, 2.5 L gastric juice, 0.5–1 L bile, 1.5 L pancreatic juice, and 1.5–2 L in the small intestine). Since fluid cannot be actively secreted into the gut, this process is dependent on an osmotic gradient within the enterocyte.⁴⁶

Chloride secretion is the major determinant of mucosal hydration. Chloride secretion can be either reduced or increased, such as in cystic fibrosis and secretory diarrhea. Enterocyte secretion is controlled by a variety of endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, neuronal, and immunological effectors. The classical basic and well-characterized second messengers that modulate intestinal ion transport are the cyclic nucleotides cyclic AMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and free cytosolic Ca²⁺.⁴⁷ In many cells expressing opioid receptors, adenyl cyclase (which converts adenosine triphosphate to cyclic AMP) inhibition has been demonstrated and consequently opioids directly decrease the formation of cyclic AMP.³⁶ Cyclic AMP production is also indirectly increased by vasoactive intestinal peptide release.^28,48 Furthermore, as gut motility is also dependent on volume inside the lumen via local stretch reflexes, decreased secretion (and volume) will also result in the slowing of motility.

Assessment of secretion

Assessing the secretory capacity of human intestinal tissue in vivo is difficult. Animal experiments often rely on the removal of the intestine; a critical methodological limitation for human trials.⁴⁹ As animal data cannot uncritically be transferred to the human situation, other methods are used. One of these is the assessment of intestinal secretion with stool electrolyte and osmolality assays. However, these methods are mainly focused on differentiating the etiology of secretory and osmotic diarrhea (eg, congenital chloridorrhea versus lactose intolerance).^50,51 A possible and commonly used way of circumventing these problems is the Ussing chamber. The Ussing chamber relies on fixing viable tissue between two chambers, respectively simulating gut lumen and blood supply. Conventionally, relatively large tissue samples have been required, acquired from surgical resections.⁵² Recently, however, a novel approach has been developed which relies on small tissue samples, such as endoscopically acquired mucosa biopsies.⁵³ By measuring the osmotic gradient between the two chambers, an indirect measure of the ion transport is obtained. Because intestinal secretion largely depends on the ion flux across the gut epithelium, the Ussing chamber is an obvious choice for the assessment of intestinal secretory capacity.^54–56 Figure 2 illustrates the principle of the Ussing chamber.

Figure 2 Schematic representation of the Ussing chamber measuring gut secretion.

Notes: Viable biopsies are mounted between two chambers filled with Krebs-Ringer solution. The two chambers respectively simulate blood stream and gut lumen. The mounted intestinal mucosa actively pumps ions from one chamber to the other and the resultant electrical gradient between chambers is measured with electrodes inserted on both sides.

Sphincter function

There are six sphincters throughout the GI tract; upper esophageal sphincters control food entry into the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter prevents reflux of gastric contents. At the distal end of the stomach the pyloric sphincter controls the passage of chyme into the duodenum. The ileocecal sphincter regulates propulsive movements between the small and large intestine, whereas the internal and external anal sphincters control defecation. Finally, the sphincter of Oddi is placed at the junction of the bile duct, pancreatic duct, and duodenum, controlling flow of bile and pancreatic juices into the duodenum and preventing reflux of duodenal content into the ducts.⁵⁷ Thus, each of the sphincters play an important role for normal transit, and any sphincter dyscoordination will lead to bowel dysfunction.

Opioids may induce esophageal muscular dysfunction which leads to decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and thereby increased incidence of gastroesophageal reflux.⁵⁸ However, the opposite has also been reported where incomplete lower esophageal sphincter relaxation leads to achalasia-like symptoms.^59,60

Opioid-induced sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a well-known adverse effect of opioid administration, characterized by spasm of the sphincter of Oddi and consequently increased intrabiliary duct pressure.^61–64 The patients present with upper abdominal pain, clinically resembling a gallbladder attack, and in some cases also dilation of the bile ducts and with or without a dilated pancreatic duct on abdominal ultrasound.⁶⁵

Although anal sphincter dysfunction in OIBD has not been systematically evaluated, one-third of patients in a recent study of opioid-treated patients reported the sensation of anal blockage.¹³ This is in line with studies indicating that opioids not only inhibit detection of stool in the upper anal canal, but also relaxation of the internal anal sphincter.^66,67

Assessment of sphincter function

Sphincter (dys)function and dyscoordination is complex and very hard to assess. Anorectal manometry is the most common technique for assessment of anorectal dysfunction such as impaired rectal contraction, paradoxical anal contraction, impaired anal relaxation, or a combination of these mechanisms. Other possible tests are defecography or the balloon expulsion test, which provides an assessment of the patient’s ability to defecate.⁴⁰ However, in biomechanical terms, the overall ability of a sphincter to distend or open is related to many factors, including muscle tone, passive viscoelasticity, mechanoreceptor-mediated reflexes and perception, none of which can be measured with the previous mentioned methods.⁶⁸ To overcome problems like this, methods such as the functional lumen imaging probe technique (FLIP) have been developed to study GI sphincters.⁶⁹ The main advantage is that it can distinguish between an open and closed sphincter and record the distensibility during challenge tests (ie, squeezing, expulsion), whereas manometry only shows the difference between a toned and a relaxed sphincter.^70,71 Thus, the FLIP may provide useful information in the evaluation of anorectal dysfunction in OIBD patients. Figure 3 illustrates the principle of the FLIP system.

Figure 3 The FLIP probe.

Notes: The balloon is placed in the anal sphincter and filled with saline water. Through 16 electrodes the cross-sectional area and pressure can be monitored real-time and recorded, which can be used to derive the geometric profile of the sphincter function both during relaxation and challenge-testing.
Abbreviation: FLIP, functional lumen imaging probe technique.

Treatment of OIBD

Treatment of OIBD is a challenge, and the current recommended strategies involve the use of different laxatives in combination with non-pharmacological strategies, such as increased dietary fiber and fluid intake, encouraging exercise, etc. However, these interventions are rarely sufficient to increase the number of bowel movements, while other presentations of OIBD may persist. In the following, a short overview of the current treatment possibilities and pharmacological approaches in the pipeline are presented. Table 1 illustrates pharmacological mechanisms, clinical symptoms, and the potential effect of laxatives and PAMORAs, as they represent the traditional treatment and the most promising mechanism-based treatment, respectively.

Table 1 Underlying mechanisms, symptoms, and the potential effects of PAMORAs and laxatives, respectively

Underlying mechanisms	Symptoms	Potential effects of PAMORAs	Potential effects of laxatives
Decreased saliva production	Xerostomia	No, centrally mediated	No
Dysmotility of the lower esophageal sphincter	Gastro-esophageal reflux (or rarely dysphagia)	Yes	No
Decreased gastric secretion, emptying, and motility	Delayed absorption of medication, upper abdominal discomfort	Yes	No
Disturbed fluid secretion and absorption	Constipation	Yes	Depending on type, can increase secretion/osmosis, primarily in colon
Abnormal bowel motility, increased resting contractile tone in the small and large intestinal circular muscles and sphincter dysfunction	Straining, incomplete bowel evacuation, bloating, abdominal distension, constipation	Yes	Stimulant laxatives can stimulate bowel motility under certain circumstances
Increased amplitudes of non-propulsive segmental bowel contractions	Spasm, abdominal cramps and pain, stasis of luminal contents, and hard dry stool	Yes	No
Constriction of sphincter of Oddi	Biliary colic, epigastric discomfort and pain	Yes	No
Increased anal sphincter tone and impaired reflex relaxation during rectal distension	Evacuation disorders	Yes	No
Diminished intestinal, pancreatic, and biliary secretion	Hard dry stools	Yes	Depending on type, can increase secretion/osmosis, primarily in colon
Abnormal bowel motility, increased fermentation and meteorism, opioid-induced hyperalgesia	Chronic visceral pain	Yes	No
Central effects of opioids	Nausea and vomiting, anorexia	No	No

Notes: Most of the potential effects of PAMORAs have not been, or only partly, substantiated in clinical trials, but as they target the underlying mechanism they could in theory have an effect on many of the symptoms.

Abbreviation: PAMORAs, peripherally acting, μ-opioid receptor antagonists.

Laxatives

Generally laxatives are recommended as first line treatment in all patients to whom opioids are prescribed.^72,73 Laxatives can be divided into different sub-groups, including osmotic agents (magnesium, lactulose, polyethylene glycol), stimulants (bisacodyl, senna), bulking agents (methylcellulose, psyllium), and stool softeners (anionic surfactants). Although traditional laxatives have proven useful in inducing bowel movements, they are temporary, quick fixes and often come with undesirable side effects, and hence their efficacy is, overall, insufficient.¹⁷ For further details about mechanisms and recommendations for laxatives, see Rao,⁴⁰ and Lembo and Camilleri.⁷⁴

Opioid antagonists

Opioid antagonists target the underlying pathophysiology of OIBD – blockage of the μ-opioid receptors in the gut. It is mainly the pharmacokinetic properties that separate them, rendering them more or less suitable for treatment of OIBD. In the following, their effect on the three pathophysiological mechanisms in OIBD is described and subsequently the different alternatives of opioid antagonists available for treatment of OIBD are presented.

Effect on gut motility

Opioid antagonists will alleviate the opioid-induced increased resting tone in the circular muscle layer. Moreover, opioid antagonists will enhance tonic inhibition of the muscle tone. Consequently, they will act towards normalization of the tone in the circular muscle layer and prevent opioid-induced rhythmic contractions, with propulsive phasic contractions. Taken together, the outcome of opioid antagonism treatment is diminished segmental contraction along with a normalization of peristaltic propulsion, and consequently decreased transit time. Indirectly this will also counteract the increased passive absorption of fluids as seen due to stasis of luminal contents during opioid treatment.³⁹ This will likely reduce typical OIBD symptoms, including constipation, gut spasm, and abdominal cramps.^38,75,76

Effect on gut secretion

Opioid antagonists will counteract the opioid-induced decreased cyclic AMP formation and consequently tend to normalize chloride secretion. When opioids act on μ-receptors within the ENS, it in return increases activity in the sympathetic nervous system, leading to inhibited vasoactive intestinal peptide release, and hence decreasing gut secretion in an indirect manner.^26,32 This effect is also counterbalanced by opioid antagonists. Collectively, the patient will experience less dry and softer stools.^37,39,77

Effect on sphincter function

Opioid antagonists will – at least in theory – normalize sphincter coordination. Opioid antagonists can prevent opioid-induced sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and thus acute biliary-like type of pain attacks.⁷⁸ Finally, opioid antagonists may diminish opioid-induced dysfunction of the anal sphincter, which has been associated with straining, hemorrhoids, and/or incomplete evacuation.⁴ The sphincter has, however, two components (internal with visceral innervation and external with somatic, voluntary innervation), and this complicates the evaluation of the effect of opioids and their antagonists.

Prolonged release naloxone – an opioid antagonist with limited systemic absorption

Naloxone is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist, with high affinity to opioid receptors. It is widely used to treat opioid overdose and is administered intravenously or as intramuscular injection. In this formulation it reverses both centrally and peripherally mediated effects of opioids. However, naloxone has a very high first-pass metabolism, thus when administered orally means bioavailability is less than 2%.⁷⁹ Even though first-pass metabolism of naloxone is close to 100%, the part that passes may cross the blood– brain barrier and cause withdrawal symptoms and reversal of analgesia. This might explain why naloxone in oral formulation is not marketed, despite the fact that it has been shown to improve opioid-induced constipation (OIC).⁸⁰ To avoid this, a combined oral prolonged release formulation of oxycodone and prolonged release naloxone in a 2:1 ratio has been developed. The aim of this formulation has been to counteract OIC through the local antagonistic effect of naloxone in the gut wall, while maintaining analgesia due to the low bioavailability of oral prolonged release naloxone. Studies have shown promising analgesic efficacy as well as improvement in OIBD-related symptoms.^81–83 However, as naloxone is primarily metabolized in the liver, there is a risk of greater bioavailability in patients with hepatic impairment,^84,85 which complicates treatment. The fixed combined doses, high costs, and maximum recommended daily dose (which may not be sufficient to relieve the pain) may, however, limit its use. Furthermore, the fixed combination to oxycodone makes opioid rotation difficult.

Peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists

Another approach is methylnaltrexone-bromide, a drug originally designed to shorten the length of postoperative ileus.⁸⁶ It is a PAMORA and a derivative of the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Due to its ammonium group, the drug does not pass the blood–brain barrier.⁷² It has been shown to relieve OIC and induce laxation,^87,88 and so far methylnaltrexone is the only approved PAMORA for the treatment of OIBD. However, it is only available in subcutaneous formulation and only approved in palliative care in patients with advanced illness. Hence it is of limited benefit for the general OIBD population.

Alvimopan is another orally administered PAMORA that does not cross the blood–brain barrier at clinically relevant doses, and does not reverse analgesia or cause opioid withdrawal symptoms.^89–91 Alvimopan has been shown to increase spontaneous bowel movements,⁹⁰ however cardiovascular safety concerns (increased risk of myocardial infarction) halted further development. Yet the Food and Drug Administration approved alvimopan for postoperative ileus following partial small or large bowel resection with primary anastomosis in hospitalized patients, and it is only registered in the US, hence it is also of little benefit for the general OIBD population.

Other PAMORAs in earlier stages of development are ADL-5945 and ADL-7445 (Cubist^®), and TD-1211 (Theravance^®). ADL-5945 and ADL-7445 have proven tolerable and effective in producing SBMs in Phase I trials, but to the authors’ knowledge no Phase II data have been published, even though a Phase II study was announced in 2010.⁷² The TD-1211 has shown to be well-tolerated, and have a linear pharmacokinetic profile, but is still being evaluated in Phase II trials.^4,72

Naloxegol is another investigational PAMORA, which has shown promising results and expected to be approved for marketing in September 2014. Therefore a special focus on its pharmacological properties, safety, and efficacy is given separately in the next section.

Naloxegol – PEGylated naloxone

Naloxegol is a PEGylated naloxone molecule. The result of covalently attaching a PEG moiety to a therapeutically useful molecule is what has come to be known as PEGylation. The effect of the PEGylation is determined by several factors, including the pharmacological properties of the parent molecule, the number of PEG chains attached to the molecule, the molecular weight and structure of the PEGs, and their location on the parent molecule, as well as the chemical processes used to attach the PEG.⁹² PEGylation is used to alter the functional and structural properties of the molecule. These include: 1) reduction of immunogenicity by shielding antigenic epitopes; 2) reduce renal clearance due to increased molecule size; 3) improve drug solubility; 4) prolong plasma half-life; 5) reduce toxicity; and 6) alter biodistribution.

Naloxone possesses the potent μ-receptor antagonism desirable for a PAMORA. However, blood–brain barrier penetration and the extensive first-pass metabolism complicate its use. In order for naloxone to be clinically applicable, increased bioavailability and particularly peripheral restriction is warranted. These features have been successfully achieved in naloxegol by PEGylation of naloxone.¹² Figure 4 illustrates the pharmacological principle of naloxegol, normal GI physiology (in regards to motility, secretion, and sphincter function), OIBD pathophysiology, and the pharmacodynamics of naloxegol.

Figure 4 Pharmacological principle of naloxegol under normal conditions (left column), during opioid treatment (middle) and opioid and naloxegol treatment (right).

Notes: First row: opioids in the systemic circulation cross the blood–brain barrier and induce analgesia. Peripheral restriction prevents naloxegol from crossing the blood–brain barrier, thus centrally mediated analgesia is maintained. Second row: opioids bind to enteric nervous system μ-opioid receptors and cause non-propulsive motility. Due to higher affinity, naloxegol displaces opioids from the receptors in the gut and thus prevents dysmotility. Third row: naloxegol antagonizes the decreased secretion of electrolytes and water to the intestinal lumen, which results in a less dry, softer stool. Fourth row: in the gastrointestinal sphincters (here illustrated by the anal sphincter), naloxegol (at least theoretically) prevents sphincter dyscoordination and increased resting tone, with a net result of less straining and easier evacuation.
Abbreviations: ENS, enteric nervous system; BBB, blood–brain barrier.

PEGs are also used as osmotic laxatives (eg, macrogol 3350/4000), where they act as non-metabolized, non-absorbable, osmotic agents, forming hydrogen bonds with water in the intestinal lumen. Conversely fecal volume increases, which in turn enhances gut motility through activation of the neuromuscular pathways.⁹³ As described in the next section, naloxegol is absorbed rapidly and so far no evidence points toward a secondary effect as an osmotic laxative, although it has not been evaluated specifically and cannot be ruled out. However, the lower molecular weight of naloxegol versus osmotic laxatives based on PEGs, 651 g/mol versus 3,350/4,000 g/mol respectively,^94,95 supports better absorptive properties of naloxegol.

Pharmacokinetics

In vitro naloxegol displays decreased receptor binding affinity compared to naloxone, likely due to the structural modification of the PEGylation. However compared to opioids, naloxegol displays higher receptor binding affinity and hence will displace, eg, morphine from μ-opioid receptors in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. As noted, peripheral restriction is of utmost importance, and it has been shown that blood–brain barrier permeation of naloxegol is 15-fold lower than naloxone, and similar to atenolol, which is considered as having no appreciable blood–brain barrier permeation.⁹⁶ This peripheral restriction was emphasized when the effect of naloxegol versus naloxone was investigated in morphine-treated rats. Hence, whilst naloxone and naloxegol completely reversed the opioid effects within the GI system, the centrally mediated opioid analgesia was only markedly decreased during naloxone administration.⁹⁶

Clinical studies of oral naloxegol exploring a dose range of 8–1,000 mg found rapid absorption with time to peak concentration of 1.5 hours, and plasma concentrations of naloxegol were orders of magnitude greater than those of oral naloxone.^96–98

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy

In preclinical and clinical studies, naloxegol has been examined for potential drug–drug interactions, toxicology, and drug accumulation.^96,99–102 Concomitant administration of drugs interacting with CYP3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein transporters can potentially affect plasma concentration of naloxegol. Renal impairment and mild or moderate hepatic impairment appear to have minimal impact on the pharmacokinetics of naloxegol.^100,101 Otherwise there were no reports of adverse events (AEs), toxicology, or drug accumulation.

In an early clinical study, the investigators examined the efficacy of naloxegol on morphine-induced delay in oral–cecal transit time using the lactulose hydrogen breath GI motility test.¹⁰³ Naloxegol significantly reduced morphine-induced prolongation with 61% relative to baseline following NKTR-118 (early code-name for naloxegol) with morphine, compared to placebo with morphine.

In a Phase II trial, 207 patients with OIC on a stable opioid regime of 30–1,000 mg/day oral morphine equivalent units were randomized to receive 4 weeks double-blind placebo or naloxegol (5, 25, or 50 mg) once daily.¹² The efficacy of naloxegol was evaluated by median change from baseline in SBMs per week after week 1 of drug administration. In both the 25 and 50 mg cohorts a significant increase was observed. The median change from baseline in SBMs per week across the 4-week study period was also significantly greater in these two treatment groups versus placebo. Similarly, the time to first laxation was significantly shorter in these treatment groups. For the 5 mg treatment group there were no significant changes in any of the efficacy endpoints. In the 50 mg cohort, the incidence of treatment-emergent AEs was higher than in the placebo group. Most frequently reported AEs were transient GI complaints, typically resolving within the first week, and often reported as mild or moderate. No clinical relevant changes in serum chemistry, hematology, or electrocardiogram were revealed, confirming the results from two Phase I studies.^97,98 There was no significant reduction of opioid-mediated analgesia. A significant change in the median Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Score was observed in the 50 mg group day 1 of week 1. However, this difference was in the GI component and when excluded, there was no difference between placebo and naloxegol.

The largest studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of naloxegol are two identical Phase III, randomized, double blind, 12-week studies referred to as KODIAC-04 and KODIAC-05. Data from these studies have recently been published.¹⁰⁴ In total, 1,352 patients with OIC participated in the two studies. They were randomized to naloxegol (12.5 and 25 mg) versus placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the efficacy of naloxegol assessed as percentage of responders during the 12 weeks (intent-to-treat population), defined as having ≥three spontaneous bowel movements per week with ≥three spontaneous bowel movements per week increase over baseline for ≥9 weeks and ≥three of the last four weeks of treatment. It was met with in the 25 mg groups in both studies and for the 12.5 mg dose in KODIAC-04. Furthermore, the investigators evaluated the percentage of responders in a subpopulation of patients with an inadequate response to laxatives before enrollment. Interestingly, the response rates were even higher, ie, the number needed to treat was lower than in the intention-to-treat group. Pain scores and daily opioid use were unaffected by naloxegol treatment and assessment of opioid-mediated central analgesia was unaltered by treatment with naloxegol. AEs were reported more frequently in the 25 mg group, but most were GI related and mild in severity.

Patient-focused perspectives

Objective assessments of the different pathophysiological mechanisms of OIBD described earlier provide credible and reliable evaluations of new treatments. However, due to the multifaceted symptomatology of OIBD (Table 1), focusing only on, eg, SBMs or transit times will not only miss other GI-related adverse effects, but also important aspects like patient-focused perspectives as subjective severity and impact on quality-of-life. This is underlined by the fact that many opioid-treated patients report normal stool frequency, but still experience symptoms of OIBD.¹⁷ Thus, a combination of objective and subjective assessment methods is mandatory when evaluating the treatment effect of a drug on OIBD. A detailed discussion about tools for evaluating OIBD is beyond the scope of this review, but reviewed elsewhere.¹⁰⁵

The most comprehensive subjective assessment of naloxegol treatment has been carried out by Webster et al.¹² For both the 25 and 50 mg group mean scores for physical discomfort, dissatisfaction was lower at multiple time points, reflecting increased quality of life. Additionally, the 25 mg cohort experienced statistically significant improvement in physical functioning, mental health, social functioning, and vitality. In the Phase III study only simple subjective measures were carried out, including severity of straining measured on a 5-point scale and stool consistency assessed on the Bristol stool scale. Improvement of both endpoints was observed in the 25 mg group in both studies and in the 12.5 mg group in the KODIAC-5 study, just as the primary endpoint.

Patient-focused perspectives also include acceptability and adherence to treatment, which are not easily measured. However, the oral formulation is obviously an advantage compared to the subcutaneously administered methylnaltrexone. Likewise, as methylnaltrexone is only approved for palliative care in patients with advanced illness, it remains limited to OIBD symptom management in a small subgroup of OIBD patients. Lastly, it is an advantage that naloxegol can be used as an add-on to existing pain therapy, as many pain patients are on a stable and satisfactory analgesic regime, but suffer from OIBD symptoms.

Conclusion

OIBD is a challenge in pain therapy and is often neglected by clinicians. Importantly, opioids affect the whole gut, and even when focusing on constipation, bowel movements are often not the most important symptom for the patient. The traditional treatment with laxatives is of limited efficacy and adverse effects are frequent. Therefore new treatment modalities, such as prolonged release naloxone and PAMORAs, are promising as they target the underlying pathophysiology of OIBD. Naloxegol is a novel, oral PAMORA, which has proven efficacious compared to placebo, has an acceptable safety profile, and can be used as an add-on to existing pain treatment. This makes it a welcome addition to the targeted treatment possibilities for OIBD. However, further evaluations of these new treatment modalities are warranted in order to justify their clinical use. First, this should be done as comparative studies between an adequate laxative treatment and the new treatments modalities. Secondly, head-to-head comparison of the different new modalities is needed to evaluate whether one is superior to another. Thirdly, these studies should include a comprehensive combination of objective and subjective assessments in order to encompass the multifaceted presentation of OIBD.

Disclosure

Asbjørn Mohr Drewes has received unrestricted research grants from Mundipharma, AstraZeneca, Grünenthal, Lundbeck and Pfizer and served as a Consultant/Advisory Board member for Mundipharma, Grünenthal, AstraZeneca, Almirall and Shire. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.