Mechanism of Action (MOA) | LIVTENCITY® (maribavir)

Mechanism of Action^1,5-10

Maribavir is an antiviral drug against human CMV¹
Its action is mediated by competitive inhibition of the protein kinase activity of human CMV enzyme pUL97 and its natural substrates,* which results in inhibition of the phosphorylation of proteins.^1,5,6 This results in the downstream inhibition of:

CMV DNA replication^7,8
Viral encapsidation⁸
Nuclear egress of viral capsids⁹

^*The natural substrates (phosphorylation targets) of pUL97 include ppUL44, pp65, RNA polymerase II large subunit, retinoblastoma protein, lamin A and C, p32, nuclear egress complex (UL50, UL53), histone deacetylase 1, and eukaryotic elongation factor delta.^6,10

Livtencity (maribavir) mechanism of action

Expand the MOA

1. Livtencity (maribavir) Prescribing Information. Lexington, MA: Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. 2. Data on file. Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. 3. Avery RK, Alain S, Alexander BD, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2022;75(4):690-701. 4. Avery RK, Alain S, Alexander BD, et al. Clin Infect Dis. Supplement. 2022. doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab988. 5. Shannon-Lowe CD, Emery VC. Herpesviridae. 2010;1(4):1-13. 6. Steingruber M, Marschall M. Microorganisms. 2020;8(4):515. 7. Biron KK, Harvey RJ, Chamberlain SC, et al. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2002;46:2365-2372. 8. Wolf DG, Courcelle CT, Prichard MN, Mocarski ES. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98(4):1895-1900. 9. Krosky PM, Baek MC, Coen DM. J Virol. 2003;77:905-914. 10. Bigley TM, Reitsma JM, Mirza SP, Terhune SS. J Virol. 2013;87(13):7393-7408.

SEE THE SAFETY PROFILE

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Risk of Reduced Antiviral Activity When Co-administered with Ganciclovir and Valganciclovir

LIVTENCITY may antagonize the antiviral activity of ganciclovir and valganciclovir by inhibiting human CMV pUL97 kinase, which is required for activation/phosphorylation of ganciclovir and valganciclovir. Coadministration of LIVTENCITY with ganciclovir or valganciclovir is not recommended.

Virologic Failure During Treatment and Relapse Post-Treatment

Virologic failure due to resistance can occur during and after treatment with LIVTENCITY. Virologic relapse during the posttreatment period usually occurred within 4-8 weeks after treatment discontinuation. Some maribavir pUL97 resistance-associated substitutions confer cross-resistance to ganciclovir and valganciclovir. Monitor CMV DNA levels and check for maribavir resistance if the patient is not responding to treatment or relapses.

Risk of Adverse Reactions or Loss of Virologic Response Due to Drug Interactions

The concomitant use of LIVTENCITY and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to reduced therapeutic effect of LIVTENCITY or adverse reactions of concomitant drugs. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during LIVTENCITY therapy; review concomitant medications during LIVTENCITY therapy and monitor for adverse reactions. Refer to the full prescribing information of LIVTENCITY for important drug interactions.

Maribavir is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. Drugs that are strong inducers of CYP3A4 are expected to decrease maribavir plasma concentrations and may result in reduced virologic response; therefore, coadministration of LIVTENCITY with these drugs is not recommended, except for selected anticonvulsants.

Use with Immunosuppressant Drugs

LIVTENCITY has the potential to increase the drug concentrations of immunosuppressant drugs that are CYP3A and/or P-gp substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious adverse events (including tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus and everolimus). Frequently monitor immunosuppressant drug levels throughout treatment with LIVTENCITY, especially following initiation and after discontinuation of LIVTENCITY and adjust immunosuppressant dose, as needed.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse events (all grades,> 10%) in subjects treated with LIVTENCITY were taste disturbance, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and fatigue.

INDICATION

LIVTENCITY is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 35 kg) with post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease that is refractory to treatment (with or without genotypic resistance) with ganciclovir, valganciclovir, cidofovir or foscarnet.

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