Bridging the Gap With Clinical Pharmacology in Innovative Rare Disease Treatment Modalities: Targeting DNA to RNA to Protein

Rare diseases are frequently caused by inherited ‘monogenic’ defects. Treatment interventions that target a specific genetic location or that replaces a specific protein provide rational therapeutic approaches. The current review discusses innovative targeted therapies that act or modulate at the level of DNA, RNA, or protein. They include DNA gene editing, small interference RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), small molecule RNA splicing modifier, and bispecific antibody. With limited numbers of patients, testing multiple dose levels and regimens prior to making an informed dose decision remains one of the major challenges in rare disease drug development. Clinical pharmacology strategically bridges the gap to support drug development and regulatory approvals. Pharmacokinetic drug exposures are driven by absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and in some cases immunogenicity. Drug responses are measured by pharmacodynamic biomarkers that are linked to either short‐ or long‐term clinical outcomes. Understanding the drug exposure–response relationship lies at the heart of bridging the gap that enables a dose decision by balancing effectiveness and safety. Furthermore, and importantly, understanding the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on drug pharmacokinetics enables dose adjustment decisions based on drug exposures. Case examples include the identification of doses and regimens without a formal dose‐finding study, the support of new doses and regimens without conducting additional studies, and the extrapolation of adult drug–drug interaction (DDI) studies to pediatrics without performing a pediatric DDI study. With increasing discoveries of innovative treatment modalities, the responsibility of clinical pharmacologists is expected to grow and enhance the development of novel treatments for rare diseases.