Ceftaroline in complicated skin and skin-structure infections.

Ceftaroline is an advanced-generation cephalosporin antibiotic recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSIs). This intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic exerts potent bactericidal activity by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. A high affinity for the penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) makes the drug especially beneficial to patients with MRSA cSSSIs. Ceftaroline has proved in multiple well-conducted clinical trials to have an excellent safety and efficacy profile. In adjusted doses it is also recommended for patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Furthermore, the clinical effectiveness and high cure rate demonstrated by ceftaroline in cSSSIs, including those caused by MRSA and other multidrug-resistant strains, warrants its consideration as a first-line treatment option for cSSSIs. This article reviews ceftaroline and its pharmacology, efficacy, and safety data to further elucidate its role in the treatment of cSSSIs.

Overview of complicated skin and skin-structure infections

Complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSIs) are severe dermatologic infections either involving deep soft tissue (fascia and/or muscle layers), requiring significant surgical intervention, or existing in combination with significant underlying disease that complicates the response to treatment.1 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently termed these infections “acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections” (ABSSSIs) based on their predominant bacterial etiology.2 Other national or international classification and nomenclature groups often refer to these infections as complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs).3,4

Microbiology of cSSSIs

The microbiologic causes of cSSSIs are diverse, with aerobic Gram-positive cocci most commonly isolated from these infections, specifically Staphylococcus aureus. Gram-negative bacilli, anaerobic bacteria, and other mixed microorganisms may also be involved (Table 1).5–15 In the US, studies have reported methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) as the leading cause of cSSSIs, with MRSA isolated in almost 60% of cases.16,17 Community-acquired (CA) cSSSIs usually involve infection with S. aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or enterococci. One US study reported the MRSA USA300 clone as the predominant strain causing CA-MRSA cSSSIs.18 A recent Japanese study indicating that overuse of over-the-counter triple antibiotic creams in the treatment of minor cuts and scrapes may influence the emergence of MRSA USA300 raises significant concerns.19 Hospital-acquired (HA) cSSSIs usually involve infection with S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterococci, Escherichia coli, and other Enterobacteriaceae, with increased prevalence of MRSA observed in hospitals as well as the community.8,11,12

Table 1

Most common bacterial isolates identified in cSSSIs5–15

Gram-positive	Gram-negative
Staphylococcus aureus: MSSA, MRSA	Escherichia coli
Streptococcus pyogenes	Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Enterococcus faecalis	Klebsiella pneumoniae
Enterococcus faecium	Proteus mirabilis
Coagulase-negative staphylococci	Klebsiella oxytoca
Streptococcus agalactiae	Enterobacteriaceae
Peptostreptococcus spp

Abbreviations: MSSA, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Management of cSSSIs

Although cSSSIs arise in both communities and hospitals, they generally require initial and definitive treatment in a hospital setting due to their severity and potential for serious complications. A US hospital-based study reported secondary bacteremia in 47.8% of patients with cSSSIs, resulting in a higher mortality rate among bacteremic patients than nonbacteremic patients (7.9% vs 1.0%, respectively).20 Bacteremia in cSSSIs is also associated with an almost fourfold increase in mortality rate when initial antibiotic therapy fails in comparison to successful initial antibiotic therapy (1.7% vs 0.5%, respectively) and increased length of hospital stay and costs.20–22

Definitive antimicrobial therapy is pathogen-specific based on culture results, antimicrobial susceptibility, and the clinical response of the infection to empirical therapy. Rapidly advancing infections constitute the need for surgical exploration with histopathological examination to identify necrotizing processes. If severe, rapidly advancing infections may require extensive debridement and alterations to subsequent antimicrobial therapy.5

Limited antimicrobial agents are available for the treatment of cSSSIs due to a combination of the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and a diminished industry focus on antimicrobial drug research and development;23 thus, successful treatment with approved antimicrobial compounds remains a challenge. Because of the high prevalence of MRSA in skin and soft tissue infections presenting to hospitals, empirical therapy should include MRSA coverage.16 Suspicion of infection with MRSA is based on the following criteria: (1) whether the infection is CA or HA, (2) individual risk factors for MRSA, and (3) severity of the infection. In order to improve treatment outcomes in S. aureus infections, surgical drainage and debridement, wound culture, and prompt initiation of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy is recommended. 24,25 Definitive antimicrobial therapy in an MRSA infection is dependent on whether the infection is caused by CA-MRSA or HA-MRSA (Table 2).25

Table 2

Recommended treatment for community-acquired MRSA versus hospital-acquired MRSA infection (including cSSSIs)4,24,25

CA-MRSA	HA-MRSA
Usually not multidrug resistant	Usually multidrug resistant
Susceptibility testing: trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), clindamycin, vancomycin	Susceptibility testing: vancomycin, rifampin, linezolid
Treatment: TMP-SMX, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin,a vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin, or telavancin	Treatment: vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin, tigecycline, or rifampin plus fusidic acid (where available)

Note: Only in combination with other agents.

Abbreviations: MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; TMP-SMX, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

In February 2011, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) published guidelines for the treatment of hospitalized adults and children with cSSTIs (synonymous with our definition of cSSSIs). The IDSA recommendation for adults includes empirical therapy with MRSA coverage and culturing for susceptibility data, in addition to surgical debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotics used in empirical therapy include intravenous (IV) vancomycin, daptomycin, telavancin, linezolid, and clindamycin. Oral linezolid and oral clindamycin are also empirical therapy options.

In hospitalized children with cSSSIs, the IDSA recommends vancomycin. If the child is stable, nonbacteremic, and resistance to clindamycin is low, empirical intravenous clindamycin is an option. A transition to oral clindamycin therapy is indicated if the strain is susceptible to clindamycin. Intravenous or oral linezolid are also therapeutic alternatives for children.4

FDA-approved parenteral antimicrobial agents for the treatment of ABSSSIs (synonymous with our definition of cSSSIs) with anti-MRSA activity include vancomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, linezolid, daptomycin, telavancin, tigecycline, and ceftaroline.26 Vancomycin continues to be the first-line treatment for MRSA infections, as no other antimicrobial agent has proved to have superior efficacy.26–28 Fusidic acid is marketed for the treatment of staphylococcal infections in at least 23 countries. Countries such as Canada, the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand have approved fusidic acid for use in the treatment of skin infections, including those caused by MRSA.29 A US multicenter Phase II, randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of an oral fusidic acid loading-dose regimen to oral linezolid in the treatment cSSSIs was conducted between August 2009 and March 2010. The results of the study indicated fusidic acid had similar efficacy, safety, and tolerability as linezolid in the treatment of cSSSIs. This study demonstrates an attempt to introduce fusidic acid into the US market, pending additional Phase III clinical trials and FDA approval.30

Issues of resistance

The major pathogen of concern is MRSA due to its high prevalence of infection and multidrug-resistance.31–33 US surveillance data over a 12-year period between 1992 and 2004 indicated a 59.5% rate of methicillin resistance among S. aureus nosocomial infections in intensive care unit patients.34 MRSA has also become more common in infections in long-term care facility patients and in CA infections.6,35,36 The most commonly isolated MRSA clone in the US is MRSA USA300, identified in 99% of CA-MRSA isolates in one study.18 The spread of MRSA USA300 has been reported around the world. Studies in Austria and Canada reported identification of MRSA USA300 in CA-MRSA isolates (2.2% and 73.7%, respectively).33,37

In the US, there has been a rapid and alarming increase in CA-MRSA isolated from infections. US surveillance data over a 10-year period between 1998 and 2007 indicated a 387.6% increase in CA-MRSA infection, rising from 7.3% in 1998 to 35.6% in 2007.32 Conversely, there has been a 27.9% decrease in HA-MRSA infection in the US over the same 10-year period, falling from 25.4% in 1998 to 18.3% in 2007.32 Studies in the UK indicate the incidence of CA-MRSA infection is very low (<1%), although incidence does appear to be on the rise.38 Moreover, CA-MRSA has also been isolated from healthy individuals. One study in India found that 166 of 1000 (16.6%) healthy participants were carriers of CA-MRSA in their anterior nares.39

Consistent with US surveillance data between 1998 and 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 28% decrease of invasive MRSA infection in healthcare settings between 2005 and 2008. The CDC also reports a 17% decrease in CA-MRSA infection in people with recent exposure to health care settings. As such, the CDC recognizes the continued need to address this public health concern. In contrast, the CDC reported that CA-MRSA infection is increasing rapidly in the community.40

Resistance to vancomycin has also been reported, in vancomycin- resistant enterococci (VRE) and the more recently emergent vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA).27,41,42 Enterococci demonstrate one of the highest rates of vancomycin resistance. A US study conducted between 2007 and 2008 of isolates collected from hospitalized patients reported vancomycin resistance rates among Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were 5.4% and 75.4%, respectively.41 In Europe, a 5.1% rate of VRE was reported across 33 medical centers.43 A study in India reported a 1.4% rate of vancomycin resistance in S. aureus isolates collected from healthy individuals.39

Decreased susceptibility to vancomycin has also been observed in vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus (VSSA). In the presence of selection pressure, VSSA isolates are able to transform their cell wall to become less susceptible to vancomycin, termed vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA). VISA isolates may progress through a precursor phenotype known as heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA). A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the significance of hVISA isolates throughout the world reported that overall prevalence remains low at 1.3% of all MRSA isolates tested.44

Resistance to antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of cSSSIs is not limited to methicillin and vancomycin; there is also evidence of resistance to linezolid, daptomycin, streptogramins, ertapenem, fluoroquinolones, and glycopeptide antibiotics.28,31 In order to decrease resistance and cross-resistance development, optimizing antibiotic use through strict prescription habits as well as strict use of over-the-counter topical antibiotic creams is key. The increasing prevalence of resistance to existing antimicrobial agents underscores not only the importance of judicious antibiotic use by clinicians, but also the need for the development of new antibiotics such as ceftaroline, an emerging cephalosporin that recently gained regulatory approval in the US for the treatment of cSSSIs.23,45

Ceftaroline

Ceftaroline fosamil (Teflaro®; Forest Laboratories, Inc, New York, NY) is a novel advanced-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, many Gram-negative, some anaerobic, and multidrug-resistant strains that cause serious CA and HA pneumonia and skin and skin-structure infections (Table 3).46–55 Ceftaroline is the active metabolite of its prodrug form, ceftaroline fosamil (herein referred to as ceftaroline). In several clinical studies, ceftaroline demonstrated potent efficacy against common pathogens implicated in cSSSIs, including MRSA and β-hemolytic streptococci.10,14,15,56,57 In October 2010, the FDA approved ceftaroline for the treatment of CA bacterial pneumonia and cSSSIs, including MRSA-associated infections (Table 4).45

Table 3

In vitro activity of ceftaroline against common Grampositive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates47,52,80,81

Gram-positive	Gram-negative
Staphyloccocus aureus	Enterobacteriaceae
MSSA	Escherichia coli
MRSA	Ceftazidime-susceptible
VISA	ESBL-positive E. colia
Linezolid resistant	Klebsiella pneumoniae
Coagulase-negative staphylococci	Ceftazidime-susceptible
Streptococcus pyogenes	ESBL-positive K. pneumoniaea
Streptococcus agalactiae	Enterobacter cloacae
Enterococcus faecalis	Proteus mirabilis
Vancomycin-susceptible	Citrobacter freundii
Vancomycin-resistant	Morganella morganii
Streptococcus pneumoniae	Serratia marcescens
Penicillin susceptible	Shigella spp
Penicillin intermediate	Moraxella catarrhalis
Penicillin resistant	Haemophilus influenzae
Levofloxacin resistant	β-lactamase positive, ampicillin resistant
Multidrug resistant	β-lactamase negative, ampicillin resistant
Viridans group streptococci	Pasteurella multocidaPseudomonas aeruginosab

Notes: Conflicting data for activity against ESBL-positive E. coli and ESBL-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae;79–81

conflicting data for activity against P. aeruginosa: in vitro studies show only limited activity whereas clinical studies show a high clinical cure rate.15,79–81

Abbreviations: MSSA, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus; VISA, vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus; ESBL, extended-spectrum β-lactamase.

Table 4

Ceftarolinea in the treatment of cSSSIs in the USb

Dosage form	Injection; powder for reconstitutionStable in: 1/2 NS, D5W, LR, NS
Usual dosage range Administration	600 mg IV every 12 hours for 5–14 daysSlow IV infusion over 60 minutes
Dosing for renal impairment	CLCr 31–50 mL/minute: administer 400 mg every 12 hours CLCr 15–30 mL/minute: administer 300 mg every 12 hoursCLCr < 15 mL/minute and ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis: administer 200 mg every 12 hours; should be given after hemodialysis, if applicable
Approved use	Treatment of acute cSSSIs: caused by susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella oxytoca

Notes: Advanced-generation cephalosporin antibiotic;

FDA-approved October 2010.

Abbreviations: NS, normal saline; D5W, 5% dextrose in water; LR, lactated Ringer’s solution; IV, intravenous; CLCr, creatinine clearance; ESRD, end-stage renal disease; MSSA, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Mechanism of action

Ceftaroline is a bactericidal β-lactam antibiotic that targets and binds penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) to inhibit cell wall synthesis through interference of peptidoglycan cross-linking.58 It binds with especially high affinity to the MRSA-associated PBP2a.59,60 Ceftaroline also binds with high affinity to the PBP2x possessed by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). Specifically, this binding inhibits transpeptidase or transglycosidase bacterial enzymes necessary for cell wall synthesis, thereby exerting its bactericidal effect.59 The 1,3-thiazole ring in ceftaroline’s molecular structure confers its anti-MRSA activity.61,62 The 1,2,4-thiadiazole ring confers Gram-negative penetration and increased affinity for transpeptidase enzyme.59,62 The phosphono group, only present in the prodrug, increases its solubility.59,62,63

Pharmacokinetics

Following parenteral administration, the water-soluble prodrug is hydrolyzed to its active metabolite, ceftaroline, by plasma phosphatases. It has a volume of distribution (Vd) of 28.3 L into the total body water compartment.62 On average, 20% of ceftaroline circulates bound to plasma proteins. It has a half-life of 2.6 hours.45

Ceftaroline mainly undergoes hydrolytic metabolism in the plasma. When incubated with pooled human liver microsomes, ceftaroline was metabolically stable, indicating that it is not a substrate for CYP450; therefore, there is minimal hepatic metabolism.64 The majority (about 88%) of the administered dose is eliminated from the body by renal glomerular filtration, followed by fecal excretion (about 6%), within 48 hours.63–65

Approximately half of the excreted drug is in active form, with a small quantity in inactive form (ceftaroline- M-1).62 No prodrug has been detected in the urine. This finding led to the conclusion of absolute biotransformation of the prodrug into its active metabolite, ceftaroline.62,65 In a singledose administration, ceftaroline has a renal clearance of 95.6 mL/minute; administered in multiple doses, its renal clearance is 86.7 mL/minute.62

A number of studies in healthy adults demonstrated the absorption of ceftaroline when administered either intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) in single or multiple doses.62 In single-dose studies, which administered ceftaroline (250, 500, 750, or 1000 mg) IV over 60 minutes, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) increased approximately in proportion to drug dose, 9.9, 16.5, 23.0, and 30.2 μg/mL, respectively.62 In multiple-dose studies, there was no accumulation of the drug when 300, 600, or 800 mg doses were administered at intervals of either 12 or 24 hours over the course of 7–14 days.62 In studies conducted by Riccobene and colleagues comparing the pharmacokinetics of a single 600 mg IM dose to a single 600 mg IV dose, the Cmax attained were 8.5 μg/mL and 19.7 μg/mL, respectively. The time to reach maximum plasma concentration (tmax) for IM administration was 2 hours; the tmax for IV administration was only 0.98 hours.66

Studies by Ge and colleagues evaluated the similarities and differences in the pharmacokinetics of ceftaroline in individuals with normal renal function versus those with mild or moderate renal impairment during administration of ceftaroline 600 mg IV (Table 5).62,67 Cmax and tmax did not differ significantly among the three groups, whereas there was an increase in the area under the drug plasma concentration curve (AUC) and half-life (t1/2) in both the mild and moderate renal impairment groups in comparison to the normal renal function group. Furthermore, the renal clearance of ceftaroline decreased significantly in patients with mild and moderate renal impairment (30.8 mL/minute and 19.3 mL/minute, respectively) in comparison to patients with normal renal function (54.6 mL/minute).62

Table 5

Pharmacokinetics in patients with renal impairment: single-dose ceftaroline 600 mg IV67

Renal status (CLCr mL/minute)	t1/2 (hours)	Cmax (μg/mL)	tmax (hours)	AUC (μg · hour/mL)	CLR (mL/minute)
Normal (CLCr > 80)	2.84	27.6	0.97	35.6	54.6
Mild (CLCr > 50–80)	3.61	27.7	0.99	89.4	30.8
Moderate (CLCr > 30–50)	4.49	30.5	1.1	114	19.3

Abbreviations: CLCr, creatinine clearance; t1/2, half-life; Cmax, maximum plasma concentration; tmax, time to maximum plasma concentration; AUC, area under the concentration–time curve; CLR, renal clearance.

Another study by Riccobene and colleagues investigated the pharmacokinetics of ceftaroline in patients with end-stage renal disease.68 A 400 mg IV dose was administered over the course of 1 hour in two patient groups, one group before and one group after dialysis. Administering the dose prior to dialysis resulted in a Cmax similar to that of patients with normal renal function; however, administering the dose after dialysis resulted in a 74% increase in Cmax in comparison to patients with normal renal function. The AUC increased by 89% when ceftaroline was administered prior to dialysis and increased by 167% when administered after dialysis in comparison to patients with normal renal function. The t1/2 also increased by 123% in both patient groups.68

In light of this clinical data, ceftaroline doses should be adjusted for patients with moderate renal impairment and those with end-stage renal disease.62,63,65,68 Ge and colleagues recommend ceftaroline 600 mg IV be infused over 1 hour every 12 hours for patients with normal renal function and those with mild renal impairment; for patients with moderate renal impairment the dose should be reduced to 400 mg IV.61,62,67 The FDA recommends 400 mg IV infused over 60 minutes every 12 hours for patients with mild renal impairment, 300 mg IV for patients with moderate renal impairment, and 200 mg IV for patients with end-stage renal disease, including those undergoing hemodialysis (Table 4).45

Pharmacodynamics

A mouse model study of thigh and lung infection conducted by Andes and Craig determined the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) index to predict the efficacy of ceftaroline against MRSA and Gram-negative bacilli.69 The percentage of time the serum concentrations were above the minimum inhibitory concentration (%T > MIC) was the PK–PD that best correlated with drug efficacy.59 The MIC is the lowest concentration that will inhibit visible growth of bacteria after overnight incubation. A lower MIC indicates a more efficacious antimicrobial agent.70 Andes and Craig reported a mean %T > MIC of 39% for S. pneumoniae, 21% for MRSA, and 28% for E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae combined to achieve a bacteriostatic effect. A dose of 64.1 mg/kg/24 hours and a %T > MIC of 50% was necessary to achieve a 2-log10 reduction against MRSA.69

An in vitro study using a PK–PD model evaluated ceftaroline 600 mg MRSA and hVISA activity every 8 hours and 12 hours in comparison to vancomycin 1000 mg activity every 12 hours over a 72-hour period.71 Ceftaroline proved superior to vancomycin against all isolates, except one to which it was equivalent; no emergent drug-resistant isolates were observed.71 Further, in a rabbit endocarditis model study, ceftaroline demonstrated a high bactericidal effect, significant killing of bacteria in aortic vegetations, and superior bactericidal activity against hVISA compared to vancomycin.49 Treatment of the infected vegetations with ceftaroline 10 mg/kg IV every 12 hours resulted in 90% sterile vegetations after 4 days in comparison to vancomycin constant IV infusion, which resulted in 67% sterile vegetations.49

Clinical trials of ceftaroline in cSSSIs

Efficacy

The efficacy of ceftaroline against bacteria that cause cSSSIs is well established in multiple clinical studies, one Phase II and two identical Phase III trials. A Phase II trial consisting of a total of 100 patients evaluated ceftaroline versus standard therapy (defined as vancomycin with or without adjunctive aztreonam in the study) in the treatment of cSSSIs (67 patients vs 33 patients, respectively). Ceftaroline was administered at a dose of 600 mg IV every 12 hours for 7–14 days, and vancomycin was administered at a dose of 1 g IV every 12 hours with or without adjunctive aztreonam at a dose of 1 g IV every 8 hours for 7–14 days. There was a total of 88 patients in the clinically evaluable (CE) population. Clinical cure rates for ceftaroline in CE patients at test-of-cure (TOC) and end-of-therapy (EOT) visits were high (96.7% and 98.4%, respectively).54 Clinical cure rates for standard therapy in CE patients at TOC and EOT visits were lower in both instances (88.9% and 96.3%, respectively). Among the microbiologically evaluable (ME) patient population (ie, clinically evaluable and having had at least one susceptible pathogen isolated at baseline), ceftaroline demonstrated a higher microbiological success rate than standard therapy (95.2% vs 85.7%, respectively).54 The Phase II trial included adults diagnosed with skin and skin-structure infections if the infection involved deep soft tissue, required significant surgical intervention, or the infection had developed in a lower extremity in a patient with diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular disease.54 The TOC assessments were conducted 8–14 days following the last administered dose. The mean length of therapy was similar for both the ceftaroline and standard therapy groups (7.8 days and 8.0 days, respectively).54

Two identical Phase III, multicenter, international, randomized, double-blind clinical trials (CANVAS 1 and CANVAS 2) evaluated ceftaroline versus vancomycin plus aztreonam in the treatment of cSSSIs (Table 6).10,15 Combining CANVAS 1 and 2 data, 701 patients were administered ceftaroline 600 mg IV every 12 hours for 5–14 days and 695 patients were administered vancomycin 1 g IV plus aztreonam 1 g IV every 12 hours for 5–14 days. Both Phase III trials included patients ≥18 years of age with a diagnosis of cSSSI that required ≥5 days of IV antibiotic therapy. The primary study outcome was clinical cure, defined as total resolution of all signs and symptoms of baseline infection or improvement such that no further antimicrobial treatment was needed at the TOC visit (8–15 days after the last administered dose).10,15 The mean length of therapy for CANVAS 1 and 2 was similar (7 days and 6.5 days, respectively).10,15

Table 6

Clinical cure rates by population in Phase III CANVAS 1 and 2 trials10,15

	CANVAS 1Clinical cure rate %		CANVAS 2Clinical cure rate %
	Ceftarolinea	Vancomycin plus aztreonamb	Ceftarolinea	Vancomycin plus aztreonamb
Population
CE	91.1	93.3	92.2	92.1
ME	92.2	94.7	93.3	94.1
MITT	86.6	85.6	85.1	85.5

Notes: 600 mg of ceftaroline intravenously every 12 hours for 5–14 days;

1 g of vancomycin plus 1 g of aztreonam intravenously every 12 hours for 5–14 days.

Abbreviations: CANVAS, ceftaroline versus vancomycin in skin and skin structure infections; MITT, modified intent-to-treat; CE, clinically evaluable; ME, microbiologically evaluable.

The CANVAS 1 and 2 trials demonstrated similar cure rates for ceftaroline and vancomycin plus aztreonam in the CE and ME populations, as well as the modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population, which consisted of patients who received any amount of study medication. In CANVAS 1, clinical cure rates were similar for ceftaroline and vancomycin plus aztreonam in the CE population (91.1% vs 93.3%, respectively), ME population (92.2% vs 94.7%, respectively), and the MITT population (86.6% vs 85.6%, respectively). In CANVAS 2, clinical cure rates were also similar for ceftaroline and vancomycin plus aztreonam in the CE population (92.2% vs 92.1%, respectively), ME population (93.3% vs 94.1%, respectively), and the MITT population (85.1% vs 85.5%, respectively) (Table 6).

Combined data from CANVAS 1 and 2 show a similar cure rate in CE patients with diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular disease treated with ceftaroline versus vancomycin plus aztreonam (86.7%–91.1% and 87.2%–93.4%, respectively). The clinical cure rate was higher in CE patients with a lower extremity infection and either diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular disease treated with ceftaroline in comparison to vancomycin plus aztreonam (100% and 81.8%–94.7%, respectively).10,15

The CANVAS trials demonstrated similar clinical cure rates for cSSSIs specifically caused by MRSA. In CANVAS 1, clinical cure rates for MRSA cSSSIs in the ceftaroline and vancomycin plus aztreonam groups were 95.1% and 95.2%, respectively; in CANVAS 2, they were 91.4% and 93.3%, respectively. Ceftaroline clinical cure rates by specific pathogen involved are reported in Table 7. It should be noted that ceftaroline demonstrated a 71.4% clinical cure rate against P. aeruginosa in the ME population in CANVAS 2 but did not show any activity against P. aeruginosa in either the Phase II or CANVAS 1 trials.15

Table 7

Ceftaroline clinical cure rates by pathogen reported in Phase II and III clinical trials10,15,54

Pathogen	Ceftaroline clinical cure rate % (CE population)	Ceftaroline clinical cure rate % (ME population)
	Phase II	CANVAS 1a	CANVAS 2a
Gram-positive
Staphylococcus aureus	96.7	–	93.3
MSSA	100	91.3	94.4
MRSA	80	95.1	91.4
Staphylococcus haemolyticus	100	–	–
Streptococci	–	–	–
S. pyogenes	100	100	100
S. agalactiae	100	93.8	100
Enterococcus faecalis	100	92.9	63.6
Enterococcus faecium	0	–	–
Group C streptococci	100	–	–
Viridans group	100	–	–
S. intermedius	100	–	100
S. anginosus	100	–	100
S. anginosus/“milleri”	100	–	–
S. constellatus	–	–	100
S. dysgalactiae	–	–	100
S. oralis	100	–	–
Peptostreptococcus prevotii	100	–	–
Pediococcus spp	100	–	–
Monomicrobial Gram-positive infections	–	–	94.4
Polymicrobial Gram-positive infections	–	–	92.3
Gram-negative
Enterobacteriaceae	–	–	83.3
Escherichia coli	–	90	100
Klebsiella pneumoniae	100	90.9	100
Klebsiella oxytoca	–	–	100
Enterobacter cloacae	100	–	100
Proteus mirabilis	0	70	60
Citrobacter freundii	0	–	–
Morganella morganii	–	–	–
Serratia marcescens	–	–	100
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	–	–	71.4
Monomicrobial Gram-negative infections	–	–	100
Polymicrobial Gram-negative infections	–	–	50
Mixed Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections	–	–	88.9

Note: Phase III clinical trials.

Abbreviations: CE, clinically evaluable; ME, microbiologically evaluable; MSSA, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Ceftaroline MIC90 values, the lowest concentration at which 90% of the bacteria are inhibited, for the most common pathogens encountered in cSSSIs are reported in Table 8.10,14,15 In CANVAS 1 and 2, the most common pathogen was S. aureus, which appeared in 75% and 82% of isolates, respectively. Of these S. aureus isolates, MRSA was identified in 43% and 30%, respectively.10,15 S. aureus isolates were susceptible to ceftaroline at a lower MIC90 (≤0.5 mg/L) compared to vancomycin (≤1.0 mg/L).10,15 Ceftaroline also demonstrated inhibitory activity at a lower MIC90 against S. pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae versus vancomycin alone (Table 8). However, ceftaroline showed conflicting results against E. faecalis; it had a higher MIC90 against E. faecalis in CANVAS 1 yet demonstrated a lower MIC90 versus vancomycin alone in the Phase II and CANVAS 2 trials.10,14,15

Table 8

MIC90 values reported for ceftaroline, vancomycin, and aztreonam activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens commonly found in cSSSIs10,14,15

Pathogen	MIC90 (mg/L)
	CeftarolineCANVAS 1	CeftarolineCANVAS 2	Ceftaroline Jones et al	Vancomycin	Aztreonam
Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA + MRSA)	0.5	0.5	1.0	1.0	–
MSSA	0.25	0.25	0.25–0.5	1.0	–
MRSA	1.0	0.5	1.0	1.0	–
CoNS	–	–	0.5	–	–
Streptococcus pyogenes	≤0.004	≤0.004	–	0.5	–
Streptococcus agalactiae	0.015	–	–	0.5	–
Enterococcus faecalis	8.0	1.0	2.0	2.0	–
β-hemolytic streptococci	–	–	0.015–0.03	–	–
Viridans streptococci	–	–	0.012–0.25	–	–
Escherichia coli	1.0	0.5	0.25 to >16	–	0.12
Klebsiella pneumoniae	>16	–	–	–	>32
Proteus mirabilis	>16	NA	–	–	≤0.03–0.25

Abbreviations: MIC90, minimum inhibitory concentration at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited; CoNS, coagulase-negative staphylococci; MSSA, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A 2008 international surveillance study by Jones and colleagues evaluated ceftaroline activity against 14,169 isolates collected from cSSSI patients in the US and Europe. In US isolates, the study indicated ceftaroline activity against 2254 MRSA isolates (MIC90, 1 mg/L). In European isolates, ceftaroline was active against 734 MRSA isolates (MIC90, 2 mg/L).14 The MIC90 for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was 0.25–0.5 mg/L. Ceftaroline was also active against coagulase-negative staphylococci (MIC90, 0.5–1 mg/L), E. faecalis (MIC90, 2 mg/L), β-hemolytic streptococci (MIC90, 0.015–0.03 mg/L), viridans group streptococci (MIC90, 0.012–0.25 mg/L), and E. coli (MIC90, 0.25 to >16 mg/L).14

Overall, in clinical trials ceftaroline proved efficacious in the treatment of cSSSIs, achieving high clinical cure rates and demonstrating high bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including MRSA. Furthermore, ceftaroline demonstrated noninferiority to vancomycin plus aztreonam standard therapy.10,14,15

Safety and tolerability

Ceftaroline has a margin of safety and tolerability consistent with that of other cephalosporins.54 In the Phase II and CANVAS 1 and 2 clinical trials, ceftaroline demonstrated low or comparable incidence of adverse events to that of current standard therapy, with minimal or no effects on renal and hepatic function.10,15,54,57 The most common adverse events were nausea, diarrhea, headache, rash, and pruritis, with only 1.5%–6.5% of patients reporting any one of these symptoms during the course of therapy (Table 9). The majority (70.8%–72.3%) of patients reported adverse events to be mild.10,15,54

Table 9

Most common adverse events reported for ceftaroline 600 mg IV every 12 hours for 5–14 days treatment10,15,54,57

	% of patients (AE)	% of patients (TEAE)
	Phase II	CANVAS 1	CANVAS 2	Integrated CANVAS summary
Most common
Nausea	6.0	5.7	6.2	5.9
Diarrhea	–	3.4	6.5	4.9
Headache	6.0	5.1	5.3	5.2
Rash	1.5	–	–	3.2
Pruritis	–	3.1	3.8	3.5
Elevated blood CPK	7.5	–	–	–
Crystals in urine	9.0	–	–	–
Elevated ALT	6.0	–	–	1.2
Elevated AST	6.0	–	–	1.0
Patients with a SAE	5.1	4.6	4.1	4.3
Patients who died during study	0	0.9	0	0
Patients discontinued due to AE or TEAE	3.0	3.7	2.3	3.0
Infusion site erythema/swelling	3.1	–	–	1.0
Renal abnormalities
Serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL and >50% increase	–	–	–	0.9
BUN >1.5X ULN and >50% increase	–	–	–	0.3
Creatinine clearance >50% increase	–	–	–	0.4
Liver function abnormalities
ALT or AST > 3× ULN, ALP <2× ULN and total bilirubin 2× ULN	–	–	–	0
Positive direct Coombs’ test	–	Ceftaroline Group > standard therapy group	Ceftaroline Group > standard therapy group	11.6

Abbreviations: AE, adverse event; CPK, creatine phosphokinase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; SAE, severe adverse event; TEAE, treatment-emergent adverse event; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; ULN, upper limit of normal; ALP, alkaline phosphatase.

An integrated safety summary of CANVAS 1 and 2 indicated only 28.3% of patients reported mild adverse symptoms, with 55.3% of patients reporting no symptoms at all.57 Elevated blood creatine phosphokinase was reported as a laboratory finding without clinically evident muscle or cardiac abnormalities.54 There was also no clinical evidence of hemolytic anemia.57 The percentage of patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was low and not a cause for concern.54,57

A small percentage of patients (4.1%–5.1%) developed a severe adverse event. An even smaller number of these patients discontinued treatment due to the severe adverse event. In the Phase II trial, all severe adverse events were resolved with no patient discontinuing treatment.10,15,54,57 The CANVAS 1 trial reported three deaths during the course of treatment; however, the causes of death were unrelated to the therapy or the cSSSI.10 Overall, the IV infusion of ceftaroline was well tolerated, with only 3% of patients reporting discomfort at the site of infusion in the Phase II trial.54

Integrated data from the CANVAS trials shows a smaller percentage of patients administered ceftaroline in comparison to vancomycin plus aztreonam experienced an increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (0.9% and 0.3% vs 2.1% and 1.2%, respectively) demonstrating that ceftaroline has less impact on renal function compared to standard treatment.57 One patient developed acute renal failure, however, it was unclear whether the event occurred as a result of the treatment.57 Potential for hepatic damage was also evaluated. In both the ceftaroline and vancomycin plus aztreonam groups, no patients had an increase in ALT or AST greater than threefold above the upper limit of normal, less than twofold increase in alkaline phosphatase above the upper limit of normal, or a greater than twofold increase in bilirubin above the upper limit of normal; thus, no hepatic damage was noted in any patient.57

In the CANVAS trials, three patients in the ceftaroline group were reported to have Clostridium difficile gastrointestinal infection versus only one in the vancomycin plus aztreonam groups.57 In the Phase II trial, no patients discontinued treatment due to noncompliance or unsatisfactory therapeutic response.54 In CANVAS 1, only one patient discontinued treatment due to noncompliance and no patients discontinued due to lack of clinical progress.10 Similarly in CANVAS 2, no patients discontinued treatment due to noncompliance, however, two patients discontinued due to lack of clinical progress.15

In summary, clinical trial data demonstrated ceftaroline is generally safe and well tolerated in the treatment of cSSSIs. The number of patients reporting adverse events related to the course of therapy was low, with the majority of these adverse events being mild. There was also minimal or no effect on renal and hepatic function, making ceftaroline a safe option in the treatment of cSSSIs.

Advantages and disadvantages of ceftaroline in cSSSIs

Problems with current cSSSIs therapeutics

The emergence of vancomycin resistance among bacterial pathogens associated with cSSSIs is a growing concern in the treatment of these infections.41 Vancomycin also carries the risk for nephrotoxicity as well as development of red-man syndrome when administered too rapidly.72,73 Disadvantages of linezolid include bacteriostatic activity (rather than bactericidal) against staphylococci and enterococci, potential toxicity with prolonged therapy, myelosuppression, and monoamine oxidase inhibition.3,74 Daptomycin lacks activity against Gram-negative pathogens, can cause muscular toxicity, and must be used with caution in patients taking statins.74,75 Similarly, telavancin lacks activity against Gram-negative pathogens.76 Telavancin should also be avoided in patients with cardiac disease and those who undergo routine coagulation tests, since telavancin produces false-positive blood test abnormalities.42 Tigecycline is only bacteriostatic, can cause digestive system side effects, tooth discoloration, acute pancreatitis, and is contraindicated in pregnant women.8,77 Tigecycline must also be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or intestinal perforation.78

Advantages of ceftaroline in cSSSIs

Ceftaroline is the first cephalosporin with a high clinical cure rate for cSSSIs caused by CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA.10,14,15,47,53,54 It has broad-spectrum bactericidal activity with high activity against many opportunistic pathogens. Clinical trials reported that the most commonly encountered adverse events were mild, with very few patients experiencing swelling or pain at the infusion site.10,15,54 Further, few patients experienced renal or hepatic abnormalities related to ceftaroline therapy, and thus, ceftaroline is recommended for use in patients with renal impairment at adjusted doses. Although the pharmacokinetics of ceftaroline in patients with hepatic impairment have not been established, its minimal hepatic metabolism suggests systemic clearance of the drug is not significantly affected by hepatic impairment. Additionally, ceftaroline demonstrated very few clinically evident muscle or cardiac abnormalities.10,15,54

Disadvantages of ceftaroline in cSSSIs

There is no consensus on ceftaroline’s activity against certain extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) strains. Biek and colleagues reported that ceftaroline is inactive against ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.79 A different study, however, demonstrated that ceftaroline does possess activity against ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains at high concentrations (MIC90 of ≥32 μg/mL).80 Similarly, another study showed ceftaroline to be active at high MICs against ESBL-producing strains regardless of species.81 Most in vitro studies have also shown that ceftaroline has only limited activity against P. aeruginosa.42,79–81 However in the CANVAS 2 clinical trial, ceftaroline demonstrated a high clinical cure rate against P. aeruginosa in five of seven (71.4%) patients in the ME population.15

Additionally, there are no well-controlled clinical trials evaluating ceftaroline use in pregnant women, and thus, its use in pregnancy should only occur if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. The safety and effectiveness of ceftaroline in the pediatric population, patients receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy, patients with HIV, and patients with a recent history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy has also not been established.15,64

Patient considerations

Although ceftaroline has demonstrated a high clinical cure rate in cSSSIs, especially when MRSA strains are involved, to date there are no data available regarding patient compliance and satisfaction during ceftaroline therapy or quality of life following treatment. In the Phase II and CANVAS trials, a large percentage of patients presented with severe signs and symptoms at baseline, which included fever, major abscesses, extensive cellulitis, or complicating factors such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease.10,15,54 A severe clinical presentation and the need for hospital-based treatment could be determinants leading to high patient compliance and satisfaction; however, future studies are necessary to examine these patient-related factors and the impact of ceftaroline treatment on quality of life.

The cost of ceftaroline is US$41 for either a 400 mg or 600 mg vial. The total cost of ceftaroline treatment for a patient with normal renal function is US$82/day or US$574/7-day course of treatment.58

Conclusion

Ceftaroline is a potent, safe, and effective new cephalosporin for the treatment of cSSSIs, including those caused by CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA. Because of its broad-spectrum coverage, bactericidal activity, tolerability, and minimal side effect profile, ceftaroline is an attractive first-line therapeutic choice for the treatment of cSSSIs, including infections in which MRSA is suspected.