# Impact of obesity on clinical outcomes in patients treated with ceftobiprole: results from Phase 3 clinical trials

## TL;DR

This study found that ceftobiprole is effective and safe for treating infections in obese patients, though severe obesity may lower cure rates.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on ceftobiprole's efficacy in obese patients, highlighting potential challenges in severe obesity.

## Key findings

- Ceftobiprole showed similar efficacy in obese patients (BMI 30–40 kg/m2) compared to the general population.
- Severe obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2) was linked to lower clinical cure rates, especially in CABP patients.
- Safety outcomes were consistent across BMI groups and treatment arms.

## Abstract

Ceftobiprole was non-inferior to comparators for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (bacteraemia) (SAB), acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI), and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), leading to regulatory approval for these indications. Whether dosing should be modified for patients with obesity is unknown.

This post hoc analysis evaluated the relationship of obesity and clinical outcomes in patients treated with ceftobiprole for SAB, ABSSSI or CABP.

Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed based on BMI from three registrational clinical trials that evaluated ceftobiprole against comparators.

Overall, 1641 patients were included from the three Phase 3 clinical trials (802 ceftobiprole; 839 comparators). When stratifying by BMI, ceftobiprole had similar outcomes to the overall ceftobiprole population (80.4%) including patients with obesity (BMI = 30–40 kg/m2) (81.7%). Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) was associated with decreased clinical cure rates overall (68.2%) compared with the overall ceftobiprole population, and this was especially noted in the clinically evaluable patient population with CABP receiving ceftobiprole (66.7% in severe obesity versus 86.6% overall). This was also seen in the comparator group (33.3% in severe obesity versus 87.4% overall). However, the number of patients with severe obesity was low in the CABP trial. The safety profile was similar between treatment groups in all studies and not influenced by BMI.

This analysis further supports the efficacy and safety of ceftobiprole at current recommended doses in obese patients with SAB, ABSSSI or CABP.