Frequency and Severity of Hypoglycemia Under Conditions of Increased Hypoglycemic Risk with Insulin Efsitora Alfa Versus Insulin Glargine Treatment in Participants with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Insulin efsitora alfa (efsitora) is a basal insulin with a flat pharmacokinetic profile and long half-life, enabling weekly dosing. These attributes may provide stable glucose levels. This exploratory phase 1 study aimed to assess the hypoglycemic risk during experimental conditions that mimic situations encountered in daily life. METHODS: This was a single-site, open-label, two-period, fixed-sequence study in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) previously treated with basal insulin. The incidence, duration, and nadir glucose of hypoglycemia were assessed after treatment with efsitora versus insulin glargine (glargine) during three provocation conditions: 24-h prolonged fasting, prolonged fasting with exercise, and double dosing of study insulin. RESULTS: The 54 enrolled adults (BMI 21.8-39.7 kg/m2, HbA1c 6.5-9.4%) achieved stable fasting glucose before undergoing provocation. Most hypoglycemic events were level 1 (≥ 54 to < 70 mg/dL) and resolved spontaneously or after oral glucose. The incidences of level 1 hypoglycemia for efsitora and glargine were not significantly different: for prolonged fasting, the incidences were 44.7 vs. 42.6% and the difference in proportion was 2.1% (95% CI: - 17.2, 21.4); for prolonged fasting with exercise, the corresponding values were 65.9 vs. 50.0% and 15.9% (- 3.0, 34.8); for double dosing, the corresponding values were 68.1 vs. 61.7% and 6.4% (- 12.8, 25.6). Level 2 hypoglycemia (< 54 mg/dL) was infrequent during both treatments and all provocations. No severe hypoglycemia was observed. Mean nadir glucose (range 62.8-66.3 mg/dL) and hypoglycemia duration (range 76.6-115.2 min) were also similar for the two treatments, depending on the provocation. CONCLUSION: Overall, weekly efsitora did not increase the incidence, duration, or severity of hypoglycemia compared to daily glargine during provocation periods in patients with T2D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04957914.

Ultra rapid lispro (Lyumjev®) shortens time to recovery from hyperglycaemia compared to Humalog® in individuals with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

AIMS: To compare the time to hyperglycaemia recovery after ultra rapid lispro (URLi; Lyumjev®) versus Humalog in a randomized, double-blind crossover study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two adults with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion participated in two periods: each period included hyperglycaemia induced by a missed mealtime bolus (day 1) and by suspension of basal insulin delivery (day 2). When hyperglycaemia [plasma glucose (PG) >240 mg/dl] occurred, a correction bolus of URLi or Humalog was given and time to hyperglycaemia recovery (PG = 140 mg/dl), pharmacokinetics and glucodynamics were compared. RESULTS: Following a missed mealtime bolus, URLi significantly reduced maximum PG (-13 mg/dl; p = .02), and produced numerically more rapid decline in PG (23 mg/dl/h; p = .07), and faster recovery from hyperglycaemia (-23 min; p = .1) versus Humalog, although differences were not significant. Following basal suspension, URLi significantly reduced maximum PG (-6 mg/dl; p = .02), and produced faster PG decline (24 mg/dl/h; p < .001) and faster recovery from hyperglycaemia (-16 min; p < .01) vs. Humalog. Following a correction bolus of URLi, accelerated insulin lispro absorption was observed versus Humalog: early 50% tmax was reduced by 6 or 12 min, and AUC0-15min was increased 2.5- or 4.3-fold after correction boluses by subcutaneous infusion (day 1) or injection (day 2), respectively (all p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: During episodes of hyperglycaemia commonly experienced in people with type 1 diabetes, URLi provided a faster recovery versus Humalog from a missed mealtime bolus or during basal insulin suspension. URLi shows significant acceleration of insulin absorption versus Humalog when boluses are administered by subcutaneous infusion or injection.

Model-Informed Precision Dosing Guidance of Ethosuximide Developed from a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Childhood Absence Epilepsy.

Ethosuximide was identified as the optimal option for new-onset childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) in a randomized, two-phase dose escalation comparative effectiveness trial of ethosuximide, lamotrigine, and valproic acid. However, 47% of ethosuximide initial monotherapy participants experienced short-term treatment failure. This study aimed to characterize the initial monotherapy ethosuximide exposure-response relationship and to propose model-informed precision dosing guidance. Dose titration occurred over a 16-20-week period until patients experienced seizure freedom or intolerable side effects. Subjects with initial monotherapy failure were randomized to one of the other two medications and dose escalation was repeated. A population pharmacokinetic model was created using plasma concentration data (n = 1,320), collected at 4-week intervals from 211 unique participants during both the initial and second monotherapy phases. A logistic regression analysis was performed on the initial monotherapy cohort (n = 103) with complete exposure-response data. Eighty-four participants achieved seizure freedom with a wide range of ethosuximide area under the curves (AUC) ranging from 420 to 2,420 µg·h/mL. AUC exposure estimates for achieving a 50% and 75% probability of seizure freedom were 1,027 and 1,489 µg·h/mL, respectively, whereas the corresponding cumulative frequency of intolerable adverse events was 11% and 16%. Monte Carlo Simulation indicated a daily dose of 40 and 55 mg/kg to achieve 50% and 75% probability of seizure freedom in the overall population, respectively. We identified the need for adjusted mg/kg dosing in different body weight cohorts. This ethosuximide proposed model-informed precision dosing guidance to achieve seizure freedom carries promise to optimize initial monotherapy success for patients with CAE.

An Investigation Into Local Infusion Site Pain After Infusion of Ultra Rapid Lispro Excipients Across Sites and Depths.

BACKGROUND: This phase 1, randomized, one-day, five-period crossover study in adults with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion investigated local infusion site pain following infusion of the excipients of ultra rapid lispro (URLi; without insulin) across infusion sites and depths. METHODS: Forty participants (mean age, 40.5 years; body mass index [BMI], 27.5) were randomized to one of five infusion site sequences consisting of the arm, thigh, buttock (6 mm cannula depth), and abdomen (6 and 9 mm depth). Basal infusion of sodium citrate and treprostinil in diluent with magnesium chloride was initiated (10 µL/h) and at three, six, and nine hours after basal initiation, 15 unit-equivalent boluses (150 µL) were given. Participants rated their pain on a 0 to 100 mm validated visual analog scale (VAS) at 5 minutes pre-bolus and 1 and 15 minutes post-bolus. RESULTS: At one minute post-bolus, increased VAS scores were occasionally reported. Most one minute post-bolus scores were ≤10 mm (little to no discomfort) while 7 of 577 were >45 mm (generally considered clinically meaningful pain). Painful infusions were reported more frequently for the arm, and mean VAS scores were higher for the arm compared with the thigh and abdomen. The VAS score distributions were similar between cannula depths. By 15 minutes post-bolus, VAS scores returned to pre-bolus levels. CONCLUSIONS: Local infusion site discomfort after infusion of URLi excipients was reported by a small subset of participants; it was transient, tolerable, and dependent on infusion site but not infusion depth. Given differences within individuals, patients may consider using a different infusion site if they experience discomfort. CLINICALTRIAL.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT05067270.

Case Report: Atypical HUS Presenting With Acute Rhabdomyolysis Highlights the Need for Individualized Eculizumab Dosing.

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an ultra-rare orphan disease caused by dysregulated complement activation resulting in thrombotic microangiopathy. Although complement-mediated endothelial injury predominantly affects the renal microvasculature, extra-renal manifestations are present in a significant proportion of patients. While eculizumab has significantly improved the morbidity and mortality of this rare disease, optimizing therapeutic regimens of this highly expensive drug remains an active area of research in the treatment of aHUS. Case Presentation: This report describes the case of a previously healthy 4 year-old male who presented with rhabdomyolysis preceding the development of aHUS with anuric kidney injury requiring dialysis. Clinical stabilization required increased and more frequent eculizumab doses compared with the standardized weight-based guidelines. In the maintenance phase of his disease, pharmacokinetic analysis indicated adequate eculizumab levels could be maintained with an individualized dosing regimen every 3 weeks, as opposed to standard 2 week dosing, confirmed in this patient over a 4 year follow up period. Cost analyses show that weight-based maintenance dosing costs $312,000 per year, while extending the dosing interval to every 3 weeks would cost $208,000, a savings of $104,000 per year, relative to the cost of $72,000 from more frequent eculizumab dosing during his initial hospitalization to suppress his acute disease. Conclusion: This case exemplifies the potential of severe, multisystem involvement of aHUS presenting with extra-renal manifestations, including rhabdomyolysis as in this case, and highlights the possibility for improved clinical outcomes and higher value care with individualized eculizumab dosing in patients over the course of their disease.

Optimal Teicoplanin Dosing Regimen in Neonates and Children Developed by Leveraging Real-World Clinical Information.

BACKGROUND: Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. To ensure successful target attainment, therapeutic drug monitoring-informed dosage adjustment is recommended. However, it relies on the experience of the clinician and the frequency of drug measurements. This study aimed to design a new optimal dosing regimen of teicoplanin with a maintenance dosing strategy for neonates and children based on their physiological characteristics. METHODS: Data from teicoplanin-treated patients (n = 214) were collected from electronic medical records. Covariate analyses were performed using population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling with 399 serum teicoplanin concentrations from 48 neonates and 166 children. Multiple PK simulations were conducted to explore optimal dosing regimens that would allow control of the trough concentration to the target of 15-30 mg/L quicker than the current standard regimen. RESULTS: Allometrically scaled body weight, postmenstrual age (PMA), renal function, and serum albumin were implemented as substantial covariates for teicoplanin clearance in a two-compartment PK model. Covariate analyses and comprehensive simulation assessments recommended the following modifications to the current regimen: (1) decreased dose for premature babies (PMA ≤28 weeks), (2) decreased dose for children with renal dysfunction, and (3) increased dose for children (0.5-11 years) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSIONS: This study leverages real-world clinical information and proposes new optimal dosing regimens for teicoplanin in neonates and children through PK modeling and simulation analyses, taking into account the age, including PMA, and renal function of patients.

Test-dose pharmacokinetics guided melphalan dose adjustment in reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic transplant for non-malignant disorders.

AIMS: We studied melphalan pharmacokinetics (PK) and feasibility of melphalan full-dose adjustment based on test-dose PK in children and young adults with non-malignant disorders (NMD) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) containing alemtuzumab, fludarabine and melphalan. METHODS: Patients received test-dose melphalan (10% of planned full-dose) prior to conditioning. Blood samples for PK were obtained around test and full-dose melphalan (140 mg/m2 or 4.7 mg/kg in patients <10 kg). Melphalan concentration was measured by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass-spectrometry assay and data were analysed using a population-PK model and Bayesian estimation. Test and full-dose melphalan clearance estimates were evaluated by pairwise Wilcoxon test and Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients undergoing 25 transplants were included in the final analysis. Patients received standard full-dose melphalan in 17 transplants, with median area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 5.5 mg*h/L (range, 3.0-9.5 mg*h/L). Patients received test-dose melphalan in 23 transplants with a test-dose PK predicted full-dose AUC range of 2.9-16.8 mg*h/L. In seven transplants where patients had baseline organ impairment, test-dose PK predicted higher exposure for standard full-dose (median AUC 13.8 mg*h/L). Melphalan full-dose was adjusted in these patients, with achievement of desired target AUC (3.6-5.4 mg*h/L) and no excess toxicity. Mean ratio of test-dose clearance to full-dose clearance was 1.03. Twenty of 22 patients (91%) were within the 95% confidence intervals of the clearance ratio. CONCLUSION: Melphalan test-dose PK reliably predicts full-dose PK and allows for accurate adjustment of full-dose melphalan in RIC-HCT for NMD. This approach can avoid excess toxicity from increased systemic exposure, especially in patients with organ impairment.

Model-informed precision dosing for alemtuzumab in paediatric and young adult patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation.

Alemtuzumab is a lymphodepleting monoclonal antibody utilized in conditioning regimens for allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A recently proposed therapeutic range of 0.15-0.6 µg/mL on the day of transplantation is associated with better HCT outcomes. The purpose of this study was to characterize alemtuzumab population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) and to propose individualized subcutaneous dosing schemes to achieve this optimal level for paediatric patients. METHODS: Alemtuzumab concentration and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) profiles were obtained from 29 paediatric and young adult patients (median age 6.4 y; range 0.28-21.4 y) with nonmalignant disorders undergoing HCT. PK/PD analyses were performed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to evaluate different improved dosing approaches. RESULTS: A one-compartment model with sequential zero- and first-order absorption adequately described subcutaneously administered alemtuzumab PK. Model fit was significantly improved by including allometrically scaled body weight on clearance (0.080 L/h/70 kg) and volume of distribution (17.4 L/70 kg). ALC reduction following subcutaneous alemtuzumab was swift. An inhibitory Emax model best characterized the relationship between alemtuzumab concentration and ALC. Emax and EC50 were estimated as 1.18 × 103 /µL and 0.045 µg/mL, respectively. The currently used per kg dosing was found to cause uneven alemtuzumab exposure across different age and weight cohorts. Simulations indicated optimal target achieving dose as allometry-based dose of 18 mg × (weight/70)0.75 or body surface area-based dose of 10 mg/m2 , divided over 3 days, with a potential individualized top-up dose; both of which yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: An allometry- or body surface area-based starting dosing regimen in combination with individualized Bayesian PK estimation using concentration feedback is proposed for alemtuzumab precision dosing in children undergoing allogeneic HCT.

A prospective pilot study of a novel alemtuzumab target concentration intervention strategy.

Alemtuzumab is used as part of reduced-intensity and reduced-toxicity transplant conditioning regimens for nonmalignant diseases. Prior studies identified an ideal target concentration range of 0.15-0.6 mcg/mL at day 0. However, only 24% of patients fall within this window using standard intermediate dosing. We performed a pilot study of a novel target concentration intervention strategy to target day 0 alemtuzumab concentrations to 0.15-0.6 mcg/mL. Twelve patients received model-informed alemtuzumab dosing of 0.5-0.6 mcg/kg divided over days -14 to -12. Alemtuzumab concentrations were measured, and pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling was performed on day -5 to predict day 0 concentrations. If the day 0 alemtuzumab concentration was predicted to fall below 0.15 mcg/mL, simulations were performed to identify the individual "top-up" dose needed to achieve the target day 0 concentration window. Six (50%) patients achieved day 0 alemtuzumab concentrations between 0.15 and 0.6 mcg/mL (4 received a top-up dose). Five patients had day 0 concentrations above the target window (no top-up doses). One patient had a day 0 concentration below the target range in the presence of anti-alemtuzumab antibodies. A concentration intervention strategy approach to alemtuzumab treatment can successfully target a greater proportion of patients into the ideal therapeutic window. Additional dose-reduction studies are needed to further optimize the initial dosing and achieve target attainment in all patients.

Treatment optimization of maintenance immunosuppressive agents in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

Introduction: Graft survival in pediatric kidney transplant patients has increased significantly within the last three decades, correlating with the discovery and utilization of new immunosuppressants as well as improvements in patient care. Despite these developments in graft survival for patients, there is still improvement needed, particularly in long-term care in pediatric patients receiving grafts from deceased donor patients. Maintenance immunosuppressive therapies have narrow therapeutic indices and are associated with high inter-individual and intra-individual variability.Areas covered: In this review, we examine the impact of pharmacokinetic variability on renal transplantation and its association with age, genetic polymorphisms, drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, renal insufficiency, route of administration, and branded versus generic drug formulation. Pharmacodynamics are outlined in terms of the mechanism of action for each immunosuppressant, potential adverse effects, and the utility of pharmacodynamic biomarkers.Expert opinion: Acquiring abetter quantitative understanding of immunosuppressant pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic components should help clinicians implement treatment regimens to maintain the balance between therapeutic efficacy and drug-related toxicity.

Teicoplanin physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling offers a quantitative assessment of a theoretical influence of serum albumin and renal function on its disposition.

PURPOSE: Variability in teicoplanin pharmacokinetics has been explained by multiple factors such as body weight, renal function, and serum albumin level. To improve mechanistic understanding of the causes of variability, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model can be used as a systematic platform. In this study, a PBPK model of teicoplanin was developed to quantitatively assess the effects of physiological changes due to disease status using virtual populations. METHODS: Predictive performance of the models was evaluated by comparing simulated and observed concentration-time profiles of teicoplanin. Subsequently, sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify potential factors contributing to individual differences in teicoplanin PK. RESULTS: The developed PBPK model generated concentration-time profiles that were comparable to clinical observations in healthy adults, including Caucasians and Japanese, and after single-dose and multiple-dose administration. The predicted PK parameters (i.e., Cmax, AUC, clearance) were within a two-fold range of the observed data in patients with renal impairments as well as healthy adults. Changes in total and unbound teicoplanin concentrations at 72 h, after various dosing regimens (tested 4-14 mg/kg q12h for three doses as a loading dose and then 4-14 mg/kg daily as a maintenance dose), were sensitive to renal function and serum albumin concentrations. CONCLUSION: The PBPK model of teicoplanin provides mechanistic insight into the factors altering its disposition and allows assessments of the theoretical and quantitative impact of individual changes in physiological parameters on its PK even when an actual assessment with adequate sample sizes of patients is challenging.

NF106: A Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium Phase II Trial of the MEK Inhibitor Mirdametinib (PD-0325901) in Adolescents and Adults With NF1-Related Plexiform Neurofibromas.

PURPOSE: Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) frequently develop plexiform neurofibromas (PNs), which can cause significant morbidity. We performed a phase II trial of the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor, mirdametinib (PD-0325901), in patients with NF1 and inoperable PNs. The primary objective was response rate based on volumetric magnetic resonance imaging analysis. METHODS: Inclusion criteria included age ≥ 16 years and a PN that was either progressive or causing significant morbidity. First-dose pharmacokinetics were performed. Patients completed patient-reported outcome measures. Patients received mirdametinib by mouth twice a day at 2 mg/m2/dose (maximum dose = 4 mg twice a day) in a 3-week on/1-week off sequence. Each course was 4 weeks in duration. Evaluations were performed after four courses for the first year and then after every six courses. Patients could receive a maximum of 24 total courses. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled, and all 19 received mirdametinib. The median age was 24 years (range, 16-39 years); the median baseline tumor volume was 363.8 mL (range, 3.9-5,161 mL). Eight of the 19 patients (42%) achieved a partial response of the target PN by course 12, and 10 (53%) had stable disease. One patient (5%) developed progressive disease at course 8. Significant and durable decreases were observed in pain ratings. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this analysis represents the first characterization of the activity and pharmacokinetics of mirdametinib in patients with NF1 and PNs and is the first published response study for MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitors in adults with NF1 and PNs. Mirdametinib given at 2 mg/m2/dose (maximum dose, 4 mg) twice daily in a 3-week on/1-week off sequence resulted in a 42% partial response rate with preliminary evidence of reduction in pain.

Opioid Treatment for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Current Challenges and Future Approaches.

Chronic intrauterine exposure to psychoactive drugs often results in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). When nonpharmacologic measures are insufficient in controlling NOWS, morphine, methadone, and buprenorphine are first-line medications commonly used to treat infants with NOWS because of in utero exposure to opioids. Research suggests that buprenorphine may be the leading drug therapy used to treat NOWS when compared with morphine and methadone. Currently, there are no consensus or standardized treatment guidelines for medications prescribed for NOWS. Opioids used to treat NOWS exhibit large interpatient variability in pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) response in neonates. Organ systems undergo rapid maturation after birth that may alter drug disposition and exposure for any given dose during development. Data regarding the PK and PD of opioids in neonates are sparse. Pharmacometric methods such as physiologically based pharmacokinetic and population pharmacokinetic modeling can be used to explore factors predictive of some of the variability associated with the PK/PD of opioids in newborns. This review discusses the utility of pharmacometric techniques for enhancing precision dosing in infants requiring opioid treatment for NOWS. Applying these approaches may contribute to optimizing the outcome by reducing cumulative drug exposure, mitigating adverse drug effects, and reducing the burden of NOWS in neonates.

Model-Informed Bayesian Estimation Improves the Prediction of Morphine Exposure in Neonates and Infants.

BACKGROUND: Pain control in infants is an important clinical concern, with potential long-term adverse neurodevelopmental effects. Intravenous morphine is routinely administered for postoperative pain management; however, its dose-concentration-response relationship in neonates and infants has not been well characterized. Although the current literature provides dosing guidelines for the average infant, it fails to control for the large unexplained variability in morphine clearance and response in individual patients. Bayesian estimation can be used to control for some of this variability. The authors aimed to evaluate morphine pharmacokinetics (PKs) and exposure in critically ill neonates and infants receiving standard-of-care morphine therapy and compare a population-based approach to the model-informed Bayesian techniques. METHODS: The PKs and exposure of morphine and its active metabolites were evaluated in a prospective opportunistic PK study using 221 discarded blood samples from 57 critically ill neonates and infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Thereafter, a population-based PK model was compared with a Bayesian adaptive control strategy to predict an individual's PK profile and morphine exposure over time. RESULTS: Among the critically ill neonates and infants, morphine clearance showed substantial variability with a 40-fold range (ie, 2.2 to 87.1, mean 23.7 L/h/70 kg). Compared with the observed morphine concentrations, the population-model based predictions had an R of 0.13, whereas the model-based Bayesian predictions had an R of 0.61. CONCLUSIONS: Model-informed Bayesian estimation is a better predictor of morphine exposure than PK models alone in critically ill neonates and infants. A large variability was also identified in morphine clearance. A further study is warranted to elucidate the predictive covariates and precision dosing strategies that use morphine concentration and pain scores as feedbacks.

CCR5 inhibitor as novel acute graft versus host disease prophylaxis in children and young adults undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant: results of the phase II study.

We report results of a phase II study of maraviroc to prevent acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Oral maraviroc was added to standard GVHD prophylaxis of a calcineurin inhibitor with either mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate or steroids from day -3 until day +30 after HSCT. Maraviroc trough levels were analyzed on day 0, +7, 14, and 21. We assessed functional CCR5 blockade by our previously described pharmacodynamic assay. In total, 17 patients were enrolled prospectively. No patient had liver GVHD by day +100. Four patients developed gastrointestinal (GI) GVHD (Grade II upper GI GVHD n = 2, grade III lower GI GVHD n = 2). No adverse effects of maraviroc were observed. Seven patients discontinued maraviroc at a median of day +14 (range day +1-day +29) due to study rules regarding hepatotoxicity (n = 5), renal function decline (n = 1) and withdrawal from study (n = 1). Maraviroc administration led to CCR5 inhibition but was limited by study rules defining hepatotoxicity, leading to frequent drug discontinuation. We cannot comment on the efficacy of maraviroc with our data but speculate that it could have a role in prevention of acute GI GVHD, with adequate compliance.

Influence of MRP3 Genetics and Hepatic Expression Ontogeny for Morphine Disposition in Neonatal and Pediatric Patients.

We have previously reported the influences of OCT1 ontogeny and genetic variation on morphine clearance in neonatal and pediatric patients. In the latter study, plasma morphine-glucuronide levels correlated with patient genotype for the rs4793665 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the locus of MRP3, an efflux transporter of morphine glucuronides between hepatocytes and circulating blood. The link between MRP3 activity and overall morphine clearance has not been thoroughly investigated however, and the developmental profile of hepatic MRP3 protein expression remains thinly defined between neonates and adults. In the current study, previously determined morphine clearance values for neonatal (24-58 weeks postmenstrual age, N = 57) and pediatric (5-16 years, n = 85) patients were reanalyzed for correlation to the SNP genotype of patient rs4793665. Among OCT1 wild-type patients, pediatric morphine clearance showed a significant decreasing trend by MRP3 genotypes in the order of CC > CT > TT (P = .014), whereas for neonates, an identical but nonsignificant trend was observed. Pharmacogenetic differences in MRP3 and OCT1 ontogeny were evaluated by Western blot of hepatic membrane fractions from 50 subjects aged 1 day postnatal to 33 years old. Hepatic MRP3 protein level did not vary by rs4793665 genotype, and followed an atypical developmental pattern of increase up to 1-2 years of age, thereafter decreasing during preadolescence before increasing again to adult levels at maturity (17-33 years). By comparison, OCT1 expression was significantly decreased in OCT1 *1/*3 genotyped patients older than 1 year and followed a trajectory consistent with prior studies. Our results suggest that consideration of MRP3 pharmacogenetics and ontogeny may aid in identifying pediatric patients having different/atypical morphine requirements.

Population pharmacokinetic modelling of busulfan and the influence of body composition in paediatric Fanconi anaemia patients.

AIMS: Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare disorder characterized by progressive bone marrow failure that requires haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Busulfan is used in conditioning regimens prior to HCT. Doses used in non-FA patients cause life-threatening toxicities in FA patients and data on busulfan pharmacokinetics (PK) in this population are limited. This study characterized busulfan PK in paediatric FA patients using population PK modelling and evaluated the effect of body composition on steady-state concentrations (Css ). METHODS: A total of 200 busulfan plasma concentrations in 29 FA patients from a recent study (Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01082133) were available for population PK modelling. The effect of different body size-scaled doses and body compositions on Css was investigated using population PK modelling. RESULTS: Fat free mass (FFM) was identified as the best size descriptor in a two-compartment busulfan PK model in FA patients. Conventional dosing, based on an amount of busulfan per kilogram of total body mass, resulted in higher Css in FA patients with higher body mass index (BMI). A newly proposed FFM-based dosing strategy would eliminate the observed trend of higher concentrations in high BMI patients, and achieve consistent Css across a wide BMI spectrum. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the population PK of busulfan in paediatric FA patients. The proposed model will facilitate PK model-informed precision dosing. FFM-based dosing is expected to improve the probability of achieving target Css , particularly in obese patients, while minimizing the risk of overdosing.

Utilizing Pediatric Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models to Examine Factors That Contribute to Methadone Pharmacokinetic Variability in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Patients.

Chronic intrauterine exposure to psychoactive drugs often results in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is the symptomatic drug withdrawal in newborns that generally occurs after in utero chronic opioid exposure. Methadone is an opioid analgesic commonly prescribed for pharmacologic management of NAS. It exhibits high pharmacokinetic (PK) variability. The current study used physiologically based PK modeling to predict the PK profile of methadone in 20 newborns treated for NAS. The physiologically based PK simulations adequately predicted the PK profile of the clinical data for 45% of the patients. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore contributing factors to methadone PK variability. The data suggest that P450 enzymatic activity impacts the clearance of methadone in virtual adults and neonates, while the contribution of cardiac output may be negligible. Understanding maturational and/or pharmacogenetic changes in cytochrome P450 enzymatic activity may further explain the large PK variability of methadone in newborns with NAS and will help individualized treatment.