Drug-Gene Risk Stratification in Patients with Suspected Drug-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary toxicity has been associated with drug use. This is often not recognized in clinical practice, and underestimated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to establish whether polymorphisms in certain genes corresponding with a metabolic pathway of drug(s) used are associated with pulmonary toxicity in patients with suspected drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DI-ILD). METHODS: This retrospective observational study explored genetic variations in three clinically relevant cytochrome P450 (CYP) iso-enzymes (i.e., CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19) in a group of patients with a fibroticinterstitial lung disease, either non-specific interstitial pneumonia (n = 211) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 256), with a suspected drug-induced origin. RESULTS: Of the 467 patients, 79.0% showed one or more polymorphisms in the tested genes accompanied by the use of drug(s) metabolized by a corresponding affected metabolic pathway (60.0% poor metabolizers and/or using two or more drugs [likely DI-ILD], 37.5% using three or more [highly likely DI-ILD]). Most commonly used drugs were statins (63.1%) with a predominance among men (69.4 vs 47.1%, p < 0.0001). Nitrofurantoin, not metabolized by the tested pathways, was prescribed more frequently among women (51.9 vs 4.5%, p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort with suspected DI-ILD, 79% carried one or more genetic variants accompanied by the use of drugs metabolized by a corresponding affected pathway. In 60%, the diagnosis of DI-ILD was likely, whereas in 37.5%, it was highly likely, based on CYP analyses. This study underlines the importance of considering both drug use and genetic make-up as a possible cause, or at least a contributing factor, in the development and/or progression of fibrotic lung diseases. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00267800, registered in 2005.

Role of Drug-Gene Interactions and Pharmacogenetics in Simvastatin-Associated Pulmonary Toxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Simvastatin has previously been associated with drug-induced interstitial lung disease. In this retrospective observational study, cases with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with simvastatin-associated pulmonary toxicity (n = 34) were evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To identify whether variations in genes encoding cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes or in the SLCO1B1 gene (Solute Carrier Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 gene, encoding the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 [OATP1B1] drug transporter enzyme), and/or characteristics of concomitantly used drugs, predispose patients to simvastatin-associated pulmonary toxicity. METHODS: Characteristics of concomitantly used drugs and/or variations in the CYP or SLCO1B1 genes and drug-gene interactions were assessed. The outcome after withdrawal of simvastatin and/or switch to another statin was assessed after 6 months. RESULTS: Multiple drug use involving either substrates and/or inhibitors of CYP3A4 and/or three or more drugs with the potential to cause acidosis explained the simvastatin-associated toxicity in 70.5% (n = 24) of cases. Cases did not differ significantly from controls regarding CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or OATP1B1 phenotypes, and genetic variation explained only 20.6% (n = 7) of cases. Withdrawal of simvastatin without switching to another statin or with a switch to a hydrophilic statin led to improvement or stabilization in all NSIP cases, whereas all cases who were switched to the lipophilic atorvastatin progressed. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin-associated pulmonary toxicity is multifactorial. For patients with this drug-induced pulmonary toxicity who need to continue taking a statin, switching to a hydrophilic statin should be considered. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00267800, registered in 2005.

[Anaphylaxis after iron dextran administration in a pregnant woman]. / Anafylaxie na ijzerdextraan bij een zwangere vrouw.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is a frequent cause of anaemia in pregnancy and often results in fatigue and malaise. To prevent complications during labour, timely iron suppletion is important. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 30-year-old multiparous female presented at the outpatient clinic in her 38th week of this pregnancy because of fatigue and lightheadedness. She had been prescribed oral iron suppletion a month earlier but had not taken the tablets. Because her haemoglobin level had decreased to 6.3 mmol/l, it was decided to start her on intravenous iron dextran treatment. During administration of the test dose, the patient experienced acute dyspnoea and severe abdominal and back pain. Foetal bradycardia was observed and the patient underwent an emergency caesarean section. She delivered a healthy boy whose arterial pH was 7.05 (base excess: -7.6 mmol/l) and venous pH was 7.18 (base excess: -6.8 mmol/l). CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that dextran anaphylaxis can occur, with potentially lethal consequences, even when no known underlying risk factors are present.

Sulfonylureas and on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Clopidogrel is a prodrug that needs to be converted in?vivo by several cytochrome (CYP) P450 iso-enzymes to become active. Both clopidogrel and the oral hypoglycemic drug class sulfonylureas are metabolized by the iso-enzyme CYP2C9. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of sulfonylureas and on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation. In this prospective, observational study, on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was quantified using adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced light transmittance aggregometry in 139 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation treated with clopidogrel and aspirin. High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was defined as >70.7% platelet reactivity to 20 µmol/L ADP. A total of 53 patients (38.1%) were on concomitant treatment with sulfonylureas. The remaining 86 patients were on other hypoglycemic drugs. On-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was significantly higher in patients with concomitant sulfonylurea treatment as compared to patients without concomitant sulfonylurea treatment (for 5 µmol/L ADP: 46.0% ± 11.8 vs. 40.6% ± 16.0; p=0.035, adjusted p=0.032 and for 20 µmol/L ADP: 64.6% ± 10.8 vs. 58.7% ± 15.5; p=0.019, adjusted p=0.017). The concomitant use of sulfonylureas was associated with a 2.2-fold increased risk of high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.7, p=0.039 and after adjustment for confounders: OR(adj) 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-5.7, p=0.048). Concomitant treatment with sulfonylureas might be associated with decreased platelet inhibition by clopidogrel in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on dual antiplatelet therapy undergoing elective coronary stent implantation.

[Genetic variations affect drug safety and efficacy]. / Genetische variaties beïnvloeden effectiviteit en veiligheid van geneesmiddelen.

Pharmacogenetics is a field that deals with the relationship between genetic variations and the effects and side-effects of drugs. Genetic variations in drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, receptors, and other drug targets have been linked to interindividual differences in the efficacy and safety of many drugs. Genotyping is performed increasingly in primary and secondary health care in patients with abnormal plasma drug levels, in insufficient efficacy or in the presence of side-effects. Trastuzumab and abacavir are examples of drugs where patients are tested before treatment is started, in order to ascertain whether they carry a particular genetic variant. Trastuzumab is effective only when a particular protein is expressed in breast cancer tissue and the AIDS inhibitor may cause serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients carrying a particular variant. It is expected that screening for genetic variants prior to drug treatment will occur more often. This depends on the intensity of the association between genotype and outcome, the severity or relevance of the clinical outcome and the availability of alternative treatment.

The use of amlodipine, but not of P-glycoprotein inhibiting calcium channel blockers is associated with clopidogrel poor-response.

Clopidogrel is a prodrug that has to be converted in vivo to its active metabolite by cytochrome (CYP)P450 iso-enzymes. As calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are inhibitors of CYP3A4, concomitant use of these drugs might play a role in the wide inter-individual variability in the response to clopidogrel. However, some CCBs also have strong inhibitory effects on the drug transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp), which mediates clopidogrel's intestinal absorption. It was the aim of this study to evaluate the effect of co-administration of Pgp-inhibiting and non-Pgp-inhibiting CCBs on on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In a total of 623 consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI treated with clopidogrel and aspirin, platelet reactivity to 5 and 20 muM adenosine diphospate (ADP) and clopidogrel poor-response (defined as > 70% platelet aggregation to 20 muM ADP) were evaluated by light transmittance aggregometry. A total of 222 patients (35.6%) were on CCB treatment, of which 98 used Pgp-inhibiting CCBs (verapamil, nifedipine, diltiazem, barnidipine) and 124 patients used the non-Pgp-inhibiting CCB amlodipine. Adjusted mean ADP-induced on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was significantly higher in both users of Pgp-inhibiting CCBs and amlodipine as compared to CCB non-users (all p<0.05). However, only the use of amlodipine was significantly associated with a 2.3-fold increased risk of clopidogrel poor-response. This study demonstrates that concomitant use of Pgp-inhibiting CCBs and amlodipine increases on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity. Only amlodipine was associated with clopidogrel poor-response. The drug-drug interaction between clopidogrel and amlodipine might be more clinically relevant as compared to P-glycoprotein-inhibiting CCBs.

Comparison of platelet function tests in predicting clinical outcome in patients undergoing coronary stent implantation.

Context High on-treatment platelet reactivity is associated with atherothrombotic events following coronary stent implantation. Objective To evaluate the capability of multiple platelet function tests to predict clinical outcome. Design, Setting, and Patients Prospective, observational, single-center cohort study of 1069 consecutive patients taking clopidogrel undergoing elective coronary stent implantation between December 2005 and December 2007. On-treatment platelet reactivity was measured in parallel by light transmittance aggregometry, Verify Now P2Y12 and Platelet works assays, and the IMPACT-R and the platelet function analysis system (PFA-100) (with the Dade PFA collagen/adenosine diphosphate (ADP) cartridge and Innovance PFA P2Y). Cutoff values for high on-treatment platelet reactivity were established by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Main Outcome Measurement The primary end point was defined as a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and ischemic stroke. The primary safety end point included TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) criteria major and minor bleeding. Results Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that at 1-year follow-up, the primary end point occurred more frequently in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity when assessed by light transmittance aggregometry (52 [11.7%; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 8.9%-15.0%] vs 36 [6.0%;95%CI, 4.2%-8.2%] P.001; n=1049),Verify Now (54 [13.3%; 95% CI, 10.2%-17.0%] vs 37 [5.7%; 95% CI, 4.1%-7.8%]P.001; n=1052), Platelet works (33 [12.6%; 95% CI, 8.8%-17.2%] vs 21 [6.1%;95% CI, 3.8%-9.2%] P=.005; n=606), and Innovance PFA P2Y (18 [12.2%; 95%CI; 7.4%-18.6%] vs 28 [6.3%; 95% CI, 4.3%-8.9%] P=.02; n=588). ROC-curve analysis demonstrated that light transmittance aggregometry (area under the curve[AUC], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.58-0.68), Verify Now (AUC, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.57-0.67), and Platelet works (AUC, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.53-0.69) had modest ability to discriminate between patients with and without primary end point at 1-year follow-up. The IMPACT-R(n=905) and the Siemens PFA Collagen/ADP (n=812) were unable to discriminate between patients with and without the primary end point at 1-year follow-up (all AUCs included 0.50 in the CI). None of the tests identified patients at risk for bleeding. Conclusions Of the platelet function tests assessed, light transmittance aggregometry,Verify Now, Platelet works, and Innovance PFA P2Y were significantly associated with the primary end point. However, the predictive accuracy of these 4 tests was only modest. None of the tests provided accurate prognostic information to identify patients at higher risk of bleeding following stent implantation. Trial Registration clinical trials.gov Identifier: NCT00352014 [corrected].