Abstract
Background
Oral valganciclovir and intravenous ganciclovir are used for prophylaxis, treatment, and pre-emptive treatment of cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6. It is important to estimate the exposure to these antivirals, as deviating levels can cause adverse events or induce acquired drug resistance, which can both lead to treatment failure. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a good tool to estimate drug exposure in these patients. With this observational study we aimed to evaluate which patients would benefit most from TDM.
Methods
An observational study was performed in adult solid-organ and stem cell transplant recipients on routine (val)ganciclovir (dosed according to renal function, weight and indication). As valganciclovir is a prodrug of ganciclovir, only the latter was measured. Ganciclovir trough (Ctrough) and peak (Cpeak) concentrations were measured with a validated LC-MS/MS assay. The target concentrations defined for the study were 1–2 mg/L and 2–4 mg/L for prophylaxis and treatment, respectively, and over 5 mg/L toxic.
Results
From June 2018 to April 2019, 66 patients were included. Within this timeframe, 236 Ctrough and 52 Cpeak were measured with median of 4 samples per patient. The median Ctrough was 1.1 mg/L and 2.3 mg/L for prophylaxis and treatment, respectively. Over 50% of the concentrations were out of the therapeutic window. The median creatinine for all measurements was 100 µmol/L. Observational analysis showed patients with kidney failure and on continuous renal replacement therapy (CVVH) had more concentrations measured out of the predefined range (Figures 1 and 2). For one individual with augmented renal clearance we observed significantly lower concentrations during routine dosing. 6 toxic concentrations were measured (5 subjects); creatinine concentrations ranged 71–527 µmol/L in these individuals. A preliminary linear-mixed model analysis did not show drug formulation, age or gender as a significant predictor for ganciclovir concentrations.
Conclusion
We believe that patients with decreased renal function, on CVVH or showing changes in renal function might benefit from TDM to guide therapy. TDM of ganciclovir for patients without renal failure remains debatable. Further studies with specific patient groups are needed to confirm these results.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
Erratum to: Preferable timing of therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with impaired renal function treated with once-daily administration of vancomycin
