Assessment of the nlmixr R-package for population pharmacokinetic modeling: A metformin case study

Aim: nlmixr offers first-order conditional estimation with or without interaction (FOCE or FOCEi) and stochastic approximation estimation-maximisation (SAEM) to fit nonlinear mixed-effect models (NLMEM). We modelled metformin’s population pharmacokinetics with flip-flop characteristics within nlmixr framework and investigated SAEM and FOCEi’s performance with respect to bias, precision, and robustness. Method: Compartmental pharmacokinetic models were fitted. The final model was determined based on the lowest objective function value and visual inspection of goodness-of-fit plots. To examine flip-flop pharmacokinetics, k_a values of a typical concentration-time profile based on the final model were perturbed and changes in the steepness of the terminal elimination phase were evaluated. The bias and precision of parameter estimates were compared between SAEM and FOCEi using stochastic simulations and estimations. For robustness, parameters were re-estimated as the initial estimates were perturbed 100-times and resultant changes evaluated. Results: A one-compartment model with transit compartment for absorption best described the data. At low n, Stirling’s approximation of n! over-approximated plasma concentration unlike the log-gamma function. Flip-flop pharmacokinetics were evident as the steepness of the terminal elimination phase changed with k_a. Mean rRMSE for fixed-effect parameters was 0.932. When initial estimates were perturbed, FOCEi estimates of k_a and food effect on k_a appeared bimodal and were upward biased. Discussion: nlmixr is reliable for NLMEM even if flip-flop is present but caution should be exercised when using Stirling’s approximation for n! in the transit compartment model. SAEM was marginally superior to FOCEi in bias and precision, but SAEM was superior against initial estimate perturbations.

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Interspecies Mixed-Effect Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Penicillin G in Cattle and Swine

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02806-14 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 58 (8) ◽

pp. 4495-4503 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Mengjie Li ◽

Ronette Gehring ◽

Lisa Tell ◽

Ronald Baynes ◽

Qingbiao Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Compartment Model ◽

Penicillin G ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽

Population Parameter ◽

Concentration Data ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Animal Products ◽

Swine Liver

ABSTRACTExtralabel drug use of penicillin G in food-producing animals may cause an excess of residues in tissue which will have the potential to damage human health. Of all the antibiotics, penicillin G may have the greatest potential for producing allergic responses to the consumer of food animal products. There are, however, no population pharmacokinetic studies of penicillin G for food animals. The objective of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model to describe the time-concentration data profile of penicillin G across two species. Data were collected from previously published pharmacokinetic studies in which several formulations of penicillin G were administered to diverse populations of cattle and swine. Liver, kidney, and muscle residue data were also used in this study. Compartmental models with first-order absorption and elimination were fit to plasma and tissue concentrations using a nonlinear mixed-effect modeling approach. A 3-compartment model with extra tissue compartments was selected to describe the pharmacokinetics of penicillin G. Typical population parameter estimates (interindividual variability) were central volumes of distribution of 3.45 liters (12%) and 3.05 liters (8.8%) and central clearance of 105 liters/h (32%) and 16.9 liters/h (14%) for cattle and swine, respectively, with peripheral clearance of 24.8 liters/h (13%) and 9.65 liters/h (23%) for cattle and 13.7 liters/h (85%) and 0.52 liters/h (40%) for swine. Body weight and age were the covariates in the final pharmacokinetic models. This study established a robust model of penicillin for a large and diverse population of food-producing animals which could be applied to other antibiotics and species in future analyses.

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A Population Pharmacokinetic Model of Gentamicin in Pediatric Oncology Patients To Facilitate Personalized Dosing

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.00205-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 61 (8) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. C. Llanos-Paez ◽

C. E. Staatz ◽

R. Lawson ◽

S. Hennig

Keyword(s):

Pediatric Oncology ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic Model ◽

Pharmacokinetic Model ◽

Volume Of Distribution ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

External Evaluation ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Final Model

ABSTRACT To ensure the safe and effective dosing of gentamicin in children, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended. TDM utilizing Bayesian forecasting software is recommended but is unavailable, as no population model that describes the pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in pediatric oncology patients exists. This study aimed to develop and externally evaluate a population pharmacokinetic model of gentamicin to support personalized dosing in pediatric oncology patients. A nonlinear mixed-effect population pharmacokinetic model was developed from retrospective data. Data were collected from 423 patients for model building and a further 52 patients for external evaluation. A two-compartment model with first-order elimination best described the gentamicin disposition. The final model included renal function (described by fat-free mass and postmenstrual age) and the serum creatinine concentration as covariates influencing gentamicin clearance (CL). Final parameter estimates were as follow CL, 5.77 liters/h/70 kg; central volume of distribution, 21.6 liters/70 kg; peripheral volume of distribution, 13.8 liters/70 kg; and intercompartmental clearance, 0.62 liter/h/70 kg. External evaluation suggested that current models developed in other pediatric cohorts may not be suitable for use in pediatric oncology patients, as they showed a tendency to overpredict the observations in this population. The final model developed in this study displayed good predictive performance during external evaluation (root mean square error, 46.0%; mean relative prediction error, −3.40%) and may therefore be useful for the personalization of gentamicin dosing in this cohort. Further investigations should focus on evaluating the clinical application of this model.

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1319. Pharmacokinetics of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam in Patients with Burns

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1501 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S670-S671

Author(s):

Ronald G Hall ◽

Jotam Pasipanodya ◽

William C Putnam ◽

John Griswold ◽

Sharmila Dissanaike ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Plasma ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽

Therapeutic Drug ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Population Parameter ◽

Full Thickness ◽

Severe Burns

Abstract Background Antimicrobial dosing in moderate/severe burns patients is complicated due to the potential unpredictable hyperdynamic pathophysiologic states including 1) hypoproteinemia, 2) acute kidney injury and 3) onset of septicemia. Therefore, distribution assumptions about the population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) profiles of either endogenous or xenobiotic pharmacophores in this patient population can lead to biased parameter estimates. In order to prevent potential bias an agnostic nonparametric adaptive grid approach to describe ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) PopPK profiles in patients with partial- and full-thickness burns was employed. Methods A human clinical PK study in burn patients was conducted using the standard approved dose of C/T (2 grams/1 gram). A single intravenous dose was administered over 60 minutes. Whole blood was obtained pre-dose and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 24 hours following the start of infusion. LC-MS/MS bioanalytical methods were developed, validated and employed to determine C/T concentrations in human plasma. PopPK were modeled using Pmetrics package for R. One-, two- and three-compartment models were examined and compared. The influence of several parameters, including %body surface area burns, creatinine clearance (CrCL), weight, albumin and age were tested. Results The bioanalytical method for determination of C/T in human plasma met all recommended criteria of the LC-MS/MS. Five males and one female (ages 24 to 66 years), contributed 148 plasma PK samples. The female had 35% partial-thickness burns. The males had full-thickness burns ranging from 27 to 66%. The median CrCL was 104 mL/min (range 73-148 mL/min). Two-compartment model with absorption (Ka) from compartment 1 to 2 and elimination from compartment 2 (Ke), with nonlinear interactions between C/T elimination and CrCL best described the data. Figure A show that bias was minimal. Importantly, both drugs exhibited marked variability for both volume and elimination (Table), since volume was bimodally distributed (Figure B). A) Observation-versus-Prediction; B) Estimated Ke, V and Ka population parameter densities Summary of pharmacokinetic parameters Conclusion C/T exhibited high variability surpassing that observed with severe infections, suggesting that dose adjustment and/or may be therapeutic drug monitoring may be needed to balance target attainment from dose-related toxicities. Disclosures Ronald G. Hall, II, PharmD, MSCS, Medical Titan Group (Grant/Research Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)

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Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Voriconazole and Anidulafungin in Adult Patients with Invasive Aspergillosis

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02808-13 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 58 (8) ◽

pp. 4718-4726 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Ping Liu ◽

Diane R. Mould

Keyword(s):

Invasive Aspergillosis ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis ◽

Institutional Review Boards ◽

Pharmacokinetic Analysis ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

First Order ◽

Two Compartment Model

ABSTRACTTo assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of voriconazole and anidulafungin in patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) in comparison with other populations, sparse PK data were obtained for 305 adults from a prospective phase 3 study comparing voriconazole and anidulafungin in combination versus voriconazole monotherapy (voriconazole, 6 mg/kg intravenously [IV] every 12 h [q12h] for 24 h followed by 4 mg/kg IV q12h, switched to 300 mg orally q12h as appropriate; with placebo or anidulafungin IV, a 200-mg loading dose followed by 100 mg q24h). Voriconazole PK was described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and mixed linear and time-dependent nonlinear (Michaelis-Menten) elimination; anidulafungin PK was described by a two-compartment model with first-order elimination. For voriconazole, the normal inverse Wishart prior approach was implemented to stabilize the model. Compared to previous models, no new covariates were identified for voriconazole or anidulafungin. PK parameter estimates of voriconazole and anidulafungin are in agreement with those reported previously except for voriconazole clearance (the nonlinear clearance component became minimal). At a 4-mg/kg IV dose, voriconazole exposure tended to increase slightly as age, weight, or body mass index increased, but the difference was not considered clinically relevant. Estimated voriconazole exposures in IA patients at 4 mg/kg IV were higher than those reported for healthy adults (e.g., the average area under the curve over a 12-hour dosing interval [AUC0–12] at steady state was 46% higher); while it is not definitive, age and concomitant medications may impact this difference. Estimated anidulafungin exposures in IA patients were comparable to those reported for the general patient population. This study was approved by the appropriate institutional review boards or ethics committees and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00531479).

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Fluoxetine pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution suggest a possible role in reducing SARS-CoV-2 titers

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.53275.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 477

Author(s):

Andy R. Eugene

Keyword(s):

Tissue Distribution ◽

Day Treatment ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Pharmacokinetic Data ◽

Human Lung Cells ◽

Retrospective Clinical Study ◽

Target Plasma Concentration

Background. Recent in vitro studies have shown fluoxetine inhibits the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, including variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations (E484K, K417N, N501Y), and one retrospective clinical study reported fluoxetine exposure at a median dose of 20 mg in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a significantly lower risk of intubation and death. The aim of this study is to conduct in silico population pharmacokinetic dosing simulations to quantify the percentage of patients achieving a trough level for the effective concentration resulting in 90% inhibition (EC90) of SARS-CoV-2 as reported in Calu-3 human lung cells. Methods. Population pharmacokinetic parameter estimates for a structural one-compartment model with first-order absorption were used to simulate fluoxetine pharmacokinetic data. A population of 1,000 individuals were simulated at standard fluoxetine doses (20 mg/day, 40 mg/day, and 60 mg/day) to estimate the percentage of the patients achieving a trough plasma level for the EC90 SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory concentration for a 10 day treatment period. All analyses were conducted via statistical programming in R. Results. Standard fluoxetine antidepressant doses resulted in a range of 81% to 97% of the patient population achieving a trough target plasma concentration of 23.2 ng/ml at day 10 and translates to a lung-tissue distribution coefficient of 60-times higher (EC90 of 4.02 mM). At a dose of 40 mg per day, at least 87% of patients will reach the trough target EC90 concentration within three days. Conclusion. Overall, the findings of this population pharmacokinetic dosing study corroborates in vitro and observational clinical studies reporting the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen at commonly treated doses in the practice of psychiatry.

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Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment Simulation of Piperacillin/Tazobactam for Dosing Optimization in Late Elderly Patients with Pneumonia

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics9030113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 113 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Noriyuki Ishihara ◽

Nobuhiro Nishimura ◽

Kazuro Ikawa ◽

Fumi Karino ◽

Kiyotaka Miura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentration ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Distribution Volume ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Target Attainment ◽

Old Patients ◽

Final Model ◽

Concentration Time ◽

Population Pk

The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for piperacillin (PIPC)/tazobactam (TAZ) in late elderly patients with pneumonia and to optimize the administration planning by applying pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) criteria. PIPC/TAZ (total dose of 2.25 or 4.5 g) was infused intravenously three times daily to Japanese patients over 75 years old. The plasma concentrations of PIPC and TAZ were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and modeled using the NONMEM program. PK/PD analysis with a random simulation was conducted using the final population PK model to estimate the probability of target attainment (PTA) profiles for various PIPC/TAZ-regimen–minimum-inhibitory-concentration (MIC) combinations. The PTAs for PIPC and TAZ were determined as the fraction that achieved at least 50% free time > MIC and area under the free-plasma-concentration–time curve over 24 h ≥ 96 μg h/mL, respectively. A total of 18 cases, the mean age of which was 86.5 ± 6.0 (75–101) years, were investigated. The plasma-concentration–time profiles of PIPC and TAZ were characterized by a two-compartment model. The parameter estimates for the final model, namely the total clearance, central distribution volume, peripheral distribution volume, and intercompartmental clearance, were 4.58 + 0.061 × (CLcr − 37.4) L/h, 5.39 L, 6.96 L, and 20.7 L/h for PIPC, and 5.00 + 0.059 × (CLcr − 37.4) L/h, 6.29 L, 7.73 L, and 24.0 L/h for TAZ, respectively, where CLcr is the creatinine clearance. PK/PD analysis using the final model showed that in drug-resistant strains with a MIC > 8 μg/mL, 4.5 g of PIPC/TAZ every 6 h was required, even for the patients with a CLcr of 50–60 mL/min. The population PK model developed in this study, together with MIC value, can be useful for optimizing the PIPC/TAZ dosage in the over-75-year-old patients, when they are administered PIPC/TAZ. Therefore, the findings of present study may contribute to improving the efficacy and safety of the administration of PIPC/TAZ therapy in late elderly patients with pneumonia.

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1573. Population Pharmacokinetic Analyses for Cefepime in Adult and Pediatric Patients

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.1437 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S574-S575

Author(s):

Jiajun Liu ◽

Michael Neely ◽

Jeffrey Lipman ◽

Fekade B Sime ◽

Jason Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rate Constant ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Validation Cohort ◽

External Validation ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Volume Of Distribution ◽

Information Criteria ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Final Model ◽

Two Compartment Model

Abstract Background Cefepime (CEF) is commonly used for adult and pediatric infections. Several studies have examined CEF’s pharmacokinetics (PK) in various populations; however, a unifying PK model for adult and pediatric subjects does not yet exist. We developed a combined population model for adult and pediatric patients and validated the model. Methods The initial model includes adult and pediatric patients with a rich cefepime sampling design. All adults received 2 g CEF while pediatric subjects received a mean of 49 (SD 5) mg/kg. One- and two-compartment models were considered as base models and were fit using a non-parametric adaptive grid algorithm within the Pmetrics package 1.5.2 (Los Angeles, CA) for R 3.5.1. Compartmental model selection was based on Akaike information criteria (AIC). Covariate relationships with PK parameters were visually inspected and mathematically assessed. Predictive performance was evaluated using bias and imprecision of the population and individual prediction models. External validation was conducted using a separate adult cohort. Results A total of 45 subjects (n = 9 adults; n = 36 pediatrics) were included in the initial PK model build and 12 subjects in the external validation cohort. Overall, the data were best described using a two-compartment model with volume of distribution (V) normalized to total body weight (TBW/70 kg) and an allometric scaled elimination rate constant (Ke) for pediatric subjects (AIC = 4,138.36). Final model observed vs. predicted plots demonstrated good fit (population R2 = 0.87, individual R2 = 0.97, Figure 1a and b). For the final model, the population median parameter values (95% credibility interval) were V0 (total volume of distribution), 11.7 L (10.2–14.6); Ke for adult, 0.66 hour−1 (0.38–0.78), Ke for pediatrics, 0.82 hour−1 (0.64–0.85), KCP (rate constant from central to peripheral compartment), 1.4 hour−1 (1.3–1.8), KPC (rate constant from peripheral to central compartment), 1.6 hour−1 (1.2–1.8). The validation cohort has 12 subjects, and the final model fit the data well (individual R2 = 0.75). Conclusion In this diverse group of adult and pediatrics, a two-compartment model described CEF PK well and was externally validated with a unique cohort. This model can serve as a population prior for real-time PK software algorithms. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Pharmacokinetics of intravenous sildenafil in children with palliated single ventricle heart defects: effect of elevated hepatic pressures

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951115000359 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 354-362 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kevin D. Hill ◽

Mario R. Sampson ◽

Jennifer S. Li ◽

Robert D. Tunks ◽

Scott R. Schulman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Exposure ◽

Structural Model ◽

Single Ventricle ◽

Heart Defects ◽

Model Development ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

The Impact

AbstractAimsSildenafil is frequently prescribed to children with single ventricle heart defects. These children have unique hepatic physiology with elevated hepatic pressures, which may alter drug pharmacokinetics. We sought to determine the impact of hepatic pressure on sildenafil pharmacokinetics in children with single ventricle heart defects.MethodsA population pharmacokinetic model was developed using data from 20 single ventricle children receiving single-dose intravenous sildenafil during cardiac catheterisation. Non-linear mixed effect modelling was used for model development, and covariate effects were evaluated based on estimated precision and clinical significance.ResultsThe analysis included a median (range) of 4 (2–5) pharmacokinetic samples per child. The final structural model was a two-compartment model for sildenafil with a one-compartment model for des-methyl-sildenafil (active metabolite), with assumed 100% sildenafil to des-methyl-sildenafil conversion. Sildenafil clearance was unaffected by hepatic pressure (clearance=0.62 L/hour/kg); however, clearance of des-methyl-sildenafil (1.94×(hepatic pressure/9)−1.33 L/hour/kg) was predicted to decrease ~7-fold as hepatic pressure increased from 4 to 18 mmHg. Predicted drug exposure was increased by ~1.5-fold in subjects with hepatic pressures ⩾10 versus <10 mmHg (median area under the curve=533 versus 792 µg*h/L).DiscussionElevated hepatic pressure delays clearance of the sildenafil metabolite – des-methyl-sildenafil – and increases drug exposure. We speculate that this results from impaired biliary clearance. Hepatic pressure should be considered when prescribing sildenafil to children. These data demonstrate the importance of pharmacokinetic assessments in patients with unique cardiovascular physiology that may affect drug metabolism.

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Fluconazole Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosing for Prevention and Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis in Children Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.00102-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 59 (7) ◽

pp. 3935-3943 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Kevin M. Watt ◽

Daniel Gonzalez ◽

Daniel K. Benjamin ◽

Kim L. R. Brouwer ◽

Kelly C. Wade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Volume Of Distribution ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Final Model ◽

Content Type ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Nonlinear Mixed Effect ◽

Nonlinear Mixed Effect Modeling ◽

Drug Pharmacokinetics

ABSTRACTCandidainfections are a leading cause of infectious disease-related death in children supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The ECMO circuit can alter drug pharmacokinetics (PK); thus, standard fluconazole dosing may result in suboptimal drug exposures. The objective of our study was to determine the PK of fluconazole in children on ECMO. Forty children with 367 PK samples were included in the analysis. The PK data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM). A one-compartment model best described the data. Weight was included in the base model for clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (V). The final model included the effect of serum creatinine (SCR) level on CL and the effect of ECMO onVas follows: CL (in liters per hour) = 0.019 × weight × (SCR/0.4)−0.29× exp(ηCL) andV(in liters) = 0.93 × weight × 1.4ECMO× exp(ηV). The fluconazoleVwas increased in children supported by ECMO. Consequently, children on ECMO require a higher fluconazole loading dose for prophylaxis (12 mg/kg of body weight) and treatment (35 mg/kg) paired with standard maintenance doses to achieve exposures similar to those of children not on ECMO.

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Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacogenetic Model for Optimization of Efavirenz Therapy in Caucasian HIV-Infected Patients

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.00194-11 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 55 (11) ◽

pp. 5314-5324 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Almudena Sánchez ◽

Salvador Cabrera ◽

Dolores Santos ◽

M. Paz Valverde ◽

Aurelio Fuertes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Population Pharmacokinetic ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Nonlinear Mixed Effect ◽

Study Population ◽

Major Factors

ABSTRACTDespite extensive clinical experience with efavirenz (EFV), unpredictable interindividual variabilities in efficacy and toxicity remain important limitations associated with the use of this antiretroviral. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting EFV pharmacokinetics and to develop a pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenetic (PK/PG) model in a Caucasian population of HIV-infected patients. In total, 869 EFV plasma concentrations from 128 HIV-infected patients treated with EFV were quantitatively assessed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography technique. All patients were genotyped for 90 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes coding for proteins involved in the metabolism and transport of EFV, using a MassArray platform provided by Sequenom. The influence of these polymorphisms on EFV pharmacokinetics and the effects of demographic, clinical, biochemical, lifestyle, and concurrent drug covariates were evaluated. Plasma concentrations were fitted by a one-compartment model, with first-order absorption and elimination using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM program). The CYP2B6*6 allele, multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4) 1497C→T, and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) were identified as major factors influencing the apparent EFV oral clearance (CL/F), reducing the initial interindividual variability by 54.8%, according to the model CL/F = (12.2 − 0.00279·GGT)·0.602CYP2B6*6 [G/T]·0.354CYP2B6*6 [T/T]·0.793MRP4 1497C→T, where CYP2B6*6 [G/T], CYP2B6*6 [T/T], and MRP4 1497C→T take values of 0 or 1 to indicate the absence or presence of polymorphisms. The detailed genetic analysis conducted in this study identified two of 90 SNPs that significantly impacted CL/F, which might indicate that the remaining SNPs analyzed do not influence this PK parameter, at least in Caucasian populations with characteristics similar to those of our study population.

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