Plasma Etoposide Concentrations Research Articles

Evaluation of the association between bevacizumab concentration and clinical outcomes in patients with breast cancer brain metastasis.

Bevacizumab is widely used in various clinical indications, but investigations into its optimal dosage for treating CNS metastases remain limited. The BEEP regimen, comprising bevacizumab, etoposide, and cisplatin, has recently demonstrated promising clinical outcomes for patients with breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) or leptomeningeal metastasis (LM). This study aimed to evaluate the exposure-response relationship of bevacizumab in BCBM patients and to explore the improved CNS penetration of chemotherapy by bevacizumab with LM patients. Twenty-two BCBM patients and six LM patients receiving the BEEP regimen were enrolled. For BCBM patients, blood samples were drawn at trough level of cycles 1 and 6 to investigate the association between bevacizumab concentrations and clinical outcomes. For LM patients, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of bevacizumab and etoposide were measured to investigate the enhancement of etoposide penetration provided by bevacizumab. Concentration evaluation revealed that bevacizumab plasma concentrations substantially varied between individuals. Additionally, concentrations increased after 6 cycles, indicating bevacizumab accumulation during treatment. Although bevacizumab concentrations did not associate with therapeutic response and progression-free survival, patients with higher bevacizumab concentrations exhibited longer overall survival (adjusted HR 0.78; p=0.039). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between time-weighted average concentration of plasma bevacizumab and CSF penetration of etoposide on day 2 (post-bevacizumab) relative to day 1 (pre-bevacizumab) (r=0.83; p=0.042). These findings offer valuable insights into the application of therapeutic drug monitoring of bevacizumab to improve survival outcomes in BCBM patients. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal bevacizumab concentration.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between mitotane and etoposide in adrenal carcinoma: a pilot study.

BackgroundThe combination of mitotane and platinum-etoposide chemotherapy is a front-line treatment in metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), although this regimen shows limited efficacy. Pharmacokinetic drug–drug interaction between mitotane, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, and etoposide, which is a substrate of CYP3A4, may contribute to chemoresistance. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the pharmacokinetic interaction between mitotane and etoposide in ACC patients.MethodsFive consecutive ACC patients treated with platinum etoposide (120–150 mg/m2 day 1–2–3 at cycle 1), with or without concomitant mitotane, were included. In the absence of limiting toxicity, a dose escalation of etoposide was proposed since cycle 2. Plasma etoposide concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography at 0, 4 and 24 h after each infusion. Clearance and area under the curve (AUC) of etoposide were determined at each cycle.ResultsPatients received two to six chemotherapy cycles, in association with mitotane (N = 4) or after mitotane discontinuation (N = 1). Etoposide clearance was two-fold higher with concomitant mitotane (4.95 L/h) than after mitotane discontinuation (2.53 L/h, P = 0.014), and 2.5-fold higher than that in reference population not treated with mitotane (1.81 L/h). Etoposide dose escalation was performed in four patients under mitotane, resulting in two minor tumor responses and one severe toxicity (febrile aplasia) at dose of 300 mg/m2/day. Tumor response was associated with higher etoposide AUC (267.3 vs 188.8 mg.h/L, P = 0.04).ConclusionA drug–drug interaction between mitotane and etoposide may contribute to the low efficacy of platinum-etoposide chemotherapy. This pilot study suggests further a potential benefit of increasing etoposide dose in ACC patients receiving mitotane.

Pharmacokinetics and dose adjustment of etoposide administered in a medium-dose etoposide, cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation regimen before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BackgroundWe investigated the pharmacokinetics of etoposide (ETP) to reduce the inter-individual variations of ETP concentrations in patients with acute leukemia who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We also carried out an in vivo study using rats to verify the dose adjustment.MethodsThis study included 20 adult patients. ETP was administered intravenously at a dose of 15 mg/kg once daily for 2 days (total dose: 30 mg/kg) combined with standard conditioning of cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation. In an in vivo study using rats, ETP was administered intravenously at a dose of 15 mg/kg or an adjusted dose. The ETP plasma concentration was determined by using HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by using a 1-compartment model.ResultsThe peak concentration (Cmax) of ETP and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of ETP differed greatly among patients (range of Cmax, 51.8 - 116.5 μg/mL; range of AUC, 870 - 2015 μg · h/mL). A significant relationship was found between Cmax and AUC (R = 0.85, P < 0.05). Distribution volume (Vd) was suggested to be one of the factors of inter-individual variation in plasma concentration of ETP in patients (range of Vd, 0.13 - 0.27 L/kg), and correlated with Alb and body weight (R = 0.56, P < 0.05; R = 0.40, P < 0.05 respectively). We predicted Vd of rats by body weight of rats (with normal albumin levels and renal function), and the dose of ETP was adjusted using predicted Vd. In the dose adjustment group, the target plasma ETP concentration was achieved and the variation of plasma ETP concentration was decreased.ConclusionThe results suggested that inter-individual variation of plasma concentration of ETP could be reduced by predicting Vd. Prediction of Vd is effective for reducing individual variation of ETP concentration and might enable a good therapeutic effect to be achieved.

Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Etoposide Free Concentrations in Solid Tumor.

This study aimed to determine free etoposide (ETO) concentrations in two regions of Walker-256 (W256) solid tumor using microdialysis and to establish a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model to describe simultaneously free tumor and total plasma concentrations. W256 tumor-bearing Wistar rats received ETO 10 or 20mg/kg i.v. bolus. Free ETO concentrations were sampled from central and peripheral regions of the tumor via CMA/20 probes for up to 7h, whereas blood samples were collected via carotid artery cannulation. Total plasma and free tumor concentration-time profiles were analyzed by non-compartmental approach using WinNonlin® v. 5.3. PopPK modeling was conducted using MONOLIX v.4.3.3. ETO penetration was higher in the periphery (61 ± 15% and 61 ± 29%) than in tumor center (34 ± 6% and 28 ± 11%) following 10 and 20mg/kg doses, respectively (ANOVA, α = 0.05). A 4-compartment model fitted ETO concentration-time profiles in all sampling compartments. The popPK model allowed the simultaneous fitting of plasma and tumor concentrations and a better understanding of ETO distribution in solid tumors. ETO plasma concentrations are not a good surrogate for tumoral exposure, emphasizing the importance of knowing intratumoral concentrations to predict drug response.

A simple dried blood spot method for clinical pharmacological analyses of etoposide in cancer patients using liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection

BackgroundTherapeutic drug monitoring of etoposide is not part of the routine clinical practice, however, measuring etoposide plasma concentration may be useful to prevent chemotherapy related adverse drug reactions. This paper describes the development and validation of a dried blood spot (DBS) assay for the determination of etoposide in blood samples of lung cancer patients. MethodsThe whole blood spot was cut out of the DBS card followed by sonication assisted liquid drug extraction. Extraction solution was evaporated and re-dissolved. A high-performance-liquid-chromatography method with fluorimetric detection ( λex=230nm; λem=330nm) was used. ResultsMethod met the validation criteria in terms of selectivity, linearity (0.5–20.0μg/mL), accuracy (≥96.1%), precision (≤10.1%) and stability (long term 4weeks at room temperature and 40°C). Haematocrit did not influence DBS etoposide concentration. Good correlation between measured plasma and DBS concentrations was observed. The equation considering only haematocrit value was used for conversion of DBS to plasma concentration. ConclusionsDBS sampling method showed comparable results to plasma samples. Therefore, it can be concluded that the developed and validated DBS method, which is more patient-friendly and requires less sample handling, is a reliable alternative to conventional plasma methods for measuring etoposide concentration in clinical pharmacological analyses.

Clinical and In Vitro Studies on Impact of High-Dose Etoposide Pharmacokinetics Prior Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on the Risk of Post-Transplant Leukemia Relapse

The impact of etoposide (VP-16) plasma concentrations on the day of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) on leukemia-free survival in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was studied. In addition, the in vitro effects of VP-16 on the lymphocytes proliferation, cytotoxic activity and on Th1/Th2 cytokine responses were assessed. In 31 children undergoing allo-HSCT, VP-16 plasma concentrations were determined up to 120 h after the infusion using the HPLC–UV method. For mentioned in vitro studies, VP-16 plasma concentrations observed on allo-HSCT day were used. In 84 % of children, VP-16 plasma concentrations (0.1–1.5 μg/mL) were quantifiable 72 h after the end of the drug infusion, i.e. when allo-HSCT should be performed. In 20 (65 %) children allo-HSCT was performed 4 days after the end of the drug infusion, and VP-16 was still detectable (0.1–0.9 μg/mL) in plasma of 12 (39 %) of them. Post-transplant ALL relapse occurred in four children, in all of them VP-16 was detectable in plasma (0.1–0.8 μg/mL) on allo-HSCT day, while there was no relapse in children with undetectable VP-16. In in vitro studies, VP-16 demonstrated impact on the proliferation activity of stimulated lymphocytes depending on its concentration and exposition time. The presence of VP-16 in plasma on allo-HSCT day may demonstrate an adverse effect on graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) reaction and increase the risk of post-transplant ALL relapse. Therefore, if 72 h after VP-16 administration its plasma concentration is still above 0.1 μg/mL then the postponement of transplantation for next 24 h should be considered to protect GvL effector cells from transplant material.

Febrile neutropenia in chemotherapy treated small-cell lung cancer patients

Background.Chemotherapy with platinum agent and etoposide for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is supposed to be associated with intermediate risk (10–20%) of febrile neutropenia. Primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) is not routinely recommended by the treatment guidelines. However, in clinical practice febrile neutropenia is often observed with standard etoposide/platinum regimen. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the frequency of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in advanced SCLC patients in the first cycle of standard chemotherapy. Furthermore, we explored the association between severe neutropenia and etoposide peak plasma levels in the same patients.Methods.The case series based analysis of 17 patients with advanced SCLC treated with standard platinum/etoposide chemotherapy, already included in the pharmacokinetics study with etoposide, was performed. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia, observed after the first cycle are reported. The neutrophil counts were determined on day one of the second cycle unless symptoms potentially related to neutropenia occurred. Adverse events were classified according to Common Toxicity Criteria 4.0. Additionally, association between severe neutropenia and etoposide peak plasma concentrations, which were measured in the scope of pharmacokinetic study, was explored.Results.Two out of 17 patients received primary GCS-F prophylaxis. In 15 patient who did not receive primary prophylaxis the rates of both grade 3/4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were high (8/15 (53.3%) and 2/15 (13.3%), respectively), already in the first cycle of chemotherapy. One patient died due to febrile neutropenia related pneumonia. Neutropenic events are assumed to be related to increased etoposide plasma concentrations after a standard etoposide and cisplatin dose. While the mean etoposide peak plasma concentration in the first cycle of chemotherapy was 17.6 mg/l, the highest levels of 27.07 and 27.49 mg/l were determined in two patients with febrile neutropenia.Conclusions.Our study indicates that there is a need to reduce the risk of neutropenic events in chemotherapy treated advanced SCLC, starting in the first cycle. Mandatory use of primary G-CSF prophylaxis might be considered. Alternatively, use of improved risk models for identification of patients with increased risk for neutropenia and individualization of primary prophylaxis based on not only clinical characteristics but also on etoposide plasma concentration measurement, could be a new, promising options that deserves further evaluation.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of repeated oral etoposide is altered by morphine coadministration in rats

The influence of morphine (MOR) on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of repeated etoposide (ETP) oral administration was evaluated in rats. A decrease in the number of leukocytes in blood was observed by 5 days of treatment with ETP (30 mg/kg/day), which was prolonged by oral MOR coadministration (30 mg/kg/day). Furthermore, MOR significantly decreased animal viability. During the dosing period, the individual plasma ETP concentrations decreased at every dose. These doses were used to estimate the individual pharmacokinetic parameters by the Bayesian method using a linear 2-compartment model with a first-order kinetic absorption and the population parameters reported in our previous study. As a result, repeated ETP dosing without MOR showed a significant decrease in the intestinal absorption rate constant (ka), and single MOR coadministration induced an increase in bioavailability (F) and decrease in ka. However, repeated coadministration of ETP suppressed the increase of F by MOR, and the dose-normalized area under the concentration-time curve was not significantly decreased. The estimated trough concentration in the final day of coadministration was significantly higher than that of the control treatment and indicated a prolonged exposure time. These changes in the absorption of ETP may be closely related to variation in P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in the intestine and indicate that the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of ETP are altered by repeated oral coadministration of MOR.

Investigating the pharmacokinetics and dosing of anticancer drugs in infants and young children.

10033 Background: Dosing regimens for anticancer drugs administered to infants and young children frequently differ between tumour types and protocols, with dosing based on body weight commonly implicated. We have recently highlighted a reduced exposure to 13-cis-retinoic acid in neuroblastoma patients &lt;12kg dosed on body weight (Clin Cancer Res19:469-79,2013). Given the toxicity observed with many chemotherapeutics, it is appropriate to establish a pharmacological basis for dose adjustments implemented in younger patients. Methods: The pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide (CPA), actinomycin D (Act D), carboplatin and etoposide were investigated in children aged 0-6, 6-12 and 12-24 months. CPA was administered i.v. at a dose of 100-1,500 mg/m2, with infusion times up to 1.5h, Act D as a bolus i.v. infusion of 0.4-1.5mg/m2, carboplatin as an i.v. dose of 3.8-30mg/kg over 1-4h and etoposide as an i.v. dose of 3.5-14mg/kg over 1-6h. Eighty-six children were studied at 14 centres, with PK sampling carried out over 24h for CPA and Act D, 3h for carboplatin and up to 6h for etoposide. Plasma concentrations of CPA, Act D and etoposide were determined by LC-MS analysis, with carboplatin concentrations determined in plasma ultrafiltrate by AAS. PK parameters were calculated using WinNonlin or previously used PK models as appropriate. Results: Clearance values normalized to body weight ranged from 0.5-7.7 ml/min/kg for CPA, 1.7-17.4 for Act D, 1.6-10.5 for carboplatin and 0.2-1.7 for etoposide. No significant differences in normalized clearance were observed between the defined age cohorts of 0-6, 6-12 and 12-24 months and the data do not indicate clear differences in drug handling in infants and young children. However, when normalized clearance values were compared to data from older children, a greater degree of inter-patient variation was observed in patients &lt;2 years than in children &gt;2 years for all drugs. Conclusions: While normalized clearance values for the drugs studied do not support reduced dosing approaches, data suggest that individual drug clearance values may be more difficult to predict in younger patients. Further studies involving additional anticancer drugs may allow more rationale approaches to dosing. Clinical trial information: NCT00897871.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling of high- and low-dose etoposide: from adults to children

To evaluate the ability of a physiology-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict the systemic drug exposure of high- and low-dose etoposide in children from a model developed with adult data. Simulations were performed with PK-Sim(®) (Bayer Technology Services). Model development was done using data from adult patients receiving etoposide in a conventional and high-dose polychemotherapy regimen before stem cell transplantation. Michaelis-Menten parameters from in vitro experiments reported in the literature were applied to describe the metabolism and excretion processes by P450 enzymes and transporters. The model was scaled down to children and compared to etoposide plasma concentrations in this age group. Simulated plasma concentration-time courses of protein-bound and free etoposide in adults for high- and low-dose schedules agreed with the observed data. Mean simulated total clearance of high- and low-dose etoposide was 0.70ml/min/kg (Cl(observed): 0.70ml/min/kg) versus 0.50ml/min/kg (Cl(observed): 0.60 ml/min/kg), respectively. Integrated Michaelis-Menten kinetics was adequately transformed to age-related pharmacokinetics in children. Predictions of the pharmacokinetics in different age groups were also in good agreement with observed data. Drug interactions triggered by P-glycoprotein inhibitors or nephrotoxic drugs can also be elucidated. The PBPK model matched the pharmacokinetics in different dosing regimens in adults. Furthermore, the scaling procedure from the adult model to children provides useful predictions for paediatric patients. Comedication with drugs influencing the metabolism and excretion has to be taken into account. This approach could be useful for planning pharmacokinetic studies in children.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp/Abcb1), Abcc2, and Abcc3 Determine the Pharmacokinetics of Etoposide

Despite the extensive use of etoposide for the treatment of different malignant neoplasms, its main pharmacokinetic determinants are not completely defined. We aimed to study the impact of P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) and the multidrug resistance proteins ABCC2 (MRP2) and ABCC3 (MRP3) on the pharmacokinetics of etoposide. Abcb1a/1b(-/-), Abcc2(-/-), Abcc3(-/-), Abcb1a/1b;Abcc2(-/-), and Abcc2;Abcc3(-/-) mice were used to investigate the separate and combined impact of P-gp, Abcc2, and Abcc3 on the in vivo behavior of etoposide. P-gp restricted the oral (re)uptake of unchanged etoposide, and mediated its excretion across the gut wall. In contrast, hepatobiliary excretion was almost entirely dependent on Abcc2. Yet, complete loss of Abcc2 did not result in elevated liver or plasma concentrations of etoposide. Instead, Abcc2(-/-) mice displayed an increased hepatic formation of etoposide glucuronide, which was secreted via Abcc3 from the liver to the blood circulation and eliminated with the urine. Combination Abcc2;Abcc3(-/-) mice had highly increased accumulation of etoposide glucuronide in their livers, whereas both single knockouts did not, indicating that Abcc2 and Abcc3 provide alternative pathways for the hepatic elimination of etoposide glucuronide. P-gp, ABCC2, and ABCC3 significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of etoposide and/or etoposide glucuronide. Variation in transporter expression or activity may explain the high variation in oral availability of etoposide (25-80%) among cancer patients. However, despite the fact that substantial variations in transporter activity can occur, we believe that cancer patients are often relatively protected from etoposide toxicity due to overlapping functions of these transporters in the elimination of etoposide.

High-Dose Etoposide: From Phase I to a Component of Curative Therapy

High-Dose Etoposide: From Phase I to a Component of Curative Therapy

Oral bioavailability of etoposide after administration of a single dose to tumor-bearing dogs

To characterize oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic disposition of etoposide when the IV formulation was administered orally to dogs. 8 tumor-bearing dogs. An open-label, single-dose, 2-way crossover study was conducted. Dogs were randomly assigned to initially receive a single dose of etoposide (50 mg/m2) IV or PO. A second dose was administered via the alternate route 3 to 7 days later. Medications were administered before IV administration of etoposide to prevent hypersensitivity reactions. Oral administration of etoposide was prepared by reconstituting the parenteral formulation with 0.9% NaCl solution and further diluting the reconstituted mixture 1:1 with a sweetening agent. Plasma samples were obtained after both treatments. Etoposide concentrations were measured with a high-performance liquid chromatography assay, and plasma etoposide concentration-time profiles were analyzed by use of noncompartmental methods. 4 dogs had hypersensitivity reactions during IV administration of etoposide. No adverse effects were detected after oral administration. Plasma etoposide concentrations were undetectable in 2 dogs after oral administration. Oral administration of etoposide resulted in significantly lower values for the maximum plasma concentration and the area under the plasma etoposide concentration-versus-time curve, compared with results for IV administration. Oral bioavailability of etoposide was low (median, 13.4%) and highly variable among dogs (range, 5.7% to 57.3%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Vehicle-related toxicosis can limit the IV administration of etoposide in dogs. The parenteral formulation of etoposide can be safely administered orally to dogs, but routine use was not supported because of low and variable oral bioavailability in this study.

Impact of imatinib on the pharmacokinetics and in vivo efficacy of etoposide and/or ifosfamide

BackgroundUsing a human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) xenografted in nude mice, we have previously reported enhanced tumor growth inhibition following chemotherapy in combination with imatinib (STI571). We therefore investigated the in vivo impact of imatinib on the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of chemotherapy.MethodsTwo different human tumors were used: SCLC6 small cell lung cancer xenografted in nude mice, and LY-3 EBV-associated human B-cell lymphoma xenografted in SCID mice. Plasma, urine, and fecal concentrations of etoposide (VP16) were determined by a validated high performance liquid chromatography method. Plasma concentrations of ifosfamidewere determined by a validated gas chromatography assay with nitrogen-phosphorus detection.ResultsSlight tumor growth inhibition was induced by imatinib administered alone in one in vivo EBV-associated B-cell lymphomatous xenograft. In contrast, an increase of the chemotherapy-induced antitumor effect was observed in the lymphoma model but not in a small cell lung cancer model when mice bearing human xenografted tumors were treated concomitantly by imatinib and chemotherapy. This antitumor effect was not influenced by concomitant administration of fluconazole. The AUC0-3 h (Area Under the concentration-time Curve) of etoposide was increased when mice were treated with etoposide + imatinib due to decreased fecal excretion. In contrast, imatinib did not appear to influence the urinary excretion of etoposide, and concomitant administration of the CYP3A4 inhibitor, fluconazole, with imatinib did not modify the pharmacokinetics of etoposide plus imatinib alone.ConclusionAltogether, these results therefore justify further prospective phase I and II clinical trials with combinations of etoposide-based chemotherapy and imatinib in patients with certain cancers, such as malignant lymphoma, with careful toxicologic monitoring.

Lifespan of etoposide-treated human neutrophils is affected by antioxidant ability of quercetin

Neutropenia is the primary dose-limiting effect of etoposide toxicity resulting in a decreased efficiency of cancer treatment. Hence, the protection of neutrophils has important clinical implications. We investigated whether quercetin, due to its antioxidant properties, is able to modulate the damaging activity of etoposide. DNA damage, evaluated by the comet assay, and apoptosis, determined by FACScan flow cytometry using Annexin/PI, increased with etoposide doses. The intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was enhanced in resting neutrophils incubated with etoposide at concentrations up to 25 μM; above this concentration etoposide revealed antioxidant properties. Only in latex-activated neutrophils, i.e. with latex-stimulated respiratory burst was the ROS production inhibited, as assessed by the luminol amplified chemiluminescence. The characteristic electron spin resonance (ESR) signal of etoposide phenoxyl radical, which occurs in the presence of myeloperoxidase, H 2O 2 and etoposide, was quenched by quercetin in a dose-dependent manner (0.1–0.5 μM). Quercetin also inhibited DNA damage induced by etoposide and enhanced the inhibitory action of etoposide on the ROS formation in neutrophils. However, quercetin (1 μM) lowered early and late apoptosis/necrosis only when apoptosis was induced by 25 μM etoposide; at higher etoposide concentration apoptosis was enhanced. Summing up, antioxidant adjuvant therapy using quercetin can be beneficial in prolonging neutrophils’ lifespan in peripheral blood only when etoposide plasma concentration is low.

Impact of STI571 (Imatinib) on the Pharmacokinetics and In Vivo Efficacy of Etoposide and/or Ifosfamide.

Using a human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) xenografted in nude mice, we previously reported an increase of tumor growth inhibition following chemotherapy in combination with STI571 (imatinib)(Int J Cancer. 2005; 113:849–856). This led us to study the in vivo impact of STI571 on the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy. Plasma, urine, and fecal concentrations of etoposide were determined by a validated high performance liquid chromatography method, and plasma concentrations of ifosfamide were determined by a validated GAS chromatography assay with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. C-kit and MDR1/ABCB1 transcripts were quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assays. We first observed an increase of the Cmax of both etoposide and ifosfamide on days 1 and 3 when mice were treated by chemotherapy combined with STI571 compared to chemotherapy alone. We then observed a high significant increase of the AUC 0–3h (Area Under the concentration-time Curve) of etoposide when mice were treated with etoposide + STI571, due to a decrease of its fecal excretion, without impact of concomitant administration of the CYT3A4 inhibitor fluconazole. As previously shown, this effect was observed despite the absence of c-kit receptor mRNA expression. Finally, we showed that STI571 enhanced the etoposide-induced tumor growth inhibition of a human xenografted lymphoma, but not that of an in vivo human SCLC tumor, and that this antitumor effect was correlated with the mRNA level of the MDR1/ABCB1 gene. This last observation suggests that imatinib-induced pharmacokinetic changes could be due to inhibition mediated via the MDR modulator of the P-glycoprotein transporter resulting in decreased elimination of etoposide. In conclusion, STI571 can reverse MDR1 drug resistance and potentiate the effects of etoposide in MDR1-expressing cancer cells such as lymphoma cell lines. These results show that further prospective phase I and II clinical trials with combinations of etoposide-based chemotherapy and imatinib are therefore warranted in some cancer patients, such as malignant lymphoma patients, with careful toxicologic monitoring.

Effect of cyclosporine A on the tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of etoposide.

Cyclosporine A (CyA) is able to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and to increase cytotoxicity of some anticancer drugs, including etoposide. However, the effect of CyA on the distribution of etoposide in normal tissues, which could affect their toxicity, has not been studied extensively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CyA on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of etoposide in rats. Etoposide was administered as an i.v. bolus injection (3 mg) or as a constant-rate i.v. infusion (8 mg/h) 1 h after the beginning of infusion of CyA or saline. Animals were killed 1 h after the bolus administration or after the beginning of infusion of etoposide, and plasma and tissue (testicle, muscle, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, liver, colon, and intestine) concentrations of etoposide, blood concentrations of CyA were determined. All analyses were performed by HPLC. Infusion of CyA (1 mg/h) in rats treated with an i.v. bolus of etoposide caused a decrease in the plasma clearance (5.4+/-2.1 vs 9.3+/-2.4 ml/min), and an increase in plasma and tissue concentrations of etoposide, but the tissue-to-plasma concentration ratios of etoposide were not affected. When etoposide was infused at a constant rate to reach a steady-state plasma level, coinfusion of CyA (10 mg/h) also caused a decrease in the plasma clearance (4.8+/-1.5 vs 9.8+/-4.7 ml/min), and an increase in plasma and tissue concentrations of etoposide. Only lung and spleen showed tissue-to-plasma ratios of etoposide significantly higher than obtained in rats coinfused with saline, but the differences were small. The higher tissue concentrations of etoposide caused by CyA administration were mainly a direct consequence of the higher plasma concentration resulting from a decrease in the clearance of etoposide rather than a consequence of changes in the tissue distribution of etoposide. Extrapolation of the results obtained in rats to clinical practice suggests that the coadministration of etoposide and CyA would not lead to an increase in the toxicity of etoposide if the dose were decreased in the same proportion as clearance of etoposide is decreased by CyA administration.

Pharmacokinetic optimisation of treatment with oral etoposide.

Etoposide is a derivative of podophyllotoxin widely used in the treatment of several neoplasms, including small cell lung cancer, germ cell tumours and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Prolonged administration of etoposide aims for continuous inhibition of topoisomerase II, the intracellular target of etoposide, thus preventing tumour cells from repairing DNA breaks. However, the clinical advantages of extended schedules as compared with conventional short-term infusions remain unclear. Oral administration of etoposide represents the most feasible and economic strategy to maintain effective concentrations of drug for extended times. Nevertheless, the efficacy of oral etoposide therapy is contingent on circumventing pharmacokinetic limitations, mainly low and variable bioavailability. Inhibition of small bowel and hepatic metabolism of etoposide with specific cytochrome P450 inhibitors or inhibition of the intestinal P-glycoprotein efflux pump have been attempted to increase the bioavailability of oral etoposide, but the best results were obtained with daily oral administration of low etoposide doses (50-100 mg/day for 14-21 days). Saturable absorption of etoposide was reported for doses greater than 200 mg/day, whereas lower doses were associated with increased bioavailability, although they were characterised by high inter- and intrapatient variability. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as plasma trough concentration between two oral administrations (C(24,trough)), drug exposure time above a threshold value and area under the plasma concentration-time curve have been correlated with the pharmacodynamic effect of oral etoposide. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships indicate that severe toxicity is avoided when peak plasma concentrations do not exceed 3-5 mg/L and C(24,trough) is under the threshold limit of 0.3 mg/L. To maintain effective etoposide plasma concentrations during prolonged oral administration, pharmacokinetic variability must be monitored in each patient, taking account of factors from many pharmacokinetic studies of etoposide, including absorption, distribution, protein binding, metabolism and elimination. Dosage reduction is generally useful to avoid haematological toxicity in patients with renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min). The need for dosage adjustment based on liver function in patients with liver dysfunction is not completely defined, but generally is not indicated in patients with minor liver dysfunction. Adaptive dosage adjustment based on individual pharmacokinetic parameters, estimated using limited sampling strategies and population pharmacokinetic models, is more appropriate. This approach has been used with success in different clinical trials to increase the etoposide dosage, without significantly increasing toxicity. Various pharmacodynamic models have been proposed to guide etoposide oral dosage. However, they lack precision and accuracy and need to be refined by considering other predictor variables in order to extend their application in current clinical practice.

Phase I Study of Three-Times Daily Oral Etoposide in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumours

Objective: The objective of this phase I study of oral etoposide in patients with refractory solid tumours was to determine the tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile and to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the drug for this indication. Patients and Methods: 53 patients were enrolled, 37 of whom were evaluable for tumour response and tolerability. The male/female ratio was 17/20, the median age was 48 years (23–74) and the median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was 1 (0–3). All patients had clinically progressive metastatic disease, which had not responded to standard treatment. 24 of 37 patients had previously received chemotherapy and 13 had been given radiotherapy. The initial dosage of oral etoposide was 15 mg/m2 three times daily for 14 days every 3 weeks. The dose was escalated, initially by 33% and by 25% thereafter, in groups of three to five patients until the MTD was reached. Plasma concentrations of the drug were determined by HPLC. Results: Three dosages levels were studied, 15 mg/m2 (dose level I), 20 mg/m2 (dose level II) and 25 mg/m2 (dose level III) three times daily for 14 consecutive days. The total number of evaluable courses was 130, with a median of 2 (range: 1–14) courses per patient. The MTD was 25 mg/m2 three times daily; severe neutropenia was the dose-limiting factor. Other adverse events included nausea and vomiting, alopecia and fatigue. In patients receiving dose level II (20 mg/m2) plasma etoposide concentrations ranged between 1 and 5 mg/L until 6 hours after administration. This dosage is recommended for use in phase II trials. One patient had a partial response, which has lasted for about 10 months. Six patients had minor responses. Conclusion: Preliminary pharmacokinetic data obtained in patients with refractory solid tumours suggest that an oral dosage of 20 mg/m2 three times daily for 14 days every 3 weeks provides satisfactory plasma concentrations of etoposide and could be recommended for phase II trials.

Pharmacodynamic profile of prolonged etoposide administration in patients with small cell lung cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

To determine whether therapeutic drug monitoring can enhance administration of etoposide in patients with drug-responsive neoplasms. Prospective, open-label study. University-affiliated hospital and cancer center. Sixteen patients with small cell lung cancer or low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients were treated with etoposide, 25 mg/m2/day over 24 hours by continuous infusion for 35 days. Peripheral blood samples were collected twice a week to measure etoposide levels. Plasma was separated, frozen and stored at -20 degrees C until assayed. Steady-state plasma etoposide concentrations (ECpss) were determined and used to calculate total systemic clearance (Clsys). Despite differences in dosage and administration schedules, etoposide Clsys was similar to previous reports. In addition, a biexponential relationship between ECpss and absolute neutrophil count was demonstrated by nonlinear least squares estimation. Values generated from this equation indicated that ECpss above 1.5 microg/ml was strongly associated with grade III-IV leukocyte toxicity. Although less precise, there may also be a correlation between ECpss and antitumor activity. Based on these findings, we propose a pharmacodynamic construct that uses measurements of both pharmacokinetic (ECpss, Clsys) and pharmacodynamic (hematologic toxicity, tumor response) parameters for patients with etoposide-sensitive tumors. Therapeutic drug monitoring may be able to mitigate hematologic toxicity.