Variability In Clearance Research Articles

Population pharmacokinetics of serelaxin in patients with acute or chronic heart failure, hepatic or renal impairment, or portal hypertension and in healthy subjects.

Serelaxin is a recombinant human relaxin-2 peptide being developed for the treatment of acute heart failure (AHF). The present analyses aimed to evaluate serelaxin pharmacokinetics following intravenous administration and to identify covariates that may explain pharmacokinetic variability in healthy subjects and patients. Serum concentration-time data for 613 subjects from nine phase I and II studies were analysed using a nonlinear mixed-effects model to estimate population pharmacokinetics and identify significant covariates. A quantile regression analysis was also conducted to assess the relationship between clearance and covariates by including sparse data from a phase III study. A three-compartment disposition model was established to describe serelaxin pharmacokinetics. Three out of 23 covariates, including baseline body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and study A1201, were identified as significant covariates for clearance but with a moderate impact on steady-state concentration, reducing the intersubject variability from 44% in the base model to 41% in the final model with covariates. The steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was higher in patients with AHF (544ml kg-1 ) or chronic heart failure (434ml kg-1 ), compared with typical nonheart failure subjects (347ml kg-1 ). Quantile regression analysis showed that a 20% increase in BMI or a 20% decrease in eGFR decreased serelaxin clearance by 9.2% or 5.2%, respectively. Patients with HF showed higher Vss but similar clearance (and therefore steady-state exposure) vs. non nonheart failure subjects. BMI and eGFR were identified as the main covariates explaining intersubject variability in clearance; however, the impact of these covariates on steady-state concentration was moderate and therefore unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Uncertainty Quantification in Hydrodynamic Bearings

Although it is possible to imagine a strong sensitivity of hydrodynamic bearings performance to geometrical and fluid dynamic uncertainties, a small amount of scientific contributions have been found in literature about the use of uncertainty quantification techniques for the numerical modeling of bearings. In the present paper we aim at quantifying the effects of the aleatory uncertainty of some relevant input values on key parameters related to rotordynamic effects in turbomachinery, and in particular on the rotor thermal instability problem (e.g. the equilibrium position and the dynamic coefficients). A methodology is initially developed in order to study the propagation of the uncertainties in the numerical analysis of Tilting Pad Journal Bearings (TPJB). Due to the characteristics of the in-house finite element code TILTPAD considered for the UQ analysis, the Monte Carlo method has been selected among the possible approaches. The analysis here presented considers the effects of both manufacturing tolerances on the assembled bearing clearance and of the tolerances adopted for the characterization of the viscosity grade of the oil. The test case adopted for the analysis is the Kingsbury D-140 TPJB. Considering the individual variation of the selected parameters, it is possible to observe that the standard deviation (STD) of the the non-dimensional dynamic coefficients is up to 2.1% in case of viscosity variation and up to 9.1% in case of clearance variation. The STD of the frictional power losses is about 2.2% and 1.4% respectively. Considering the simultaneous variation of the selected parameters, it is possible to observe a STD of the non-dimensional dynamic coefficients comprised between 6.4% and 9.4%, while the STD of the frictional power losses is about 2.7%.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis for Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir in Japanese Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Daclatasvir is a nonstructural protein 5A replication complex inhibitor, and asunaprevir is a nonstructural protein 3 protease inhibitor for hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2014, the combination therapy of daclatasvir and asunaprevir received the first global approval in Japan as the first nonribavirin, all‐oral therapy for HCV treatment. The population pharmacokinetics (popPK) of daclatasvir and asunaprevir were characterized by nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling using 3801 and 2626 concentration data from 336 and 265 Japanese HCV subjects, respectively. The plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of daclatasvir and asunaprevir were described by a 1‐compartment model. Parameter estimates (interindividual variability) of daclatasvir apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of the central compartment (V/F) were 5.29 L/h (39.4%) and 64.2 L (38.1%). The effects of all statistically significant covariates on daclatasvir PK parameters were within or overlapped the 80% to 125% boundaries, suggesting a lack of clinical relevance. Parameter estimates (interindividual variability) of asunaprevir CL/F and V/F were 52.1 L/h (41.5%) and 75.1 L (93.4%), respectively. Baseline and time‐varying aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cirrhosis on CL/F and formulation (soft‐gel capsule or tablet) on F were included as significant covariates in the asunaprevir popPK model. The effects of all covariates exceeded the 80% to 125% boundaries, indicating that the asunaprevir soft‐gel capsule had higher bioavailability than the tablet and that asunaprevir exposure increased with cirrhosis and increasing baseline and time‐varying AST values. The popPK models adequately described the PK profiles of daclatasvir and asunaprevir in Japanese HCV subjects.

Abstract CT026: Phase I study of AZD6738, an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia Rad3-related (ATR), in combination with olaparib or durvalumab in patients (pts) with advanced solid cancers

Abstract Background: AZD6738 is a potent selective oral ATR inhibitor. Therapeutic combinations aim to inhibit ATR-dependent cycle arrest and repair induced by the PARP inhibitor Olaparib (Ola), and to exploit DNA damage-induced immune responses with the anti-PD-L1 antibody Durvalumab (Durva). Here we present the results of the ongoing Phase I study D5330C00004 (NCT02264678) dose escalation combinations of AZD6738 with Ola or Durva. Methods: A trial assessing AZD6738 in combination with continuous Ola tablets or Durva IV infusion per 28-day cycle. Pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted. Results: 70 pts with advanced cancer were treated with +Ola (45 pts) or +Durva (25 pts). Tumor types included breast, ovary, prostate, pancreas, lung, HNSCC and gastric cancers. +Ola: AZD6738 was assessed in 10 cohorts from 60 mg od to 240 mg bd for 5-14 days (D), co-dosing with Ola 100-300 mg bd continuously. All causality toxicity occurring in ≥20% subjects (pts with ≥G3 events) included: thrombocytopenia (5 pts), anemia (7 pts), neutropenia (6 pts), fatigue (1 pt), decreased appetite (1 pt), nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and cough. Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were dose- and schedule limiting toxicities (DLTs). The Recommended Phase 2 Dose is AZD6738 160 mg od D1-7 + Ola 300 mg bd D1-28. Of 39 evaluable pts, 1 RECIST complete response (CR), 5 partial responses (PR) and 1 unconfirmed (uPR) were observed in pts with advanced breast (3 pts), ovarian, prostate, pancreatic and ampullary cancer and BRCA1/2 mutations independent of ATM status. Dose expansions are ongoing in pts with advanced gastric and breast cancer. +Durva: AZD6738 was evaluated in 5 cohorts with 1-2 weeks monotherapy run-in, followed by Durva 1500 mg on D1 + AZD6738 80-240 mg od or bd for 1 (D22-28) or 2 (D15-28) weeks. Toxicity occurring in ≥20% subjects included: anemia (≥G3 in 1 pt), fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, cough, vomiting, dizziness, pruritus, constipation, diarrhea, musculoskeletal chest pain and dyspnea. One DLT of thrombocytopenia was observed. Of 21 pts, 1 RECIST CR, 2 PRs and 1 uPR were observed in pts with advanced NSCLC (3 pts) and HNSCC (1 pt), independent of tumor PD-L1 expression. Peripheral monocytes and proliferating T-cells were suppressed; both rebounding to levels ≥ baseline during the off-drug interval. GM-CSF increased reciprocally to on-target decreases in monocytes. Preliminary PK data showed rapid absorption of AZD6738 with peak plasma concentration ≈1.5h post dose, a biphasic decline with an elimination half-life of 11h. Despite ≈45% variability in clearance, there was dose proportionality and no evidence of drug-drug interaction with Ola or Durva. Conclusions: The combinations of AZD6738 with Ola or Durva were tolerated in dose escalation with preliminary signals of antitumor activity in pts with advanced solid tumors. Citation Format: Matthew G. Krebs, Juanita Lopez, Anthony El-Khoueiry, Yung-Jue Bang, Sophie Postel-Vinay, Wassim Abida, Louise Carter, Wen Xu, Seock-Ah Im, Andrew Pierce, Paul Frewer, Alienor Berges, S.Y. Amy Cheung, Christine Stephens, Brunella Felicetti, Emma Dean, Simon J. Hollingsworth. Phase I study of AZD6738, an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia Rad3-related (ATR), in combination with olaparib or durvalumab in patients (pts) with advanced solid cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT026.

Abstract 605: Investigating the potential impact of dose-banding for systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) in the pediatric setting based on pharmacokinetic evidence

Abstract Background: In order to make systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) preparation more practicable, dose-banding approaches are currently being introduced in many clinical centers. This involves the individual dose for a particular patient being calculated according to a single body surface area (BSA) value per band, usually the mid-point of the band in which the actual BSA of the patient lies. Advantages of such an approach include a rationalization of chemotherapy provision, with the preparation of drugs with sufficient long-term stability feasible well in advance of treatment, reduced potential for medication errors and improved capacity planning of pharmacy production. The current study aimed to determine the potential impact of utilizing recently developed National Health Service in England (NHSE) dose-banding tables in a pediatric setting, according to pharmacokinetic criteria determined from previously-published clinical trials for a range of commonly used anticancer drugs. Methods: Using pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from 385 drug administrations in 352 children aged from 1 month to 18 years, treated with 5 drugs (dactinomycin, busulfan, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide), individual exposures (area under the curve; AUC) obtained using doses rounded according to the published NHSE tables (or banded using the same method) were calculated and compared to those obtained by standard dose calculation methods. The patients included in the study were treated for a wide range of tumors including neuroblastoma, B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Results: For all five drugs, the relative variation between the NHSE dose and the recommended dose (standard individually calculated dose) was between -6% and +5% as expected. Indeed, more marked differences were observed between the actual dose administered and the recommended dose for these retrospective datasets, particularly for carboplatin and dactinomycin. In terms of AUC, there was no statistically significant difference in precision between exposures obtained by the recommended dose and those obtained with dose-banding (absolute value of relative difference 15-34%). Conclusion: Based on pharmacokinetic data from 352 children, the results generated from the current study support the implementation of NHSE dose-banding tables, at least for the five drugs investigated here. Indeed, inter-patient variability in drug clearance and exposure would appear to far outweigh the impact of relatively small drug dose changes associated with dose-banding. Further evaluation of the effect of using dose-banding for other drugs would be needed to confirm these results and extend them to additional anticancer drugs. Citation Format: Melanie White-Koning, Caroline Osborne, Angelo Paci, Alan V. Boddy, Etienne Chatelut, Gareth J. Veal. Investigating the potential impact of dose-banding for systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) in the pediatric setting based on pharmacokinetic evidence [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 605.

Population Pharmacokinetic Model for Vancomycin Used in Open Heart Surgery: Model-Based Evaluation of Standard Dosing Regimens.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the population pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in patients undergoing open heart surgery. In this observational pharmacokinetic study, multiple blood samples were drawn over a 48-h period of intravenous vancomycin in patients who were undergoing open heart surgery. Blood samples were analyzed using an Architect i4000SR immunoassay analyzer. Population pharmacokinetic models were developed using Monolix 4.4 software. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) simulations were performed to explore the ability of different dosage regimens to achieve the pharmacodynamic targets. A total of 168 blood samples were analyzed from 28 patients. The pharmacokinetics of vancomycin are best described by a two-compartment model with between-subject variability in clearance (CL), the volume of distribution of the central compartment (V1), and volume of distribution of the peripheral compartment (V2). The CL and the V1 of vancomycin were related to creatinine CL (CLCR), body weight, and albumin concentration. Dosing simulations showed that standard dosing regimens of 1 and 1.5 g failed to achieve the PK-PD target of AUC0-24/MIC > 400 for an MIC of 1 mg/liter, while high weight-based dosing regimens were able to achieve the PK-PD target. In summary, the administration of standard doses of 1 and 1.5 g of vancomycin two times daily provided inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing open heart surgery. The same findings were obtained when 15- and 20-mg/kg doses of vancomycin were administered. Achieving the PK-PD target required higher doses (25 and 30 mg/kg) of vancomycin.

PBPK Model of Morphine Incorporating Developmental Changes in Hepatic OCT1 and UGT2B7 Proteins to Explain the Variability in Clearances in Neonates and Small Infants.

Morphine has large pharmacokinetic variability, which is further complicated by developmental changes in neonates and small infants. The impacts of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) genotype and changes in blood‐flow on morphine clearance (CL) were previously demonstrated in children, whereas changes in UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) activity showed a small effect. This study, targeting neonates and small infants, was designed to assess the influence of developmental changes in OCT1 and UGT2B7 protein expression and modified blood‐flow on morphine CL using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. The implementation of these three age‐dependent factors into the pediatric system platform resulted in reasonable prediction for an age‐dependent increase in morphine CL in these populations. Sensitivity of morphine CL to changes in cardiac output increased with age up to 3 years, whereas sensitivity to changes in UGT2B7 activity decreased. This study suggests that morphine exhibits age‐dependent extraction, likely due to the developmental increase in OCT1 and UGT2B7 protein expression/activity and hepatic blood‐flow.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of CW002, an Investigational Intermediate Neuromuscular Blocking Agent, in Healthy Volunteers.

CW002 is an investigational nondepolarizing, neuromuscular blocking agent with a rapid onset and intermediate duration of action in animals. This is a single ascending dose, healthy subject study exploring tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and potency. Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models were developed using plasma drug concentration data from a previously published dose-response study in 28 healthy subjects receiving single doses of CW002 during sevoflurane anesthesia. Subjects included in the models were from five different dose cohorts (cohorts 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 receiving 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, and 0.14 mg/kg, respectively). Serial arterial plasma concentrations and muscle twitch heights were monitored. A four-compartment model was fit to the concentration-time data, whereas a transit compartment with a sigmoid Emax model was fit to the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data. The population pharmacokinetics of CW002 was linear with very low interindividual variability in clearance (10.8%). Simulations were conducted to predict the onset and offset of effect at 2×, 3×, and 4× ED95. The time to 80% block was predicted to be 1.5, 0.8, and 0.7 min for 2×, 3×, and 4× ED95 doses, respectively. The simulated 25 to 75% recovery index was independent of dose. CW002 has predictable pharmacokinetics and is likely to have a rapid onset with an intermediate duration of action at 3× ED95. This model provides information to inform critical decisions (e.g., dose, study design) for continued development of CW002.

Modeling Immunization To Infliximab in Children With Crohn's Disease Using Population Pharmacokinetics: A Pilot Study.

Antidrug antibodies (ADAs) dramatically increase infliximab clearance and are responsible for underexposure to the drug, leading to treatment failure. This pilot study aimed at developing a population pharmacokinetic model to detect and describe an early increase in infliximab clearance due to ADA. Twenty children with Crohn's disease (CD) were followed for 1 year or until treatment failure. Infliximab trough concentration, ADA, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) were recorded at each visit. A time-varying clearance population pharmacokinetic model was built to detect and describe an increase in infliximab clearance, independent from ADA testing. Factors associated with clearance variation and the relationships between infliximab concentrations, clearance variation, and clinical response were investigated. The model detected important increases in clearance in 4 patients. These patients had suboptimal early response, with higher mean PCDAI (P = 0.0086) and CRP (P = 0.028) compared with other patients. Two of them had detectable ADA. Clearance increase as described by the model and lower infliximab trough concentration at week 2 were associated with poorer outcomes in a multivariate Cox model (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0048, respectively). Being able to detect an increase in infliximab clearance, this model could allow the early detection of immunization to infliximab and therefore could help with dose adjustment in patients with CD. Moreover, the results suggest that clearance variations could be used as a predictive marker of clinical response. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger cohort, however, and predictive factors of clearance increase have to be investigated.

A catheter friction tester using balance sensor: Combined evaluation of the effects of mechanical properties of tubing materials and surface coatings.

In this study, we introduce a new experimental approach to characterize the forces emerging from simulated catherization. This setup allows for a linear translation of urinary catheters in vertical direction as controlled by an actuator. By employing silicone-based elastomer with a duct of comparable diameter with catheters as urethra model, sliding contacts during the translation of catheters along the duct is generated. A most unique design and operation feature of this setup is that a digital balance was employed as the sensor to detect emerging forces from simulated catherization. Moreover, the possibility to give a variation in environment (ambient air vs. water), clearance, elasticity, and curvature of silicone-based urethra model allows for the detection of forces arising from diverse simulated catherization conditions. Two types of commercially available catheters varying in tubing materials and surface coatings were tested together with their respective uncoated catheter tubing. The first set of testing on the catheter samples showed that this setup can probe the combined effect from flexural strain of bulk tubing materials and slipperiness of surface coatings, both of which are expected to affect the comfort and smooth gliding in clinical catherization. We argue that this new experimental setup can provide unique and valuable information in preclinical friction testing of urinary catheters.

Midazolam Single Time Point Concentrations to Estimate Exposure and Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A Constitutive Activity Utilizing Limited Sampling Strategy With a Population Pharmacokinetic Approach.

Midazolam is the preferred probe to phenotype cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A activity. This study evaluated a single-concentration, midazolam limited sampling strategy utilizing a population pharmacokinetic (PK) approach to estimate area under the curve, and thus CYP3A activity. Midazolam concentrations from adults during CYP3A constitutive conditions were obtained from previous studies after single, oral or intravenous administration. Population PK modeling was conducted by nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Potential covariates of clearance, volume of distribution, and bioavailability were evaluated. A limited sampling model at 1, 2, 4, or 6hours was selected and fitted with post hoc estimation with the final population PK model. Preset criterion for the limited sampling model selection was a coefficient of determination≥0.9. Bias and precision were also evaluated. The studies provided 2122 observations from 152 healthy adults. Midazolam concentrations were adequately described by a two-compartment model with first order absorption. Age and sex were significant covariates of central volume (V2 ) and were retained in the final model. An estimate (interindividual variability) of midazolam clearance was 32.5L/hr (52.9%), covariate of central volume was 67L (39.1%), and oral bioavailability was 0.33 (45.5%). The final population parameter estimates were within the 95% confidence intervals and were similar to the median bootstrap estimates. Upon comparison to the population PK model, the 4-hour limited sampling model estimated area under the curve had an acceptable coefficient of determination and acceptable bias and precision limits. A 4-hour, but not the 1-, 2-, and 6-hour, single concentration accurately estimated midazolam area under the curve during constitutive CYP3A conditions in healthy adults.

Effect of CYP2C19, UGT1A8, and UGT2B7 on valproic acid clearance in children with epilepsy: a population pharmacokinetic model.

Valproic acid (VPA) is an important drug in seizure control with great inter-individual differences in metabolism and treatment effect. This study aims to identify the effects of genetic variants on VPA clearance in a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model in children with epilepsy. A total of 325 VPA plasma concentrations from 290 children with epilepsy were used to develop the popPK model by using the nonlinear mixed-effects modeling method. The one-compartment model was established to describe the pharmacokinetics of VPA. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in the pharmacokinetics of VPA were identified by MassARRAY system and their effects on VPA clearance were evaluated. In the two final popPK models, inclusion of a combined genotype of four variants (rs1042597, rs28365062, rs4986893, and rs4244285), total daily dose (TDD), and body surface area (BSA) significantly reduced inter-individual variability for clearance over the base model. The inter-individual clearance equals to 0.73 × (TDD/628.92)0.59 × eUGT-CYP for TDD included model and 0.70 × (BSA/0.99)0.57 × eUGT-CYP for BSA included model. The precision of all parameters were acceptable (relative standard error < 32.81%). Bootstrap and visual predictive check results indicated that both two final popPK models were stable with acceptable predictive ability. TDD, BSA, and genotype might affect VPA clearance in children. The popPK models may be useful for dosing adjustment in children on VPA therapy.

Polymorphic Expression of UGT1A9 is Associated with Variable Acetaminophen Glucuronidation in Neonates: A Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacogenetic Study

Acetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic drug in children and neonates. A number of enzymes contribute to the metabolism of acetaminophen, and genetic factors might be important to explain variability in acetaminophen metabolism among individuals. The current investigation utilized a previously published parent-metabolite population pharmacokinetic model describing acetaminophen glucuronidation, sulfation, and oxidation to examine the potential role of genetic variability on the relevant metabolic pathways. Neonates were administered 30-min intravenous infusions of acetaminophen 15mg/kg every 12h (<28weeks' gestational age [GA]) or every 8h (≥28weeks GA) for 48h. A total of 18 sequence variations (SVs) in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), sulfotransferase (SULT), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes from 33 neonates (aged 1-26days) were examined in a stepwise manner for an effect on the metabolic formation clearance of acetaminophen by glucuronidation (UGT), sulfation (SULT), and oxidation (CYP). The stepwise covariate modeling procedure was performed using NONMEM® version 7.3. Incorporation of genotype as a covariate for one SV located in the UGT1A9 gene promoter region (rs3832043, - 118>insT, T9>T10) significantly improved model fit (likelihood ratio test, p<0.001) and reduced between-subject variability in glucuronide formation clearance. Individuals with the UGT1A9 T10 polymorphism, indicating insertion of an additional thymidine nucleotide, had a 42% reduction in clearance to APAP-glucuronide as compared to their wild-type counterparts. This study shows a pharmacogenetic effect of an SV in the UGT1A9 promoter region on the metabolism of acetaminophen in neonates.

Population pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin after intraperitoneal administration with hyperthermia in Wistar rats

BackgroundThe evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity of hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy presents some difficulties, due in part to the lack of information about the pharmacokinetic behavior of the drugs administered in this procedure. The aim of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal oxaliplatin in Wistar rats and to evaluate the effect of treatment-related covariates dose, instillation time and temperature on the pharmacokinetic parameters. MethodsOxaliplatin peritoneal and plasma concentrations from 37 rats treated by either intravenous or intraperitoneal oxaliplatin administrations under different instillation times, temperatures and doses were analyzed according to a population pharmacokinetic approach using the software NONMEM V7.3®. ResultsIntraperitoneal (n = 115) and plasma (n = 263) concentrations were successfully described according to a two-compartment model with first order absorption. No significant effect of dose, temperature and instillation time on pharmacokinetic parameters was found. However, an abrupt decrease in the elimination process was observed, reflected in the structural pharmacokinetic model through a modification in clearance. The typical parameters values and the interindividual variability (CV %) in clearance, central and peripheral volume of distribution were 3.25 mL/min (39.1%), 53.6 mL (37.8%) and 54.1 mL (77.3%), respectively. Clearance decreased to 0.151 mL/min (39.1%) when the instillation was still ongoing, at 31.4 min. One of the possible reasons behind the clearance decrease would be an alteration of renal function due to surgery and/or hyperthermia. ConclusionsThis study described the deterioration of the drug elimination process due to the procedure, and estimated the time at which this deterioration is most likely to occur. In addition, dose, instillation time and temperature had no influence in the PK parameters.

Implications of intercorrelation between hepatic CYP3A4-CYP2C8 enzymes for the evaluation of drug-drug interactions: a case study with repaglinide.

Statistically significant positive correlations are reported for the abundance of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes. We investigate, as an example, the impact of CYP3A4-CYP2C8 intercorrelation on the predicted interindividual variabilities of clearance and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) for repaglinide using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling. PBPK modelling and simulation were employed using Simcyp Simulator (v15.1). Virtual populations were generated assuming intercorrelations between hepatic CYP3A4-CYP2C8 abundances derived from observed values in 24 human livers. A repaglinide PBPK model was used to predict PK parameters in the presence and absence of gemfibrozil in virtual populations, and the results were compared with a clinical DDI study. Coefficient of variation (CV) of oral clearance was 52.5% in the absence of intercorrelation between CYP3A4-CYP2C8 abundances, which increased to 54.2% when incorporating intercorrelation. In contrast, CV for predicted DDI (as measured by AUC ratio before and after inhibition) was reduced from 46.0% in the absence of intercorrelation between enzymes to 43.8% when incorporating intercorrelation: these CVs were associated with 5th/95th percentiles (2.48-11.29 vs. 2.49-9.69). The range of predicted DDI was larger in the absence of intercorrelation (1.55-77.06) than when incorporating intercorrelation (1.79-25.15), which was closer to clinical observations (2.6-12). The present study demonstrates via a systematic investigation that population-based PBPK modelling incorporating intercorrelation led to more consistent estimation of extreme values than those observed in interindividual variabilities of clearance and DDI. As the intercorrelations more realistically reflect enzyme abundances, virtual population studies involving PBPK and DDI should avoid using Monte Carlo assignment of enzyme abundance.

Role of Hepatic Organic Anion Transporter 2 in the Pharmacokinetics of R- and S-Warfarin: In Vitro Studies and Mechanistic Evaluation.

Interindividual variability in warfarin dose requirement demands personalized medicine approaches to balance its therapeutic benefits (anticoagulation) and bleeding risk. Cytochrome P450 2C9 ( CYP2C9) genotype-guided warfarin dosing is recommended in the clinic, given the more potent S-warfarin is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9. However, only about 20-30% of interpatient variability in S-warfarin clearance is associated with CYP2C9 genotype. We evaluated the role of hepatic uptake in the clearance of R- and S-warfarin. Using stably transfected HEK293 cells, both enantiomers were found to be substrates of organic anion transporter (OAT)2 with a Michaelis-Menten constant ( Km) of ∼7-12 μM but did not show substrate affinity for other major hepatic uptake transporters. Uptake of both enantiomers by primary human hepatocytes was saturable ( Km ≈ 7-10 μM) and inhibitable by OAT2 inhibitors (e.g., ketoprofen) but not by OATP1B1/1B3 inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine). To further evaluate the potential role of hepatic uptake in R- and S-warfarin pharmacokinetics, mechanistic modeling and simulations were conducted. A "bottom-up" PBPK model, developed assuming that OAT2-CYPs interplay, well recovered clinical pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and CYP2C9 pharmacogenomics of R- and S-warfarin. Clinical data were not available to directly verify the impact of OAT2 modulation on warfarin pharmacokinetics; however, the bottom-up PBPK model simulations suggested a proportional change in clearance of both warfarin enantiomers with inhibition of OAT2 activity. These results suggest that variable hepatic OAT2 function, in conjunction with CYP2C, may contribute to the high population variability in warfarin pharmacokinetics and possibly anticoagulation end points and thus warrant further clinical investigation.

Should we consider steps with variable height for a safer stair negotiation in older adults?

Effects of exercise on foot clearances are important. In older adults variations in foot clearances during walking may lead to a fall, but there is a lack of information concerning stair negotiation in older adults. Whether a condition of post exercise changes foot clearances between steps of a staircase in older adults still unknown. To determine differences in clearances when older adults negotiate different steps of a staircase before and after a session of aerobic exercise. Kinematics data from 30 older adults were acquired and the toe and heel clearances were determined for each step. Clearances were compared between the steps. Smaller clearances were found at the highest step during ascending and descending, which was not changed by exercise. Smaller clearances suggest higher risk of tripping at the top of the staircase, regardless of exercise. A smaller step at the top of a short flight of stairs could reduce chances of tripping in older adults. It suggests that steps with variable height could make stair negotiation safer in older adults. This hypothesis should be tested in further studies.

Population pharmacokinetics of Rilpivirine in HIV-1-infected patients treated with the single-tablet regimen rilpivirine/tenofovir/emtricitabine.

Rilpivirine, prescribed for the treatment of HIV infection, presents an important inter-individual pharmacokinetic variability. We aimed to determine population pharmacokinetic parameters of rilpivirine in adult HIV-infected patients and quantify their inter-individual variability. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study in patients treated with the once-daily rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine regimen. As part of routine therapeutic drug monitoring, rilpivirine concentrations were measured by UPLC-MS/MS. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using NONMEM software. Once the compartmental and random effects models were selected, covariates were tested to explain the inter-individual variability in pharmacokinetic parameters. The final model qualification was performed by both statistical and graphical methods. We included 379 patients, resulting in the analysis of 779 rilpivirine plasma concentrations. Of the observed trough individual plasma concentrations, 24.4% were below the 50ng/ml minimal effective concentration. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption best described the data. The estimated fixed effect for plasma apparent clearance and distribution volume were 9L/h and 321L, respectively, resulting in a half-life of 25.2h. The common inter-individual variability for both parameters was 34.1% at both the first and the second occasions. The inter-individual variability of clearance was 30.3%. Our results showed a terminal half-life lower than reported and a high proportion of patients with suboptimal rilpivirine concentrations, which highlights the interest of using therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical practice. The population analysis performed with data from "real-life" conditions resulted in reliable post hoc estimates of pharmacokinetic parameters, suitable for individualization of dosing regimen.

13 REFINED POPULATION PHARMACOKINETIC MODEL FOR INFLIXIMAB PRECISION DOSING IN PEDIATRIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Standard weight-based infliximab (IFX) dosing for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results in long-term clinical remission in only 40–60% of patients. Patient and disease factors account for variability in IFX exposure. Achieving optimal IFX exposure as assessed by pre-dose trough levels is associated with improved outcomes. Clinical tools are needed to personalize IFX dosing in a dynamic fashion. The aim of this study was to refine the existing models for IFX pharmacokinetics in pediatric patients with IBD on maintenance therapy using real-practice data. The electronic medical record was queried for patients receiving IFX infusions at a pediatric medical center with diagnoses of IBD, Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis between January 2011 and March 2017. PK analysis with Nonlinear Mixed Effect Modeling using maintenance IFX trough levels assessed disease activity indices, laboratory values, and demographic data as covariates. The predictive performance of the final model was tested by ROC curve analysis. The 147 patients included: 55 (37%) female, 111 (76%) CD, mean 14.2 years old. Mean IFX clearance was in good agreement with previously reported values. Stepwise covariate modeling with backward elimination resulted in a final model including body weight, albumin, ESR, and ordinal antibodies (ATI) to IFX (<22, 22–200, 200–1000, >1000 ng/mL). Lower albumin and higher body weight, ESR, and ATI were associated with increased clearance. These covariates reduced inter-individual variability of clearance by 47% (Fig. 1). The model predicted an IFX level >5 ug/mL with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 77.4%, with AUC of 0.907 (95% CI: 0.886–0.937; Fig. 2). A population PK model including weight, albumin, ESR, and ATI categories accurately predicts IFX trough levels during maintenance therapy in pediatric IBD. The model will be prospectively evaluated as part of a Bayesian adaptive control strategy.

Effects of lighting illuminance levels on stair negotiation performance in individuals with visual impairment

BackgroundStair-related falls of older people cause a substantial financial and social burden. Deterioration of the visual system amongst other factors put older people at a high risk of falling. Improved lighting is often recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lighting illuminance on stair negotiation performance in older individuals with visual impairment. MethodsEleven participants aged 60 or over with a vision of 6/18 or worse ascended and descended a staircase under: 50 lx, 100 lx, 200 lx, 300 lx and distributed 200 lx lighting. A motion capture system was used to measure movements of the lower limb. Clearance, clearance variability, temporal and spatial parameters and joint/segment kinematics were computed. FindingsThere was no effect on clearance or clearance variability. Participants had lower speed, cadence, increased cycle time and stance time in the 50 lx compared to 300 lx and distributed 200 lx lighting in descent. The minimum hip angle in ascent was increased in the 200 lx lighting. Clearance was found to be moderately correlated with balance scores. InterpretationIndividuals with visual impairment adopt precautionary gait in dim lighting conditions. This does not always result in improvements in the parameters associated with risk of falling (e.g. clearance).