Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclosporine a in renal allograft recipients shows a quantitative relationship between immunosuppression and the occurrence of recurrent infections and malignancies.
TL;DR: Recurrent infectious complications and the degree of suppression of NFAT-regulated genes by CsA in transplanted patients are correlated with the frequency of recurrent infections and malignancies in patients with five or more years of follow-up posttransplantation.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: At present it is unclear which dose and consecutive blood levels of cyclosporine A (CsA) are optimal with respect to immunosuppressive efficacy and drug specific side effects at the level of individual patients. Several pharmacodynamic measures of CsA effects have been proposed, but have not become clinical routine yet. Besides the lack of practicability, the biological relevance of these assays has not been determined so far. METHODS: Residual expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)-regulated genes two hours after drug intake was used as molecular pharmacodynamic marker to assess CsA effects on lymphocytes and correlated with the frequency of recurrent infections and malignancies in patients with five or more years of follow-up posttransplantation. RESULTS: Recurrent infectious complications were observed in 44% and malignancies in 20% of the 133 patients studied. Patients with a strong suppression of NFAT-regulated genes by CsA--as judged by a residual level of transcription of less than 15% after drug intake--develop more frequent infections (53% vs. 29%; P = 0.005) and malignancies (22% vs. 4%; P = 0.002). The lack of correlation between the incidence of these complications and CsA blood concentration might point to the interindividual differences in the sensitivity towards calcineurin inhibition. CONCLUSION: The data presented here reveal a clear relation between the frequency of infectious and malignant complications and the degree of suppression of NFAT-regulated genes by CsA in transplanted patients. Therefore, pharmacodynamic monitoring of CsA efficacy in transplanted patients might be a useful tool to adjust immunosuppressive therapy in individual patients.
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University of Barcelona1, Erasmus University Rotterdam2, Oslo University Hospital3, Université catholique de Louvain4, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc5, Mayo Clinic6, French Institute of Health and Medical Research7, University of Limoges8, Synlab Group9, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center10, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center11, Charité12, Leipzig University13, University of Utah14, Medical University of Warsaw15, St George's Hospital16, Kyushu University17, Christian Medical College & Hospital18, Leiden University Medical Center19, Erasmus University Medical Center20, Heidelberg University21, University of Colorado Denver22
TL;DR: It is concluded that considerable advances in the different fields of tacrolimus monitoring have been achieved during this last decade, and the Expert Committee concludes that Continued efforts should focus on the opportunities to implement in clinical routine the combination of new standardized PK approaches with PG, and valid biomarkers to further personalize tacolimus therapy and to improve long-term outcomes for treated patients.
Abstract: Ten years ago, a consensus report on the optimization of tacrolimus was published in this journal. In 2017, the Immunosuppressive Drugs Scientific Committee of the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicity (IATDMCT) decided to issue an updated consensus report considering the most relevant advances in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacogenetics (PG), pharmacodynamics, and immunologic biomarkers, with the aim to provide analytical and drug-exposure recommendations to assist TDM professionals and clinicians to individualize tacrolimus TDM and treatment. The consensus is based on in-depth literature searches regarding each topic that is addressed in this document. Thirty-seven international experts in the field of TDM of tacrolimus as well as its PG and biomarkers contributed to the drafting of sections most relevant for their expertise. Whenever applicable, the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations were graded according to a published grading guide. After iterated editing, the final version of the complete document was approved by all authors. For each category of solid organ and stem cell transplantation, the current state of PK monitoring is discussed and the specific targets of tacrolimus trough concentrations (predose sample C0) are presented for subgroups of patients along with the grading of these recommendations. In addition, tacrolimus area under the concentration-time curve determination is proposed as the best TDM option early after transplantation, at the time of immunosuppression minimization, for special populations, and specific clinical situations. For indications other than transplantation, the potentially effective tacrolimus concentrations in systemic treatment are discussed without formal grading. The importance of consistency, calibration, proficiency testing, and the requirement for standardization and need for traceability and reference materials is highlighted. The status for alternative approaches for tacrolimus TDM is presented including dried blood spots, volumetric absorptive microsampling, and the development of intracellular measurements of tacrolimus. The association between CYP3A5 genotype and tacrolimus dose requirement is consistent (Grading A I). So far, pharmacodynamic and immunologic biomarkers have not entered routine monitoring, but determination of residual nuclear factor of activated T cells-regulated gene expression supports the identification of renal transplant recipients at risk of rejection, infections, and malignancy (B II). In addition, monitoring intracellular T-cell IFN-g production can help to identify kidney and liver transplant recipients at high risk of acute rejection (B II) and select good candidates for immunosuppression minimization (B II). Although cell-free DNA seems a promising biomarker of acute donor injury and to assess the minimally effective C0 of tacrolimus, multicenter prospective interventional studies are required to better evaluate its clinical utility in solid organ transplantation. Population PK models including CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 genotypes will be considered to guide initial tacrolimus dosing. Future studies should investigate the clinical benefit of time-to-event models to better evaluate biomarkers as predictive of personal response, the risk of rejection, and graft outcome. The Expert Committee concludes that considerable advances in the different fields of tacrolimus monitoring have been achieved during this last decade. Continued efforts should focus on the opportunities to implement in clinical routine the combination of new standardized PK approaches with PG, and valid biomarkers to further personalize tacrolimus therapy and to improve long-term outcomes for treated patients.
338 citations
TL;DR: The purpose of this article is to review the current understanding of CNI pharmacokinetics and its relevance to proper dosing and monitoring of these medications and discusses the effect of adjunctive immunosuppressive agents on CNI Pharmacokinetic and dosing.
Abstract: The calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) cyclosporine and tacrolimus remain the backbone of immunosuppression for most kidney transplant recipients. Despite many years of experience, protocols that optimize efficacy with minimal toxicity remain a subject of debate. Nevertheless, studies of the pharmacokinetic properties of the CNI, particularly cyclosporine, have led to improved dosing strategies. The purpose of this article is to review the current understanding of CNI pharmacokinetics and its relevance to proper dosing and monitoring of these medications. This article also reviews the trials that have helped to define the optimal dosages and discusses the effect of adjunctive immunosuppressive agents on CNI pharmacokinetics and dosing.
224 citations
Cites background from "Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..."
...A recent study measured expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells–regulated genes and found a close relationship between the degree of gene suppression and the incidence of infections and malignancies (108)....
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TL;DR: New insights for the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine and tacrolimus and the antimetabolite mycophenolic acid (MPA) are highlighted and the possible consequences are discussed.
Abstract: Although therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of immunosuppressive drugs has been an integral part of routine clinical practice in solid organ transplantation for many years, ongoing research in the field of immunosuppressive drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical TDM keeps yielding new insights that might have future clinical implications. In this review, the authors will highlight some of these new insights for the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine and tacrolimus and the antimetabolite mycophenolic acid (MPA) and will discuss the possible consequences. For CNIs, important relevant lessons for TDM can be learned from the results of 2 recently published large CNI minimization trials. Furthermore, because acute rejection and drug-related adverse events do occur despite routine application of CNI TDM, alternative approaches to better predict the dose-concentration-response relationship in the individual patient are being explored. Monitoring of CNI concentrations in lymphocytes and other tissues, determination of CNI metabolites, and CNI pharmacogenetics and pharmacodynamics are in their infancy but have the potential to become useful additions to conventional CNI TDM. Although MPA is usually administered at a fixed dose, there is a rationale for MPA TDM, and this is substantiated by the increasing knowledge of the many nongenetic and genetic factors contributing to the interindividual and intraindividual variability in MPA pharmacokinetics. However, recent, large, randomized clinical trials investigating the clinical utility of MPA TDM have reported conflicting data. Therefore, alternative pharmacokinetic (ie, MPA free fraction and metabolites) and pharmacodynamic approaches to better predict drug efficacy and toxicity are being explored. Finally, for MPA and tacrolimus, novel formulations have become available. For MPA, the differences in pharmacokinetic behavior between the old and the novel formulation will have implications for TDM, whereas for tacrolimus, this probably will not to be the case.
144 citations
TL;DR: A group of experts has made recommendations for the most appropriate analysis of a proposed panel of preliminary biomarkers, most of which are currently under clinical evaluation in ongoing multicentre clinical trials.
Abstract: With current treatment regimens, a relatively high proportion of transplant recipients experience underimmunosuppression or overimmunosuppression. Recently, several promising biomarkers have been identified for determining patient alloreactivity, which help in assessing the risk of rejection and personal response to the drug; others correlate with graft dysfunction and clinical outcome, offering a realistic opportunity for personalized immunosuppression. This consensus document aims to help tailor immunosuppression to the needs of the individual patient. It examines current knowledge on biomarkers associated with patient risk stratification and immunosuppression requirements that have been generally accepted as promising. It is based on a comprehensive review of the literature and the expert opinion of the Biomarker Working Group of the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology. The quality of evidence was systematically weighted, and the strength of recommendations was rated according to the GRADE system. Three types of biomarkers are discussed: (1) those associated with the risk of rejection (alloreactivity/tolerance), (2) those reflecting individual response to immunosuppressants, and (3) those associated with graft dysfunction. Analytical aspects of biomarker measurement and novel pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models accessible to the transplant community are also addressed. Conventional pharmacokinetic biomarkers may be used in combination with those discussed in this article to achieve better outcomes and improve long-term graft survival. Our group of experts has made recommendations for the most appropriate analysis of a proposed panel of preliminary biomarkers, most of which are currently under clinical evaluation in ongoing multicentre clinical trials. A section of Next Steps was also included, in which the Expert Committee is committed to sharing this knowledge with the Transplant Community in the form of triennial updates.
81 citations
Cites background from "Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..."
...Although interpatient variability is high, intraindividual variability is low in patients on stable CNI doses.(97) Establishment of this PD Brunet et al Ther Drug Monit Volume 38, Number 2S, April 2016...
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TL;DR: Cylex ImmuKnow assay monitoring has the potential to identify the patients atrisk of developing infection and those colonized with fungus that are at risk of developing disease.
Abstract: Background. Lung transplants, in particular, have the highest rate of infections among solid organ transplant recipients. However, there is no existing objective measure to predict the development of infections. We report the correlation between Cylex ImmuKnow (ng/mL ATP) values and various infectious syndromes in a large prospective cohort of lung transplant recipients. Methods. We followed up 175 lung transplants that developed 129 infectious episodes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed; generalized estimating equations were used to determine the odds ratio for infections. Results. The median ImmuKnow values in cytomegalovirus disease (49.3 ng/mL ATP), viral infection (70 ng/mL ATP), and bacterial pneumonia (92 ng/mL ATP) were significantly different from stable state (174.8 ng/mL ATP). The median ImmuKnow values of fungal disease (85 ng/mL ATP) and tracheobronchitis (123 ng/mL ATP) had a tendency to be lower than stable state (P=0.10), whereas patients with fungal colonization had comparable ImmunKnow values (167 vs. 174.8 ng/mL ATP). Of the patients colonized with fungus who subsequently developed fungal disease within 100 days, the median value of ImmuKnow was significantly lower than in those who did not develop fungal disease (22.5 vs. 183.5 ng/mL ATP; P<0.0001). Generalized estimating equation regression analysis showed ImmuKnow values less than or equal to 100 ng/mL ATP to be an independent predictor of infections (odds ratio 2.81). Conclusions. Cylex ImmuKnow assay monitoring has the potential to identify the patients at risk of developing infection and those colonized with fungus that are at risk of developing disease.
75 citations
Cites result from "Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..."
...Immunosuppressive drug levels commonly used to determine the net state of immunosuppression has yielded conflicting results (14, 15)....
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References
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TL;DR: Quantitative measurement of the inhibition of NFAT-regulated gene expression 2 hr after CsA intake represents a novel approach to assess the biologic effectiveness of Cs a therapy and has the potential to enable individualized immunosuppressive regimens.
Abstract: Background. With the introduction of cyclosporine A (CsA), long-term allograft function has significantly improved. Problems related to limited therapeutic margins and CsA toxicity remain unsolved. Until now there have been no reliable, practical markers to measure the biologic activity of CsA in vivo. Methods. Expression of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells)-regulated genes (interleukin 2, interferon-, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) in phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycinstimulated peripheral blood from healthy volunteers (n34) and from stable renal (n25), cardiac (n26), and liver (n14) transplant recipients receiving CsA therapy was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction before and 2 hr after drug intake. Gene expression and CsA plasma levels were correlated. Results. Two hours after oral CsA ingestion, the mean suppression of induced interleukin 2, interferon-, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene expression was 85%. The individual decline of NFAT-regulated gene expression and the total drug exposure at this time point were closely related. Six hours after oral CsA uptake, gene expression levels reached predose values and subsequently increased further in some patients (rebound effect). Conclusion. Quantitative measurement of the inhibition of NFAT-regulated gene expression 2 hr after CsA intake represents a novel approach to assess the biologic effectiveness of CsA therapy and has the potential to enable individualized immunosuppressive regimens. Cyclosporine A (CsA) has improved patient and organ graft survival, but the issue of benefit and toxicity remains unsolved (1–3). CsA treatment is still monitored according to CsA predose
90 citations
"Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..." refers background or methods in this paper
...The NFAT-regulated genes IL-2, IFN- , and GM-CSF have been identified as suitable genes for this assay in our previous study (14, 15)....
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...Recently we described a reliable, precise, and robust whole blood assay based on the measurement of the expression of three NFAT-regulated genes (IL-2, interferon [IFN]- , and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin stimulated lymphocytes before and 2 hr after CsA intake (14, 15)....
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...The assay is based of the quantitative analysis of IL-2, IFN- , and GM-CSF gene expression in PMA/ionomycin stimulated lymphocytes in whole blood samples of renal transplant recipients at CsA trough levels and two hr after oral uptake of CsA (14, 15)....
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TL;DR: Each cyclosporine dose produces rapid and widespread inhibition of calcineurin in tissues, with differences in total susceptibility of each tissue.
72 citations
"Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..." refers background in this paper
...Several approaches have been undertaken to measure the biological consequences of CsA-based immunosuppression (10)....
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...In humans, peak CsA blood levels at one to two hours after oral CsA uptake resulted in a 70 to 96% inhibition of calcineurin, which was rapidly reversed when CsA blood levels came down to the trough levels (10, 11)....
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TL;DR: Two‐hour post dose cyclosporin level is a better predictor than trough level of acute rejection of renal allografts of kidney rejection in Simulect US01 Study Group.
Abstract: Cyclosporine (CyA) trough concentrations are poor predictors for acute rejection post-transplant. Patients were part of a randomized trial of basiliximab (n=70) vs. anti-thymocyte globulin (ATGAM) (n=65), both in combination with Neoral, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids, undergoing first or second, cadaveric or live donor renal transplants. Whole blood samples were collected just before (C0) and at 2 h after CyA dosing on day 4 and at the end of weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8. The CyA was measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (TDx). Mean CyA C0 and C2 concentrations were calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed that mean C2 level was the only predictor of acute rejection (P < or = 0.001). Higher mean C2 levels predicted lower rejection probabilities. Linear regression analysis revealed that higher mean C2 levels were not related to higher serum creatinine levels at either week 4 or 24 or to incidence of headache or tremor. The CyA C2 levels predict the frequency of rejection postrenal transplant. Target C2 levels are in the range of 1500 ng/dL.
59 citations
"Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..." refers background in this paper
...For example, CsA trough levels poorly correlate with the frequency of acute rejection episodes (5)....
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TL;DR: A delayed increase in cytokine mRNA expression during T-cell costimulation may represent a sensitive effect of immunosuppression and the parameter "area of cytokineRNA expression over time", which should include absolute cytokine RNA values at two different time points of mRNA kinetics is suggested.
Abstract: Background: Because cyclosporin A (CsA) and glucocorticoids inhibit the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and other cytokines, quantitative analysis of cytokine mRNA might constitute a pharmacodynamic measure for immunosuppressive drug effects. We investigated whether immunosuppressive drugs influence cytokine mRNA expression kinetics during T-cell costimulation.
Methods: We used a human whole blood assay to determine basal (unstimulated) IL-2, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA concentrations and expression kinetics after anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody costimulation in kidney transplant recipients undergoing CsA-based immunosuppressive triple therapy and in healthy controls (ex vivo study I). The effect of CsA on IL-2 mRNA expression kinetics was also determined ex vivo in patients undergoing CsA monotherapy (ex vivo study II) and after in vitro addition of CsA.
Results: In ex vivo study I, basal TNF-α mRNA but not IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA was decreased in kidney transplant patients. We observed shifts in peak IL-2 and IL-4 (from 8 to 24 h) and TNF-α (from 4 to 8 h of costimulation) mRNA expression in kidney transplant patients after T-cell costimulation. In patients undergoing CsA monotherapy (ex vivo study II), the inhibitory effect of CsA was detectable as an individually delayed increase in IL-2 mRNA during costimulation. In vitro addition of CsA also induced a dose-independent displacement of IL-2 mRNA expression kinetics (i.e., a delay).
Conclusions: A delayed increase in cytokine mRNA expression during T-cell costimulation may represent a sensitive effect of immunosuppression. The single analysis of one absolute or peak mRNA value could be misleading. For prospective studies involving measurement of cytokine mRNA, we therefore suggest the parameter “area of cytokine mRNA expression over time”, which should include absolute cytokine mRNA values at two different time points of mRNA kinetics.
56 citations
"Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..." refers methods in this paper
...described an assay based on differential gene expression kinetics in CD3/ CD28 stimulated lymphocytes (13)....
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TL;DR: Calcineurin activity is significantly suppressed by in vivo administration of CsA, and data suggest that if inhibition of calcineur in is the only physiologic target of C sA administration, simply increasing doses of CSA or treatment with other inhibitors of calcinesurin would not be expected to ameliorate GVHD.
54 citations
"Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cyclo..." refers background in this paper
...(17) that a lower calcineurin activity resulted in a higher rate of graft versus host disease in bone marrow recipients....
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