Unaltered etanercept pharmacokinetics with concurrent methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of concurrent weekly oral methotrexate administration on the pharmacokinetics of etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a phase 3B trial. As part of a double-blind randomized trial of 682 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received etanercept (25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly), methotrexate (weekly oral dose, median weekly dose: 20 mg), or etanercept (25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly) plus methotrexate (weekly oral dose, median weekly dose: 20 mg), serum etanercept concentrations were measured in a subset of patients. Serum samples for 98 randomly selected patients (48 receiving etanercept-alone treatment, 50 receiving etanercept plus methotrexate combination treatment) were analyzed to assess the pharmacokinetics of etanercept. A single blood sample was drawn from each patient at baseline and at the week 24 visit. Given the variable sampling time for patients in both groups, a population pharmacokinetic analysis using NONMEM was conducted for etanercept. A final covariate population pharmacokinetic model was constructed based on previously obtained etanercept data from both healthy subjects (n = 53) and patients with RA (n = 212) in 10 prior clinical trials. The predictive performance of the final model was assessed by both bootstrap and data-splitting validation approaches. The final model was then used to estimate Bayesian pharmacokinetic parameters for the patients in both treatments in the current trial. The potential effect of the concurrent administration of methotrexate on the pharmacokinetics of etanercept was examined by comparing the clearance values between 2 treatments using statistical criteria. A population 2-compartment model with first-order elimination from the central compartment and with either zero-order (intravenous administration) or first-order (subcutaneous administration) input was selected based on the data from the prior 10 etanercept clinical studies. The following pharmacokinetic parameters (typical value +/- standard error) were estimated: clearance (CL: 0.072 +/- 0.005 L/h), volume of distribution in the central compartment (V(c): 5.97 +/- 0.45 L), volume of distribution in the peripheral compartment (V(p): 2.05 +/- 0.32 L), intercompartment clearance (Q: 0.0645 +/- 0.0093 L/h), first-order absorption rate constant (k(a): 0.0282 +/- 0.0039 1/h), and absolute bioavailability for subcutaneous administration (F: 0.626 +/- 0.056). Interindividual variability of the pharmacokinetic parameters was quantified for CL (25.1%), V(c) (41.7%), k(a) (53.1%), and F (24.2%). Residual variability consisted of combined additive (11.4 ng/mL) and proportional error (49.9%). Both age (< 17 years) and body weight (< 60 kg) were found to be important covariates on CL. The results of both validation tests indicated the adequate predictive performance of the population model. Based on the bioequivalence criteria, the Bayesian-estimated clearance for patients receiving etanercept alone (mean: 0.070 L/h) was comparable to that for patients receiving a combination of etanercept and methotrexate (mean = 0.066 L/h). The pharmacokinetics of etanercept were not altered by the concurrent administration of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, no etanercept dose adjustment is needed for patients taking concurrent methotrexate.     

茶碱在老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者中的群体药动学

目的：建立茶碱在老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者中的群体药动学（PPK）模型,并获取药动学参数,为临床制定个体化给药方案提供参考。方法：收集2014年4—12月某院诊断为慢性阻塞性肺疾病应用茶碱治疗的68例老年患者的血药浓度监测数据及临床资料,运用非线性混合效应模型法（NONMEN）定量分析性别、年龄、体质量及肝肾功能等因素对药动学参数的影响,最终建立PPK模型。采用拟合优度、自举法和可视化检验对最终模型的性能进行内部验证。结果：茶碱的药动学符合一室模型,最终模型公式为：CL=θ_CL×（WT/63）^θWT×exp（η_CL）,V=θ_V×exp（η_V）,其中的协变量为体质量,模型CL和V的群体典型值分别为0.849 L·h^-1,13.7 L。拟合优度、自举法和可视化检验的评价结果表明最终模型稳定,预测结果可靠。结论：建立的PPK模型能较好地描述茶碱在老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者中的药动学特点,患者体质量对参数CL有显著性影响。     

Population pharmacokinetics of weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced cancer

AIMS: Previous pharmacokinetic studies of the 3-weekly regimen (100 mg m(-2) every 3 weeks) of docetaxel have shown that docetaxel clearance is affected by liver function, body surface area, age, serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity. However, the pharmacokinetics of a weekly docetaxel (40 mg m(-2) week(-1)) schedule are not well characterized. The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel (40 mg m(-2) week(-1)) using sparse concentration-time data collected from patients with advanced cancer and (b) to utilize a population pharmacokinetic approach to identify patient covariates that significantly influence the clearance of docetaxel when administered according to this regimen. METHODS: A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used to describe the docetaxel concentration-time data from 54 patients with advanced cancer. The mean population and individual posterior Bayesian estimates of docetaxel clearance were estimated using P-PHARM. The relationships between docetaxel clearance and 21 covariates were investigated. This included estimates of CYP3A4 function in each patient using the erythromycin breath test (1/tmax). Significant covariates were included into the final population pharmacokinetic model. Pharmacokinetic models were validated using a data splitting approach with a dataset consisting of 16 patients. RESULTS: Significant relationships were found between docetaxel clearance and 1/tmax (erythromycin breath test parameter) and several of the liver function enzymes and CL was best described by the equation; CL = 21.51 + 217 (1/tmax) - 0.13 (ALT). This final population pharmacokinetic model provided both precise and unbiased predictions of docetaxel concentrations in a validation group of patients and an estimate of the population mean (95% confidence interval) clearance of docetaxel was 30.13 l h(-1) (12.54, 46.04 l h(-1)) with an intersubject variability 30%. CONCLUSIONS: A population pharmacokinetic model has been developed and validated for weekly docetaxel (40 mg m(-2)) in patients with advanced cancer. These results indicate that CYP3A4 activity and hepatic function have an impact on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel when administered weekly.     

Population pharmacokinetics of raltitrexed in patients with advanced solid tumours

AIMS: To investigate the population pharmacokinetics of raltitrexed in patients with advanced solid tumours and to identify patient covariates contributing to the interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetics of raltitrexed. METHODS: Patient covariate and concentration-time data were collected from patients receiving 0.1-4.5 mg m(-2) raltitrexed during the early clinical trials of raltitrexed. Data were fitted using nonlinear mixed effects modelling to generate population mean estimates for clearance (CL) and central volume of distribution (V). The relationship between individual estimates of the pharmacokinetic parameters and patient covariates was examined and the influence of significant covariates on the population parameter estimates and their variance was investigated using stepwise multiple linear regression. The performance of the developed model was tested using an independent validation dataset. All patient data were pooled in the total cohort to refine the population pharmacokinetic model for raltitrexed. RESULTS: three-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used to fit the concentration-time data of raltitrexed. Estimated creatinine clearance (CL(CR)) was found to influence significantly the CL of raltitrexed and explained 35% of variability in this parameter, whilst body weight (WT) and serum albumin concentrations (ALB) accounted for 56% of the variability in V. Satisfactory prediction (mean prediction error 0.17 micro g l(-1) and root mean square prediction error 4.99 micro g l(-1)) of the observed raltitrexed concentrations was obtained in the model validation step. The final population mean estimates were 2.17 l h(-1)[95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06, 2.28] and 6.36 l (95% CI 6.02, 6.70) for CL and V, respectively. Interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetic parameters was reduced (CL 28%, V 25%) when influential covariates were included in the final model. The following covariate relationships with raltitrexed parameters were described by the final population model: CL (l h(-1)) = 0.54 + 0.02 CL(CR) (ml min(-1)) and V (l) = 6.64 + 0.08 WT (kg) - 0.16 ALB (g l(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: A population pharmacokinetic model has been developed for raltitrexed in patients with advanced cancer. Pharmacokinetic parameters of raltitrexed are markedly influenced by the patient's renal function, body weight and serum albumin levels, which may be taken into account in dose individualization. The use of influential covariates to guide anticancer dosage selection may result in less variability in drug exposure and potentially a better clinical outcome.     

多黏菌素B在重症感染患者中的群体药动学研究

目的 建立多黏菌素B在重症感染患者中的群体药动学模型,为个体化给药提供科学依据。方法 检索PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、CNKI数据库中关于静脉滴注多黏菌素B的药动学文献,提取多黏菌素B在重症感染患者中的药动学数据,使用Monolix软件建立多黏菌素B的群体药动学模型,并对模型进行图形评价和Bootstrap法验证。结果 多黏菌素B在重症感染患者中的药动学特性符合房室模型,多黏菌素B的清除率（CL）、中央室表观分布容积（V1）、周边室表观分布容积（V2）、隔间清除率（Q）的群体典型值分别为4.36 L/h、16.19 L、35.14 L、0.4 L/h,患者的年龄对模型参数Q有显著影响,模型评价表明模型稳定,且有较好的预测效能。结论 本研究建立了重症感染患者多黏菌素B的群体药动学模型,可为多黏菌素B在成年重症感染患者中的个体化用药提供参考。     

Population pharmacokinetics of duloxetine in Japanese pediatric patients with major depressive disorder

The objectives of this analysis were to characterize the pharmacokinetics of duloxetine in Japanese pediatric patients aged 9–17 years with major depressive disorder (MDD) and to explore potential intrinsic factors affecting its pharmacokinetics. A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed with plasma steady-state duloxetine concentrations from Japanese pediatric patients with MDD in an open-label long-term extension trial in Japan (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03395353). Duloxetine pharmacokinetics in Japanese pediatric patients was well described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. The population mean estimates of CL/F and V/F of duloxetine were 81.4 L/h and 1170 L, respectively. Patient intrinsic factors were assessed for their potential influence on duloxetine apparent clearance (CL/F). Only sex was identified as a statistically significant covariate of duloxetine CL/F. Duloxetine pharmacokinetic parameters and model-predicted duloxetine concentrations at steady state in the Japanese pediatric population were compared with those in Japanese adults. The mean duloxetine CL/F in pediatrics is slightly higher than adults, it is, however, expected that comparable steady-state duloxetine exposure in pediatric patients can be achieved with the approved dose regimen for adults. The population PK model provides useful information to understand the pharmacokinetic characteristics of duloxetine for Japanese pediatric patients with MDD.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT03395353     

Population pharmacokinetics of enfuvirtide in HIV-1-infected pediatric patients over 48 weeks of treatment

The objective of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of enfuvirtide in HIV-1-infected children and adolescents. HIV-infected patients received combination antiretroviral therapy, including enfuvirtide 2.0 mg/kg subcutaneously, twice daily. Serial and trough blood samples were collected up to 48 weeks. NONMEM was used for population pharmacokinetic analysis. Enfuvirtide exposure was calculated from individual parameter estimates derived from the final model. A total of 218 samples from 43 patients were included in the analysis. Enfuvirtide plasma concentration-time data were described by a 1-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination. The addition of each subject's actual body weight as a covariate affected CL/F but not V/F or K(a). The population CL/F, V/F, and K(a) for a 33-kg reference patient was 1.31 L/h, 2.31 L, and 0.105 h(-1), respectively. The final model was CL/F (L/h) = 1.31 . (body weight/33 [kg])(0.721). Age did not affect enfuvirtide exposure. These results confirm the appropriateness of body weight-based pediatric enfuvirtide dosing.     

Population pharmacokinetics of infliximab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The population pharmacokinetics of infliximab were characterized in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (n = 274). Serum infliximab concentration data, from a 2-year period, were analyzed using NONMEM. A 2-compartment linear pharmacokinetic model was chosen to describe the pharmacokinetic characteristics of infliximab in serum. Population estimates (typical value +/- standard error) were obtained from the final covariate model: clearance (CL: 0.273 +/- 0.007 L/day), volume of distribution in the central compartment (V(1): 3.06 +/- 0.057 L), intercompartment clearance (Q: 1.72 +/- 0.48 L/day), and volume of distribution in the peripheral compartment (V(2): 2.94 +/- 0.17 L). Interindividual variability for CL and V(1) was 34.1% and 17.5%, respectively. White blood cell count at baseline and the antibody-to-infliximab status were significant covariates to CL; body surface area and sex were significant covariates to V(1). The CL for patients with a positive antibody-to-infliximab status was estimated to be 41.9% to 76.7% higher than for the remaining patients. Other covariates (baseline disease activity and the concomitant medication use of prednisolone, omeprazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or analgesics) did not affect infliximab pharmacokinetics. The development of antibodies to infliximab was associated with accelerated infliximab clearance and may represent a potential underlying mechanism for an inadequate response, or loss of response, to infliximab treatment.     

Population pharmacokinetics of high-dose methotrexate in Chinese pediatric patients with medulloblastoma

Methotrexate (MTX) pharmacokinetics has substantial inter-individual variability and toxicity. In children with medulloblastoma treated with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), the pharmacokinetic properties of methotrexate have not been established. A total of 660 serum samples from 105 pediatric patients with medulloblastoma were included in a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) analysis of methotrexate by using the nonlinear mixed-effects modeling method. The basic one-compartment population pharmacokinetic model was established by NONMEM software and the first-order conditional estimation (FOCE) method, and the final covariate model was obtained by the stepwise regression method. Weight (WT), creatinine clearance (CrCL), and whether the treatment was combined with dexamethasone (DEX) were covariates that had significant effects on the clearance rate (CL) of the model. The pharmacokinetic equation of CL in the final covariate model was as follows: CL_i = 9.23× (1 + 0.0005× (θ_CrCL-105.78)) × (1 + 0.0017× (θ_WT-16)) × e^ηcl,i (L/h), IF (θ_DEX) CL_i = 1.19× CL_i (L/h). The estimation accuracy of all pharmacokinetic parameters were acceptable (relative standard error < 14.74%). The goodness-of-fit diagram and bootstrap tests indicated that the final PPK model was stable with acceptable predictive ability. The PPK model may be useful for determining personalized medication levels in pediatric medulloblastoma patients undergoing HD-MTX therapy.     

Population pharmacokinetics of darbepoetin alfa in peritoneal dialysis and non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease after single subcutaneous administration

Objective  To characterize the pharmacokinetics of darbepoetin alfa and covariate relationships in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients after a single subcutaneous administration. Methods  A total of 989 serum concentration recordings from 64 patients were analyzed using NONMEM with a model including endogenous erythropoietin production. The basic and final models were evaluated for stability using bootstrapping. Results  The selected basic model had one-compartment with a combination of the additive and constant coefficient of variation error models for residual variability. The significant covariate was weight for apparent clearance (CL/f) and apparent volume of central compartment (V₁/f). The typical values of CL/f, V₁/f, and absorption rate constant were 0.158 l/h, 13.7 l, and 0.0376/h, respectively. Evaluation by bootstrapping showed that the final model was stable. Conclusion  The present analysis indicated that weight is a significant covariate for CL/f and V₁/f. However, dosage adjustment according to weight is not necessary for subcutaneous administration of darbepoetin alfa in CKD patients.     

Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Subcutaneously Administered Etanercept in Patients with Psoriasis

The objective of this paper is to present a population PK model which adequately describes the time–concentration profiles of different doses of etanercept (Enbrel^®) administered subcutaneously to subjects with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and to simulate the time courses of concentrations following 50 mg once weekly (QW) dosing. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data from three clinical studies with doses 25 mg QW, 25 mg twice weekly (BIW) and 50 mg BIW, were used. A one-compartment model with gender, weight and time covariates on the apparent clearance and weight covariate on the apparent volume of distribution was developed. The population mean of the apparent steady state clearance in males was 0.129 l/h, compared to 0.148 l/h in females. The clearance varied with time being lower in the first 2 weeks of the therapy, increasing sharply during weeks 3–4, and converging gradually after that to its steady state level. The population mean of the apparent volume of distribution also varied with time and was 16.1 l during week 1, 20.0 l during weeks 2–4 and 22.5 l after week 4. The population PK model adequately described the observed concentration–time profiles in subjects with psoriasis. Despite a somewhat different covariate set, the parameter estimates of the population PK model for etanercept are very similar between the psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis populations. The population PK model was used to simulate the pharmacokinetic profiles after a novel 50 mg QW dosing regimen. The simulations show good agreement with the observed data from 84 subjects participating in a fourth study (50 mg QW dose) used as an external validation set. The simulations of the 50 mg QW and the 25 mg BIW dosing regimens show that there is a significant overlap between the profiles yielding similar steady state exposures with both dosing regimens. The latter is an indication that the respective efficacy and safety profiles after those two dosing regimens are likely to be similar.     

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of mycophenolic acid in renal transplant recipients following oral administration of mycophenolate mofetil

AIM: To develop a population pharmacokinetic model for mycophenolic acid in adult kidney transplant recipients, quantifying average population pharmacokinetic parameter values, and between- and within-subject variability and to evaluate the influence of covariates on the pharmacokinetic variability. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic data for mycophenolic acid and covariate information were previously available from 22 patients who underwent kidney transplantation at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. All patients received mycophenolate mofetil 1 g orally twice daily. A total of 557 concentration-time points were available. Data were analysed using the first-order method in NONMEM (version 5 level 1.1) using the G77 FORTRAN compiler. RESULTS: The best base model was a two-compartment model with a lag time (apparent oral clearance was 27 l h(-1), and apparent volume of the central compartment 98 l). There was visual evidence of complex absorption and time-dependent clearance processes, but they could not be successfully modelled in this study. Weight was investigated as a covariate, but no significant relationship was determined. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity in determining the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid is currently underestimated. More complex pharmacokinetic models, though not supported by the limited data collected for this study, may prove useful in the future. The large between-subject and between-occasion variability and the possibility of nonlinear processes associated with the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid raise questions about the value of the use of therapeutic monitoring and limited sampling strategies.     

应用非线性混合效应模型法考察儿童疾病因素对环孢素药动学的影响

目的:考察疾病因素对于环孢素A(CsA)在儿童体内药动学的影响,促进个体化用药。方法:收集150例包括再生障碍性贫血(AA)、嗜血细胞综合征(HPS)和难治性肾病综合征(RNS)不同病种患儿的CsA血药浓度数据和临床资料。采用非线性混合效应模型法考察疾病种类因素对于CsA药动学的影响。采用Bayesian最大后验概率法获取并比较CsA在不同病种患者中药动学参数的差异。用拟合优度(goodness-of-fit)、自举法(bootstrap)、直观预测检验法(VPC)、正态化预测分布误差(NPDE)对最终模型的预测性能进行验证。结果:最终模型药动学参数的群体典型值分别为:吸收速率常数(k_a)1.22 h^-1,吸收时滞时间(T_lag)0.45 h,表观分布容积(V_d)218.18 L,口服清除率(CL)14.45 L·h^-1。拟合优度、自举验证、VPC和NPDE结果表明最终模型稳定,预测结果可靠。模型结构显示只有患者的体质量和AST值是影响CsA清除率的显著性因素。CsA在AA、HPS和RNS患者中的药动学参数差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:本研究成功获取了CsA在儿童AA、HPS和RNS患者中的药动学参数,上述疾病因素不会显著影响CsA在儿童体内的药动学过程。     

Population pharmacokinetic and exposure-response analyses of guanfacine in Japanese pediatric ADHD patients

Guanfacine hydrochloride extended-release tablet (GXR) is approved for child and adolescent patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aims of this study were to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of guanfacine after administration of GXR and to evaluate factors influencing the pharmacokinetics of guanfacine in pediatric ADHD patients. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using 3231 plasma concentration data items of guanfacine for pediatric ADHD patients aged 6–17 years obtained from clinical studies in Japan and the US. In addition, the relationship of the ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD RS-IV, efficacy endpoint) total score with exposure to guanfacine was assessed for Japanese pediatric ADHD patients. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and lag time well described the plasma concentration data of guanfacine in pediatric ADHD patients. Body weight was selected as a covariate of apparent total body clearance and apparent volume of distribution. There was no pharmacokinetic difference between Japanese and non-Japanese pediatric ADHD patients. The results suggested a tendency of exposure-dependent reduction in the ADHD RS-IV total score, whereas the reduction was observed even at low plasma exposure levels compared with the placebo group.     

Population pharmacokinetics of flucytosine: comparison and validation of three models using STS, NPEM, and NONMEM

The objective of this study is to compare and validate three models of flucytosine (5-FC) population pharmacokinetics using three methods of analysis to elucidate which model describes 5-FC pharmacokinetics most accurately and which method is the most suitable for this purpose. Retrospectively, demographic and clinical data of two similar sets of a total of 88 intensive care unit (ICU) patients were gathered for calculation and validation of 5-FC pharmacokinetics respectively. Three pharmacokinetic models were analyzed: a one-compartment with renal elimination (renal model), a one-compartment with renal and metabolic elimination (mixed model), and a two-compartment with renal elimination (two-compartment model). Population pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using the standard two-stage method (STS), NONMEM, and NPEM. Furthermore, a covariate model was built by NONMEM. Validation of the 10 calculated pharmacokinetic models showed that NONMEM is most suitable for predicting 5-FC population pharmacokinetics. Based upon AIC values, bias and precision, the best results are obtained using a two-compartment model with renal elimination (k(elr) = 0.000858 +/- 0.000143 l/h per mL per min, k12 = 0.0313 +/- 0.0168 h(-1), k21 = 0.0353 +/- 0.0145 h(-1), and Vd = 0.541 +/- 0.084 L/kg; bias = -13.16; 95% CI = -16.77; -9.55; precision = 30.50; 95% CI = 27.47; 33.26) or a two-compartment covariate model as built by NONMEM [Vd (L) = 0.572 x WT, Cl(5FC) (L/h) = 1.69 + 0.0273 x (Cl(cr) (mL/min) - 52.5), k12 = 0.0235 +/- 0.0107 h(-1), and k21 = 0.0375 +/- 0.0147 h(-1); bias = -8.29; 95% CI = -11.63; -4.95; precision = 26.77; 95% CI = 24.24; 29.07]. In conclusion, this study shows that a two-compartment model with renal elimination best describes 5-FC population pharmacokinetics and NONMEM is able to build a two-compartment covariate model that predicts 5-FC levels equally well in our population of ICU patients. Furthermore, NONMEM appeared to be the most suitable method of population pharmacokinetics in our population and for this purpose it offers more reliable and accurate results than NPEM or the STS method.     

Absence of a pharmacokinetic interaction between etanercept and warfarin

Etanercept, a soluble recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFr) fusion protein, is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between a single dose of R- and S-enantiomers of warfarin and multiple doses of etanercept after administration of warfarin and etanercept alone and together. In a nonrandomized, three-period study, 12 healthy male subjects received a single oral 25-mg dose of warfarin after an overnight fast, followed by twice-weekly 25-mg subcutaneous doses of etanercept for seven doses. The last dose of etanercept was administered concurrently with a second dose of warfarin. Serial blood samples for plasma warfarin concentration measurement and international normalized ratio (INR) assessment were collected before and up to 144 hours after dose administration. Serial blood samples for serum etanercept concentration measurement were collected before and up to 60 hours after the sixth dose and 264 hours after the seventh dose. Etanercept did not affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin. All ratios of maximum serum concentration (C(max)) and area under the serum concentration versus time curve (AUC) for pharmacokinetics (R- and S-enantiomers of warfarin) and INR fell within the confidence interval of 0.8 to 1.25. Warfarin also did not cause a clinically significant alteration in the pharmacokinetics of etanercept. In conclusion, coadministration of etanercept and warfarin would not be expected to change the pharmacokinetics of either medication; therefore, no dosage adjustment is needed in cases in which warfarin and etanercept are coadministered.     

Population pharmacokinetic modeling of epoetin delta in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease

This analysis quantifies the population pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous and intravenous epoetin delta, an epoetin produced in a human cell line, in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease and estimates the effects of covariate factors on epoetin delta and epoetin alfa pharmacokinetic parameters. Erythropoietin serum concentration data, taken from a phase III study conducted in 60 patients aged 1 to 17 years, were best described by a 1-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination. The typical point estimates were clearance (0.268 L/h), central volume of distribution (1.03 L), absorption rate constant (0.0554 h(-1)), and bioavailability (0.708) for a 35-kg male < or = 10 years who was predialysis and on subcutaneous epoetin delta treatment. Erythropoietin pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in pediatric patients as compared with adults when scaled by weight. The subcutaneous administration of epoetin alfa exhibited lower systemic bioavailability than subcutaneous administration of epoetin delta.     

Population pharmacokinetics of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, telmisartan, in healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE: To describe the factors affecting pharmacokinetics of telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model has been developed based upon the data collected from healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 1566 plasma samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers and 129 hypertensive patients, together with the demographic background. The data were analyzed by the NONMEM program using two-compartment model with first-order absorption. The robustness of the obtained PPK model was validated by the bootstrapping resampling method. RESULTS: The oral clearance (CL/F) was found to be associated with age, dose and alcohol consumption, but neither related to serum creatinine nor smoking history. The volume of distribution for the central compartment was related to age and dose, and the volume of distribution for the peripheral compartment was related to body weight and gender. The absorption rate constant (Ka) and the absorption lag time were described as function of dose. The CL/F decreased with advanced age. The CL/F decreased and Ka increased with higher dose, reflecting the super-proportional increase in the plasma levels of telmisartan. The AUC and C(max) values predicted by the present PPK model were well consistent with the observed values. The means of parameter estimates obtained with 200 bootstrap replicates were within 95-111% of the final parameter estimates from the original data set. CONCLUSION: A PPK model for telmisartan developed here well described the individual variability and exposure, and robustness of the model has been validated by the bootstrapping method.     

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of micafungin in Japanese patients with fungal infections

The object of this analysis was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of micafungin, a new anti-fungal agent of the echinocandin class, to optimize dosing in Japanese patients with fungal infections. Population pharmacokinetics parameters were determined using NONMEM based on pharmacokinetic data from 198 subjects in seven clinical studies, comprising four phase I, two phase II and one pediatric phase III study. The healthy subjects received intravenous infusion of 2.5-150 mg micafungin. Adult and pediatric patients, age range of 8 month to 15 yeras old, were received 25-150 mg and 1-6 mg/kg daily, respectively. A total of 1825 micafungin plasma samples were available for this analysis. Two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was adopted. The clearance of micafungin was influenced by body weight in children and platelet counts (PLT). However the PLT accounted for less than 20% of the variation of micafungin clearance in Japanese subjects. In conclusions, body weight is the primary covariate factor in pediatric patients. The dose adjustment by body weight would be required only pediatric patients for the micafungin therapy in Japanese patients with fungal infection.