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Song L, Song J, Wang Y, Wei Y, Zhao Y, Liu D. Systematic Quantitative Analysis of Fetal Dexamethasone Exposure and Fetal Lung Maturation in Pregnant Animals: Model Informed Dexamethasone Precision Dose Study. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1770-1782. [PMID: 38898943 PMCID: PMC11184600 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Dexamethasone (DEX) was applied in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome treatment of pregnant women. We established a pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics(PD)/end point model of pregnant animals based on published data and then extrapolated to simulate fetal exposure and lung maturation in pregnant women. We first established the PK/PD/end point model for DEX in pregnant sheep. We considered the competitive effect of cortisol (Cort) and DEX binding with glucocorticoid receptor and then used the indirect response model to describe disaturated-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) dynamics. Based on that, we established a regression relationship between DSPC and fetal lung volume (V40). We then extrapolated the PD/end point model of pregnant sheep to pregnant monkeys by corrected stages of morphologic lung maturation in two species. Finally, we utilized the interspecies extrapolation strategy to simulate fetal exposure (AUC0-48h) and V40 relationship in pregnant women. The current model could well describe the maternal-fetal PK of DEX in pregnant animals. Simulated DEX AUC0-24h values of the umbilical venous to maternal plasma ratio in pregnant sheep and monkeys were 0.31 and 0.27, respectively. The simulated Cort curve and V40 in pregnant sheep closely matched the observed data within a 2-fold range. For pregnant monkeys, model-simulated V40 were well fitted with external verification data, which showed good interspecies extrapolation performance. Finally, we simulated fetal exposure-response relationship in pregnant women, which indicated that the fetal AUC0-48h of DEX should not be less than 300 and 100 ng/mL·hr at GW28 and GW34 to ensure fetal lung maturity. The current model preliminarily provided support for clinical DEX dose optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Song
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Drug
Clinical Trial Center, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jie Song
- Drug
Clinical Trial Center, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yangyu Zhao
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dongyang Liu
- Drug
Clinical Trial Center, Peking University
Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Institute
of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking
University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Berezowska M, Sharma P, Pilla Reddy V, Coppola P. Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic modelling of drugs in pregnancy: A mini-review on availability and limitations. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:402-409. [PMID: 37968879 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling in pregnancy is a relatively new approach that is increasingly being used to assess drug systemic exposure in pregnant women to potentially inform dosing adjustments. Physiological changes throughout pregnancy are incorporated into mathematical models to simulate drug disposition in the maternal and fetal compartments as well as the transfer of drugs across the placenta. This mini-review gathers currently available pregnancy PBPK models for drugs commonly used during pregnancy. In addition, information about the main PBPK modelling platforms used, metabolism pathways, drug transporters, data availability and drug labels were collected. The aim of this mini-review is to provide a concise overview, demonstrate trends in the field, highlight understudied areas and identify current gaps of PBPK modelling in pregnancy. Possible future applications of this PBPK approach are discussed from a clinical, regulatory and industry perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Berezowska
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pradeep Sharma
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Venkatesh Pilla Reddy
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paola Coppola
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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Todorović Z, Dragović G, Lukić R. Pharmacokinetic and toxicological considerations affecting antiretroviral drug dosing in pregnant women. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:419-437. [PMID: 38738389 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2353762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during pregnancy, the appropriate dosing regimens of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs need to be determined. Reliable data about pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of ARVs from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are lacking, and post-marketing observational studies may offer valuable, but sometimes insufficient data, especially in pregnant people living with HIV (PLWHIV). This review article is focused PK and toxicological considerations affecting ARV dosing in pregnant PLWHIV. AREAS COVERED In our search, we included studies focused on PKs of ARVs in pregnancy available on PubMed, abstracts from recent global conferences and data from modeling studies. There are no significant changes in PKs of nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors throughout pregnancy. In contrast, the PKs of PIs and INSTIs are more variable, especially in the second and third trimesters. EXPERT OPINION Pregnant women are left out of RCTs. To the greatest extent possible, future research should include pregnant persons in RCTs, including PK studies, strictly considering maternal and fetal safety. Alternative innovative approaches/models need to be developed to obtain reliable data about rational pharmacotherapy of ARVs in the effective PMTCT of HIV, with maximum safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Todorović
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gordana Dragović
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Relja Lukić
- Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic GAK "Narodni Front", University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Balhara A, Yin M, Unadkat JD. Successful Prediction of Fetal Exposure to Dual BCRP/P-gp Drug Substrates Using the Efflux Ratio-Relative Expression Factor Approach and PBPK M&S. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 115:1044-1053. [PMID: 38124355 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
To inform fetal drug safety, it is important to determine or predict fetal drug exposure throughout pregnancy. The former is not possible in the first or second trimester. In contrast, at the time of birth, fetal drug exposure, relative to maternal exposure, can be estimated as Kp,uu (unbound fetal umbilical venous (UV) plasma area under the curve (AUC)/unbound maternal plasma (MP) AUC), provided the observed UV/MP values, spanning the dosing interval, are available from multiple maternal-fetal dyads. However, this fetal Kp,uu cannot be extrapolated to other drugs. To overcome the above limitations, we have used an efflux ratio-relative expression factor (ER-REF) approach to successfully predict the fetal Kp,uu of P-gp substrates. Because many drugs taken by pregnant people are also BCRP substrates, here, we extend this approach to drugs that are effluxed by both placental BCRP and P-gp or P-gp alone. To verify our predictions, we chose drugs for which UV/MP data were available at term: glyburide and imatinib (both BCRP and P-gp substrates) and nelfinavir (only P-gp substrate). First, the ER of the drugs was determined using Transwells and MDCKII cells expressing either BCRP or P-gp. Then, the ER was scaled using the proteomics-informed REF value to predict the fetal Kp,uu of the drug at term. The ER-REF predicted fetal Kp,uu of glyburide (0.43), imatinib (0.42), and nelfinavir (0.40) fell within two-fold of the corresponding in vivo fetal Kp,uu (0.44, 0.37, and 0.46, respectively). These data confirm that the ER-REF approach can successfully predict fetal drug exposure to BCRP/P-gp and P-gp substrates, at term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Balhara
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mengyue Yin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jashvant D Unadkat
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Ait-Chikh C, Page G, Thoreau V. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models to predict drug exposure during pregnancy. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024; 82:236-242. [PMID: 37739215 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
As pregnant women are constantly exposed to drugs during pregnancy, either to treat long-term conditions or acute illnesses, drug safety is a major concern for the fetus and the mother. Clinical trials are rarely made in this population due to strict regulation and ethical reasons. However, drug pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters vary during pregnancy with an increase in distribution volume, renal clearance and more. In addition, the fetal distribution should be evaluated with the importance of placental diffusion, both active and passive. Therefore, there is a recent interest in the use of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to characterize these changes and complete the sparse data available on drug PK during pregnancy. Indeed, PBPK models integrate drug physicochemical and physiological parameters corresponding to each compartment of the body to estimate drug concentrations. This review establishes an overview on the current use of PBPK models in drug dosage determination for the pregnant woman, fetal exposure and drug interactions in the fetal compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Ait-Chikh
- Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, UFR médecine et pharmacie, bâtiment D1, 6, rue de la Milétrie, TSA 51115, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France.
| | - Guylène Page
- Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, UFR médecine et pharmacie, bâtiment D1, 6, rue de la Milétrie, TSA 51115, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France; Neurovascular Unit and Cognitive Disorders (NEUVACOD), pôle Biologie santé, université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Vincent Thoreau
- Faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, UFR médecine et pharmacie, bâtiment D1, 6, rue de la Milétrie, TSA 51115, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France; Neurovascular Unit and Cognitive Disorders (NEUVACOD), pôle Biologie santé, université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
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Du R, Zhao X, Song L, Wang H, Liu D, Wang Q. A physiologically based toxicokinetic model of P-glycoprotein transporter-mediated placenta perfusion of dexamethasone in the pregnant rat. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 183:114213. [PMID: 38052401 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The present dosage of Dexamethasone (DEX) administered to pregnant women may pose a risk of toxicity to their unborn offspring. We aimed to develop a maternal-fetal physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model for DEX in pregnant rats, with a specific focus on the role of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter in placenta perfusion, and finally facilitate the optimization of clinical DEX dosage. We conducted animal experiments to determine DEX concentrations in various rat tissues, and constructed the PBTK model using MATLAB software. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess input parameters and the model stability, with fold error (FE) values serving as evaluation indices. Our results indicate the successful construction of the PBTK model, with the fitting key parameters such as the absorption rate constant (Ka), intrinsic hepatic clearance (CLh,int) and intrinsic P-gp clearance (CLint,P-gp). The median concentration of DEX in maternal plasma, fetal plasma, fetal lung, and fetal brain were determined, which allowed us to fit the tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients for the fetal lung (Kp,lung,f) and fetal brain (Kp,brain,f). After making adjustments, all calculated FE values were found to be less than 2, demonstrating the acceptability and accuracy of our model's predictions. Our model integrated external literature data and internal animal experimentation to comprehensively evaluate the maternal-fetal PK characteristics of DEX. These findings provide valuable support for the optimization of clinical DEX dosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihu Du
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaoqi Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ling Song
- Drug Clinical Trial Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Dongyang Liu
- Drug Clinical Trial Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China; Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Compatibility Toxicology, Beijing, 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Ellis C, Inaba K, Van de Vuurst C, Ghrayeb A, Cory TJ. Drug-drug interactions between COVID-19 therapeutics and antiretroviral treatment: the evidence to date. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2023; 19:795-806. [PMID: 37800561 PMCID: PMC10841549 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2023.2267970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With new effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2, patient outcomes have greatly improved. However, new medications bring a risk of drug interactions with other medications. People living with HIV (PLWH) are at particular risk for these interactions due to heightened risk of immunosuppression, polypharmacy, and overlap in affected organs. It is critical to identify drug interactions are a significant barrier to care for PLWH. Establishing a better understanding of the pharmacologic relationships between COVID-19 therapies and antiretrovirals will improve patient-centered care in COVID-19. AREAS COVERED Potential drug-drug interactions between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and COVID-19 treatments are detailed and reviewed here. The mechanisms seen in these interactions include alterations in metabolic enzymes, drug transporters, pharmacoenhancement, and organ toxicities. We also review the limitations and solutions that can be used to combat drug-drug interactions between these two disease states. EXPERT OPINION While current drug interactions are relatively mild between HIV and COVID-19 therapies, improvements in identifying these beforehand must take place as new therapies are approved. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential in PLWH and must be maintained when treating COVID-19. As advancements in care occur, there is the possibility that newly approved drugs may have additional unknown interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camden Ellis
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, USA
| | - Keita Inaba
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, USA
| | - Christine Van de Vuurst
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, USA
| | - Atheel Ghrayeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, USA
| | - Theodore James Cory
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Memphis, USA
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Balhara A, Kumar AR, Unadkat JD. Predicting Human Fetal Drug Exposure Through Maternal-Fetal PBPK Modeling and In Vitro or Ex Vivo Studies. J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 62 Suppl 1:S94-S114. [PMID: 36106781 PMCID: PMC9494623 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Medication (drug) use in human pregnancy is prevalent. Determining fetal safety and efficacy of drugs is logistically challenging. However, predicting (not measuring) fetal drug exposure (systemic and tissue) throughout pregnancy is possible through maternal-fetal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation. Such prediction can inform fetal drug safety and efficacy. Fetal drug exposure can be quantified in 2 complementary ways. First, the ratio of the steady-state unbound plasma concentration in the fetal plasma (or area under the plasma concentration-time curve) to the corresponding maternal plasma concentration (ie, Kp,uu ). Second, the maximum unbound peak (Cu,max,ss,f ) and trough (Cu,min,ss,f ) fetal steady-state plasma concentrations. We (and others) have developed a maternal-fetal PBPK model that can successfully predict maternal drug exposure. To predict fetal drug exposure, the model needs to be populated with drug specific parameters, of which transplacental clearances (active and/or passive) and placental/fetal metabolism of the drug are critical. Herein, we describe in vitro studies in cells/tissue fractions or the perfused human placenta that can be used to determine these drug-specific parameters. In addition, we provide examples whereby this approach has successfully predicted systemic fetal exposure to drugs that passively or actively cross the placenta. Apart from maternal-fetal PBPK models, animal studies also have the potential to estimate fetal drug exposure by allometric scaling. Whether such scaling will be successful is yet to be determined. Here, we review the above approaches to predict fetal drug exposure, outline gaps in our knowledge to make such predictions and map out future research directions that could fill these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Balhara
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aditya R Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jashvant D Unadkat
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Peng J, Ladumor MK, Unadkat JD. Estimation of fetal-to-maternal unbound steady-state plasma concentration ratio (Kp,uu,fetal ) of P-gp and/or BCRP substrate drugs using a maternal-fetal PBPK model. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:613-623. [PMID: 35149540 PMCID: PMC9073947 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnant women are frequently prescribed drugs to treat chronic diseases (e.g., HIV infection), but little is known about the benefits and risks of these drugs to the fetus which are driven by fetal drug exposure. The latter can be estimated by fetal-to-maternal unbound plasma concentration at steady-state (Kp,uu,fetal). For drugs that are substrates of placental efflux transporters (i.e., P-gp or BCRP), is expected to be <1. Here, we estimated the in vivo of selective P-gp and/or BCRP substrate drugs by maternal-fetal (m-f)-PBPK modeling of umbilical vein (UV) plasma and maternal plasma (MP) concentrations obtained simultaneously at term from multiple maternal-fetal dyads. To do so, three drugs were selected: nelfinavir (P-gp substrate), efavirenz (BCRP substrate), and imatinib (P-gp/BCRP substrate). A m-f-PBPK model for each drug was developed and validated for the non-pregnant population and pregnant women using the Simcyp simulator (v20). Then, after incorporating placental passive diffusion clearance, the in vivo of the drug was estimated by adjusting the placental efflux clearance until the predicted UV/MP values best matched the observed data ( nelfinavir=0.41, efavirenz=0.39, imatinib=0.35). Furthermore, of nelfinavir and efavirenz at gestational week (GW) 25 and 15 were predicted to be 0.34, 0.23 and 0.33, 0.27 respectively. These values can be used to adjust dosing regimens of these drugs to optimize maternal-fetal drug therapy throughout pregnancy, to assess fetal benefits and risks of these dosing regimens, and to determine if these estimated in vivo values can be predicted from in vitro studies. Significance Statement The in vivo Kp,uu,fetal of nelfinavir (P-gp substrate), efavirenz (BCRP substrate), and imatinib (P-gp and BCRP substrate) was successfully estimated using m-f- PBPK modeling. These Kp,uu,fetal values can be used to adjust dosing regimens of these drugs to optimize maternal-fetal drug therapy throughout pregnancy, to assess fetal benefits and risks of these dosing regimens, and to determine if these estimated in vivo Kp,uu,fetal values can be predicted from in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfu Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China
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