Population pharmacokinetic model of irinotecan and its four main metabolites in patients treated with FOLFIRI or FOLFIRINOX regimen

Drug-Drug Interactions and Disease Status Are Associated with Irinotecan-induced Hepatotoxicity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai

Irinotecan-induced hepatotoxicity can cause severe clinical complications in patients; however, the underlying mechanism and factors affecting hepatotoxicity have rarely been investigated. In this cross-sectional study, we screened all clinical, demographic, medication and genetic variables among 126 patients receiving irinotecan and explored potential associations with the incidence and time to onset of irinotecan-induced hepatotoxicity. Approximately 38.9% of the patients suffered from hepatotoxicity after irinotecan administration. The presence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) increases the incidence of hepatotoxicity approximately 2.9-fold and doubles the hazard of time to hepatotoxicity. Patients with liver metastasis had a more than 4-fold higher risk of hepatotoxicity and a 3.5-fold increased hazard of time to hepatotoxicity compared to those without liver metastasis. Patients who took CYP3A inducers had a 4.4-fold increased incidence of hepatotoxicity, and furthermore, concomitant use of platinum-based antineoplastics revealed 4.2 times the hazard of time to hepatotoxicity compared to those receiving antimetabolites. The cumulative dose of irinotecan (5-9 cycles) increased hepatotoxicity by 8.5 times. However, the genotypes and phenotypes of UGT1A1*28/*6 failed to be predictive factors of hepatotoxicity. The findings of this study suggest that irinotecan-induced hepatotoxicity is not directly associated with genetic variables but is mostly related to concomitant use of CYP3A inducers and platinum, as well as the presence of liver metastasis and CVD. Thus, close monitoring of liver function is recommended, especially in patients with liver impairment or using CYP3A inducers and platinum antineoplastic drugs, which may be the best way to prevent hepatotoxicity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.