Impact of Infection Status and Cyclosporine on Voriconazole Pharmacokinetics in an Experimental Model of Cerebral Scedosporiosis

Voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring including analysis of CYP2C19 phenotype in immunocompromised pediatric patients with invasive fungal infections

PURPOSE

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of voriconazole (VCZ) should be mandatory for all pediatric patients with invasive fungal infections (IFIs). The narrow therapeutic index, inter-individual variability in VCZ pharmacokinetics, and genetic polymorphisms cause achieving therapeutic concentration during therapy to be challenging in this population.

METHODS

The study included 44 children suffering from IFIs treated with VCZ. Trough concentrations (Ctrough) of VCZ ware determined by the HPLC-FLD method. Identification of the CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*17 genetic polymorphisms was performed by PCR-RFLP. The correlation between polymorphisms and VCZ Ctrough was analyzed. Moreover, the effect of factors such as dose, age, sex, route of administration, and drug interactions was investigated.

RESULTS

VCZ was administered orally and intravenously at a median maintenance dosage of 14.7 mg/kg/day for a median of 10 days. The VCZ Ctrough was highly variable and ranged from 0.1 to 6.8 mg/L. Only 45% of children reached the therapeutic range. There was no significant association between Ctrough and dosage, age, sex, route of administration, and concomitant medications. The frequencies of variant phenotype normal (NM), intermediate (IM), rapid (RM) and ultrarapid metabolizers (UM) were 41%, 18%, 28%, and 13%, respectively. Ctrough of VCZ were significantly higher in NM and IM groups compared with RM, and UM groups.

CONCLUSION

The Ctrough of VCZ is characterized by inter-individual variability and a low rate of patients reaching the therapeutic range. The significant association exists in children between VCZ Ctrough and CYPC19 phenotype. The combination of repeated TDM and genotyping is necessary to ensure effective treatment.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model of voriconazole in human CNS-Integrating time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A4, genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C19 and possible transporter mechanisms

OBJECTIVES

Voriconazole is a classical antifungal drug that is often used to treat CNS fungal infections due to its permeability through the BBB. However, its clinical use remains challenging because of its narrow therapeutic window and wide inter-individual variability. In this study, we proposed an optimised and validated PBPK model by integrating in vitro, in vivo and clinical data to simulate the distribution and PK process of voriconazole in the CNS, providing guidance for clinical individualised treatment.

METHODS

The model structure was optimised and tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients were obtained through animal experiments. Using the allometric relationships, the distribution of voriconazole in the human CNS was predicted. The model integrated factors affecting inter-individual variation and drug interactions of voriconazole-polymorphisms in the CYP2C19 gene and auto-inhibition and then was validated using real clinical data.

RESULTS

The overall AFE value showing model predicted differences was 1.1420 in the healthy population; and in the first prediction of plasma and CSF in actual clinical patients, 89.5% of the values were within the 2-fold error interval, indicating good predictive performance of the model. The bioavailability of voriconazole varied at different doses (39%-86%), and the optimised model conformed to this pattern (46%-83%).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined with the relevant pharmacodynamic indexes, the PBPK model provides a feasible way for precise medication in patients with CNS infection and improve the treatment effect and prognosis.

Individualized treatment with voriconazole in the Chinese population: Inflammation level as a novel marker for dose optimization

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore the influence and possible mechanisms of pharmacokinetics-related gene polymorphisms, especially CYP2C19 polymorphisms, and non-genetic factors combined with the inflammatory status on the voriconazole (VRC) metabolism of the Chinese population.

METHODS

Clinical studies were performed by collecting more than one VRC trough concentration and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. A total of 265 blood samples were collected from 120 patients.

RESULTS

Results of multiple regression analyses demonstrated that CYP2C19 genotypes and albumin (Alb) level remained predictors of Cmin ss/D in patients with no to mild inflammation (R2  = 0.12, P < .001). In addition, in patients with moderate to severe inflammation, it resulted in a significant model containing factors of CRP and total bilirubin (T-Bil) levels (R2  = 0.19, P < .001). In non-clinical studies, 32 rats were divided into control and inflammatory groups, and it was found that the mean residence time (MRT(0-t) ) of VRC in the inflammatory group was significantly longer than that in the control group (P < .001), which may be due to down-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of CYP2C19 (CYP2C6 in rats) through interleukin (IL)-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, the effect of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on VRC metabolism may be masked by inflammatory status, which should be of more concern than CYP2C19 polymorphisms in patients with moderate to severe inflammation. Additionally, the impact of Alb and T-Bil on VRC metabolism should not be disregarded.

The variability in CYP3A4 activity determines the metabolic kinetic characteristics of ketamine

Ketamine is a psychotropic drug that can cause significant neurological symptoms and is closely linked to the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme. This study aimed to examine the diversity of CYP3A4 activity affects the metabolism of ketamine, focusing on genetic variation and drug-induced inhibition. We used a baculovirus-insect cell expression system to prepare recombinant human CYP3A4 microsomes. Then, in vitro enzyme incubation systems were established and used UPLC-MS/MS to detect ketamine metabolite. In rats, we investigated the metabolism of ketamine and its metabolite in the presence of the CYP3A4 inhibitor voriconazole. Molecular docking was used to explore the molecular mechanism of inhibition. The results showed that the catalytic activity of CYP3A4.5, .17, .23, .28, and .29 significantly decreased compared to CYP3A4.1, with a minimum decrease of 3.13%. Meanwhile, the clearance rate of CYP3A4.2, .32, and .34 enhanced remarkably, ranging from 40.63% to 87.50%. Additionally, hepatic microsome incubation experiments revealed that the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of voriconazole for ketamine in rat and human liver microsomes were 18.01 ± 1.20 µM and 14.34 ± 1.70 µM, respectively. When voriconazole and ketamine were co-administered, the blood exposure of ketamine and norketamine significantly increased in rats, as indicated by the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax). The elimination half-life (t1/2Z) of these substances was also prolonged. Moreover, the clearance (CLz/F) of ketamine decreased, while the apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) increased significantly. This might be attributed to the competition between voriconazole and ketamine for binding sites on the CYP3A4 enzyme. In conclusion, variations in CYP3A4 activity would result in the stratification of ketamine blood exposure.

ß-D-Glucan Assay in the Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Diagnosis of Non-cryptococcal Fungal Infection of the Central Nervous System: A Retrospective Multicentric Analysis and a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Except for cryptococcosis, fungal infection of the central nervous system (FI-CNS) is a rare but severe complication. Clinical and radiological signs are non-specific, and the value of conventional mycological diagnosis is very low. This study aimed to assess the value of β1,3-D-glucan (BDG) detection in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of non-neonatal non-cryptococcosis patients.

METHODS

Cases associated with BDG assay in the CSF performed in 3 French University Hospitals over 5 years were included. Clinical, radiological, and mycological results were used to classify the episodes as proven/highly probable, probable, excluded, and unclassified FI-CNS. Sensitivity and specificity were compared to that calculated from an exhaustive review of the literature.

RESULTS

In total, 228 episodes consisting of 4, 7, 177, and 40 proven/highly probable, probable, excluded, and unclassified FI-CNS, respectively, were analysed. The sensitivity of BDG assay in CSF to diagnose proven/highly probable/probable FI-CNS ranged from 72.7% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 43.4%‒90.2%] to 100% [95% CI: 51%‒100%] in our study and was 82% in the literature. For the first time, specificity could be calculated over a large panel of pertinent controls and was found at 81.8% [95% CI: 75.3%‒86.8%]. Bacterial neurologic infections were associated with several false positive results.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its sub-optimal performance, BDG assay in the CSF should be added to the diagnostic armamentarium for FI-CNS.

Modeling and Simulation as a Tool to Assess Voriconazole Exposure in the Central Nervous System

Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal used empirically for the treatment of complicated meningitis associated with Cryptococcus neoformans. Biopsy studies show that the drug exhibits adequate brain penetration although levels of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) are highly variable. Considering that CSF is one of the main surrogates for CNS exposure, the present work proposed the building of a population pharmacokinetic modeling (popPK) model able to describing the exposure achieved by voriconazole in the plasma, interstitial cerebral fluid and CSF of healthy and infected rats. The developed popPK model was described by four compartments, including total plasma, free brain and total CSF concentrations. The following PK parameters were determined: K_m = 4.76 mg/L, V_max = 1.06 mg/h, Q₁ = 2.69 L, Q_in = 0.81 h^-1 and Q_out = 0.63 h^-1. Infection was a covariate in the Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) and intercompartmental clearance from the brain tissue compartment to central compartment (Q_out). Simulations performed with the popPK model to determine the probability of reaching the therapeutic target of fAUC > MIC showed that VRC has sufficient tissue exposure in the interstitial fluid and in the CSF for the treatment of fungal infections in these tissues at prevalent minimum inhibitory concentrations.

Combined Effect of CYP2C19 Genetic Polymorphisms and C-Reactive Protein on Voriconazole Exposure and Dosing in Immunocompromised Children

BACKGROUND

Pediatric patients have significant interindividual variability in voriconazole exposure. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with voriconazole concentrations and dose requirements to achieve therapeutic concentrations in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Medical records of pediatric patients were retrospectively reviewed. Covariates associated with voriconazole plasma concentrations and dose requirements were adjusted by using generalized linear mixed-effect models.

RESULTS

A total of 682 voriconazole steady-state trough concentrations from 91 Chinese pediatric patients were included. Voriconazole exposure was lower in the CYP2C19 normal metabolizer (NM) group compared with the intermediate metabolizer (IM) group and the poor metabolizer (PM) group (p = 0.0016, p < 0.0001). The median daily dose of voriconazole required to achieve therapeutic range demonstrated a significant phenotypic dose effect: 20.8 mg/kg (range, 16.2-26.8 mg/kg) for the CYP2C19 NM group, 18.2 mg/kg (range, 13.3-21.8 mg/kg) for the CYP2C19 IM group, and 15.2 mg/kg (range, 10.7-19.1 mg/kg) for the CYP2C19 PM group, respectively. The extent of impact of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on voriconazole trough concentrations and dose requirements varied between CYP2C19 phenotypes. Increases of 20, 120, 245, and 395 mg/L from 5 mg/L in CRP levels were associated with increases in voriconazole trough concentration by 22.22, 50, 64.81, and 75% respectively, in the NM group; by 39.26, 94.48, 123.93, and 146.63%, respectively, in the IM group; and by 17.17, 37.34, 46.78, and 53.65%, respectively, in the PM group. Meanwhile, increases of 20, 120, 245, and 395 mg/L from 5 mg/L in CRP levels were associated with increases in voriconazole dose requirements by 7.15, 14.23, 17.35, and 19.43%, respectively, in the PM group; with decreases in voriconazole dose requirements by 3.71, 7.38, 8.97, and 10.03%, respectively, in the NM group; and with decreases by 4, 9.10, 11.05, and 12.35%, respectively, in the IM group. In addition, age and presence of immunosuppressants had significant effects on voriconazole exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CYP2C19 phenotypes, CRP concentrations, age, and the presence of immunosuppressants were factors associated with the pharmacokinetic changes in voriconazole. There was heterogeneity in the effect of CRP on voriconazole plasma concentrations across different CYP2C19 genotypes. Combining relevant factors with dose adaptation strategies in therapeutic drug monitoring may help to reduce the incidence of subtherapeutic and supratherapeutic concentrations in clinical practice.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of voriconazole in human cerebrospinal fluid

Background: A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Method: For the quantification of voriconazole in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was developed and validated, to guide the clinical use of voriconazole in the treatment of central nervous system infections. CSF samples were treated by protein precipitation with methanol containing fluconazole as the internal standard (IS). The supernatant was analyzed by LC-MS/MS using an Agilent EclipsePlus C18 column eluted with a methanol and water mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL min^-1. Quantification was performed by multiple-reaction monitoring using the precursor and product ion pair 350/280.9 for voriconazole and 307/219.9 for fluconazole. Results: The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.1-10.0 μg mL^-1 (R² = 0.9991). The inter-day and intra-day precisions were <4.20% and <9.97%, respectively. The recoveries for the three concentrations (0.2, 1.0, and 8.0 μg mL^-1) were 99.96%, 107.00%, and 99.85%, and the matrix effects were 99.35%, 103.41%, and 99.64%, respectively. The stability under various conditions was also acceptable. The study also demonstrated that the CSF matrix could be replaced by plasma and artificial CSF. Conclusion: A simple and accurate method for the determination of voriconazole concentrations in human CSF was developed and validated, which can be used for drug monitoring in the treatment of central nervous system infections.