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Agergaard K, Thiesson HC, Carstens J, Staatz CE, Järvinen E, Nielsen F, Christensen HD, Juhl-Sandberg R, Brøsen K, Stage TB, Andersen DT, Kjellsson MC, Bergmann TK. Population pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cell concentrations in stable kidney-transplanted patients. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 39390741 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16277] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM Therapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus based on whole blood drug concentrations is routinely performed. The concentration of tacrolimus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) is likely to better reflect drug exposure at the treatment target site. We aimed to describe the relationship between tacrolimus whole blood and PBMC concentrations, and the influence of patient characteristics on this relationship by developing a population pharmacokinetic model. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 63 stable adult kidney-transplanted patients and collected dense (12-h, n = 18) or sparse (4-h, n = 45) pharmacokinetic profiles of tacrolimus. PBMCs were isolated from whole blood (Ficoll density gradient centrifugation), and drug concentrations in whole blood and PBMCs were analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Patient genotype (CYP3A4/5, ABCB1, NR1I2) was assessed with PCR. Population pharmacokinetic modelling and statistical evaluation was performed using NONMEM. RESULTS Tacrolimus whole blood concentrations were well described using a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with a lag-time and first-order absorption and elimination. Tacrolimus PBMC concentrations were best estimated from whole blood concentrations with the use of a scaling factor, the ratio of whole blood to PBMC concentrations (RC:PBMC), which was the extent of tacrolimus distribution into PBMC. CYP3A5*1 non-expressors and NR1I2-25 385T allele expressors demonstrated higher RC:PBMC ratios of 42.4% and 60.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION Tacrolimus PBMC concentration could not be accurately predicted from whole blood concentrations and covariates because of significant residual unexplained variability in the distribution of tacrolimus into PBMCs and may need to be measured directly if required for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Agergaard
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helle C Thiesson
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Carstens
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Erkka Järvinen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kim Brøsen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tore Bjerregaard Stage
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorte Terp Andersen
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Maria C Kjellsson
- Pharmacometrics Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Troels K Bergmann
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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in ’t Veld AE, Eveleens Maarse BC, Juachon MJ, Meziyerh S, de Vries APJ, van Rijn AL, Feltkamp MCW, Moes DJAR, Burggraaf J, Moerland M. Immune responsiveness in stable kidney transplantation patients: Complete inhibition of T-cell proliferation but residual T-cell activity during maintenance immunosuppressive treatment. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13860. [PMID: 38923308 PMCID: PMC11197031 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The recommended immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplantation consists of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and low-dose corticosteroids. Drug concentrations are monitored using therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), which does not necessarily correlate with pharmacodynamic activity. To find the balance between optimal efficacy and minimal toxicity, it might be more informative to monitor patients' immunological status rather than drug concentrations. We selected a panel of T-cell-based immune assays, which were used for immunomonitoring of 14 stable kidney transplantation patients. Whole blood was incubated with a T-cell stimulus, after which T-cell proliferation, T-cell activation marker expression and cytokine production were measured to study residual immune activity in vitro (before drug intake; drug added to the incubation) and ex vivo (after drug intake). T-cell proliferation was completely suppressed in all patients over the full day, while IL-2, IFN-γ, CD71, and CD154 showed fluctuations over the day with a strong inhibition (75%-25%) at 2 h post-dose. The level of inhibition was variable between patients and could not be related to pharmacokinetic parameters or the presence of regulatory or senescence immune cells. Moreover, the level of inhibition did not correlate with the in vitro tacrolimus drug effect as studied by incubating pre-dose blood samples with additional tacrolimus. Overall, IL-2, IFN-γ, CD71, and CD154 seem to be good markers to monitor residual immune activity of transplantation patients. To evaluate the correlation between these pharmacodynamic biomarkers and clinical outcome, prospective observational studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliede E. in ’t Veld
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Boukje C. Eveleens Maarse
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Soufian Meziyerh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Aiko P. J. de Vries
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Aline L. van Rijn
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Mariet C. W. Feltkamp
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan A. R. Moes
- Department of Pharmacy and Clinical ToxicologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jacobus Burggraaf
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden Academic Centre of Drug ResearchLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Moerland
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy and Clinical ToxicologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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Qin W, Chen W, Wang X, Zhang D, Du W, Li S, Li B, Zuo X, Wang X. A highly sensitive method for determination of tacrolimus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by nano liquid chromatography-high resolution accurate mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1706:464259. [PMID: 37567001 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464259] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The determination of intracellular tacrolimus concentration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is crucial for assessing the effect-site concentration of tacrolimus. Analytical methods previously reported required a minimum of 3 mL of whole blood sample for measuring the tacrolimus concentration. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive method using EASY nLC 1200 combined with Q Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer for detecting tacrolimus in PBMCs, requiring only 0.5-2 mL of sample. Furthermore, we compared two primary normalization methods for PBMCs tacrolimus concentration using Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman analysis, Spearman's rank correlation, and Mountain plot. The newly established method was employed to compare tacrolimus concentrations in whole blood and PBMCs among 194 lung transplant recipients. The developed method exhibited high sensitivity with a lower limit of quantitation at 5 pg/mL, and excellent intra- and inter-days accuracy and precision. The comparison between different normalization methods for PBMCs tacrolimus concentration revealed a strong correlation between PBMCs count and intracellular protein amount within these cells. This finding suggests that both PBMCs count and intracellular protein amount can be used for normalizing intracellular tacrolimus levels and can be mutually converted. However, a weaker correlation was observed between PBMCs and whole-blood tacrolimus concentrations in lung transplant recipients, warranting further investigation. The method reported herein enables the quantification of PBMCs tacrolimus concentration using smaller volumes of whole blood samples, which has significant implications for both patients and laboratory personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qin
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wenqian Chen
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoxing Wang
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wenwen Du
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xianbo Zuo
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Department of pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
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In 't Veld AE, Jansen MAA, de Kam ML, Yavuz Y, Moes DJAR, Oudhoff KA, van Poelgeest MIE, Burggraaf J, Moerland M. Immune Monitoring of Mycophenolate Mofetil Activity in Healthy Volunteers Using Ex Vivo T Cell Function Assays. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1635. [PMID: 37376083 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is part of the standard immunosuppressive treatment after transplantation and usually given as "one-dose-fits-all" together with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI). Although drug concentrations are frequently monitored, there is still a group of patients who experience side effects related to excessive or insufficient immune suppression. We therefore aimed to identify biomarkers that reflect the overall immune status of the patient and might support individualized dosing. We previously studied immune biomarkers for CNIs and aimed to investigate whether these are also suitable to monitor MMF activity. Healthy volunteers received a single dose of MMF or placebo, after which IMPDH enzymatic activity, T cell proliferation, and cytokine production were measured and compared to MPA (MMF's active metabolite) concentration in three different matrices (plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and T cells). MPA concentrations in T cells exceeded those in PBMCs, but all intracellular concentrations correlated strongly with plasma concentrations. At clinically relevant MPA concentrations, IL-2 and IFN-γ production was mildly suppressed, while MPA T cell proliferation was strongly inhibited. Based on these data, it is expected that monitoring of T cell proliferation in MMF-treated transplantation patients may be a valid strategy to avoid excessive immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliede E In 't Veld
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2233 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Yalҫin Yavuz
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2233 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jan A R Moes
- Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kathalijne A Oudhoff
- Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariette I E van Poelgeest
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2233 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobus Burggraaf
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2233 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Academic Centre of Drug Research, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Moerland
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2233 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Udomkarnjananun S, Francke MI, Dieterich M, van de Velde D, Verhoeven JGHP, Boer K, Clahsen-Van Groningen MC, De Winter BCM, Baan CC, Hesselink DA. Association Between the Intracellular Tacrolimus Concentration in CD3 + T Lymphocytes and CD14 + Monocytes and Acute Kidney Transplant Rejection. Ther Drug Monit 2022; 44:625-632. [PMID: 35358111 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000982] [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: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intracellular tacrolimus concentration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (TAC [PBMC] ) has been proposed to better represent its active concentration than its whole blood concentration. As tacrolimus acts on T lymphocytes and other white blood cells, including monocytes, we investigated the association of tacrolimus concentration in CD3 + T lymphocytes (TAC [CD3] ) and CD14 + monocytes (TAC [CD14] ) with acute rejection after kidney transplantation. METHODS From a total of 61 samples in this case-control study, 28 samples were obtained during biopsy-proven acute rejection (rejection group), and 33 samples were obtained in the absence of rejection (control group). PBMCs were collected from both cryopreserved (retrospectively) and freshly obtained (prospectively) samples. CD3 + T lymphocytes and CD14 + monocytes were isolated from PBMCs, and their intracellular tacrolimus concentrations were measured. RESULTS The correlation between tacrolimus whole-blood and intracellular concentrations was poor. TAC [CD3] was significantly lower than TAC [CD14] (median 12.8 versus 81.6 pg/million cells; P < 0.001). No difference in TAC [PBMC] (48.5 versus 44.4 pg/million cells; P = 0.82), TAC [CD3] (13.4 versus 12.5 pg/million cells; P = 0.28), and TAC [CD14] (90.0 versus 72.8 pg/million cells; P = 0.27) was found between the rejection and control groups. However, freshly isolated PBMCs showed significantly higher TAC [PBMC] than PBMCs from cryopreserved samples. Subgroup analysis of intracellular tacrolimus concentrations from freshly isolated cells did not show a difference between rejectors and nonrejectors. CONCLUSIONS Differences in TAC [CD3] and TAC [CD14] between patients with and without rejection could not be demonstrated. However, further optimization of the cell isolation process is required because a difference in TAC [PBMC] between fresh and cryopreserved cells was observed. These results need to be confirmed in a study with a larger number of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwasin Udomkarnjananun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Marith I Francke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Dieterich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daan van de Velde
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and
| | - Jeroen G H P Verhoeven
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Karin Boer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marian C Clahsen-Van Groningen
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Brenda C M De Winter
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and
| | - Carla C Baan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis A Hesselink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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in ’t Veld AE, Jansen MAA, Huisman BW, Schoonakker M, de Kam ML, Moes DJAR, van Poelgeest MIE, Burggraaf J, Moerland M. Monitoring of Ex Vivo Cyclosporin a Activity in Healthy Volunteers Using T Cell Function Assays in Relation to Whole Blood and Cellular Pharmacokinetics. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091958. [PMID: 36145707 PMCID: PMC9503885 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of calcineurin inhibitors (i.e., tacrolimus and cyclosporin A) is standard of care after solid organ transplantation. Although the incidence of acute rejection has strongly decreased, there are still many patients who experience severe side effects or rejection after long-term treatment. In this healthy volunteer study we therefore aimed to identify biomarkers to move from a pharmacokinetic-based towards a pharmacodynamic-based monitoring approach for calcineurin inhibitor treatment. Healthy volunteers received a single dose of cyclosporine A (CsA) or placebo, after which whole blood samples were stimulated to measure ex vivo T cell functionality, including proliferation, cytokine production, and activation marker expression. The highest whole blood concentration of CsA was found at 2 h post-dose, which resulted in a strong inhibition of interferon gamma (IFNy) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and expression of CD154 and CD71 on T cells. Moreover, the in vitro effect of CsA was studied by incubation of pre-dose whole blood samples with a concentration range of CsA. The average in vitro and ex vivo CsA activity overlapped, making the in vitro dose–effect relationship an interesting method for prediction of post-dose drug effect. The clinical relevance of the results is to be explored in transplantation patients on calcineurin inhibitor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliede E. in ’t Veld
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bertine W. Huisman
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Dirk Jan A. R. Moes
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëtte I. E. van Poelgeest
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobus Burggraaf
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Academic Centre of Drug Research, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Moerland
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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Shimozawa K, Contreras-Ruiz L, Sousa S, Zhang R, Bhatia U, Crisalli KC, Brennan LL, Turka LA, Markmann JF, Guinan EC. Ex vivo generation of regulatory T cells from liver transplant recipients using costimulation blockade. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:504-518. [PMID: 34528383 PMCID: PMC9078620 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The potential of adoptive cell therapy with regulatory T cells (Tregs) to promote transplant tolerance is under active exploration. However, the impact of specific transplant settings and protocols on Treg manufacturing is not well-delineated. Here, we compared the use of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients before or after liver transplantation to the use of healthy control PBMCs to determine their suitability for Treg manufacture using ex vivo costimulatory blockade with belatacept. Despite liver failure or immunosuppressive therapy, the capacity for Treg expansion during the manufacturing process was preserved. These experiments did not identify performance or quality issues that disqualified the use of posttransplant PBMCs-the currently favored protocol design. However, as Treg input correlated with output, significant CD4-lymphopenia in both pre- and posttransplant patients limited Treg yield. We therefore turned to leukapheresis posttransplant to improve absolute yield. To make deceased donor use feasible, we also developed protocols to substitute splenocytes for PBMCs as allostimulators. In addition to demonstrating that this Treg expansion strategy works in a liver transplant context, this preclinical study illustrates how characterizing cellular input populations and their performance can both inform and respond to clinical trial design and Treg manufacturing requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuyoshi Shimozawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA,Nihon University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Sofia Sousa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Ruan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Urvashi Bhatia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Kerry C Crisalli
- Department of Surgery and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
| | - Lisa L. Brennan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Laurence A. Turka
- Department of Surgery and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
| | - James F. Markmann
- Department of Surgery and Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA,Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
| | - Eva C. Guinan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA,Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
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Francke MI, Andrews LM, Lan Le H, van de Velde D, Dieterich M, Udomkarnjananun S, Clahsen-van Groningen MC, Baan CC, van Gelder T, de Winter BCM, Hesselink DA. Monitoring intracellular tacrolimus concentrations and its relationship with rejection in the early phase after renal transplantation. Clin Biochem 2021; 101:9-15. [PMID: 34890583 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION After kidney transplantation, rejection and drug-related toxicity occur despite tacrolimus whole-blood pre-dose concentrations ([Tac]blood) being within the target range. The tacrolimus concentration within peripheral blood mononuclear cells ([Tac]cells) might correlate better with clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells, the evolution of [Tac]cells and the [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio, and to assess the relationship between tacrolimus concentrations and the occurrence of rejection. METHODS In this prospective study, samples for the measurement of [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells were collected on days 3 and 10 after kidney transplantation, and on the morning of a for-cause kidney transplant biopsy. Biopsies were reviewed according to the Banff 2019 update. RESULTS Eighty-three [Tac]cells samples were measured of 44 kidney transplant recipients. The correlation between [Tac]cells and [Tac]blood was poor (Pearson's r = 0.56 (day 3); r = 0.20 (day 10)). Both the dose-corrected [Tac]cells and the [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio were not significantly different between days 3 and 10, and the median inter-occasion variability of the dose-corrected [Tac]cells and the [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio were 19.4% and 23.4%, respectively (n = 24). Neither [Tac]cells, [Tac]blood, nor the [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio were significantly different between patients with biopsy-proven acute rejection (n = 4) and patients with acute tubular necrosis (n = 4) or a cancelled biopsy (n = 9; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Tacrolimus exposure and distribution appeared stable in the early phase after transplantation. [Tac]cells was not significantly associated with the occurrence of rejection. A possible explanation for these results might be related to the low number of patients included in this study and also due to the fact that PBMCs are not a specific enough matrix to monitor tacrolimus concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marith I Francke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, the Netherlands.
| | - Louise M Andrews
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
| | - Hoang Lan Le
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daan van de Velde
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Dieterich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Suwasin Udomkarnjananun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, the Netherlands; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Marian C Clahsen-van Groningen
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carla C Baan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, the Netherlands
| | - Teun van Gelder
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Brenda C M de Winter
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, the Netherlands; Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis A Hesselink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, the Netherlands
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Sallustio BC. Monitoring Intra-cellular Tacrolimus Concentrations in Solid Organ Transplantation: Use of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Graft Biopsy Tissue. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:733285. [PMID: 34764868 PMCID: PMC8576179 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.733285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tacrolimus is an essential immunosuppressant for the prevention of rejection in solid organ transplantation. Its low therapeutic index and high pharmacokinetic variability necessitates therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to individualise dose. However, rejection and toxicity still occur in transplant recipients with blood tacrolimus trough concentrations (C0) within the target ranges. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have been investigated as surrogates for tacrolimus's site of action (lymphocytes) and measuring allograft tacrolimus concentrations has also been explored for predicting rejection or nephrotoxicity. There are relatively weak correlations between blood and PBMC or graft tacrolimus concentrations. Haematocrit is the only consistent significant (albeit weak) determinant of tacrolimus distribution between blood and PBMC in both liver and renal transplant recipients. In contrast, the role of ABCB1 pharmacogenetics is contradictory. With respect to distribution into allograft tissue, studies report no, or poor, correlations between blood and graft tacrolimus concentrations. Two studies observed no effect of donor ABCB1 or CYP3A5 pharmacogenetics on the relationship between blood and renal graft tacrolimus concentrations and only one group has reported an association between donor ABCB1 polymorphisms and hepatic graft tacrolimus concentrations. Several studies describe significant correlations between in vivo PBMC tacrolimus concentrations and ex vivo T-cell activation or calcineurin activity. Older studies provide evidence of a strong predictive value of PBMC C0 and allograft tacrolimus C0 (but not blood C0) with respect to rejection in liver transplant recipients administered tacrolimus with/without a steroid. However, these results have not been independently replicated in liver or other transplants using current triple maintenance immunosuppression. Only one study has reported a possible association between renal graft tacrolimus concentrations and acute tacrolimus nephrotoxicity. Thus, well-designed and powered prospective clinical studies are still required to determine whether measuring tacrolimus PBMC or graft concentrations offers a significant benefit compared to current TDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta C Sallustio
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, SA, Australia.,Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Measuring Intracellular Concentrations of Calcineurin Inhibitors: Expert Consensus from the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology Expert Panel. Ther Drug Monit 2021; 42:665-670. [PMID: 32520841 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of the 2 calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), tacrolimus (TAC) and cyclosporin A, has resulted in improvements in the management of patients who have undergone solid organ transplantation. As a result of TDM, acute rejection (AR) rates and treatment-related toxicities have been reduced. Irrespective, AR and toxicity still occur in patients who have undergone transplantation, showing blood CNI concentrations within the therapeutic range. Moreover, the AR rate is no longer decreasing. Hence, smarter TDM approaches are necessary. Because CNIs exert their action inside T lymphocytes, intracellular CNIs may be a promising candidate for improving therapeutic outcomes. The intracellular CNI concentration may be more directly related to the drug effect and has been favorably compared with the standard, whole-blood TDM for TAC in liver transplant recipients. However, measuring intracellular CNIs concentrations is not without pitfalls at both the preanalytical and analytical stages, and standardization seems essential in this area. To date, there are no guidelines for the TDM of intracellular CNI concentrations. METHODS Under the auspices of the International Association of TDM and Clinical Toxicology and its Immunosuppressive Drug committees, a group of leading investigators in this field have shared experiences and have presented preanalytical and analytical recommendations for measuring intracellular CNI concentrations.
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Francke MI, Hesselink DA, Li Y, Koch BCP, de Wit LEA, van Schaik RHN, Yang L, Baan CC, van Gelder T, de Winter BCM. Monitoring the tacrolimus concentration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of kidney transplant recipients. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2020; 87:1918-1929. [PMID: 33025649 PMCID: PMC8056738 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Tacrolimus is a critical dose drug and to avoid under‐ and overexposure, therapeutic drug monitoring is standard practice. However, rejection and drug‐related toxicity occur despite whole‐blood tacrolimus pre‐dose concentrations ([Tac]blood) being on target. Monitoring tacrolimus concentrations at the target site (within peripheral blood mononuclear cells; [Tac]cells) may better correlate with drug‐efficacy. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the relationship between [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells, (2) identify factors affecting the tacrolimus distribution in cells and whole‐blood, and (3) study the relationship between [Tac]cells and clinical outcomes after kidney transplantation. Methods A total of 175 renal transplant recipients were prospectively followed. [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells were determined at Months 3, 6 and 12 post‐transplantation. Patients were genotyped for ABCB1 1199G>A and 3435C>T, CYP3A4 15389C>T, and CYP3A5 6986G>A. Data on rejection and tacrolimus‐related nephrotoxicity and post‐transplant diabetes mellitus were collected. Results Correlations between [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells were moderate to poor (Spearman's r = 0.31; r = 0.41; r = 0.61 at Months 3, 6 and 12, respectively). The [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio was stable over time in most patients (median intra‐patient variability 39.0%; range 3.5%–173.2%). Age, albumin and haematocrit correlated with the [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio. CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 genotype combined affected both dose‐corrected [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells. ABCB1 was not significantly related to tacrolimus distribution. Neither [Tac]blood nor [Tac]cells correlated with clinical outcomes. Conclusions The correlation between [Tac]blood and [Tac]cells is poor. Age, albumin and haematocrit correlate with the [Tac]cells/[Tac]blood ratio, whereas genetic variation in ABCB1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 do not. Neither [Tac]blood nor [Tac]cells correlated with clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marith I Francke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Rotterdam Transplant Group, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dennis A Hesselink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Rotterdam Transplant Group, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Research Center of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Birgit C P Koch
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lucia E A de Wit
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ron H N van Schaik
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Carla C Baan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Rotterdam Transplant Group, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Teun van Gelder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Brenda C M de Winter
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Zhu J, Pasternak AL, Crona DJ. The future of research into genetics and the precision dosing of tacrolimus: what do we need to know? Pharmacogenomics 2020; 21:1061-1064. [PMID: 32896220 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2020-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Division of Pharmacotherapy & Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Amy L Pasternak
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Daniel J Crona
- Division of Pharmacotherapy & Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, UNC Hospitals & Clinics, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
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