Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolic acid and their relation to response to therapy of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Sagcal-Gironella AC, Fukuda T, Wiers K, Cox S, Nelson S, Dina B, Sherwin CM, Klein-Gitelman MS, Vinks AA, Brunner HI

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolic acid and their relation to response to therapy of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2011 Feb;40(4):307-13. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2010.05.007. Epub 2010 Jul 23.

PubMed ID
20655577 [ View in PubMed
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is the active form of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which is currently used off-label as immunosuppressive therapy in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE). The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the pharmacokinetics (MPA-PK) and pharmacodynamics (MPA-PD) of MPA and (2) explore the relationship between MPA-PK and cSLE disease activity. METHODS: MPA-PK [area under the curve from 0-12 hours (AUC(0-12))] and MPA-PD [inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity] were evaluated in cSLE patients on stable MMF dosing. Change in SLE disease activity while on MMF therapy was measured using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index. RESULTS: A total of 19 AUC(0-12) and 10 IMPDH activity profiles were included in the analysis. Large interpatient variability in MPA exposure (AUC(0-12)) was observed (mean +/- SE: 32 +/- 4.2 mg h/L; coefficient of variation: 57%). Maximum MPA serum concentrations coincided with maximum IMPDH inhibition. AUC(0-12) and weight-adjusted MMF dosing were only moderately correlated (r = 0.56, P = 0.01). An AUC(0-12) of >/=30 mg h/L was associated with decreased BILAG scores while on MMF therapy (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Weight-adjusted MMF dosing alone does not reliably allow for the prediction of exposure to biologically active MPA in cSLE. Individualized dosing considering MPA-PK appears warranted as this allows for better estimation of immunologic suppression (IMPDH activity). Additional controlled studies are necessary to confirm that an MPA AUC(0-12) of at least 30 mg h/L is required for cSLE improvement.

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