Pharmacogenomics (PGx) entails the study of heritability of drug response. This may include both variability in genes related to pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and... Show morePharmacogenomics (PGx) entails the study of heritability of drug response. This may include both variability in genes related to pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and pharmacodynamics (e.g., drug receptors or signaling pathways). Individualizing drug therapy taking into account the genetic profile of the patient has the potential to make drug therapy safer and more effective. Currently, this approach relies on the determination of genetic variants in pharmacogenes by genotyping. However, it is widely acknowledged that large variability in gene expression is attributed to non-structural genetic variants. Therefore, at least from a theoretical viewpoint individualizing drug therapy based upon expression of pharmacogenes rather than on genotype may be advantageous but has been difficult to implement in the clinical setting. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid encapsulated structures that contain cargo such as lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Since their cargo is tissue- and cell-specific they can be used to determine the expression of pharmacogenes in the liver. In this review, we describe methods of EV isolation and the potential of EVs isolated from liquid biopsies as a tool to determine the expression of pharmacogenes for use in personalized medicine. Show less
Phenoconversion is the mismatch between the individual's genotype-based prediction of drug metabolism and the true capacity to metabolize drugs due to nongenetic factors. While the concept of... Show morePhenoconversion is the mismatch between the individual's genotype-based prediction of drug metabolism and the true capacity to metabolize drugs due to nongenetic factors. While the concept of phenoconversion has been described in narrative reviews, no systematic review is available. A systematic review was conducted to investigate factors contributing to phenoconversion and the impact on cytochrome P450 metabolism. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated in this review, of which 14 demonstrate phenoconversion for a specific genotype group. Phenoconversion into a lower metabolizer phenotype was reported for concomitant use of CYP450-inhibiting drugs, increasing age, cancer, and inflammation. Phenoconversion into a higher metabolizer phenotype was reported for concomitant use of CYP450 inducers and smoking. Moreover, alcohol, pregnancy, and vitamin D exposure are factors where study data suggested phenoconversion. The studies reported genotype-phenotype discrepancies, but the impact of phenoconversion on the effectiveness and toxicity in the clinical setting remains unclear. In conclusion, phenoconversion is caused by both extrinsic factors and patient- and disease-related factors. The mechanism(s) behind and the extent to which CYP450 metabolism is affected remain unexplored. If studied more comprehensively, accounting for phenoconversion may help to improve our ability to predict the individual CYP450 metabolism and personalize drug treatment. Show less
Groen, B.D. van; Vaes, W.H.; Park, B.K.; Krekels, E.H.J.; Duijn, E. van; Körgvee, L.-T.; ... ; Turner, M.A. 2019
AimsDrug disposition in children may vary from adults due to age‐related variation in drug metabolism. Microdose studies present an innovation to study pharmacokinetics (PK) in paediatrics; however... Show moreAimsDrug disposition in children may vary from adults due to age‐related variation in drug metabolism. Microdose studies present an innovation to study pharmacokinetics (PK) in paediatrics; however, they should be used only when the PK is dose linear. We aimed to assess dose linearity of a [14C]midazolam microdose, by comparing the PK of an intravenous (IV) microtracer (a microdose given simultaneously with a therapeutic midazolam dose), with the PK of a single isolated microdose.MethodsPreterm to 2‐year‐old infants admitted to the intensive care unit received [14C]midazolam IV as a microtracer or microdose, followed by dense blood sampling up to 36 hours. Plasma concentrations of [14C]midazolam and [14C]1‐hydroxy‐midazolam were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental PK analysis was performed and a population PK model was developed.ResultsOf 15 infants (median gestational age 39.4 [range 23.9–41.4] weeks, postnatal age 11.4 [0.6–49.1] weeks), 6 received a microtracer and 9 a microdose of [14C]midazolam (111 Bq kg−1; 37.6 ng kg−1). In a 2‐compartment PK model, bodyweight was the most significant covariate for volume of distribution. There was no statistically significant difference in any PK parameter between the microdose and microtracer, nor in the area under curve ratio [14C]1‐OH‐midazolam/[14C]midazolam, showing the PK of midazolam to be linear within the range of the therapeutic and microdoses.ConclusionOur data support the dose linearity of the PK of an IV [14C]midazolam microdose in children. Hence, a [14C]midazolam microdosing approach may be used as an alternative to a therapeutic dose of midazolam to study developmental changes in hepatic CYP3A activity in young children. Show less
Aims: Inflammation and organ failure have been reported to impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A-mediated clearance of midazolam in critically ill children. Our aim was to evaluate a previously developed... Show moreAims: Inflammation and organ failure have been reported to impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A-mediated clearance of midazolam in critically ill children. Our aim was to evaluate a previously developed population pharmacokinetic model in both critically ill children and other populations in order to allow the model to be used to guide dosing in clinical practice. Methods: The model was externally evaluated in 136 individuals, including (pre)term neonates, infants, children, and adults (body weight 0.77-90 kg, CRP 0.1-341 mg/L and 0-4 failing organs) using graphical and numerical diagnostics. Results: The pharmacokinetic model predicted midazolam clearance and plasma concentrations without bias in post-operative or critically ill paediatric patients and term neonates (median prediction error (MPE) <30%). Using the model for extrapolation resulted in well-predicted clearance values in critically ill and healthy adults (MPE <30%), while clearance in preterm neonates was over predicted (MPE >180%). Conclusion: The recently published pharmacokinetic model for midazolam, quantifying the influence of maturation, inflammation, and organ failure in children yields unbiased clearance predictions and can therefore be used for dosing instructions in term neonates, children, and adults with varying levels of critical illness including healthy adults, but not for extrapolation to preterm neonates. Show less
Aims: Inflammation and organ failure have been reported to impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A-mediated clearance of midazolam in critically ill children. Our aim was to evaluate a previously developed... Show moreAims: Inflammation and organ failure have been reported to impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A-mediated clearance of midazolam in critically ill children. Our aim was to evaluate a previously developed population pharmacokinetic model in both critically ill children and other populations in order to allow the model to be used to guide dosing in clinical practice. Methods: The model was externally evaluated in 136 individuals, including (pre)term neonates, infants, children, and adults (body weight 0.77-90 kg, CRP 0.1-341 mg/L and 0-4 failing organs) using graphical and numerical diagnostics. Results: The pharmacokinetic model predicted midazolam clearance and plasma concentrations without bias in post-operative or critically ill paediatric patients and term neonates (median prediction error (MPE) 180%). Conclusion: The recently published pharmacokinetic model for midazolam, quantifying the influence of maturation, inflammation, and organ failure in children yields unbiased clearance predictions and can therefore be used for dosing instructions in term neonates, children, and adults with varying levels of critical illness including healthy adults, but not for extrapolation to preterm neonates. Show less
Aims: Inflammation and organ failure have been reported to impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A-mediated clearance of midazolam in critically ill children. Our aim was to evaluate a previously developed... Show moreAims: Inflammation and organ failure have been reported to impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A-mediated clearance of midazolam in critically ill children. Our aim was to evaluate a previously developed population pharmacokinetic model in both critically ill children and other populations in order to allow the model to be used to guide dosing in clinical practice. Methods: The model was externally evaluated in 136 individuals, including (pre)term neonates, infants, children, and adults (body weight 0.77-90 kg, CRP 0.1-341 mg/L and 0-4 failing organs) using graphical and numerical diagnostics. Results: The pharmacokinetic model predicted midazolam clearance and plasma concentrations without bias in post-operative or critically ill paediatric patients and term neonates (median prediction error (MPE) 180%). Conclusion: The recently published pharmacokinetic model for midazolam, quantifying the influence of maturation, inflammation, and organ failure in children yields unbiased clearance predictions and can therefore be used for dosing instructions in term neonates, children, and adults with varying levels of critical illness including healthy adults, but not for extrapolation to preterm neonates. Show less
Bank, P.C.D.; Swen, J.J.; Guchelaar, H.J.; Straaten, T. van der 2015