Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Once-daily Prolonged-release Tacrolimus in Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract Purpose Limited published data are available regarding the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) variables of prolonged-release tacrolimus (PRT) after liver transplantations. The goal of this study was to compare the PK and PD profiles of PRT in early and stable liver transplant recipients by developing a population PK model of PRT and investigating the profile of calcineurin activity (CNA) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Methods A conversion from BID immediate-release tacrolimus (IRT) to once-daily PRT based on a one-to-one daily dose was performed at day 7 (D7) and D90 posttransplantation in groups A (n = 12) and B (n = 12), respectively. Extensive PK samplings, including whole-blood tacrolimus (TAC) concentration, and CNA assessments were performed at D14 and D104 in groups A and B, respectively. TAC concentration–time data (N = 221) were analyzed by using nonlinear mixed effects modeling. Findings A 2-compartment model with linear elimination and a delayed first-order absorption characterized by 2 transit compartments best described the PK data. Model-predicted dose-normalized (6.0 mg/d) area under the TAC concentration–time curve over the dosing interval in groups A and B was similar (geometric mean, 235.6 ng/mL · h [95% CI, 139.6–598.7] vs 224.6 ng/mL · h [95% CI, 117.6–421.5], respectively; P  = 0.94). Area under the CNA versus time curve over the dosing interval did not differ between groups (4897 [3437] and 4079 [1008] pmol/min/10 6 cells; P  = 0.50). In group A, trough CNA at D14 posttransplantation was statistically higher than that measured just before the switch to PRT (ie, D7 posttransplantation) (198 [92] vs 124 [72] pmol/min/10 6 cells, n = 8; P  = 0.048); no statistical difference in TAC concentration was observed ( P  = 0.11). In group B, no statistical difference between D90 and D104 was observed in either trough CNA (149 [78] vs 172 [82] pmol/min/10 6 cells, n = 6; P  = 0.18) or TAC ( P  = 0.17) concentration. No graft rejection was observed in either of the groups. Implications This study suggests that one-to-one dosage conversion to once-daily PRT during the early posttransplantation period could result in significant CNA variations but without causing graft rejection. Further investigations in larger cohorts are warranted to confirm these results. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02105155 .