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Review of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intravenous Busulfan in Paediatric Patients

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Abstract

We aimed to review the pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous busulfan in paediatric patients, identify covariate factors influencing exposure, investigate evidence of changes in PK behaviour over time, and correlate exposure with efficacy and toxicity outcomes. A literature review was undertaken of original research published between 2007 and 2019, investigating the PK and pharmacodynamics (PD) of intravenous busulfan in patients ≤ 18 years of age. The review identified 41 publications characterising the PK, and 45 publications describing the PD, of busulfan. Median typical clearance (CL) was 0.22 L/h/kg and median typical volume of distribution was 0.69 L/kg. Patient weight, age, glutathione-S-transferase A1 (GSTA1) genotype and busulfan dosing day/time were the most commonly identified factors affecting CL. Of nine studies investigating changes in CL, seven reported reduced CL over the 4-day course of treatment. Exposure monitoring methods and therapeutic targets were heterogeneous across studies. Relationships between busulfan exposure and patient outcomes were observed in five studies. One study observed a cumulative area under the concentration-time curve over all days of treatment of between 78 and 101 mg/L·h, and two studies observed an average concentration at first dose of < 600 ng/mL improved overall survival, transplant-related mortality, or relapse. One study observed increased sinusoidal obstructive syndrome with maximum busulfan concentration > 1.88 ng/mL. Patient weight, age and GSTA1 genotype are important covariates to consider when individualising busulfan therapy. Reduced busulfan CL over time may need to be accounted for, particularly in patients not receiving phenytoin co-therapy. Standardised monitoring of busulfan exposure over the entire course of treatment and further investigation of the role of busulfan metabolites and pharmacogenomics is warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE), School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia

    Rachael Lawson & Christine E. Staatz

  2. Pharmacy Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Rachael Lawson

  3. Blood and Marrow Transplant Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Christopher J. Fraser

  4. School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Stefanie Hennig

  5. Certara, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA

    Stefanie Hennig

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Rachael Lawson, Christine E. Staatz, Christopher J. Fraser and Stefanie Hennig have no conflicts of interest that are relevant to the contents of this review.

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection was performed by Rachael Lawson. Data analysis was performed by Rachael Lawson, Stefanie Hennig, Christine Staatz and Chris Fraser. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Rachael Lawson and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Lawson, R., Staatz, C.E., Fraser, C.J. et al. Review of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intravenous Busulfan in Paediatric Patients. Clin Pharmacokinet 60, 17–51 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-020-00947-2

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