The role of candidate genetic polymorphisms in the interaction between voriconazole and cyclosporine in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: An explorative study

Curr Res Transl Med. 2020 Apr;68(2):51-58. doi: 10.1016/j.retram.2020.02.001. Epub 2020 Feb 22.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate polymorphisms in genes of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters involved in cyclosporine and/or voriconazole disposition among patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT).

Methods: DNA from forty patients was genotyped using the DMETPlus array. The average ratio of cyclosporine concentration/dose (C/D in (ng/mL)/(mg/kg)) per participant's weight was computed using available trough levels and daily doses.

Results: The C/D cyclosporine ratio was significantly higher when it was administered with voriconazole as compared to when it was administered alone: median: 116.75 vs. 25.40 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg) with and without voriconazole respectively, (P < 0.001). There was also a significant association between the C/D cyclosporine ratio combined with voriconazole and the ABCB1 2677 G > T > A (rs2032582) genetic polymorphism (P = 0.05). In parallel, ABCB1 variant allele carriers had higher creatinine in combination therapy with a median creatinine (mg/dL) of 0.74 vs. 0.56 for variant allele carriers vs. reference; P = 0.003. Interestingly, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A5 extensive metabolizers tended to be associated with lower cyclosporine C/D ratio when combined with voriconazole, but the results were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pharmacogenetic study on the interaction between voriconazole and cyclosporine in patients undergoing allo-HCT. Results suggest that the ABCB1 2677 G > T > A genetic polymorphism plays a role in this interaction with cyclosporine related nephrotoxicity. Pre-emptive genotyping for this genetic variant may be warranted for cyclosporine dose optimization. Larger studies are needed to potentially show significant associations with more candidate genes such as CYP3A4/5, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19, among others.

Keywords: ABCB1; Allo-HCT; Cyclosporine; Pharmacogenetics; Voriconazole.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Allografts
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / blood
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Biotransformation / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Cyclosporins / blood
  • Cytochromes / genetics
  • Cytochromes / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Genetic Association Studies*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / blood
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Kidney Diseases / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pharmacogenomic Testing
  • Pilot Projects
  • Transplantation Conditioning
  • Voriconazole / pharmacology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ABCB1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cyclosporins
  • Cytochromes
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • cyclosporin C
  • Cyclosporine
  • cyclosporin D
  • Voriconazole