The effect of MMF dose and trough levels on adverse effects in pediatric heart transplant recipients

Pediatr Transplant. 2015 Sep;19(6):618-22. doi: 10.1111/petr.12542. Epub 2015 Jun 17.

Abstract

Limited pharmacokinetic and safety data exist for MMF in pediatric HTR. Previously targeted MPA-TL are 1.5-3.0 μg/mL. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes targeting MPA-TL of 0.8-2.0 μg/mL in pediatric HTR. MPA-TL were retrospectively collected 2-12 months post-transplant. Acute rejection, infection, leukopenia, and GI complaints were then correlated with MPA-TL. A total of 355 MPA-TL from 22 HTR were included. Median age was 2.5 yr. Primary indication for transplant was dilated cardiomyopathy (64%). Mean MPA-TL was 1.7 ± 0.9 μg/mL. African American patients received significantly higher doses (702 ± 235 mg/m(2) ) compared with other races (p = 0.035). Leukopenia was less common in patients with SUB MPA vs. others (p = 0.01). MMF was discontinued for GI complaints in one patient and leukopenia in two patients. One SUB patient had acute rejection, and one SUP patient had infection. One-yr survival was 100%. Targeting a lower range for MPA-TL was not associated with significant rejection or infection. Despite lower MPA-TL, MMF was discontinued in 3/22 patients for adverse effects.

Keywords: cardiac transplantation; mycophenolate mofetil; pediatric heart transplant; therapeutic drug monitoring.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / surgery*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mycophenolic Acid / adverse effects
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Mycophenolic Acid / blood*
  • Mycophenolic Acid / pharmacokinetics
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Postoperative Complications / chemically induced*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Mycophenolic Acid