Population Pharmacokinetics of Docetaxel, Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin and Epirubicin in Pregnant Women with Cancer: A Study from the International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP)

J.M. Janssen, K. Van Calsteren, T.P.C. Dorlo, M.J. Halaska, R. Fruscio, P. Ottevanger, C.P. Schroder, I. Boere, P.O. Witteveen, R.C. Painter, R. Bekkers, V. Drochytek, J.H. Beijnen, A.D.R. Huitema, F.C.H. Amant*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Based on reassuring short-term foetal and maternal safety data, there is an increasing trend to administer chemotherapy during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs might change as a result of several physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, potentially affecting the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy. Objective With this analysis, we aimed to quantitatively describe the changes in the PK of docetaxel, paclitaxel, doxorubicin and epirubicin in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women. Methods PK data from 9, 20, 22 and 16 pregnant cancer patients from the International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) were available for docetaxel, paclitaxel, doxorubicin and epirubicin, respectively. These samples were combined with available PK data from non-pregnant patients. Empirical non-linear mixed-effects models were developed, evaluating fixed pregnancy effects and gestational age as covariates. Results Overall, 82, 189, 271, and 227 plasma samples were collected from pregnant patients treated with docetaxel, paclitaxel, doxorubicin and epirubicin, respectively. The plasma PK data were adequately described by the respective models for all cytotoxic drugs. Typical increases in central and peripheral volumes of distribution of pregnant women were identified for docetaxel, paclitaxel, doxorubicin and epirubicin. Additionally, docetaxel, doxorubicin and paclitaxel clearance were increased in pregnant patients, resulting in lower exposure in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant patients. Conclusion Given the interpatient variability, the identified pregnancy-induced changes in PK do not directly warrant dose adjustments for the studied drugs. Nevertheless, these results underscore the need to investigate the efficacy of chemotherapy, when administered during pregnancy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)775-784
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Pharmacokinetics
Volume60
Issue number6
Early online date28 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • cyclophosphamide
  • missing data
  • model
  • parameters
  • ritonavir
  • CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE
  • MISSING DATA
  • MODEL
  • PARAMETERS
  • RITONAVIR

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