The pharmacokinetic effect of adalimumab on thiopurine metabolism in Crohn's disease patients

D.R. Wong*, M. Pierik, M.L. Seinen, A.A. van Bodegraven, L.P.L. Gilissen, P. Bus, J.A. Bakker, A.A.M. Masclee, C. Neef, L.G.J.B. Engels, P.M. Hooymans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background and aims: A drug interaction between infliximab and azathioprine has previously been reported in Crohn's disease patients: the concentration of the main active thiopurine metabolites, the 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN), increased 1-3 weeks after the first infliximab infusion by 50% compared to baseline.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the effect of adalimumab on thiopurine metabolism in Crohn's disease patients, evaluated by 6-TGN and 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotides (6-MMPR) concentration measurement.

Methods: Crohn's disease patients on azathioprine or mercaptopurine maintenance therapy starting with concomitant adalimumab treatment were included. 6-TGN and 6-MMPR concentrations were determined before initiation of adalimumab and after 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks of combination therapy. The activity of three essential enzymes involving thiopurine metabolism, thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) and inosine-triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPase), was evaluated at baseline and week 4. Clinical outcome was evaluated by the Crohn's disease activity index and C-reactive protein concentrations at baseline, week 4 and week 12.

Results: Twelve Crohn's disease patients were analyzed. During the follow-up period of 12 weeks the median 6-TGN and 6-MMPR concentrations did not significantly change compared to baseline. TPMT, ITPase and HGPRT enzyme activity did not change either after 4 weeks. In two patients (17%) myelotoxicity was observed within 2-4 weeks, in whom both low therapeutic 6-TGN and 6-MMPR concentrations were found.

Conclusions: In this study in Crohn's disease patients no pharmacokinetic interaction was shown between adalimumab and the conventional thiopurines, azathioprine and mercaptopurine. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)120-128
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Crohn's & Colitis
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2014

Keywords

  • Azathioprine
  • Mercaptopurine
  • Adalimumab
  • Drug interaction
  • Therapeutic drug monitoring
  • Crohn's disease
  • INFLAMMATORY-BOWEL-DISEASE
  • THERAPY
  • DRUG
  • 6-MERCAPTOPURINE
  • AZATHIOPRINE
  • PHARMACOGENETICS
  • INFLIXIMAB
  • IBD

Cite this