Monitoring of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase activity as a biomarker for mycophenolic acid effect: potential clinical implications

Ther Drug Monit. 2007 Apr;29(2):141-9. doi: 10.1097/FTD.0b013e31803d37b6.

Abstract

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) and, in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs, effectively inhibits rejection in solid organ transplant recipients. MPA has a relatively narrow therapeutic window and exhibits wide inter- and intrapatient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability. This has stimulated the use of therapeutic drug monitoring as a strategy to tailor the MPA exposure to each patient's individual needs. Despite increasing therapeutic drug monitoring use, PK-assisted dosing is not universally adopted in part because of MPA's complex PK behavior. Targeting inosine monophosphate IMPDH activity as a surrogate pharmacodynamic (PD) marker of MPA-induced immunosuppression may allow for increased precision when used in an integrated PK-PD fashion, providing a more accurate assessment of efficacy and aid in limiting toxicity. IMPDH activity displays wide interpatient variability but relatively small intrapatient variability even after long-term administration of MPA. The advent of calcineurin and corticosteroid-sparing regimens necessitates more patient-specific PK-PD parameters, which can be used throughout the posttransplant period to optimize MPA exposure and immediate and long-term graft and patient outcomes. Quantification of IMPDH posttransplant may serve as a stable, surrogate PD marker of MPA-induced immunosuppression when combined with current PK and monitoring strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Monitoring / methods*
  • Humans
  • IMP Dehydrogenase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • IMP Dehydrogenase / blood
  • IMP Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Mycophenolic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Mycophenolic Acid / pharmacokinetics*
  • Organ Transplantation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • IMP Dehydrogenase
  • Mycophenolic Acid