Study of the Cellular Diffusion of Tacrolimus Across the Membrane of Mononuclear Cells

Overview

Pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus are highly variable and may result in graft rejection (underdosing) or toxicity (overdosing). The risk of transplant rejection and the toxicity of tacrolimus can be reduced by pharmacological therapeutic monitoring of the molecule, based on the measurement of residual blood concentrations. Nevertheless, some patients are victims of rejections or toxic signs even though their blood concentrations are in the therapeutic target. The aim of the study is to describe the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus diffusion in mononuclear cells as well as the kinetics of effect of the drug on its target protein

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: July 6, 2017

Detailed Description

Factors responsible for pharmacokinetic variability of tacrolimus are multiple: compliance, diet, drug interactions and also genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP 3A5) and efflux protein ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein, P-gp). The mechanism of action of tacrolimus is based on inhibition of calcineurin in T cells. Therefore, tacrolimus intra-lymphocyte concentration may be a finer marker of the risk of transplant rejection or toxicity. The degree of inhibition of calcineurin in the T lymphocyte could also be a pharmacodynamic marker more relevant than the blood concentration. The hypothesis that the ABCB1 efflux pump is the main factor limiting the diffusion of tacrolimus into mononuclear cells is advanced. The diffusion of tacrolimus into mononuclear cells and the impact of the ABCB1 efflux pump on this diffusion have not been studied to date. The effect kinetics of the drug on calcineurin in mononuclear cells is also unknown. The aim of the study is to describe the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus diffusion in mononuclear cells as well as the kinetics of effect of the drug on its target protein: calcineurin in the presence or absence of an efflux pump inhibitor ABCB1 at room temperature and at 4 ° C (in order to inhibit all transport proteins) from blood obtained from 18 patients undergoing bleeding as part of maintenance treatment for hemochromatosis.

Interventions

  • Biological: Cell pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus
    • Three levels of tacrolimus will be tested. Each aliquot will be supplemented with an amount of tacrolimus to achieve one of these three levels of concentration. At 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240mn, the samples will be separated into 2 aliquots : one dedicated to the determination of tacrolimus in mononuclear cells, the other dedicated to the determination of calcineurin activity. in mononuclear cells.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Patients with hemochromatosis
    • The study is conducted with mononuclear cells obtained from patients undergoing phlebotomy as part of a hemochromatosis treatment. The blood samples will be recovered immediately after their completion. 40 mL of blood will be collected and the mononuclear cells separated using a ficoll gradient. Cell pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Diffusion kinetics of tacrolimus in mononuclear cells
    • Time Frame: At the time of inclusion
    • Determination of tacrolimus in mononuclear cells of subjects Tacrolimus will be assayed by mass spectrometry with a limit of quantification of 10 pg / million cells, sufficient to determine the concentrations in the volunteers’ blood.

Secondary Measures

  • Determination of the activity of calcineurin in mononuclear cells
    • Time Frame: At the time of inclusion
    • These determinations will be carried out by Dr. Benoit Blanchet according to a validated and published method (cf references Blanchet et al, 2003; Blanchet et al, 2006). The method is based on high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC coupled) with spectrophotometric detection.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • adult (age > 18 years old); – phlebotomy as part of the maintenance treatment of hemochromatosis; – having received the information on the protocol and not having indicated his opposition to participate; – not receiving immunosuppressive therapy; – not receiving drug treatment that can induce or inhibit the protein ABCB1 (Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Efavirenz, Amiodarone, azole antifungals, calcium channel blockers). Exclusion Criteria:

  • participation in another protocol whose procedures are incompatible with the realization of the study; – adults who are subject to legal protection (protection of justice, guardianship) and persons deprived of their liberty; – pregnant women.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Rennes University Hospital
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Florian LEMAITRE, MD, Study Director, Rennes University Hospital

References

Blanchet B, Hulin A, Duvoux C, Astier A. Determination of serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 2B PP2B in lymphocytes by HPLC. Anal Biochem. 2003 Jan 1;312(1):1-6. doi: 10.1016/s0003-2697(02)00214-2.

Blanchet B, Hulin A, Ghaleh B, Giraudier S, Jouault H, Astier A. Distribution of calcineurin activity in blood cell fractions and impact of tacrolimus inhibition. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;20(2):137-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2006.00399.x.

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