Abstract
Aims:
The gene polymorphism of voriconazole metabolism–related liver enzyme is
notable in East Asia population. It casts a significant influence on the
rational use of voriconazole. We conducted this study to investigate the
relationship between steady-state voriconazole trough concentration
(Ctrough) and adverse effects (AEs), especially
hepatotoxicity.
Methods:
We conducted a real-world study in the Jinling Hospital from January 2015 to
June 2020. A total of 140 patients receiving voriconazole were enrolled in
this study. The determination and scoring of voriconazole-associated
hepatotoxicity were performed according to the Roussel Uclaf Causality
Assessment Method scoring scale and the severity of hepatotoxicity was
graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
(CTCAE).
Results:
Elevated steady-state voriconazole Ctrough with concomitant AEs
are the most common reason for dose adjustments during treatment. Compared
with the group without any AEs, voriconazole Ctrough was
significantly higher in the hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity groups, and the
incidence of both events showed an overall increasing trend with increasing
voriconazole Ctrough. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 66.7% of
patients within 7 days of the first dose of voriconazole and 94.4% within
15 days of the dose. Steady-state voriconazole Ctrough
>3.61 mg/l was associated with an increased incidence of hepatotoxicity
(area under the curve = 0.645, p = 0.047). Logistic
regression analysis showed that timely voriconazole dose adjustment was a
predictor of attenuated hepatotoxicity after adjustment for confounders, but
hepatotoxicity was not associated with voriconazole Ctrough
measured at a single time point.
Conclusion:
Hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity correlate with voriconazole
Ctrough, and dose reduction in patients with elevated
steady-state voriconazole Ctrough may prevent hepatotoxicity. In
patients with early occurrence of hepatotoxicity, initial therapeutic drug
monitoring (TDM) might predict the risk of hepatotoxicity. Follow-up TDM may
be necessary to predict late onset hepatotoxicity.
Plain Language Summary
Safety of voriconazole for the treatment of pulmonary fungal
diseases
Introduction: Several studies have suggested an association
between the concentration of voriconazole in the blood and liver damage, but
the evidence is weak. This study aimed to investigate relationships between
voriconazole drug concentration and side effects and to analyze the factors
affecting liver damage caused by voriconazole.
Methods: We conducted a study at the Jinling Hospital from
January 2015 to June 2020, in which a total of 140 patients were finally
enrolled.
Results: Voriconazole doses were adjusted in 44 patients due to
abnormal voriconazole drug concentration or side effects, 32 patients
reduced the dose and 8 patients increased the dose. An elevated liver enzyme
level was the most common cause for dose adjustment. After the first dose
adjustment, most patients achieved the target drug concentration. A total of
18 patients were determined as probable or highly probable to have
drug-induced liver injury from voriconazole. Voriconazole drug concentration
was significantly higher in the liver damage and nervous system damage
groups as compared with the group without any side effects, and most liver
damage events occurred within 14 days of the first dose. Voriconazole drug
concentration >3.61 mg/l was associated with an increased incidence of
liver damage.
Conclusion: In this study, approximately one-third of patients
with pulmonary fungal disease needed to adjust their dose after the standard
dose of voriconazole treatment. The incidence of liver damage and nervous
system damage showed an overall increasing trend with increasing
voriconazole baseline concentrations. Initial therapeutic drug monitoring
may be predictive of liver damage. Follow-up monitoring of liver enzymes may
be needed.
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