Effect of CYP3A5 polymorphism on liver function and tacrolimus
pharmacokinetics after conversion to a once-daily tacrolimus formulation
in stable liver transplant patients
Abstract
Aim: To analyze the effects of CYP3A5 polymorphism on liver function
after LT and to characterize the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus after
conversion from a twice-daily regimen to a once-daily extended-release
formulation. Methods: A prospective open-label study included 60 stable
liver transplant recipients who underwent 1:1 conversion from
twice-daily tacrolimus to once-daily tacrolimus. All participants were
genotyped for CYP3A5 polymorphism. The study was registered at
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 02882113). Results: Twenty-eight patients were
enrolled in the CYP3A5 expressor group and 32 in the non-expressor
group. Although there was no statistical difference, incidence of liver
dysfunction was higher in the expressor group than in the non-expressor
group when converted to once-daily extended-release tacrolimus
(P=0.088). No biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft failure, and
mortality were observed in either group. The decrease in dose-adjusted
trough level (- 42.9% vs. - 26.1%) and dose/kg-adjusted trough level
of tacrolimus (- 40.0% vs. - 23.7%) was significantly greater in the
expressor group than in the non-expressors after the conversion. The
absorption of the tacrolimus in the non-expressor group was slower than
in the expressors. In line with this observation, the AUC for once-daily
tacrolimus correlated with Cmin in the non-expressors and Cmax in the
expressors. Conclusions: Determination of CYP3A5 genotype in liver
transplant recipients might be helpful in prediction of tacrolimus
pharmacokinetics after conversion from a twice-daily regimen to a
once-daily formulation.