Pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and four metabolites in a heterogeneous population of cancer patients: a comprehensive analysis

Bart A W Jacobs, Maarten J Deenen, Markus Joerger, Hilde Rosing, Niels de Vries, Didier Meulendijks, Annemieke Cats, Jos H Beijnen, Jan H M Schellens, Alwin D R Huitema

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Abstract

Capecitabine is an oral pro-drug of the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The primary aim of this study was to develop a pharmacokinetic model for capecitabine and its metabolites, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (dFCR), 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (dFUR), 5-FU and fluoro-β-alanine (FBAL), using data from a heterogeneous population of cancer patients (n=237) who participated in seven clinical studies. A four-transit model adequately described capecitabine absorption. Capecitabine, dFCR and FBAL pharmacokinetics were well described by two-compartment models and dFUR and 5-FU were subject to flip-flop pharmacokinetics. Partial and total gastrectomy were associated with a significantly faster capecitabine absorption resulting in higher capecitabine and metabolite peak concentrations. Patients who were heterozygous polymorphic for a genetic mutation encoding dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, the DPYD*2A mutation, demonstrated a 21.5% (relative standard error 11.2%) reduction in 5-FU elimination. This comprehensive population model gives an extensive overview of capecitabine and metabolite pharmacokinetics in a large and heterogeneous population of cancer patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)940-950
Number of pages11
JournalCPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology
Volume8
Issue number12
Early online date25 Oct 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019

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