There is considerable evidence that pregnancy changes the disposition of drugs in an enzyme- and gestational stage-specific manner. On the basis of probe drug studies, the activity of CYP3A4 and ...CYP2D6 increases and CYP1A2 decreases during human pregnancy. However, no studies of CYP2B6 activity during human pregnancy have been conducted. In rodent models and in HepG2 cells, CYP2B enzymes have been shown to be regulated by estradiol. Because estradiol concentrations increase by ∼50-fold during human pregnancy, it was hypothesized that the increasing estradiol concentrations during human pregnancy would result in induction of CYP2B6 activity. Hepatocytes from three female donors were treated with estradiol, and the EC(50) and E(max) were measured for CYP2B6 mRNA and bupropion hydroxylation activity. The measured values were used to predict the magnitude of CYP2B6 induction during human pregnancy. At 100 nM total estradiol, a concentration achievable during the third trimester of pregnancy, CYP2B6 activity was predicted to increase by 1.5-3-fold, based on increased CYP2B6 activity and mRNA. When the E(max) and EC(50) values were compared with those for carbamazepine and rifampin, estradiol was found to be as potent an inducer of CYP2B6 as rifampin and carbamazepine. These data suggest that, during human pregnancy, the increasing estradiol concentrations will result in increased clearance of drugs that have CYP2B6-mediated clearance pathways. This could in part explain the observed increase in methadone clearance during pregnancy.
The cytokine-mediated suppression of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by inflammatory disease and the relief of this suppression by successful disease treatment have recently become an issue in the ...development of drug interaction labels for new biological products. This study examined the effects of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in human hepatocyte culture and the abrogation of these effects by a monoclonal antibody directed against IL-6. Treatment of human hepatocytes with IL-6 (n = 9 donors) revealed pan-suppression of mRNA of 10 major cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, but with EC(50) values that differed by isoenzyme. Some EC(50) values were above the range of clinically relevant serum concentrations of IL-6. Marker activities for CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme were similarly suppressed by IL-6 in both freshly isolated and cryopreserved hepatocytes. IL-6 suppressed induction of CYP1A2 enzyme activity by omeprazole and CYP3A4 enzyme activity by rifampicin but only at supraphysiological concentrations of IL-6. Glycosylated and nonglycosylated IL-6 did not significantly differ in their ability to suppress CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme activity. A monoclonal antibody directed against IL-6 abolished or partially blocked IL-6-mediated suppression of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme activity, respectively. These data indicate that experimentation with IL-6 and anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies in human hepatocyte primary culture can quantitatively measure cytochrome P450 suppression and desuppression and determine EC(50) values for IL-6 against individual cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. However, the complex biology of inflammatory disease may not allow for quantitative in vitro-in vivo extrapolation of these simple in vitro data.
Many approved drugs demonstrate different pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and/or safety across racial and ethnic groups. The primary objective of the current study was to summarize the racial and ...ethnic makeup of cancer clinical drug trials using cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2016. In clinical studies used for FDA approvals, 82.3% of participants identified as white, 10.2% as Asian, 2.3% as black, and 4.7% as Hispanic. Black participants made up 7.7% of U.S. and Canadian cancer clinical drug trials and 2.6% of global cancer clinical drug trials while Asian participants made up 13.5% of global cancer clinical drug trials but only 1.8% of U.S. and Canadian cancer clinical drug trials. The current study indicates that although cancer clinical drug trials have become more inclusive of Asian participants, other racial and ethnic minority groups remain under‐represented. This may result in an inadequate understanding of drug safety and efficacy in many racial and ethnic populations.
The lack of racial and ethnic diversity in clinical drug trials is not only a scientific concern but also an ethical one. The lack of inclusion of under‐represented populations in clinical drug trials could be viewed as yet another health disparity befalling populations that are already more at risk of substandard health care. This article summarizes the racial and ethnic makeup of cancer clinical drug trials using cancer drugs approved by the FDA between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2016.
Exposure to cytokines can down-regulate hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes. Accordingly, relief of inflammation by cytokinetargeted drug therapy has the potential to up-regulate cytochrome P450s and ...thereby increase clearance of co-administered drugs. This study examined the effects of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-1β/interleukin 6 (IL-6) combinations on drug metabolizing enzymes in human hepatocyte culture. Treatment of hepatocytes with IL-1β revealed suppression of mRNA expression of several clinically important cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, with EC50 values that differed by isoenzyme. Suppression of CYP1A2 activity by IL-1β could not be measured in 3 of 5 donors due to lack of response, and in the two remaining donors the average EC50 was 450 pg/mL. CYP3A activity had an EC50 of suppression of 416 ± 454 pg/mL. Measurable EC50s were obtained for all 5 donors for CYP2C8, 3A4, 3A5, 4A11 and IL-6R mRNA with fold differences which varied between 9.5-fold (CYP2C8) to 109-fold (CYP4A11). When hepatocytes were treated with IL-1β and IL-6 in combination at concentrations which ranged from 1-100 pg/mL, IL-6 was the main determinant of increases in acute phase response marker mRNA and of decreases in CYP3A4 mRNA. There was no synergy between IL-1β and IL-6 in the regulation of cytochrome P450 mRNA when dosed in combination, although the effects of the two cytokines in combination were additive in certain instances. These data indicate that IL-1β and IL-6 both suppress cytochrome P450 mRNA and enzyme levels in vitro and that, at similar physiologically-relevant concentrations in vitro, IL-6 is more potent than IL-1β.
Vitamin D(3) is critical for the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. In some individuals, mineral homeostasis can be disrupted by long-term therapy with certain antiepileptic drugs and ...the antimicrobial agent rifampin, resulting in drug-induced osteomalacia, which is attributed to vitamin D deficiency. We now report a novel CYP3A4-dependent pathway, the 4-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25OHD(3)), the induction of which may contribute to drug-induced vitamin D deficiency. The metabolism of 25OHD(3) was fully characterized in vitro. CYP3A4 was the predominant source of 25OHD(3) hydroxylation by human liver microsomes, with the formation of 4β,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) 4β,25(OH)(2)D(3) dominating (V(max)/K(m) = 0.85 ml · min(-1) · nmol enzyme(-1)). 4β,25(OH)(2)D(3) was found in human plasma at concentrations comparable to that of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), and its formation rate in a panel of human liver microsomes was strongly correlated with CYP3A4 content and midazolam hydroxylation activity. Formation of 4β,25(OH)(2)D(3) in primary human hepatocytes was induced by rifampin and inhibited by CYP3A4-specific inhibitors. Short-term treatment of healthy volunteers (n = 6) with rifampin selectively induced CYP3A4-dependent 4β,25(OH)(2)D(3), but not CYP24A1-dependent 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) formation, and altered systemic mineral homeostasis. Our results suggest that CYP3A4-dependent 25OHD(3) metabolism may play an important role in the regulation of vitamin D(3) in vivo and in the etiology of drug-induced osteomalacia.
Pharmacokinetic (PK) variability in cancer clinical trials may be due to heterogeneous populations and identifying sources of variability is important. Use of healthy subjects in clinical ...pharmacology studies together with detailed knowledge of the characteristics of patients with cancer can allow for quick identification and quantification of factors affecting PK variability. PK data and sources of variability of 40 marketed molecularly targeted oncology therapeutics were compiled from regulatory approval documents covering an 18‐year period (1999–2017). Variability in PK parameters was compared and contributors to variability were identified. The results show that PK variability was ~ 16% higher for peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration time curve (AUC) in patients with cancer compared with healthy subjects. Several factors were identified as major contributors to variability including hepatic/renal impairment and cytochrome P450 inhibition/induction. Lower PK variability in healthy subjects may represent an opportunity to perform rapid and robust pharmacological and PK assessments to inform subsequent studies in the development of new cancer therapies.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Iron is a trace element important for the proper folding and function of various proteins. Physiological regulation of iron stores is of critical importance for RBC production and antimicrobial ...defense. Hepcidin is a key regulator of iron levels within the body. Under conditions of iron deficiency, hepcidin expression is reduced to promote increased iron uptake from the diet and release from cells, whereas during conditions of iron excess, induction of hepcidin restricts iron uptake and movement within the body. The cytokine IL-6 is well established as an important inducer of hepcidin. The presence of this cytokine during inflammatory states can induce hepcidin production, iron deficiency, and anemia. In this study, we show that IL-22 also influences hepcidin production in vivo. Injection of mice with exogenous mouse IgG1 Fc fused to the N terminus of mouse IL-22 (Fc-IL-22), an IL-22R agonist with prolonged and enhanced functional potency, induced hepcidin production, with a subsequent decrease in circulating serum iron and hemoglobin levels and a concomitant increase in iron accumulation within the spleen. This response was independent of IL-6 and was attenuated in the absence of the IL-22R-associated signaling kinase, Tyk2. Ab-mediated blockade of hepcidin partially reversed the effects on iron biology caused by IL-22R stimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that exogenous IL-22 regulates hepcidin production to physiologically influence iron usage.
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 26A1 and 26B1 are heme-containing enzymes responsible for metabolizing all-trans retinoic acid (at-RA). No crystal structures have been solved, and therefore homology models ...that provide structural information are extremely valuable for the development of inhibitors of cytochrome P450 family 26 (CYP26). The objectives of this study were to use homology models of CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 to characterize substrate binding characteristics, to compare structural aspects of their active sites, and to support the role of CYP26 in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Each model was verified by dockingat-RA in the active site and comparing the results to known metabolic profiles ofat-RA. The models were then used to predict the metabolic sites of tazarotenic acid with results verified by in vitro metabolite identification experiments. The CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 homology models predicted that the benzothiopyranyl moiety of tazarotenic acid would be oriented toward the heme of each enzyme and suggested that tazarotenic acid would be a substrate of CYP26A1 and CYP26B1. Metabolite identification experiments indicated that CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 oxidatively metabolized tazarotenic acid on the predicted moiety, with in vitro rates of metabolite formation by CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 being the highest across a panel of enzymes. Molecular analysis of the active sites estimated the active-site volumes of CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 to be 918 Å(3)and 977 Å(3), respectively. Overall, the homology models presented herein describe the enzyme characteristics leading to the metabolism of tazarotenic acid by CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 and support a potential role for the CYP26 enzymes in the metabolism of xenobiotics.