Aims: Chinese children are more susceptible to the development of thiopurineinduced leukopenia compared with Caucasian populations. The aim of our study was to establish a 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) dose-concentration-response relationship through exploration of pharmacogenetic factors involved in the thiopurine-induced toxicities in Chinese paediatric patients afflicted by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).Methods: Blood samples were obtained from ALL children treated with 6-MP. We determined the metabolite steady-state concentrations of 6-MP in red blood cells (RBCs) by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacogenetic analysis was carried out on patients' genomic DNA using the MassArray genotyping platform.Results: Sixty children afflicted by ALL who received 6-MP treatment were enrolled in this study. The median concentration of 6-thioguanine in patients afflicted by leukopenia was 235.83 pmol/8 × 10 8 RBCs, which was significantly higher than for patients unafflicted by leukopenia (178.90 pmol/8 × 10 8 RBCs; P = 0.029). We determined the population special target 6-thioguanine threshold to have equalled 197.50 pmol/8 × 10 8 RBCs to predict leukopenia risk in Chinese paediatric patients afflicted by ALL. Among 36 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms, our results indicated that NUDT15 (rs116855232) and IMPDH1 (rs2278293) were correlated with a 5.50-fold and 5.80-fold higher risk of leukopenia, respectively. MTHFR rs1801133 Tian-You Wang and Wei Zhao contributed equally.The authors confirm that the Principal Investigator for this paper is Wei Zhao and that he had direct clinical responsibility for patients.

Imipenem is widely used for the treatment of children with serious infections. Currently, studies on the pharmacokinetics of imipenem in children with hematological malignancies are lacking. Given the significant impact of disease on pharmacokinetics and increased resistance, we aimed to conduct a population pharmacokinetic study of imipenem and optimize the dosage regimens for this vulnerable population. After children were treated with imipenem-cilastatin (IMP-CS), blood samples were collected from the children and the concentrations of imipenem were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Then, a population-level pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using NONMEM software. Data were collected from 56 children (age range, 2.03 to 11.82 years) with hematological malignancies to conduct a population pharmacokinetic analysis. In this study, a two-compartment model that followed first-order elimination was found to be the most suitable. The parameters of current weight, age, and creatinine elimination rate were significant covariates that influenced imipenem pharmacokinetics. As a result, 41.4%, 56.1%, and 67.1% of the children reached the pharmacodynamic target (the percentage of the time during the total dosing interval that the free drug concentration remains above the MIC of 70%) against sensitive pathogens with an MIC of 0.5 mg/liter with imipenem at 15, 20, and 25 mg/kg of body weight every 6 h (q6h), respectively. However, only 11.1% of the children achieved the pharmacodynamic target against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates with an MIC of 2 mg/liter at a dose of 25 mg/kg q6h. The population pharmacokinetics of imipenem were assessed in children. The current dosage regimens of imipenem result in underdosing against resistant pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. However, for sensitive pathogens, imipenem has an acceptable pharmacodynamic target rate at a dosage of 25 mg/kg q6h. (The study discussed in this paper has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03113344.)

PurposeCefathiamidine, a first-generation cephalosporin, has approval from the China Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria in both adults and children. As pharmacokinetic data are limited in the pediatric population, we aimed to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics of cefathiamidine in children and to define the appropriate dose in order to optimize cefathiamidine treatment.MethodsBlood samples were collected from children treated with cefathiamidine, and concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using NONMEM software.ResultsFifty-four children (age range: 2.0–11.8 years) were included. Sparse pharmacokinetic samples (n=120) were available for analysis. A two-compartment model with first-order elimination showed the best fit with the data. A covariate analysis identified that bodyweight had a significant impact on cefathiamidine pharmacokinetics. Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated that the currently used dosing regimen of 100 mg/kg/day q12h was associated with a high risk of underdosing in pediatric patients. To reach the target 70% fT>MIC, a dose of 100 mg/kg/day cefathiamidine q6h is required for effective treatment against Haemophilus influenzae.ConclusionA population pharmacokinetics model of cefathiamidine in children with hematologic disease was established. A dosing regimen of 100 mg/kg/day cefathiamidine q6h should be used in clinical practice against H. influenza infections.

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