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Everolimus Through Plasmatic Concentrations in Cancer Patients: Prospective Longitudinal Observational Multicentric
Eduard Fort-Casamartina1, Sonia Pernas2, Sara Otero1
1Pharmacy Department, Institut Català Oncologia (ICO), Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Background: Everolimus, an oral inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is actually used to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat metastatic breast, renal, and neuroendocrine cancers. Despite significant pharmacokinetic variability among patients, routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is not commonly used in oncology. Methods: The aim of this multicenter, prospective observational cohort study is to assess the prevalence of everolimus minimum concentration at a steady state (Cminss) falling outside the therapeutic range (10-26.3 ng/mL) during a routine TDM programme. Sixty patients with metastatic breast, neuroendocrine, or renal cancers, either starting or continuing everolimus treatment according to hospital protocols, are to be included between 1st of January 2024 and 31st of December 2025 (patients undergoing clinical trials are excluded). We hypothesize that 30-50% of our patients and their blood samples will not achieve the target optimal plasma concentrations. Blood samples are collected every 4-6 weeks to monitor drug levels. The secondary goal is to explore correlation between out-of-range everolimus levels and factors such as demographic and anthropometric data, treatment specifics, lab results, genetic polymorphisms, and the presence of toxicity. Conclusions: This study could offer valuable insights into optimizing dosing strategies and may contribute to future research on personalizing everolimus and other anticancer treatments. This personalized approach seeks to tailor therapy not only to the tumour's molecular profile but also to the individual characteristics of each patient, improving both drug selection and dosing precision.
Insights
Many cancer patients on everolimus may not achieve optimal drug levels, necessitating therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). This study investigates the prevalence of out-of-range everolimus concentrations and their influencing factors in oncology settings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, treats various cancers but shows significant pharmacokinetic variability.
- Routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for everolimus in oncology is not standard practice.
- Understanding drug concentration variability is crucial for optimizing cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of everolimus minimum steady-state concentrations (Cminss) outside the therapeutic range (10-26.3 ng/mL).
- To explore correlations between non-therapeutic everolimus levels and patient/treatment-specific factors.
- To provide insights for personalized dosing strategies in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter, prospective observational cohort study.
- Inclusion of 60 patients with metastatic breast, neuroendocrine, or renal cancers undergoing everolimus treatment.
- Regular blood sample collection (every 4-6 weeks) for Cminss monitoring and correlation analysis with clinical data.
Main Results:
- Hypothesizes that 30-50% of patients will have everolimus levels outside the target therapeutic range.
- Aims to identify demographic, clinical, laboratory, and genetic factors associated with variable drug concentrations.
- Will quantify the incidence of suboptimal everolimus exposure in a real-world oncology setting.
Conclusions:
- Findings may guide the implementation of routine TDM for everolimus in cancer care.
- Results can inform personalized dosing strategies to improve treatment efficacy and safety.
- Contributes to optimizing everolimus therapy and potentially other targeted anticancer agents.
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