Isavuconazole prophylaxis and treatment in pediatric HSCT recipients: Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy

Hao Jiang1, Lixiao Cai2, Ningning Chen2

  • 1Department of Stem cell Transplantation, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.

Insights

Isavuconazole is safe and effective for preventing invasive fungal diseases in pediatric stem cell transplant patients. A trough concentration target of 1-3 mg/L is sufficient for prophylaxis, with TDM crucial for optimal dosing, especially in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are at high risk for invasive fungal diseases (IFDs).
  • Isavuconazole is a newer azole antifungal agent with a broad spectrum of activity.
  • Optimal dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) targets for isavuconazole in pediatric HSCT populations require further definition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of isavuconazole for IFD prophylaxis in pediatric HSCT recipients.
  • To define an optimal TDM trough concentration target for isavuconazole prophylaxis in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 30 pediatric patients undergoing HSCT, receiving isavuconazole for prophylaxis (n=23) or salvage (n=7).
  • Evaluation of plasma trough concentrations (Cmin), concentration-to-dose ratios (C/D), breakthrough IFDs, and adverse events.
  • Specific focus on a target Cmin of 1-3 mg/L for prophylaxis.

Main Results:

  • A Cmin of 1-3 mg/L achieved 95.7% clinical success in the prophylaxis group.
  • The defined target range demonstrated a favorable safety profile without dose-limiting toxicities.
  • Children under 6 years showed significantly lower C/D ratios, indicating faster drug clearance and need for higher weight-based doses.

Conclusions:

  • Isavuconazole is effective and safe for IFD prophylaxis in pediatric HSCT recipients.
  • A Cmin target of 1-3 mg/L is adequate for prophylaxis, differing from treatment targets.
  • Routine TDM is essential for optimizing isavuconazole dosing, particularly in children under 6 years.
Abstract

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