A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Capillary Sampling Enables Venetoclax Concentration Measurement in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Within Academic Multicentre Trial
Authors: Kytölä, Sari; Kurkela, Mika; Kiiski, Johanna I.; Vänttinen, Ida; Ruokoranta, Tanja; Partanen, Anu; Holopainen, Annasofia; Pyörälä, Marja; Kuusisto, Milla E. L.; Siitonen, Timo; Koskela, Sirpa; Rimpiläinen, Johanna; Ettala, Pia; Kuusanmäki, Heikki; Niemi, Mikko; Backman, Janne T.; Kontro, Mika
Publisher: WILEY
Publishing place: HOBOKEN
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Journal name in source: BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Journal acronym: BASIC CLIN PHARMACOL
Article number: e70041
Volume: 136
Issue: 6
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1742-7835
eISSN: 1742-7843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.70041
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.70041
Venetoclax has improved outcomes for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Managing cytopenias and infections remains challenging. Previous pharmacokinetic studies have shown considerable variability in venetoclax concentrations between individuals; however, data regarding whether higher levels increase toxicity or impact efficacy are limited. This study assessed the feasibility of using fingertip capillary blood plasma, collected via microsampling, to measure venetoclax trough concentrations and explored their association with toxicity and treatment outcomes. Concentrations were measured during the first two therapy cycles in 89 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed or refractory AML receiving azacitidine and venetoclax. Validation with 37 parallel venipuncture and capillary samples showed excellent correlation (R-2 of 0.835, p < 0.0001). No significant associations were found between venetoclax concentrations and patient characteristics such as gender, age and weight. While no statistically significant effects on therapy outcomes or adverse events were identified, trends suggested lower concentrations in refractory patients and higher in those with morphologic leukaemia free state or extended cycle length. Additionally, three separate CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed in 81 patients for their potential impact on venetoclax concentrations. This study demonstrates that the capillary blood plasma method is viable for measuring venetoclax levels.
Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by Helsinki University: iCAN - Digital Precision Medicine and HiLIFE, FiCAN South, Finnish Medical Foundation, Cancer Foundation Finland, and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center.
