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Data published on the oral clavulanic acid pharmacokinetics in the pediatric population is lacking. This research aimed to describe clavulanic acid disposition following oral and intravenous administration and to provide insights into clavulanic acid exposure based on threshold concentrations for (pre-)term neonates and infants. This pooled population pharmacokinetic study combined four datasets for analysis in NONMEM v7.4.3. Clavulanic acid exposure was simulated using the percentage of time above the threshold concentrations (%fT > C T ). Multiple dosage regimens and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid dosage ratios were evaluated. The cohort consisted of 89 (42 oral, 47 intravenous) subjects (403 samples) with a median (range) postnatal age 54.5 days (0-365), gestational age 37.4 weeks (23.0-41.7), and current bodyweight 3.9 kg (0.6-9.0). A one-compartment model with first-order absorption best described clavulanic acid pharmacokinetics with postnatal age as a covariate on the inter-individual variability of clearance. Oral bioavailability was 24.4% in neonates up to 10 days of age. An oral dosing regimen 90 mg/kg/day amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (4:1 ratio) resulted in 40.2% of simulated patients achieving 100% fT > C T,2mg/L . An amoxicillin/clavulanic acid ratio of 4:1 is preferred for neonatal oral regimens due to the higher exposure along the entire %fT > C T range (0-100%) as ratios higher than 4:1 might result in inadequate exposure. Our results highlight substantial exposure differences (%fT > C T ) when using threshold concentrations of 1 mg/L vs. 2 mg/L. This first population pharmacokinetic model for clavulanic acid in neonates may serve as a foundational step for future research, once more precise clavulanic acid targets become available., (© 2024 The Author(s). Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.)

Successful antimicrobial therapy depends on achieving optimal drug concentrations within individual patients. Inter-patient variability in pharmacokinetics (PK) and differences in pathogen susceptibility (reflected in the minimum inhibitory concentration, [MIC]) necessitate personalised approaches. Dose individualisation strategies aim to address this challenge, improving treatment outcomes and minimising the risk of toxicity and antimicrobial resistance. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), with the application of population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models, enables model-informed precision dosing (MIPD). PopPK models mathematically describe drug behaviour across populations and can be combined with patient-specific TDM data to optimise dosing regimens. The integration of machine learning (ML) techniques promises to further enhance dose individualisation by identifying complex patterns within extensive datasets. Implementing these approaches involves challenges, including rigorous model selection and validation to ensure suitability for target populations. Understanding the relationship between drug exposure and clinical outcomes is crucial, as is striking a balance between model complexity and clinical usability. Additionally, regulatory compliance, outcome measurement, and practical considerations for software implementation will be addressed. Emerging technologies, such as real-time biosensors, hold the potential for revolutionising TDM by enabling continuous monitoring, immediate and frequent dose adjustments, and near patient testing. The ongoing integration of TDM, advanced modelling techniques, and ML within the evolving digital health care landscape offers a potential for enhancing antimicrobial therapy. Careful attention to model development, validation, and ethical considerations of the applied techniques is paramount for successfully optimising antimicrobial treatment for the individual patient., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background and Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, trials on convalescent plasma (ConvP) were performed without preceding dose-finding studies. This study aimed to assess potential protective dosing regimens by constructing a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model describing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers following the administration of ConvP or hyperimmune globulins (COVIg)., Methods: Immunocompromised patients, testing negative for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies despite vaccination, received a range of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the form of COVIg or ConvP infusion. The popPK analysis was performed using NONMEM v7.4. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to assess potential COVIg and ConvP dosing regimens for prevention of COVID-19., Results: Forty-four patients were enrolled, and data from 42 were used for constructing the popPK model. A two-compartment elimination model with mixed residual error best described the Nab-titers after administration. Inter-individual variation was associated to CL (44.3%), V1 (27.3%), and V2 (29.2%). Lean body weight and type of treatment (ConvP/COVIg) were associated with V1 and V2, respectively. Median elimination half-life was 20 days (interquartile range: 17-25 days). Simulations demonstrated that even monthly infusions of 600 mL of the ConvP or COVIg used in this trial would not achieve potentially protective serum antibody titers for > 90% of the time. However, as a result of hybrid immunity and/or repeated vaccination, plasma donors with extremely high antibody titers are now readily available, and a > 90% target attainment should be possible., Conclusion: The results of this study may inform future intervention studies on the prophylactic and therapeutic use of antiviral antibodies in the form of ConvP or COVIg., Clinical Trial Registration Number: NL9379 (The Netherlands Trial Register)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: There is a lack of evidence on oral amoxicillin pharmacokinetics and exposure in neonates with possible serious bacterial infection (pSBI). We aimed to describe amoxicillin disposition following oral and intravenous administration and to provide dosing recommendations for preterm and term neonates treated for pSBI., Methods: In this pooled-population pharmacokinetic study, 3 datasets were combined for nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. In order to evaluate amoxicillin exposure following oral and intravenous administration, pharmacokinetic profiles for different dosing regimens were simulated with the developed population pharmacokinetic model. A target of 50% time of the free fraction above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) with an MICECOFF of 8 mg/L (to cover gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli) was used., Results: The cohort consisted of 261 (79 oral, 182 intravenous) neonates with a median (range) gestational age of 35.8 weeks (range, 24.9-42.4) and bodyweight of 2.6 kg (range, 0.5-5). A 1-compartment model with first-order absorption best described amoxicillin pharmacokinetics. Clearance (L/h/kg) in neonates born after 30 weeks' gestation increased with increasing postnatal age (PNA day 10, 1.25-fold; PNA day 20, 1.43-fold vs PNA day 3). Oral bioavailability was 87%. We found that a twice-daily regimen of 50 mg/kg/day is superior to a 3- or 4-times daily schedule in the first week of life for both oral and intravenous administration., Conclusions: This pooled population pharmacokinetic description of intravenous and oral amoxicillin in neonates provides age-specific dosing recommendations. We conclude that neonates treated with oral amoxicillin in the first weeks of life reach adequate amoxicillin levels following a twice-daily dosing regimen. Oral amoxicillin therapy could therefore be an adequate, cost-effective, and more patient-friendly alternative for neonates worldwide., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. F. M. K. reports an ESPR travel grant. R. F. K. reports participation on a data and safety monitoring board or advisory board for the PROTEA study (Protecting late-moderate preterm infants from respiratory tract infections and wheeze in their first year of life by using bacterial lysates). B. C. P. K. reports grants or contracts from ZonMw, the Dutch government, and the AIDS Foundation and a leadership or fiduciary role with EPASG, EC ESCMID, Council IATDMCT, and UEMS Pharmacology. J. H. reports payment or honoraria for teaching the Dutch pediatric antibiotics course for pediatric trainees and pediatricians. All remaining authors: No reported conflicts of interest. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Aims: Nadroparin is administered to COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients as thromboprophylaxis. Despite existing population pharmacokinetic (PK) models for nadroparin in literature, the population PK of nadroparin in COVID-19 ICU patients is unknown. Moreover, optimal dosing regimens achieving anti-Xa target levels (0.3-0.7 IU/mL) are unknown. Therefore, a population PK analysis was conducted to investigate different dosing regimens of nadroparin in COVID-19 ICU patients., Methods: Anti-Xa levels (n = 280) from COVID-19 ICU patients (n = 65) receiving twice daily (BID) 5700 IU of subcutaneous nadroparin were collected to perform a population PK analysis with NONMEM v7.4.1. Using Monte Carlo simulations (n = 1000), predefined dosing regimens were evaluated., Results: A 1-compartment model with an absorption compartment adequately described the measured anti-Xa levels with interindividual variability estimated for clearance (CL). Inflammation parameters C-reactive protein, D-dimer and estimated glomerular filtration rate based on the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation allowed to explain the interindividual variability of CL. Moreover, CL was decreased in patients receiving corticosteroids (22.5%) and vasopressors (25.1%). Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that 5700 IU BID was the most optimal dosing regimen of the simulated regimens for achieving prespecified steady-state t = 4 h anti-Xa levels with 56.7% on target (0.3-0.7 IU/mL)., Conclusion: In our study, clearance of nadroparin is associated with an increase in inflammation parameters, use of corticosteroids, vasopression and renal clearance in critically ill patients. Furthermore, of the simulated regimens, targeted anti-Xa levels were most adequately achieved with a dosing regimen of 5700 IU BID. Future studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of found covariate relationships., (© 2022 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society.)

Background: Osimertinib is the cornerstone in the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nonetheless, ±25% of patients experience severe treatment-related toxicities. Currently, it is impossible to identify patients at risk of severe toxicity beforehand. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between osimertinib exposure and severe toxicity and to identify a safe toxic limit for a preventive dose reduction., Methods: In this real-life prospective cohort study, patients with NSCLC treated with osimertinib were followed for severe toxicity (grade ⩾3 toxicity, dose reduction or discontinuation, hospital admission, or treatment termination). Blood for pharmacokinetic analyses was withdrawn during every out-patient visit. Primary endpoint was the correlation between osimertinib clearance (exposure) and severe toxicity. Secondary endpoint was the exposure-efficacy relationship, defined as progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)., Results: In total, 819 samples from 159 patients were included in the analysis. Multivariate competing risk analysis showed osimertinib clearance ( c.q. exposure) to be significantly correlated with severe toxicity (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.99). An relative operating characteristic curve showed the optimal toxic limit to be 259 ng/mL osimertinib. A 50% dose reduction in the high-exposure group, that is 25.8% of the total cohort, would reduce the risk of severe toxicity by 53%. Osimertinib exposure was not associated with PFS nor OS., Conclusion: Osimertinib exposure is highly correlated with the occurrence of severe toxicity. To optimize tolerability, patients above the toxic limit concentration of 259 ng/mL could benefit from a preventive dose reduction, without fear for diminished effectiveness., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), 2022.)

Aims: Population pharmacokinetic (PK) models are increasingly applied to perform individualized dosing of factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates in haemophilia A patients. To guarantee accurate performance of a population PK model in dose individualization, validation studies are of importance. However, external validation of population PK models requires independent data sets and is, therefore, seldomly performed. Therefore, this study aimed to validate a previously published population PK model for FVIII concentrates administrated perioperatively., Methods: A previously published population PK model for FVIII concentrate during surgery was validated using independent data from 87 children with severe haemophilia A with a median (range) age of 2.6 years (0.03-15.2) and body weight of 14 kg (4-57). First, the predictive performance of the previous model was evaluated with MAP Bayesian analysis using NONMEM v7.4. Subsequently, the model parameters were (re)estimated using a combined dataset consisting of the previous modelling data and the data available for the external validation., Results: The previous model underpredicted the measured FVIII levels with a median of 0.17 IU mL -1 . Combining the new, independent and original data, a dataset comprising 206 patients with a mean age of 7.8 years (0.03-77.6) and body weight of 30 kg (4-111) was obtained. Population PK modelling provided estimates for CL, V1, V2, and Q: 171 mL h -1  68 kg -1 , 2930 mL 68 kg -1 , 1810 mL 68 kg -1 , and 172 mL h -1  68 kg -1 , respectively. This model adequately described all collected FVIII levels, with a slight median overprediction of 0.02 IU mL -1 ., Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of external validation of population PK models using real-life data., (© 2021 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society.)

Purpose: Pharmacokinetic (PK) differences between the extended half-life (EHL) factor IX (FIX) concentrates for hemophilia B exist, which may influence hemostatic efficacy of replacement therapy in patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the PK properties of three EHL-FIX concentrates and compare them to a standard half-life (SHL) recombinant FIX (rFIX) concentrate., Methods: Activity-time profiles of PEGylated FIX (N9-GP), FIX linked with human albumin (rIX-FP), FIX coupled to human IgG1 Fc-domain (rFIXFc), and SHL rFIX were simulated for 10,000 patients during steady-state dosing of 40 IU/kg once weekly (EHL-FIX) and biweekly (rFIX) using published concentrate specific population PK models., Results: Half-lives were respectively 80, 104, and 82 h for N9-GP, rIX-FP, and rFIXFc versus 22 h for rFIX. Between the EHL concentrates, exposure was different with area under the curve (AUC) values of 78.5, 49.6, and 12.1 IU/h/mL and time above FIX target values of 0.10 IU/mL of 168, 168, and 36 h for N9-GP, rIX-FP, and rFIXFc, respectively. N9-GP produced the highest median in vivo recovery value (1.70 IU/dL per IU/kg) compared with 1.18, 1.00, and 1.05 IU/dL per IU/kg for rIX-FP, rFIXFc, and rFIX, respectively., Conclusions: When comparing EHL products, not only half-life but also exposure must be considered. In addition, variation in extravascular distribution of the FIX concentrates must be taken into account. This study provides insight into the different PK properties of these concentrates and may aid in determination of dosing regimens of EHL-FIX concentrates in real-life., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Dosing of replacement therapy with factor VIII concentrate in patients with haemophilia A in the perioperative setting is challenging. Underdosing and overdosing of factor VIII concentrate should be avoided to minimise risk of perioperative bleeding and treatment costs. We hypothesised that dosing of factor VIII concentrate on the basis of a patient's pharmacokinetic profile instead of bodyweight, which is standard treatment, would reduce factor VIII consumption and improve the accuracy of attained factor VIII levels., Methods: In this open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial (OPTI-CLOT), patients were recruited from nine centres in Rotterdam, Groningen, Utrecht, Nijmegen, The Hague, Leiden, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Maastricht in The Netherlands. Eligible patients were aged 12 years or older with severe or moderate haemophilia A (severe haemophilia was defined as factor VIII concentrations of <0·01 IU/mL, and moderate haemophilia as 0·01-0·05 IU/mL), without factor VIII inhibitors, and planned for elective low or medium risk surgery as defined by surgical risk score. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using a web-based randomisation system and treatment minimisation, stratified by method of administration of factor VIII concentrate (continuous infusion vs bolus administration) and risk level of surgery (low and medium risk surgery), to the pharmacokinetic-guided or standard treatment group. The primary endpoint was total amount of infused factor VIII concentrate (IU per kg bodyweight) during perioperative period (from day of surgery up to 14 days after surgery). Analysis was by intention to treat and the safety analysis population comprised all participants who underwent surgery with factor VIII concentrate. This study is registered with the Netherlands Trial Registry, NL3955, and is now closed to accrual., Findings: Between May 1, 2014, and March 1, 2020, 98 patients were assessed for eligibility and 66 were enrolled in the trial and randomly assigned to the pharmacokinetic-guided treatment group (34 [52%]) or the standard treatment group (32 [48%]). Median age was 49·1 years (IQR 35·0 to 62·1) and all participants were male. No difference was seen in consumption of factor VIII concentrate during the perioperative period between groups (mean consumption of 365 IU/kg [SD 202] in pharmacokinetic-guided treatment group vs 379 IU/kg [202] in standard treatment group; adjusted difference -6 IU/kg [95% CI -88 to 100]). Postoperative bleeding occurred in six (18%) of 34 patients in the pharmacokinetic-guided treatment group and three (9%) of 32 in the standard treatment group. One grade 4 postoperative bleeding event occurred, which was in one (3%) patient in the standard treatment group. No treatment-related deaths occurred., Interpretation: Although perioperative pharmacokinetic-guided dosing is safe, it leads to similar perioperative factor VIII consumption when compared with standard treatment. However, pharmacokinetic-guided dosing showed an improvement in obtaining factor VIII concentrations within the desired perioperative factor VIII range. These findings provide support to further investigation of pharmacokinetic-guided dosing in perioperative haemophilia care., Funding: Dutch Research Council (NWO)-ZonMw and Takeda., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests REGS has received research support from Bayer, Baxalta, CSL Behring, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sobi, and Sanquin. FJMvdM has received grants from Bayer, CSL Behring, Novo Nordisk, Octapharma, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda, and Sobi for the development of a registry of Hemophilia patients in the Netherlands (HemoNED). KF has received unrestricted research grants from CSL Behring, Sobi, and Novo Nordisk, and her institution has received consultancy fees from Grifols, Takeda, Novo Nordisk, and Roche. MC has received research grants from Bayer, CSL Behring, Roche, UniQure, and Novo Nordisk. FWGL has received unrestricted research grants from CSL Behring, Shire/Takeda, Sobi, and UniQure; is a consultant for UniQure, Novo Nordisk, Biomarin and Shire, from which the fees go to their institution; has received travel support from Sobi; and is a member of the data safety and monitoring board for a study sponsored by Roche. KM has received research support from Bayer and Alexion and consulting fees from UniQure, from which all fees go to their institution. RAAM has served as an advisor for Bayer, CSL Behring, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Shire, and Zeria, with all honoraria and fees paid to their department at their institution), and has received unrestricted research grants from Bayer, CSL Behring, and Shire. MHC has received grants from the governmental research institutes Dutch Research Institute (NWO), ZonMW, Innovation fund, NWO-NWA; unrestricted investigator-initiated research grants and educational and travel funding from Pfizer, Baxter/Baxalta/Shire, Bayer Schering Pharma, CSL Behring, Sobi Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, and Nordic Pharma; and has served as a member on steering boards of Roche, Novartis, and Bayer, with all grants, awards, and fees received going to their institution. JGvdB has received funding for educational activities from Bayer and Novo Nordisk. IvM has received research grants from Sobi and CSL Behring. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Under- and, especially, overdosing of replacement therapy in haemophilia A patients may be prevented by application of other morphometric variables than body weight (BW) to dose factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates. Therefore, we aimed to investigate which morphometric variables best describe interindividual variability (IIV) of FVIII concentrate pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters., Methods: PK profiling was performed by measuring 3 FVIII levels after a standardized dose of 50 IU kg -1 FVIII concentrate. A population PK model was constructed, in which IIV for clearance (CL) and central volume of distribution (V1) was quantified. Relationships between CL, V1 and 5 morphometric variables (BW, ideal BW [IBW], lean BW, adjusted BW, and body mass index [BMI]) were evaluated in normal weight (BMI < 25 kg m -2 ), overweight (BMI 25-30 kg m -2 ) and obese haemophilia A patients (BMI > 30 kg m -2 )., Results: In total, 57 haemophilia A patients (FVIII≤0.05 IU mL -1 ) were included with median BW of 83 kg (range: 53-133) and median age of 48 years (range: 18-77). IBW best explained observed variability between patients, as IIV for CL and V1 was reduced from 45.1 to 37.6 and 26.% to 14.1%, respectively. CL, V1 and half-life were similar for all BMI categories. The national recommended dosing schedule did not result in adequate trough levels, both in case of dosing based on BW and IBW. However, dosing based on IBW prevented unnecessary high FVIII peaks., Conclusion: IBW is the most suitable morphometric variable to explain interindividual FVIII PK variability and is more appropriate to dose overweight and obese patients., (© 2020 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society.)

Background:  The pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of extended half-life (EHL) factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates differ, leading to variation in the optimal dosing regimen for the individual patient. The aim of this study was to establish these PK differences for various EHL FVIII concentrates by in silico simulations., Methods:  FVIII level over time profiles of rFVIII-SC, BAY 81-8973, rFVIII-Fc, BAX 855, BAY 94-9027, and standard half-life (SHL) rFVIII concentrates were simulated for 1,000 severe hemophilia A patients during steady-state dosing of 40 IU/kg every 72 hours or dosing as advised in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC)., Results:  Although the elimination half-life values were comparable for rFVIII-FC, BAX 855, and BAY 94-9027, a higher area under the curve (AUC; 2,779 IU/h/dL) for BAY 94-9027 was obtained. During steady-state dosing of 40 IU/kg every 72 hours, 58.5% (rFVIII-SC), 69.3% (BAY 81-8972), 89.0% (rFVIII-Fc), 83.9% (BAX 855), and 93.7% (BAY 94-9027) of the patients maintained a trough level of 1 IU/dL, compared with 56.0% for SHL rFVIII. Following dosing schemes described in the SmPC, between 51.0 and 65.4% or 23.2 and 31.1% of the patients maintained a target trough level of 1 IU/dL or 3 IU/dL, respectively., Conclusion:  BAY 94-9027 showed the largest increase of AUC and best target attainment compared with SHL rFVIII, followed closely by BAX 855 and rFVIII-Fc. BAY 81-8973 and rFVIII-SC showed smaller PK improvements. Although our analyses increase insight into the PK of these FVIII concentrates, more studies evaluating the relation between factor levels and bleeding risk are needed., Competing Interests: F.W.G.L. reports grants from CSL Behring, Shire, uniQure; consultancy for uniQure, Shire, and Biomarin, for which fees go to the university; travel support from Sobi; and has served as a DSMB member for a study by Roche, outside the submitted work. M.H.C. has received grants from governmental research institutes such as Dutch Research Institute (NWO), ZonMW, and Innovation Fund, and unrestricted investigator initiated research grants as well as educational and travel funding from the following companies over the years: Pfizer, Baxter/Baxalta/Shire, Bayer Schering Pharma, CSL Behring, Sobi, Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, and Nordic Pharma, and has served as a member on steering boards of Roche and Bayer; all grants, awards, and fees go to the institution. R.A.A.M. reports grants from Bayer, grants from Shire, grants from Merck Sharpe Dome, grants from CSL Behring, other from Bayer, other from Shire, outside the submitted work. Other authors declare no competing financial interests., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Hemophilia A and B are bleeding disorders caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII and IX, respectively. Patients with severe hemophilia (< 0.01 IU mL -1 ) and some patients with moderate hemophilia (0.01-0.05 IU mL -1 ) administer clotting factor concentrates prophylactically. Desmopressin (D-amino D-arginine vasopressin) can be applied in patients with non-severe hemophilia A. The aim of administration of factor concentrates or desmopressin is the prevention or cessation of bleeding. Despite weight-based dosing, it has been demonstrated that factor concentrates still exhibit considerable pharmacokinetic variability. Population pharmacokinetic analyses, in which this variability is quantified and explained, are increasingly performed in hemophilia research. These analyses can assist in the identification of important patient characteristics and can be applied to perform patient-tailored dosing. This review aims to present and discuss the population pharmacokinetic analyses that have been conducted to develop population pharmacokinetic models describing factor levels after administration of factor VIII or factor IX concentrates or D-amino D-arginine vasopressin. In total, 33 publications were retrieved from the literature. Two approaches were applied to perform population pharmacokinetic analyses, the standard two-stage approach and non-linear mixed-effect modeling. Using the standard two-stage approach, four population pharmacokinetic models were established describing factor VIII levels. In the remaining 29 analyses, the non-linear mixed-effect modeling approach was applied. NONMEM was the preferred software to establish population pharmacokinetic models. In total, 18 population pharmacokinetic analyses were conducted on the basis of data from a single product. From all available population pharmacokinetic analyses, 27 studies also included data from pediatric patients. In the majority of the population pharmacokinetic models, the population pharmacokinetic parameters were allometrically scaled using actual body weight. In this review, the available methods used for constructing the models, key features of these models, patient population characteristics, and established covariate relationships are described in detail.

Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are hereditary bleeding disorders, caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII or clotting factor IX, respectively. To treat and prevent bleedings, patients can administer clotting factor concentrates (hemophilia A and B) or desmopressin (hemophilia A). Both clotting factor concentrates and desmopressin are currently dosed according to the patients' body weight. However, clotting factor concentrates exhibit considerable pharmacokinetic (PK) variability. Therefore, several alternative dosing strategies to individualize dosing of clotting factor concentrates and desmopressin in hemophilia A and B have been proposed. In this study, a review of the existing literature on the individualization of dosing based on PK guidance was performed. In total, 79 articles were included. The methods to individualize dosing were divided into 3 categories: (1) methods using clinical parameters, (2) empirical individual PK-guided methods, and (3) maximum a posteriori (MAP) Bayesian estimation methods. The clinical parameter mainly used to individualize dosing is bleeding phenotype. Dosing based on bleeding phenotype may decrease clotting factor consumption. However, with this method, it is not possible to individualize on-demand dosing during bleeding events or in the perioperative setting. Empirical individual PK-guided methods can be used both for prevention and treatment of bleedings. These methods include dose individualization using a nomogram and individualized in vivo recovery. In the perioperative setting, adjustment of the rate of continuous infusion can be applied to obtain a specific target level. The final category, MAP Bayesian estimation methods, relies on the availability of a population PK model. In total, 22 population PK models describing clotting factor concentrate or desmopressin dosing are currently available in literature. MAP Bayesian estimates can be used to calculate the individualized doses required to achieve or maintain a target level in every setting. The application of PK-guided and pharmacodynamic-guided dosing of clotting factor concentrates and desmopressin seems promising, although further investigation is warranted. Prospective studies analyzing its potential benefit are on the way.

A 58-year-old morbidly obese male (body mass index: 38 kg/m 2 ) with severe haemophilia A underwent total knee replacement surgery. Perioperatively, factor VIII (FVIII) levels were measured daily and maximum a posteriori (MAP) Bayesian estimation was used to calculate the individual pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and doses required to obtain prescribed FVIII target levels. In the MAP Bayesian procedure, a population PK model was used in which PK parameters were normalised using body weight. In this specific case, ideal body weight was used to scale the PK parameters instead of actual body weight. Except for the preoperative FVIII level, adequate FVIII levels were achieved during the 10-day perioperative period. During follow-up visits, the knee prosthesis was reported to function adequately., Competing Interests: Competing interests: BLvG has received unrestricted educational grants from Baxter and CSL Behring. MHC has received unrestricted research grants for investigator-initiated studies and educational as well as travel grants from Pfizer, Shire, Bayer, Novo Nordisk, CSL Behring, Novartis and Roche. RAAM has received travel grants from Shire and Bayer. The remaining authors declare no competing financial interests., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

In 1985, external quality assurance was initiated in the Netherlands to reduce the between-laboratory variability of leukemia/lymphoma immunophenotyping and to improve diagnostic conclusions. This program consisted of regular distributions of test samples followed by biannual plenary participant meetings in which results were presented and discussed. A scoring system was developed in which the quality of results was rated by systematically reviewing the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical assay stages using three scores, i.e., correct (A), minor fault (B), and major fault (C). Here, we report on 90 consecutive samples distributed to 40-61 participating laboratories between 1998 and 2012. Most samples contained >20% aberrant cells, mainly selected from mature lymphoid malignancies (B or T cell) and acute leukemias (myeloid or lymphoblastic). In 2002, minimally required monoclonal antibody (mAb) panels were introduced, whilst methodological guidelines for all three assay stages were implemented. Retrospectively, we divided the study into subsequent periods of 4 ("initial"), 4 ("learning"), and 7 years ("consolidation") to detect "learning effects." Uni- and multivariate models showed that analytical performance declined since 2002, but that post-analytical performance improved during the entire period. These results emphasized the need to improve technical aspects of the assay, and reflected improved interpretational skills of the participants. A strong effect of participant affiliation in all three assay stages was observed: laboratories in academic and large peripheral hospitals performed significantly better than those in small hospitals. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society., (© 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society.)