Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetics of imatinib in Chinese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Aim: This study aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model in Chinese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, and to quantify the effects of pharmacogenetics on pharmacokinetic parameters of imatinib.
Methods: A total of 229 plasma concentrations from 170 patients were analyzed. Nonlinear mixed effect model was used to establish the PPK model.
Results: A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and first-order elimination adequately describes imatinib pharmacokinetics. Actual bodyweight shows slight effect on the estimated apparent clearance (CL/F) of imatinib in this study population. The final PPK model is: K _a (1/h) = 0.329; CL/F (l/h) = 9.25 × (actual bodyweight/70) ^0.228 ; V/F(l) = 222.
Conclusion: Actual bodyweight has a slight effect on CL/F. Demographics, physiopathology and pharmacogenetics covariates have no significant effects on imatinib pharmacokinetics.