A Pharmacokinetic Study of Pediatric Micafungin Prophylaxis

Overview

The purpose of this research study is to examine the pharmacokinetics (the process by which a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body) of micafungin when it is given at 5mg/kg dose to immunocompromised children as anti-fungal prophylaxis. These children are at high risk for developing invasive fungal disease due to their compromised immunity and associated variable degree and duration of neutropenia. Currently, children who receive micafungin are given daily or alternate day dosing. The investigators will give a ONE TIME dose of micafungin and draw PK levels up to 96 hours post-infusion. The investigators goal is to obtain comparable micafungin drug concentrations at the end of 96 hours (4 days) as compared to lower dose at every 24 hour dosing. The investigators dosing proposal is likely to be effective prophylaxis for immunocompromised patients and would broaden its applicability to larger populations.

Disseminated fungal infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children. Many of the drugs used for fungal prophylaxis have been associated with renal and hepatic toxicity. Also, breakthrough infections have been reported with the use of some of the oral agents due to poor oral absorption. An alternative approach is the use of intravenous micafungin for fungal prophylaxis. Micafungin has a distinct advantage due to its better safety profile, specifically in terms of hepatic and renal toxicity. Currently, children who receive micafungin are given daily or alternate day dosing (based on their last Pk study, Mehta et al 2010). The investigators objective is to examine the pharmacokinetics of micafungin when it is given on a less frequent schedule. The investigators hypothesize that a single dose of micafungin (at 5mg/kg) every 4 days will provide drug exposure equivalent to daily dosing (at 1mg/kg) while reducing administration costs and improving patient convenience (with essentially twice a week dosing regimen). Both animal and adult data support the use of this approach. Fifteen patients will be enrolled on this study and will be given a SINGLE DOSE of micafungin antifungal prophylaxis (5 mg/kg). Blood samples will be drawn for pharmacokinetic measurements after administration of micafungin. Plasma concentration data will be analyzed by compartmental and non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. The data will also be analyzed by a population pharmacokinetic approach.