CellCept/Iron Study: The Iron Ion-Mycophenolate Mofetil Chelation Complex Interaction in Renal Allograft Recipients

Following oral administration, MMF is rapidly absorbed and is presystemically hydrolyzed to its active form MPA in the liver. It is then metabolized by glucuronyl transferase to its inactive metabolite mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPAG). MPA and MPAG also undergo a significant enterohepatic recirculation process, which is thought to contribute to the secondary peaks in the serum concentrations.

Pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers have demonstrated the bioavailability to be ~94%. Previous studies have shown that many concomitantly administered medications including magnesium and aluminum containing antacids and cholestyramine, significantly impair bioavailability and decrease serum MPA AUCs from 37% and 40%, respectively.

However, of the potentially significant drug interactions involving MMF, iron may have the most clinically significant consequences. A large portion of the transplant population, particularly renal allograft recipients, experience anemia requiring iron supplementation. A single dose pharmacokinetic study conducted in seven healthy volunteers evaluated the effect of concomitant iron (delayed release preparation) administration on the absorption of MMF. This study reported a significant (89.7%) decrease in AUC among patients receiving concomitant iron and MMF. Although this study provides valuable information, it fails to address several clinically pertinent questions for transplant clinicians including:

• the potential impact on steady state MPA kinetics in transplant patients,
• effect of immediate release iron preparation compared with sustained release iron product, and
• the effect of timing of the dose relative to administration of MMF.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients prescribed iron and mycophenolate mofetil concomitantly
• The subject must be able to give informed consent for the study.
• Stable renal transplant patients age 18 years and older.
• At least 6 months status-post primary or secondary kidney transplant.
• Stable organ function
• Patients who have achieved therapeutic levels of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or sirolimus.
• Patients on stable doses of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or sirolimus. Defined as: No dosage adjustments within 2 weeks prior to study entry.
• Patients receiving ferrous sulfate iron preparations (either sustained release or immediate release preparations) or polysaccharide iron complex

Exclusion criteria

• Treated for acute rejection within the last 90 days
• Received other organ transplants in addition to kidney
• Pregnant or breast-feeding
• Use of iron supplements other than ferrous sulfate or polysaccharide iron complex