A proposal for an individualized pharmacogenetics-based warfarin initiation dose regimen for patients commencing anticoagulation therapy.

A significant proportion of the interindividual variability in warfarin dose requirements can be explained on the basis of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes. We report the development of a novel pharmacogenetics-based 3-day warfarin initiation dose (ID) algorithm based on the International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium (IWPC) maintenance dose algorithm and the CYP2C9 genotype-based variance in warfarin half-life. The predictive value of the pharmacogenetics-based ID was assessed in a large cohort of 671 newly diagnosed patients with thromboembolic disorders who were about to commence anticoagulation therapy in accordance with standard induction regimens. In patients with mean international normalized ratio (INR)days 4-7>4.0 (n=63) after warfarin initiation, the pharmacogenetics-based ID algorithm predicted a markedly lower dose requirement (median reduction=4.2 mg), whereas in those with mean INRdays 4-7<2.0 (n=145), the predicted dose requirement was very similar to that in the standard regimen. The use of a pharmacogenetics-based ID may avoid overshooting of INR in warfarin-sensitive patients without unduly affecting the time taken to reach target range in the majority of patients.

A pharmacometric model describing the relationship between warfarin dose and INR response with respect to variations in CYP2C9, VKORC1, and age.

The objective of the study was to update a previous NONMEM model to describe the relationship between warfarin dose and international normalized ratio (INR) response, to decrease the dependence of the model on pharmacokinetic (PK) data, and to improve the characterization of rare genotype combinations. The effects of age and CYP2C9 genotype on S-warfarin clearance were estimated from high-quality PK data. Thereafter, a temporal dose-response (K-PD) model was developed from information on dose, INR, age, and CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype, with drug clearance as a covariate. Two transit compartment chains accounted for the delay between exposure and response. CYP2C9 genotype was identified as the single most important predictor of required dose, causing a difference of up to 4.2-fold in the maintenance dose. VKORC1 accounted for a difference of up to 2.1-fold in dose, and age reduced the dose requirement by ~6% per decade. This reformulated K-PD model decreases dependence on PK data and enables robust assessment of INR response and dose predictions, even in individuals with rare genotype combinations.

A PK-PD model for predicting the impact of age, CYP2C9, and VKORC1 genotype on individualization of warfarin therapy.

The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between warfarin concentrations and international normalized ratio (INR) response and to identify predictors important for dose individualization. S- and R-warfarin concentrations, INR, and CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes from 150 patients were used to develop a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model in NONMEM. The anticoagulant response was best described by an inhibitory E(MAX) model, with S-warfarin concentration as the only exposure predictor for response. Delay between exposure and response was accounted for by a transit compartment model with two parallel transit compartment chains. CYP2C9 genotype and age were identified as predictors for S-warfarin clearance, and VKORC1 genotype as a predictor for warfarin sensitivity. Predicted INR curves indicate important steady-state differences between patients with different sets of covariates; differences that cannot be foreseen from early INR assessments alone. It is important to account for CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes and age to improve a priori and a posteriori individualization of warfarin therapy.