Clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Background Tacrolimus has gained acceptance in the management of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in children. Due to limited data, therapeutic range is extrapolated from pediatric renal transplant recipients. This study was designed to assess therapeutic efficacy of tacrolimus in children with SRNS and its correlation with inter-dose area under concentration curve (AUC 0–12 h ) and trough concentration (C 0 ). Methods Pre dose, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3, 4, 8, and 12 h after drug administration blood samples were collected in 25 children who were on tacrolimus for a minimum of 3 months and AUC 0–12 h was calculated. Results There was an 80 % (20/25) response rate with 64 % (16/25) children achieving complete remission. Median C 0 in remission was higher than in relapse group (2.95 ng/ml, versus 1.20 ng/ml, p = 0.005). Median AUC 0–12 h in remission was higher compared to those in relapse group (79.75 versus 35.15 μg × h/l; p = 0.025). Maximum concentration after drug administration (Cmax) among the groups was not significantly different. There was a significant correlation between C 0 and AUC 0–12 h ( r = 0.79); and Cmax and AUC 0–12 h ( r = 0.84). Five patients had a rise in serum creatinine, of which four were still proteinuric and had lower C 0 and AUC 0–12 h . No other adverse effect was noted. Conclusions Tacrolimus had beneficial clinical response in SRNS. Target C 0 and AUC 0–12 h level for treatment remission was higher than those in relapse in children with SRNS but was lower than required in transplant recipient.