Dose, duration, and animal sex predict vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury in preclinical studies

•We analysed preclinical studies on vancomycin–associated acute kidney injury (AKI).•Dose-response data were compiled at the individual animal level to assess vancomycin–associated AKI.•Daily dose of vancomycin and urinary KIM-1, a sensitive vancomycin–associated AKI biomarker, were analysed.•Longer study duration and female sex were associated with greater toxicity. Although the exposure-dependent efficacy thresholds of vancomycin have been probed, less is known about acute kidney injury (AKI) thresholds for this drug. Sensitive urinary biomarkers, such as kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), have shown high sensitivity and specificity for vancomycin-associated AKI. The aims of the study were to determine if there were dose–response curves with urinary KIM-1, and to evaluate the impact of therapy duration and sex on observed relationships. A systematic review was conducted via PubMed/MEDLINE. Data were compiled from preclinical studies that reported individual subject data for urinary KIM-1 concentrations, vancomycin dose (mg/kg), duration of treatment, and sex. Sigmoidal Hill-type models were fit to the individual dose-response data. A total of 15 studies were identified, 6 of which reported vancomycin dose and KIM-1 data. Of these, three included individual animal-level data suitable for analysis. For all pooled rats, increasing total daily vancomycin doses displayed a dose-response curve with urinary KIM-1 concentrations (50% maximal toxic response=130.4 mg/kg/day). Dose-response curves were shifted left for females vs. males (P = 0.05) and for long (i.e. ≥7 days) vs. short (i.e.