5-Fluorouracil Toxicity: Revisiting the Relevance of Pharmacokinetic Parameters

Background/Objectives : 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is used in the treatment of solid cancer types. Because of its narrow therapeutic window, drug monitoring is recommended. We were confronted to answer a question on the relevance of concentration as opposed to the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) to predict toxicity when we had to assess the case of a patient who died after an erroneously high infusion rate. Methods : We used physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling (PBPK) to simulate the concentration–time profile of 5-FU data on doses, dosing schedules and life-threatening toxicity for both the patient in question as well as data from the literature. Furthermore, steady-state 5-FU concentrations were calculated from an additional set of data found in the literature on AUCs and non-life-threatening toxicity. Results : The model predictions matched well with experimental data, confirming the suitability of the model. Life-threatening toxicity was related to a concentration above 6 mg/L, whereas non-life-threatening toxicity was low at concentrations less than 3 mg/L but steeply increased between 3 and 4 mg/L. Data analysis supported by a decision algorithm suggests that the 5-FU steady-state plasma concentration is a better toxicity predictor than the AUC. Conclusions : We recommend monitoring the concentration one hour after infusion starts when about 50% of the steady state is reached in patients for whom higher doses are clinically considered relevant. Monitoring the concentration one hour after starting the infusion has the advantage that dose correction could be made early before toxicity can be observed.