Pharmacokinetics of metronomic temozolomide in cerebrospinal fluid of children with malignant central nervous system tumors

PURPOSE: Although temozolomide is widely used in the treatment of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors, information on its pharmacokinetic profile in the brain or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is sparse. This study aimed at investigating whether measurable and clinically relevant concentrations of temozolomide are reached and maintained in CSF for continuous oral administration in pediatric patients. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to quantify CSF penetration of temozolomide. METHODS: Eleven pediatric CNS tumor patients (aged 4–14 years) treated with oral temozolomide using a metronomic schedule (24–77 mg/m(2)/day) were included. Temozolomide concentrations in 28 plasma samples and 64 CSF samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Population pharmacokinetic modeling and simulations were performed using non-linear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM 7.4.2). RESULTS: Median temozolomide concentrations in plasma and CSF were 0.96 (range 0.24–5.99) µg/ml and 0.37 (0.06–1.76) µg/ml, respectively. A two-compartment model (central/plasma [1], CSF [2]) with first-order absorption, first-order elimination, and a transit compartment between CSF and plasma adequately described the data. Population mean estimates for clearance (CL) and the volume of distribution in the central compartment (V(c)) were 3.29 L/h (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.58–3.95) and 10.5 L (8.17–14.32), respectively. Based on simulations, we found a median area under the concentration vs. time curve ratio (AUC(CSF) / AUC(plasma) ratio) of 37%. CONCLUSION: Metronomic oral temozolomide penetrates into the CSF in pediatric patients, with even higher concentration levels compared to adults. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00280-022-04424-4.