Mobile Site ›
Print Page Email Page

Interpretive Handbook

‹ Back to index | Back to list | More information

Test 60537:
Everolimus, Blood

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Everolimus is an immunosuppressive agent derived from sirolimus (rapamycin). Both drugs function via inhibition of mTOR signaling, and share similar pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles. Everolimus has a shorter half-life than sirolimus, which allows for more rapid achievement of steady-state pharmacokinetics. Everolimus is extensively metabolized, primarily by CYP3A4, thus its use with inducers or inhibitors of that enzyme may require dose adjustment. The most common adverse effects include hyperlipidemia, thrombocytopenia, and nephrotoxicity.  Everolimus is useful as adjuvant therapy in renal cell carcinoma and other cancers. It recently gained FDA approval for prophylaxis of graft rejection in solid organ transplant, an application which has been accepted for years in Europe. The utility of therapeutic drug monitoring has not been established for everolimus as an oncology chemotherapy; however, measuring blood drug concentrations is common practice for its use in transplant. Therapeutic targets vary depending on the transplant site and institution protocol. Guidelines for heart and kidney transplants suggest that trough (immediately prior to the next scheduled dose) blood concentrations between 3 to 8 ng/mL provide optimal outcomes.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Management of everolimus immunosuppression in solid organ transplant

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Therapeutic targets vary by transplant site and institution protocol. Heart and kidney transplant guidelines suggest a therapeutic range of 3 to 8 ng/mL.

 

Measurement of drug concentrations in oncology chemotherapy is less common, thus no therapeutic range is established for this application.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Therapeutic targets vary by transplant site and institution protocol. Established ranges refer to trough (pre-dose) concentrations.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

3-8 ng/mL

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Eisen HJ, Tuzcu EM, Dorent R, et al: Everolimus for the prevention of allograft rejection and vasculopathy in cardiac-transplant recipients. N Engl J Med 2003;349(9):847-858

2. Kovarik JM, Beyer D, Schmouder RL: Everolimus drug interactions: application of a classification system for clinical decision making. Biopharm Drug Dispos 2006;27(9):421-426

3. Rothenburger M, Zuckermann A, Bara C, et al: Recommendations for the use of everolimus (Certican) in heart transplantation: results from the second German-Austrian Certican Consensus Conference. J Heart Lung Transplant 2007;26(4):305-311

4. Sanchez-Fructuoso AI: Everolimus: an update on the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and recent clinical trials. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2008;4(6):807-819