Purpose: To describe the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and to investigate the interaction potential with protease inhibitors (indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir) and the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor nevirapine, for which strong theoretical indications for clinically relevant drug interactions exist.
Methods: The 24-h plasma pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel (Taxol, given at 100 mg/m2 by 3-h intravenous infusion) and concomitantly infused antiretroviral drugs were determined in a human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-infected male patient with refractory Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) during high-activity antiretroviral therapy and after discontinuation of this regimen. The plasma pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and nevirapine were closely monitored. Since all these drugs are extensively metabolized via the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and are substrates for the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein, investigation of drug-drug interactions was considered important.
Results: In this case report study the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel given concomitantly with various antiretroviral drugs were comparable with those of historical controls who had been treated with single-agent paclitaxel. The pharmacokinetics of indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and nevirapine were also not statistically significantly different from those recorded for historical controls. Paclitaxel was well tolerated and resulted in a significant clinical response in this patient.
Conclusion: Dose adjustments of paclitaxel, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, or nevirapine are apparently not needed if HIV-1-associated KS is treated with paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg/m2 as shown in the present case. It is stressed, however, that controlled studies are necessary to substantiate these preliminary case report findings.