High-dose erythropoietin population pharmacokinetics in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy receiving hypothermia

BACKGROUND: High-dose erythropoietin (Epo) is a promising neuroprotective treatment in neonates with hypoxicischemic encephalopathy (HIE) receiving hypothermia. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and dose-exposure relationships of high-dose Epo in this population to inform future dosing strategies. METHODS: We performed a population pharmacokinetic analysis of 47 neonates with HIE treated with hypothermia who received up to six doses of Epo in two previous clinical trials. We compared the ability of different dosing regimens to achieve the target neuroprotective Epo exposure levels determined from animal models of hypoxic-ischemia (i.e., area under the curve during the first 48 h of treatment (AUC(48h)) 140,000 mU*h/ml). RESULTS: Birth weight scaled via allometry was a significant predictor of Epo clearance and volume of distribution (P < 0.001). After accounting for birth weight, variation in Epo pharmacokinetics between neonates was low (CV% 20%). All 23 neonates who received 1,000 U/kg every 24 h for the first 2 d of therapy achieved the target AUC(48h) 140,000 mU*h/ml. No neonate who received a lower dosing regimen achieved this target. CONCLUSION: In neonates with HIE receiving hypothermia, Epo 1,000 U/kg every 24 h for the first 2 d of therapy resulted in consistent achievement of target exposures associated with neuroprotection in animal models.