Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Infliximab, ipilimumab, and nivolumab are three monoclonal antibodies that have been associated with hepatotoxicity. Three separate physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were developed in GastroPlus<sup>®</sup> to simulate plasma an...

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Main Authors: Celeste Vallejo, Cameron Meaney, Lara Clemens, Kyunghee Yang, Viera Lukacova, Haiying Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/372
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author Celeste Vallejo
Cameron Meaney
Lara Clemens
Kyunghee Yang
Viera Lukacova
Haiying Zhou
author_facet Celeste Vallejo
Cameron Meaney
Lara Clemens
Kyunghee Yang
Viera Lukacova
Haiying Zhou
author_sort Celeste Vallejo
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Infliximab, ipilimumab, and nivolumab are three monoclonal antibodies that have been associated with hepatotoxicity. Three separate physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were developed in GastroPlus<sup>®</sup> to simulate plasma and liver concentrations in patient populations after administration of either infliximab, ipilimumab, or nivolumab. <b>Methods:</b> The models include distribution and clearance mechanisms specific to large molecules, FcRn binding dynamics, and target-mediated drug disposition (TNF-α for infliximab, CTLA-4 for ipilimumab, and PD-1 for nivolumab). <b>Results:</b> The PBPK model for each large molecule was able to reproduce observed plasma concentration data in patient populations, including patients with rheumatoid arthritis and patients with solid tumors. Liver concentrations were predicted to be between 10% and 23% of the plasma concentrations for each of the three drugs, aligning with previously reported results. This lends further validity to the PBPK models and their ability to accurately predict hepatic concentrations in the absence of direct tissue measurements. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results can be used to drive liver toxicity predictions using the quantitative systems toxicology model, BIOLOGXsym™, which integrates hepatic interstitial concentrations with in vitro mechanistic toxicity data to predict the extent of liver toxicity for biologics.
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spelling doaj-art-3ef8970a7a4741bf9f6c7d2e7da9e05c2025-08-20T03:43:34ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-03-0117337210.3390/pharmaceutics17030372Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic ConcentrationsCeleste Vallejo0Cameron Meaney1Lara Clemens2Kyunghee Yang3Viera Lukacova4Haiying Zhou5Simulations Plus, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USASimulations Plus, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USASimulations Plus, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USASimulations Plus, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USASimulations Plus, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USASimulations Plus, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USA<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Infliximab, ipilimumab, and nivolumab are three monoclonal antibodies that have been associated with hepatotoxicity. Three separate physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were developed in GastroPlus<sup>®</sup> to simulate plasma and liver concentrations in patient populations after administration of either infliximab, ipilimumab, or nivolumab. <b>Methods:</b> The models include distribution and clearance mechanisms specific to large molecules, FcRn binding dynamics, and target-mediated drug disposition (TNF-α for infliximab, CTLA-4 for ipilimumab, and PD-1 for nivolumab). <b>Results:</b> The PBPK model for each large molecule was able to reproduce observed plasma concentration data in patient populations, including patients with rheumatoid arthritis and patients with solid tumors. Liver concentrations were predicted to be between 10% and 23% of the plasma concentrations for each of the three drugs, aligning with previously reported results. This lends further validity to the PBPK models and their ability to accurately predict hepatic concentrations in the absence of direct tissue measurements. <b>Conclusions:</b> These results can be used to drive liver toxicity predictions using the quantitative systems toxicology model, BIOLOGXsym™, which integrates hepatic interstitial concentrations with in vitro mechanistic toxicity data to predict the extent of liver toxicity for biologics.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/372physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelinfliximabipilimumabnivolumablarge moleculehepatic concentration
spellingShingle Celeste Vallejo
Cameron Meaney
Lara Clemens
Kyunghee Yang
Viera Lukacova
Haiying Zhou
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations
Pharmaceutics
physiologically based pharmacokinetic model
infliximab
ipilimumab
nivolumab
large molecule
hepatic concentration
title Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations
title_full Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations
title_fullStr Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations
title_full_unstemmed Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations
title_short Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Infliximab, Ipilimumab, and Nivolumab Developed with GastroPlus to Predict Hepatic Concentrations
title_sort physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for infliximab ipilimumab and nivolumab developed with gastroplus to predict hepatic concentrations
topic physiologically based pharmacokinetic model
infliximab
ipilimumab
nivolumab
large molecule
hepatic concentration
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/372
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