Evaluating the Impact of CYP3A5 Genotype on Post-Transplant Healthcare Resource Utilization in Pediatric Renal and Heart Transplant Recipients Receiving Tacrolimus.

Purpose: genotype is a significant contributor to inter-individual tacrolimus exposure and may impact the time required to achieve therapeutic concentrations and number of tacrolimus dose adjustments in transplant patients. Increased modifications to tacrolimus therapy may indicate a higher burden on healthcare resources. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether genotype was predictive of healthcare resource utilization in pediatric renal and heart transplant recipients.

Patients And Methods: Patients <18 years of age with a renal or heart transplant between 6/1/2014-12/31/2018 and tacrolimus-based immunosuppression were included. Secondary use samples were obtained for genotyping. Clinical data was retrospectively collected from the electronic medical record. Healthcare resource utilization measures included the number of dose changes, number of tacrolimus concentrations, length of stay, number of clinical encounters, and total charges within the first year post-transplant. Rejection and donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation within the first year were also collected. The impact of genotype was evaluated via univariate analysis for the first year and multivariable analysis at 30, 90, 180, 270, and 365 days post-transplant.

Results: Eighty-five subjects were included, 48 renal transplant recipients and 37 heart transplant recipients. genotype was not associated with any outcomes in renal transplant, however, a CYP3A5 expresser phenotype was a predictor of more dose changes, more tacrolimus concentrations, longer length of stay, and higher total charges in heart transplant recipients. genotype was not associated with rejection or DSA formation. Age and induction therapy were associated with higher total charges.

Conclusion: genotype may predict healthcare resource utilization in the first year post-transplant, although this may be mitigated by differences in tacrolimus management. Future studies should evaluate the impact of genotype-guided dosing strategies for tacrolimus on healthcare utilization resources.