Austin Health

Title
Invasive fungal infection following venetoclax and posaconazole co-administration.
Publication Date
2023-11
Author(s)
Reynolds, Gemma
Urbancic, Karen F
Fong, Chun Y
Trubiano, Jason
Subject
BCL-2
MDS
antifungal
fungal infection
infection
Type of document
Journal Article
OrcId
0000-0002-9561-3592
0000-0002-9275-578X
0000-0001-5773-103X
0000-0002-5111-6367
DOI
10.1111/bjh.19116
Abstract
The co-administration of venetoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor, with a mould-active azole, such a posaconazole, has potential to both prevent invasive fungal infection (IFI) and reduce the required treatment dose, and cost, of venetoclax. Posaconazole drug-level monitoring is critical to ensuring adequate mould prophylaxis. A retrospective audit of 99 patients at a tertiary cancer centre, with myeloid malignancies co-prescribed venetoclax and posaconazole between January 2018 and April 2022, was undertaken to evaluate the adequacy of posaconazole prescribing and the rate of breakthrough IFI. Seventy-six patients (77%) had at least one posaconazole level measured in the study period, with 37% requiring a dose adjustment based on steady-state trough levels. Breakthrough IFI occurred in 4% of patients, typically within 1 month of commencing anti-mould prophylaxis. Close monitoring of posaconazole levels in venetoclax-treated patients, particularly in the early, outpatient setting, is critical.
Link
Citation
British Journal of Haematology 2023-11; 203(4)
Jornal Title
British Journal of Haematology
ISSN
1365-2141

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