Pharmacokinetics of oral cyclosporin A when co-administered to enhance theoral absorption of paclitaxel

The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of oral cy closporin A (CsA) when co-administered to enhance the oral absorption of pa clitaxel. Patients received oral paclitaxel in doses of 60-360 mg/m(2) in c ombination with a dose of oral CsA of 15 mg/kg. Dose escalation of paclitax el from 60 to 300 mg/m(2) resulted in a significant decrease in the area un der the concentration-time curve (AUC) of CsA from 24.4 +/- 9.9 to 17.6 +/- 2.8 mg/l.h (p=0.03) (n=28). In conclusion, Increases in the paclitaxel dos e resulted in a decrease In the AUC of CsA. This observation may be explain ed by the increase in the co-solvent Cremophor EL of paclitaxel causing red uced absorption of CsA. [(C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.].