A Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling Technique to Monitor Cannabidiol Levels in Epilepsy Patients

Sara Dubois; Francesca Marchese; Federica Pigliasco; Sebastiano Barco; Gino Tripodi; Tommaso Lomonaco; Simona Lattanzi; Emilio Russo; Giuliana Cangemi; Pasquale Striano; Pasquale Striano

doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.582286

Frontiers in Pharmacology (Nov 2020)

A Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling Technique to Monitor Cannabidiol Levels in Epilepsy Patients

Sara Dubois,
Francesca Marchese,
Federica Pigliasco,
Sebastiano Barco,
Gino Tripodi,
Tommaso Lomonaco,
Simona Lattanzi,
Emilio Russo,
Giuliana Cangemi,
Pasquale Striano,
Pasquale Striano

Affiliations

Sara Dubois: Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Francesca Marchese: Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Federica Pigliasco: Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Section, Central Laboratory of Analyses, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Sebastiano Barco: Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Section, Central Laboratory of Analyses, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Gino Tripodi: Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Section, Central Laboratory of Analyses, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Tommaso Lomonaco: Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Simona Lattanzi: Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
Emilio Russo: Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
Giuliana Cangemi: Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Section, Central Laboratory of Analyses, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Pasquale Striano: Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Pasquale Striano: Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.582286
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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Purpose: Interest in cannabis-based therapies has recently increased, due to the availability of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of epilepsy without psychoactive effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring can prevent drug interactions and minimize drug toxicity. We evaluated a volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) method combined with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry) for the quantification of CBD blood levels in patients with refractory epilepsy.Methods: Prospective observation of patients with Dravet syndrome receiving open-label, add-on GW-purified CBD (Epidyolex®) at different doses. CBD plasma samples were obtained from venipuncture and LC-MS/MS was used to measure CBD in venous and capillary blood samples collected by VAMS.Results: We enrolled five patients with a mean age of 13 (range: 4–27) years. CBD levels measured by VAMS on capillary blood did not differ from CBD levels measured in plasma by venipuncture (R2 > 0.93).Conclusion: This proof-of-concept study suggests that VAMS allows monitoring of CBD plasma levels and can offer valuable support for personalized therapy in refractory epilepsy.

Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology

ISSN: 1663-9812 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology

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