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Pharmacokinetics of Monoclonal Antibodies Throughout Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review

  • Open Access
  • 07.04.2024
  • Systematic Review
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Abstract

Background and Objective

Although little information is available on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) during pregnancy, multiple mAbs are being used during pregnancy for various indications. The aim of this systematic literature review was to characterize the PK of mAbs throughout pregnancy.

Methods

A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed and Embase on 21 April 2023. Articles were included when information on PK or exposure parameters of mAbs in pregnant women was available.

Results

A total of 42 relevant articles were included, of which eight discussed adalimumab, three certolizumab pegol, five eculizumab, one golimumab, 12 infliximab (IFX), two natalizumab, one canakinumab, one omalizumab, five tocilizumab, eight ustekinumab, and five vedolizumab. One of the 42 studies reported information on clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (VD) of IFX; all other studies only reported on serum concentrations in the pre-pregnancy state, different trimesters, and the postpartum period. For all of the assessed mAbs except IFX, serum concentrations were similar to concentrations in the pre-pregnancy state or modestly decreased. In contrast, IFX trough concentrations generally increased in the second and third trimesters in comparison to the non-pregnant state.

Conclusion

Available information suggests that the anatomical and physiological changes throughout pregnancy may have meaningful effects on the PK of mAbs. For most mAbs (not IFX), modestly higher dosing (per mg) maybe needed during pregnancy to sustain a similar serum exposure compared to pre-pregnancy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-024-01370-7.
Key Points
This systematic literature review aims to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) throughout pregnancy. The anatomical and physiological changes throughout pregnancy may have meaningful effects on the PK of mAbs.
For all of the assessed mAbs except infliximab (IFX), serum concentrations were similar to concentrations in the pre-pregnancy state or modestly decreased. In contrast, IFX trough concentrations generally increased in the second and third trimesters in comparison to the non-pregnant state.
For most mAbs (not IFX), modestly higher dosing (per mg) may be needed during pregnancy to sustain a similar serum exposure compared to pre-pregnancy.

1 Introduction

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an important therapeutic modality for conditions that commonly affect women of child-bearing potential, such as autoimmune disorders [1]. Although relatively little information is available on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of mAbs during pregnancy, they are frequently used. Benefit is often presumed to outweigh risk in these scenarios; for example, failure to maintain clinical and biochemical remission of an autoimmune disorder throughout pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for both the mother and fetus, and comparable immunosuppressants or therapeutic alternatives are well-established teratogens [1]. Recommendations from the manufacturer or the regulator are sparse [210]. mAbs are well-known to cross the placenta [1114] and fetal exposures may be clinically relevant [15]. Most mAbs are rated as pregnancy risk category ‘B’ or ‘C’ based on the results of reproductive toxicity studies in pre-clinical species, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women for any mAb at this time [1618].
The PK properties of mAbs are much different from those of conventional small molecule drugs. As they are therapeutic proteins and large molecules (approximately 150 kDa), distribution is predominantly confined to the extracellular fluid. Extravasation from the plasma to the interstitial fluid in tissues is slow, governed by restrictive flow through vascular pores. Most elimination is by catabolism following cellular uptake. Many endothelial and hematopoietic cells express the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which can salvage mAbs from acidic endosomes and recycle them to the extracellular fluid. As a result, the plasma half-life of mAbs ranges from days to weeks, and is correlated with their binding affinity for FcRn [19, 20].
During pregnancy, several anatomical and physiological changes in the body occur [21] that may be relevant to the disposition and PK of mAbs [22]. Total body weight, total blood volume, and blood flow all progressively increase with pregnancy [21]. As a result, concentrations of plasma proteins such as IgG and albumin tend to decline as the volume of distribution is diluted by the increase in plasma volume [23]. Most of the increase in total body weight is driven by the growth of the placenta and fetal tissue. Compared to the other body organs (excluding the brain), the placenta is relatively impermeable to plasma proteins since it does not draw maternal blood supply – placental transfer occurs only through transcytosis [24, 25]. Therefore, the influences of increased pregnant weight on mAb volume of distribution are expected to be low, as lean body weight is only modestly increased [21]. Clearance is also expected to modestly increase along with the increased size of eliminating organs, such as the liver, muscle, and skin, but in a way that is less than proportional to the increase in total body weight [26, 27]. Therefore, if administering a dose that is independent of body weight (mg rather than mg/kg), serum concentrations in pregnancy would be expected to be similar to or lower than those observed in the non-pregnant state. On the other hand, dosing in proportion to total body weight (mg/kg) would cause increased exposures compared to the non-pregnant state.
Considering the above hypotheses, dosage regimen changes may be indicated to optimize disease control in pregnancy [28]. A special case is infliximab (IFX); while it is normally dosed on a mg/kg basis, common clinical practice is not to deviate from the absolute pre-pregnancy dose (mg), despite the increases in total body weight throughout pregnancy [29]. Gaining knowledge regarding alterations of PK and exposure parameters during pregnancy is the first step in designing evidence-based dosing regimens of mAbs for pregnant women.
Therefore, this study aims to systematically review available literature on the PK of mAbs in pregnant women in relation to the stated hypotheses. Following the identification of trends throughout the trimesters, important considerations and key questions are presented that may help to lay the groundwork for evidence-based dosing regimens in the future. The effects of mAbs on the placenta (drug transfer) and fetus (safety) are outside the scope of this review.

2 Methods

2.1 Search Strategy

A systematic literature review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines of 2020 [30]. For the PRISMA flow diagram, see Fig. 1. All mAbs registered in the Netherlands were included in this study [31] and can be found in Electronic Supplemental File 1 in the electronic supplemental material. A search using PubMed and Embase was performed on April 21, 2023 for every individual mAb with a combination of the following terms: ‘selected drug name,’ ‘pregnancy,’ and ‘pharmacokinetic.’ For the specific keywords and field codes per topic, see Table 1. The detailed search strategy per mAb is outlined in Electronic Supplemental File 2. While certolizumab pegol (CZP) is a pegylated Fab fragment that does not bind FcRn, it is included in this systematic review as a mAb according to the classification and terminology of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) [3, 32].
Fig. 1
PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for mAbs. mAb monoclonal antibody, PK pharmacokinetics, PRISMA preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses 
Bild vergrößern
Table 1
Key terms with the corresponding field used in the PubMed search strategy
Pregnancy
Pharmacokinetics
Monoclonal antibody
("Pregnancy"[Mesh] OR pregnanc*[tiab] OR gestation*[tiab] OR caesarean*[tiab] OR cesarean*[tiab] OR “abdominal deliver*”[tiab] OR “C-section*”[tiab] OR "Delivery, Obstetric"[Mesh] OR “obstetric deliver*”[tiab] OR "Labor, Obstetric"[Mesh] OR “obstetric labor”[tiab] OR labor [tiab] OR labour [tiab])
("Pharmacokinetics"[Mesh] OR pharmacokinetic*[tiab] OR “drug kinetic*”[tiab] OR ADME*[tiab] OR LADMER[tiab] OR (absorption[tiab] AND distribution[tiab] AND metabolism[tiab] AND elimination[tiab]) OR "pharmacokinetics" [Subheading])
“selected drug name’’ [Mesh]
For further specifications per drug, see Supplemental File 2 in the electronic supplementary material

2.2 Inclusion Criteria

Studies were included if they reported at least one PK concentration or exposure parameter for a mAb in one or more pregnant women. Serum concentrations, PK, or exposure parameters were extracted. Percent changes during pregnancy (i.e., pregnancy vs. pre-pregnancy or postpartum) were calculated, and trimester-specific changes were reported when available. Both intravenous and subcutaneous dosage forms were included in this study. The following studies were included when available: randomized controlled trial, non-randomized controlled trial, cohort study, case–control study, case-series study, or case report. Reviews, guidelines, editorials, consensus papers, animal studies, ex vivo studies, and non-English studies were excluded for this systematic review. There was no year of publication restriction. This review focuses only on the influence of pregnancy on maternal PK, not on other aspects of mAbs during pregnancy, e.g., effects or safety in the mother, placenta, or fetus/infant.

2.3 Study Selection

For first selection, title and abstract were screened for relevance. Full texts of these articles were obtained, whereafter studies not meeting the criteria were excluded. Two investigators (RE and PMi) conducted the search strategy and study selection for mAb number 1–42 (Supplemental File 1 in the electronic supplemental material), separately from each other. For the others, mAb number 43–80, two investigators (JvG and PMi) separately conducted the search strategy and study selection. The obtained results were discussed, and in the case of disagreement, a third author (DT) was consulted.

2.4 Data Extraction

Data extraction from all eligible studies on mAb number 1–42 was performed by an investigator (RE), while data extraction from all eligible studies on mAb number 43–80 was performed by another investigator (JvG). All data were checked by a third author (PMi). The extracted study characteristics were: study design, population (number of participants), and type of medication (with indication, dosage, and dosage interval). Other patient characteristics were condition, weight, age, and gestational age. Serum concentrations and exposure parameters were collected along with the post-dose sampling times. When serum concentrations were not reported in the text and only available in figures, the serum concentrations were digitized from the figures in duplicate (RE, JvG) using web plot digitizer (WPD). In Table 2, data extracted using WPD are marked with a #. Furthermore, disease activity (individual or group level) as measured by clinical scales was reported when available (Table 2). Additional extracted information was summarized: medication and population, inclusion criteria, dose advice (different than the standard dose based on potential PK/PD changes and target attainment), paper conclusions, and analytical methods (with lower limit of quantification [LLOQ] or lower limit of detection [LLOD] (Table 3). Data visualization was performed using GraphPad Prism 9.1.0.
Table 2
Patient and study characteristics of the included studies in this systematic literature search
Authors (year) [reference]
Study design
Population
Medication
Dose and interval
Condition
Age (years) and weight (kg)
GA (weeks)
Sample information
Serum concentration
Disease activity
Bortlik et al. (2013) [33]
Prospective cohort study
5
ADL
40 mg q2w
27 CD
14 UC*
Age: 29 (19–43) years*
T4: GA 39 (34–42)*
GA at last dose (mean): 29.0 (24–35)
μg/mL (mean + range)
T4: 0.8 [0.0–2.5]
Disease activity during pregnancy (n):
T0: 10
T1: 11
T2: 6
T3: 5*
Flanagan et al. (2020) [36]
Prospective cohort study
15
ADL
40 mg q2w
N: 13
40 mg q1w
N: 2
14 CD
1 UC
Age: 34.0 (32.0–36.7) years
Weight: 70.0 (65.0–86.0) kg
T4: GA 39 (38–39)*
Obtained at steady state
GA at last dose: 37 (31–38)
μg/mL
T0: 10.4 (10.0–10.8)
NOBS: 2
T1: 5.7 (4.8–10.2)
NOBS: 9
T2: 5.2 (4.0–6.8)
NOBS: 12
T3: 5.8 (4.8–8.0)
NOBS: 14
T4: 6.7 (5.1–8.0)
NOBS: 8
T5: 7.2 (4.3–9.7)
NOBS: 8
No activity during pregnancy according to PGA
Julsgaard et al. (2013) [34]
Case report
1
ADL
40 mg q2w
Stopped therapy at GW 16, re-introduced 24 days postpartum (= day 0)
CD
Age: 36 years
T4: GA 37.5
GA at last dose: 16
μg/mL
T4: 0.3
T5:
Day 0: 0
Day 3: 2.2
Day 13: 1.0
Julsgaard et al. (2016) [35]
Prospective cohort study
36
ADL
40 mg q2w (n = 30)
Increased dose (n = 6)
66 CD
14 UC*
Age at T4: 31 (24–39) years*
Weight at T0: 67.5 [48.0–115.0] kg*
T4: GA 39 [33.0–42.0]*
GA at last dose: 35 (14–41)
μg/mL
T4 (last dose < GW 30): 0.3 [0.0–0.7]
NOBS: 7
T4 (last dose ≥ GW 30): 2.1 [0.0–10.0]
NOBS: 29
T4 (total): 1.5 [0.0–10.0]
38 women (48%), using either ADL or IFX, experienced a disease relapse in the first, second, or third trimester of pregnancy
Kanis et al. (2018) [38]
Prospective cohort study
58
ADL
40 mg q2w
N = 47
Increased frequency
N = 11
51 CD
6 UC
1 unclassified (IBD)
Age during conception: 30 (28–33) years
BMI at T0: 23 (21–27) kg/m2
T4: GA 39 (38–40)
GA at last dose: 23 (22–37)
μg/mL
T4: 0.6 (0.3–3.6)
NOBS: 42
Total disease activity during pregnancy (n): 19
Labetoulle et al. (2019) [37]
Case report
1
ADL
Variating dose, up to 40 mg q1w
1 CD
Age: 34 years
T4: GA 39
Two samples, one during the first trimester and one during an unknown period
μg/mL
T1: 3.5
Unknown: 10
Flare in first trimester
Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11]
Prospective cohort study
10
ADL
40 mg q2w
N: 9
40 mg q1w
N: 1
8 CD
2 UC
Age: 32.5 (25–40) years
T4: GA 39 (38–41)
Time between last dose and delivery: 5.5 [0.14–8] weeks
μg/mL
T4: 3.3 [0.0–16.1]
Flare of disease (n):
T3: 3
T5: 5
Active disease in T3 (n): 3
Seow et al. (2017) [29]
Prospective cohort study
10 (11 pregnancies)
ADL
40 mg q2w
N: 9
40 mg q1w
N: 2
8 CD
7 UC
Age: 31.9 (28.2–35.0) years
T4: GA 38.4 (37.2–39.6)
Obtained at steady state
GA at last dose: 34 (31.5–35.2)
μg/mL
T0: 17.63# (14.7–22.5)
NOBS: 4
T1: 8.6# (0.0–16.3)
NOBS: 5
T2: 12.18# (6.7–17.0)
NOBS: 11
T3: 9.26# (0.4–14.5)
NOBS: 8
T5: 7.4# (0.0–15.2)
NOBS: 9
Disease activity HBI index (CD patients): 9–14 (n = 1)
Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11]
Prospective cohort study
10
CZP
10 CD
Age: 28 (22–42) years
T4: GA 37.8 (36–40)
Time between last dose and T4: 19 (5–42) days
μg/mL
T4: 19.5 [1.9–59.6]
Mariette et al. (2018) [76]
Prospective cohort study
14
CZP
200 mg q2w
N: 15
200 mg q4w
N: 1
11 RA
3 CD
1 PA
1 axSpA/AS
Age: 31 (18–40) years
T4: GA 39.9 [37.7–41.7]
Obtained within 24 h before or after T4
Time between last dose and delivery: 11 (1–27) days
μg/mL
24.4 [5.0–49.4]
Morita et al. (2018) [40]
Case report
1
CZP
q4w
1 RA
Age: 30 years
T4: GA 40 weeks
Time between dose and sampling:
T3: 2, 24, 48 h
T5: 7, 14 days
μg/mL
T3: 40, 35, 22
T5: 26, 35
Disease activity according to DAS28-ESR:
T1: 3.86
T3: 5.71
Burwick et al. (2022) [48]
Case series
3
ECU
Day 1: 1200 mg
Day 4: 1200 mg
3 COVID-19
Age (mean): 32 (SD ± 6) years*
BMI (mean): 28 (SD ± 4) kg/m2*
T4: GA 39.5 (36–41)*
Measurement 1: day 1, 1 h after first dose
N: 3
Measurement 2: day 4, before second dose
N: 2
μg/mL
Measurement 1 (mean + SD): 321 (±13)
Measurement 2: 150 and 160
Duineveld et al. (2019) [49]
Case report
1
ECU
1200 mg q2w
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
T4: GA 36+2
GA at last dose: 36+1
Through concentration
μg/mL
T3: 262
Gustavsen et al. (2017) [50]
Case report
1
ECU
Day 0: 600 mg
Day 7: 600 mg
1 APS
Age: 22 years
T4: GA 32
μg/mL#
Day 0 (T3): 67
Day 2 (T3): 47
Day 8 (T4): 98
Servais et al. (2016) [52]
Case series
1
ECU
1200 mg q1w/q2w/q3w
aHUS
Age: 29 years
T4: GA 30+1
An additional dose of 1500 mg was administered the day before T4
μg/mL
T3#: 39, 29, 91
T4: 1598
T5#: 607, 162, 825
Sharma et al. (2015) [51]
Case report
1
ECU
GA 0–29: 900 mg q2w
GA 30–34: 900 mg q1w
GA 35–36: 1200 mg q2w
1 PNH
Age: 30 years
T4: GA 36
μg/mL
GA 30 (T3): < 11
GA 35 (T3): 100
Benoit et al. (2019) [42]
Case report
1
GOL
100 mg q2w
1 UC
Age: 28 years
T4: GA 43
Time between last dose and T4: 3 days
μg/mL
T4: 6.6
Bortlik et al. (2013) [33]
Prospective cohort study
8
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w
N: 32
27 CD
14 UC*
Age: 29 (19–43) years
T4: GA 39 (34–42)
Obtained on the day of delivery
GA at last dose: 28 (24–35)
µg/mL (mean)
T4: 4.1 [0.0–18.0]
NOBS: 8
Active disease activity (n):
T0: 10
T1: 11
T2: 6
T3: 5
Eliesen et al. (2020) [12]
Prospective cohort study
3
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w (400 mg)
N: 3
2 CD
1 RA
Patient 1:
Age: 27 years
Weight: 22.3 kg/m2
Patient 2:
Age: 25 years
Weight: 24.7 kg/m2
Patient 3:
Age: 37 years
Weight: 21.5 kg/m2
Patient 1:
T4: GA 40+1
Patient 2:
T4: GA 41+6
Patient 3:
T4: GA 38+6
Obtained on the day of delivery
Time from last dose to delivery (days)
Patient 1: 23
Patient 2: 57
Patient 3: 31
µg/mL
Patient 1, T4: 12.0
Patient 2, T4: 17.0
Patient 3, T4: 25.3
Flanagan et al. (2020) [36]
Prospective cohort study
23
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w
N: 21
q4w
N: 1
10 mg/kg
N: 1
17 CD
4 UC
Unclassified IBD (n): 2
Age: 32.3 (28.8–35.2) years
Weight: 65.0 (58.0–73.0) kg
Obtained at steady state
GA at last dose: 31 (29–33)
µg/mL
T0: 7.9 (6.3–11.0)
NOBS: 6
T1: 8.8 (5.5–12.4)
NOBS: 15
T2: 10.0 (7.1–13.7)
NOBS: 30
T3: 11.0 (7.1–16.8)
NOBS: 20
T4: 11.2 (8.4–15.7)
NOBS: 8
T5: 10.3 (4.3–13.8)
NOBS: 12
Disease activity during pregnancy according to PGA (n): 2
Grišić et al. (2020) [44]
Retrospective cohort study
19 (23 pregnancies)
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w
N: 17
5 mg/kg q6w
N: 4
5 mg/kg q10w
N: 1
10 mg/kg q8w
N: 1
14 CD
5 UC
Age: 31 (27–34) years
All trough levels, expressed as dose-normalized IFX
mg/mL/kg
T0: 7.3 (2.0–11.6)
NOBS: 119
T1: 8.5 (1.4–11.5)
NOBS: 16
T2: 15.0 (9.8–20.5)
NOBS: 18
T3: 13.0 (6.5–35.8)
NOBS: 7
T5: 5.9 (3.3–11.1)
NOBS: 12
CL: 0.608 L/d
Vd: 18.2 L
Disease activity HBI index (CD patients): 3 (2–5)
Disease activity SCCAI (UC patients): 2.5 (0.0–5.5)
Julsgaard et al. (2016) [35]
Prospective cohort study
44
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w
N: 42
Increased dose
N: 2
66 CD
14 UC*
Age at T4: 31 (24–39) years*
Weight at T0: 67.5 [48.0–115.0] kg*
T4: GA 39 [33.0–42.0]*
GA at last dose: 30 (8–37)
μg/mL
T4 (last infusion < GA 30):
0.6 [0.0–3.3]
NOBS: 18
T4 (last infusion ≥ GA 30):
4.0 [0.0–22.2]
NOBS: 26
T4 (total):
2.0 [0.0–22.2]
38 women (48%), using either ADL or IFX, experienced a disease relapse in the first, second, or third trimester of pregnancy
Kane et al. (2009) [43]
Prospective cohort study
3
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w
N: 3
3 CD
Patient 1:
Age: 29 years
Patient 2:
Age: 32 years
Patient 3:
Age: 24 years
Patient 1:
T4: GA 38
Patient 2:
T4: GA 39
Patient 3:
T4: GA 36
GA at last dose:
Patient 1: GA 31
Patient 2: GA 32
Patient 3: GA 25
IFX treatment; sample collected (days postpartum)
Patient 1: 3; 9
Patient 2: 10; 15
Patient 3: 14; 57
µg/mL
Patient 1, T5: 74.27
Patient 2, T5: 62.62
Patient 3, T5: 59.97
Kanis et al. (2018) [38]
Prospective cohort study
73
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w (standard)
54 CD
18 UC
1 unclassified IBD
Age: 30 (27–33) years
Weight: 25 (22–27) kg/m2
T4: GA 39 (38–40)
GA at last dose: 25 (21–32)
T4: 1.7 (0.4–6.9)
NOBS: 52
Disease activity at some point during pregnancy (n): 15
Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11]
Prospective cohort study
11
IFX
5 mg/kg q8w
N: 4
10 mg/kg q6w
N: 1
10 mg/kg q8w
N: 1
5 mg/kg q6w
N: 5
7 CD
4 UC
Age: 36 (29–40) years
T4: GA 40 (38–41)
Obtained on the day of delivery
Time from last dose to delivery (days): 35 (14–74)
µg/mL
T4: 5.0 [1.4–19.2]
Flare of disease (n):
T3: 2
T5: 3
Seow et al. (2017) [29]
Prospective cohort study
15
IFX
5.29 (4.87–5.96) mg/kg q7w (6.0–8.0)
8 CD
7 UC
CD
Age: 28.4 (26.87–30.0) years
Weight: 25.7 (21.4–27.1) kg/m2
UC
Age: 29.3 (27.1–29.9) years
Weight: 27.0 (25.9–28.8) kg/m2
T4: GA 39.2 (38.1–40.2)
Obtained at steady state
GA at last dose: 30.3 (26.5–31.1)
µg/mL
T0: 6.9
NOBS: 1
T1: 8.5 (7.23–10.7)
NOBS: 5
T2: 10.31 (7.66–15.63)
NOBS: 15
T3: 21.02 (16.01–26.70)
NOBS: 13
T5: 10.17# (6.4–17.4)
NOBS: 11
Disease activity HBI index (CD patients): 9–14 (n = 1)
Disease activity SCCAI (UC patients): 5 (n = 1)
Steenholdt et al. (2011) [47]
Case report
1
IFX
5 mg/kg
Interval T5: q8w–q12w
Paused GA: 10–19
1 UC
Age: 26 years
T4: GA 37
GA at last dose: 31
µg/mL#
T2: 3.6
T3: 1.4
T5: 1.3, 0.6, 0.34, 2.1
Flare of disease at GA 19
Vasilauskas et al. (2006) [14]
Case report
1
IFX
10 mg/kg q6w–q8w
1 CD
Age: 35 years
T4: GA 41
GA at last dose: 39
IFX treatment; (weeks postpartum)
2 and 10
µg/mL
T5: 40 (w6), 9.6 (w10), 84 (w13)
Flare of disease
T5: w10
Vestergaard et al. (2017) [45]
Case report
1
IFX
q7w
1 CD
Age: 35 years
T4: GA 37.0
GA at last dose: 25
μg/mL
T4: 1.41
No disease activity during pregnancy
Proschmann et al. (2021) [54]
Prospective cohort study
11
NAT
300 mg q4w T0–T5
N: 9
300 mg q4w–q6w T0–T5
N: 1
300 mg q4w T2–T5
N: 1
11 MS
Age: 29.4 (2.7) years
Weight: 72 (10) kg
Obtained immediately before and 20 min after NAT infusion
µg/mL#
T0: 27.8 (24.5–48.0)
NOBS: 10
T1: 25.8 (16.5–50.9)
NOBS: 8
T2: 23.6 (17.5–41.4)
NOBS: 7
T3: 13.3 (9.8–29.1)
NOBS: 8
T4: 12.9 (6.3–29.9)
NOBS: 5
T5: 18.2 (12.6–26.9)
NOBS: 20
Disease activity according to EDSS: 1.7 (1.3)
Toorop et al. (2022) [53]
Case series
3
NAT
300 mg q4w
300 mg q4w
300 mg q6w/q7w/q5w
MS
Age at T1:
32 years,
31 years
31 years
Weight at T5:
81 kg
73 kg
82 kg
GA at T4:
37
40
41
All trough levels
μg/mL#
T0: 19.0 (17.0–32.0)
NOBS: 5
T1: 18.1 (13.1–31.1)
NOBS: 3
T2: 11.6 (4.3–23.2)
NOBS: 4
T3: 7.3 (2.8–12.5)
NOBS: 4
T5: 18.0 (15.5–29.0)
NOBS: 6
All patients remained clinically stable
Weber and Millet (2022) [60]
Case series
7
CAN
150 mg q4w
3 CAPS
2 SJIA (N = 1 sample is from)
1 FMF
1 MKD
Age: 25 years [17–32]
GA at T4: [35–41]
µg/mL
T4: 35
NOBS: 1
Three women had a disease flare and required treatment escalation
Saito et al. (2020) [61]
Case report
1
OMA
150 mg q4w
Urticaria
Age: 38 years
T4: 38+4
GA at last dose: 28
ng/mL
T3: 4378.8
T4: 3239.9
The patient’s urticaria worsened after discontinuing OMA at week 28 of gestation
Moriyama et al. (2020) [39]
Case report
1
TCZ
162 mg q2w sc
RA
Age: 32 years
T4: GA 39+4
µg/mL
T4: 13.3
No disease activity during pregnancy
Saito et al. (2018) [62]
Case report
2
TCZ
8 mg/kg once a month iv
Patient 1:
Discontinued at GA 5. Continued 5 weeks postpartum
Patient 2:
Discontinued at GA 1+2. Continued 9 days postpartum
2 RA
Patient 1:
Age: 43 years
Patient 2:
Age: 35 years
Patient 1:
T4: GA 37
Patient 2:
T4: GA 36
Obtained at steady state
µg/mL#
T5: 9.8 (3.6–21.3)
NOBS: 6
CDAI during pregnancy
Patient 1: persistent remission
Flare of disease during pregnancy
Patient 2: low score
Saito et al. (2019) [63]
Case report
1
TCZ
Dose unknown
AOSD
Age: 31 years
T4: GA 40+5
Sample 1 (T3): immediately after last administration
Sample 2 (T4): approximately 4 weeks after administration
Sample 3, 4, and 5 (T5): 32, 23, and 0 days after last administration
µg/mL
Sample 1: 57.65
Sample 2: 4.90
Sample 3: 3.24
Sample 4: 3.72
Sample 5: 43.00
Saito et al. (2020) [64]
Case report
1
TCZ
Dose unknown
RA and autoimmune hepatitis
Age: 43 years
T4: GA 39
Therapy was started 7 days after delivery
μg/mL
T5: 35.5, 3.3, 3.9
RA symptoms were well controlled without any treatment from 14 weeks of gestation until delivery
Tada et al. (2019) [13]
Case report
1
TCZ
8 mg/kg q4w iv
Switch during pregnancy
162 mg q2w sc
1 RA
Age: 39 years
T4: GA 38
Time from last dose to delivery (days): 24
µg/mL
T3 (GA 36+6): 16.20
T3 (GA 37+6): 6.17
CDAI during pregnancy: 2.7–8.8
Flanagan et al. (2021) [67]
Observational study
19
UST
90 mg q8w
N: 11
90 mg q6w
N: 1
90 mg q4w
N: 4
19 CD
Age: 31 (27–33) years
T4: GA 39 (38–39.43)
GA at last dose: 32.2 [24.86–35.71]
μg/mL
T1: 2.2 [1.3–2.4]
NOBS: 4
T2: 2.1 [1.0–4.5]
NOBS: 14
T3: 1.9 [1.6–4.6]
NOBS: 9
T4: 1.6 [0.67–4.4]
NOBS: 15
Disease activity at some point during pregnancy (n): 4
Klenske et al. (2019) [68]
Case report
1
UST
90 mg q8w
CD
Age: 24 years
T4: GA 38
All trough levels
GA at last dose: 30
µg/mL
T1: 3.6
T2: 2.7
T3: 2.1
T4: 0.3
T5: 4.6
Mitrova et al. (2021) [58]
Prospective multicenter study
32
UST
Dose unknown
14 CD
1 UC
Age: 28 (26–32) years
T4: GA 39 (37–41)
GA at last dose: 33 (30–36)
mg/L
T4: 5.3 (2.3–10.1)
NOBS: 15
Disease activity at some point during pregnancy (n): 4
Mitrova et al. (2022) [59]
Prospective multicenter study
49 (54 pregnancies)
UST
Dose unknown
51 CD
3 UC
Age: 30 (27–34) years
T4: GA 39 (35–41)
GA at last dose: 33 (18–38)
mg/L
T4: 3.7 (0.6–7.9)
NOBS: 26
Disease activity in 17% of all patients
Prentice et al. (2023) [56]
Congress abstract
97*
UST
Dose unknown
IBD
Age: 31 (29–34)*
T4: GA 38+6 (37–40+4)
GA at last dose: 31+3 (29–33+3)
μg/mL
T0: 5.25 (3.9–5.6)
NOBS: 5
T1: 2.4 (1.9–7.7)
NOBS: 5
T2: 2.2 (1.4–3.1)
NOBS: 38
T3: 2.6 (1.7–4.6)
NOBS: 27
T4: 2.1 (0.7–4.8)
NOBS: 35
T5: 3.1 (2.3–3.3)
NOBS: 7
Clinical and biochemical disease remission was maintained in the majority of patients
Rowan et al. (2018) [69]
Case report
1
UST
90 mg q4w
CD
Age: 35 years
T4: GA 37
All trough levels
GA at last dose: 33
µg/mL
T0: 2.5
T1: 3.3 [1–3.8]
T2: 5 [4.7–5.2]
T3: 5.1 [4.3–5.9]
T4: 4.3
NOBS: -
The pregnancy was uneventful
Saito et al. (2022) [66]
Case report
1
UST
90 mg q8–12w
1 UC
Age: 36 years
T4: GA 38+3
GA at last dose: 29
µg/mL
T3: 7.97 and 1.36
T5: 0.34 [0.11–2.83]
No disease activity during pregnancy
Sako et al. (2021) [65]
Prospective cohort study
1
UST
90 mg q8w
1 CD
Age: 35 years
T4: GA 38
GA at last dose: 23+3
µg/mL
T4: 0.2677
No disease activity during pregnancy
Flanagan et al. (2018) [57]
Case series
5
VDZ
300 mg q8w
2 CD
3 UC
Age (mean): 32 (24–40) years
T4: GA 38–39
Time from last dose to delivery (days) (mean): 57.4 [25–98]
μg/mL
T4: 9.90 [1.10–14.40]
Disease activity at some point during pregnancy (n): 2
Flanagan et al. (2020) [36]
Prospective cohort study
17
VDZ
300 mg q8w
N: 14
300 mg q4w
N: 3
5 CD
12 UC
Age: 30.7 (27.8–33.5) years
Weight: 67.0 (58.0–81.0) kg
T4: GA 38.5 (38–39)
Obtained at steady state
GA at last dose: median 30
µg/mL
T1: 19.0 (13.0–23.0)
NOBS: 5
T2: 15.1 (8.6–21.7)
NOBS: 16
T3: 9.5 (3.7–20.0)
NOBS: 9
T4: 5.5 (1.1–9.9)
NOBS: 2
Disease activity during pregnancy according to PGA (n): 6
Julsgaard et al. (2018) [55]
Case report
2
VDZ
Patient 1: 300 mg q8w
Patient 2: 300 mg q4w/q8w
Patient 1: UC
Patient 2: CD
Patient 1: T4: GA 38
Patient 2: T4: GA 39
GA at last dose
Patient 1: 28
Patient 2: 34
μg/mL
Patient 1, T4: 1.94
Patient 2, T4: 7.37
No disease activity during pregnancy
Mitrova et al. (2021) [58]
Prospective observational study
24
VDZ
9 CD
7 UC
Age: 31 (28–35) years
T4: GA 39 (38–41)
GA at last dose: 32.5 (28–35.5)
µg/mL
T4: 7.3 (2.9–17.8)
NOBS: 16
Disease activity at some point during pregnancy (n): 2
Mitrova et al. (2022) [59]
Prospective multicenter study
37 (39 pregnancies)
VDZ
Dose unknown
19 CD
20 UC
Age: 29.5 (26–34) years
T4: median GA 39
GA at last dose: 32 (18–38)
µg/mL
T4: 7.4 (2.9–18.6)
NOBS: 23
Disease activity in 23% of all patients
Prentice et al. (2023) [56]
Congress abstract
97*
VDZ
IBD
Age: 31 (29–34)*
T4: GA 39 (34–41+1)
GA at last dose: 31+2 (29–33+2)
μg/mL
T0: 20.5 (8.8–25.7)
NOBS: 6
T1: 17 (9.2–24)
NOBS: 27
T2: 13.5 (9.1–18.2)
NOBS: 50
T3: 9.8 (6.5–17)
NOBS: 36
T4: 8.5 (3.0–14.0)
NOBS: 45
T5: 13.7 (12.5–14.3)
NOBS: 4
Clinical and biochemical disease remission was maintained in the majority of patients
The data are presented as mean (SD), median (IQR), or median [range]. Data are ordered by alphabetical order of the pharmaceutical, followed by alphabetical order of author
Trimesters of pregnancy are defined as follows: T1, week 1–12; T2, week 13–26; T3, week 27–end of pregnancy. Other periods are defined as follows: T0, up to 1 year before pregnancy; T4, during delivery; T5, up to 6 months after delivery.
Not reported, ADL adalimumab, aHUS atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, AOSD adult-onset Still’s disease, APS antiphospholipid syndrome, axSpA/AS axial spondyloarthritis/ankylosing spondylitis, BMI body mass index, CAN canakinumab, CAPS cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, CD Crohn’s disease, CDAI clinical disease activity index, CL clearance, COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019, CZP certolizumab pegol, DAS28-ESR Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ECU eculizumab, EDSS expanded disability status scale, FMF familial mediterranean fever, GA gestational age, GOL golimumab, GW gestational week, HBI Harvey-Bradshaw Index, IBD inflammatory bowel disease, IFX infliximab, IQR intra-quartile range, iv intravenous, MKD mevolonate kinase deficiency, MS multiple sclerosis, NAT natalizumab, OBS observations, OMA omalizumab, PA psoriatic arthritis, PGA Physician Global Assessment, PNH paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, qxw (i.e. q1w/q2w/etc.) (dose) once a week / once every two weeks / etc., RA rheumatoid arthritis, sc subcutaneous, SCCAI Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, SD standard deviation, SJIA systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, T0 pre-pregnancy, T1 trimester 1, T2 trimester 2, T3 trimester 3, T4 during delivery, T5 postpartum, TCZ tocilizumab, UC ulcerative colitis, UST ustekinumab, Vd volume of distribution, VDZ vedolizumab, wx (i.e. w6, w10, etc.) week number
*Data represent a larger population than the patients of interest for this review. This is because of the lack of individual patient information. For the study of Bortlik et al. [33], indication, disease activity per trimester, and maternal age were based on all participants in the study (using either ADL or IFX [n = 41]), and the GA at T4 is based on all newborns in the study (n = 41). For the study of Julsgaard et al. [35], the condition, maternal age, weight, and GA of the patients were only reported over all patients (using either ADL or IFX) in the study. For the study of Flanagan et al. [36] on ADL, the median GA at T4 was calculated over patients using either ADL or IFX (n = 38). For the study of Burwick et al. [48], the maternal age and BMI are based on all participants in the study (n = 8), and the GA at enrolment in the study, and the GA at T4 are based on all participants in the study that were included during pregnancy (n = 6). For the study of Prentice et al. [56], the patient population and maternal age are based on all participants in the study, using either UST of VDZ
#Indicates that concentration–time data points were extracted from graphs from the original paper
Table 3
Summary of the study design with dose advice and conclusions
Authors (year) [reference]
Study design
Medication
Population
Inclusion criteria
Dose advice
Paper conclusions
Analytical methods (detection limit)
Remarks
Bortlik et al. (2013) [33]
Prospective cohort study
ADL
Ntotal: 5
IBD patients treated with IFX or ADL during pregnancy
NR
Use of anti-TNFα agents during pregnancy is considered safe and effective
ELISA (LLOQ: 30 ng/mL)
Three of five patients had undetectable ADL levels
Flanagan et al. (2020) [36]
Prospective cohort study
ADL
Ntotal: 15
Women with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD who were either planning a pregnancy or were pregnant and on IFX, ADL or VDZ
NR
Altered clearance profiles of biologicals used during pregnancy, differ per drug. ADL levels remain stable in pregnancy
ELISA (LLOQ: 30 ng/mL)
T0: up to 12 months
T5: up to 6 months
Julsgaard et al. (2013) [34]
Case report
ADL
Ntotal: 1
NR
Treatment with ADL should be discontinued, if possible, later in the second or early in the third trimester to reduce maternal–fetal transfer
ADL crosses the placenta and is detectable in umbilical cord serum at time of birth, despite discontinuation of ADL therapy 21.5 weeks prior to delivery
ELISA
NR
Julsgaard et al. (2016) [35]
Prospective cohort study
ADL
Ntotal: 36
Patients with IBD that used ADL or IFX during pregnancy. Only singleton pregnancies were included
NR
Clearance of IFX in infants that were exposed during pregnancy was slower than previously reported, whereas clearance of ADL was more rapid
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.03 µg/mL)
There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the duration since last exposure and maternal serum concentrations
Kanis et al. (2018) [38]
Prospective cohort study
ADL
Ntotal: 58
IBD patients treated with ADL or IFX during pregnancy
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOQ 0.04 μg/mL*)
79% of the patients had the standard ADL dose
Labetoulle et al. (2019) [37]
Case report
ADL
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
NR
Flare in first trimester whereafter first serum level is measured, after dosage increase until clinical stable second serum level measurement
Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11]
Prospective cohort study
ADL
Ntotal: 10
IBD patients treated with IFX, ADL, or CZP during pregnancy
The authors advise minimizing or avoiding ADL use within 4–8 weeks of delivery
ADL can be safely used through conception, T1, and T2 on schedule. Slow clearance of ADL during T5, however, raises concerns about its use during T3
ELISA (LLOQ: 3.13 ng/mL)
NR
Seow et al. (2017) [29]
Prospective cohort study
ADL
Ntotal: 10 (11 pregnancies)
Patients attending the IBD pregnancy clinic who were treated with IFX or ADL were prospectively enrolled if they became pregnant in the study period
Anti-TNF drug levels may be targeted to the lower end of the therapeutic range in the T0 period in patients who are in stable remission, to be rechecked at T2, and then a decision to provide a T3 dose to be made accordingly, with resumption of scheduled dosing in T5
ADL levels remained stable during pregnancy after accounting for changes in albumin, BMI, and CRP
ELISA (LLOQ: 1.6 μg/mL)
IQR values of all periods were extracted via WPD
T0: up to 12 months
T5: up to 6 months
Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11]
Prospective cohort study
CZP
Ntotal: 10
IBD patients treated with IFX, ADL, or CZP during pregnancy
NR
CZP can be safely used through conception, T1 and T2 on schedule. It has the lowest level of placental transfer, compared to ADL and IFX
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.41 μg/mL)
NR
Mariette et al. (2018) [76]
Prospective cohort study
CZP
Ntotal: 16
Women ≥ 30 weeks pregnant, under treatment of commercial CZP for a locally approved indication. Patients were required to receive a CZP dose within 35 days prior to delivery
NR
No to minimal placental transfer of CZP from mothers to infants occurs during T3
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.032 μg/mL)
NR
Morita et al. (2018) [40]
Prospective cohort study
CZP
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
The unique structure of CZP limits its transfer to the fetus and breast milk
ELISA (LLOQ: 1 μg/mL)
Patient only started CZP in week 28 in pregnancy
Burwick et al. (2022) [48]
Case series
ECU
Ntotal: 3
Hospitalized adults were eligible if they were ≥ 18 years of age and had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting as severe COVID-19, as evidenced by symptomatic bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging and supplemental oxygen requirement due to severe pneumonia, acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome
NR
The authors describe use of ECU to treat severe COVID-19 in a small series of pregnant adults
LC with MS/MS (LLOQ: 5.00 µg/mL)
Severe comorbidity
Duineveld et al. (2019) [49]
Case report
ECU
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
Higher levels can be expected with increasing GA and higher drug levels in the mother
NR
NR
Gustavsen et al. (2017) [50]
Case report
ECU
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
The authors suggest complement inhibition as a treatment option to safely prolong pregnancy without affecting the infant. In addition, they stress the importance of monitoring treatment effects of ECU
ELISA (LLOQ: NR)
All data were extracted via WPD
Servais et al. (2016) [52]
Case series
ECU
Ntotal: 1
aHUS patients treated with ECU (serum levels were reported in only 1 patient)
NR
ECU therapy displayed no overt safety issues but did not appear to prevent adverse outcomes in the observed pregnancies
NR
Data at T3 and T5 were extracted via WPD
Sharma et al. (2015) [51]
Case report
ECU
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
The authors highlight that breakthrough hemolysis can occur early in gestation, that pregnant patients with PNH require close monitoring and that ECU can be safely used throughout pregnancy
ELISA (NR)
NR
Benoit et al. (2019) [42]
Case report
GOL
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
The reporters demonstrated that GOL was detectable in the fetal circulation after prolonged exposure, with a significant accumulation
NR
NR
Bortlik et al. (2013) [33]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 41
Women with IBD exposed to ADL or IFX during pregnancy
The authors recommend discontinuing treatment at the end of T2 or early T3 to minimize the exposure of IFX and ADL to the child
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 0.3 ng/mL)
One patient switch interval from q8w to q6w from GA 18 until 30
Eliesen et al. (2020) [12]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 3
Women with autoimmune diseases exposed to IFX during pregnancy
NR
NR
ELISA (NR)
NR
Flanagan et al. (2020) [36]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 17
Women with IBD exposed to IFX during pregnancy
Intrapartum dosing adjustments are not indicated
A small significant increase in IFX levels per gestational week of 0.16 (95% CI 0.08–0.24) µg/mL was observed (p < 0.001)
ELISA (LLOD: 100 ng/mL) [77]
Via Endnote retrieved
T0: up to 12 months
T5: up to 6 months
Grišić et al. (2020) [44]
Retrospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 19
Women with IBD exposed to IFX during pregnancy
If desired, it is necessary to continue the IFX therapy in late T2 or early T3 to maintain a constant maternal IFX concentration until the end of the pregnancy
A significant increase in IFX maternal levels was shown in T2 compared to T0 (p = 0.003) and T1 (p = 0.04)
TRFIA (LLOD: 0.1 µg/mL)
NR
Julsgaard et al. (2016) [35]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 44
Patients with IBD that used ADL or IFX during pregnancy. Only singleton pregnancies were included
NR
Clearance of IFX in infants that were exposed during pregnancy was slower than previously reported, whereas clearance of ADL was more rapid
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.02 µg/mL)
There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the duration since last exposure and maternal serum concentrations
Kane et al. (2009) [43]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 3
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 0.10 µg/mL)
Patient 1 received GA: 0, 2, and 6 a dose IFX, after that continued q8w
T5: NR
Kanis et al. (2018) [38]
Prostpective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 73
IBD patients treated with ADL or IFX during pregnancy
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOQ 0.04 μg/mL)
67% of the patients had the standard IFX dose
Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 11
Women with CD exposed to IFX during pregnancy
Considerations to avoid IFX use 4–8 weeks before delivery to keep the placental transfer rate as low as possible. This advice is only applicable if the mother is in stable remission
NR
ELISA (LLOQ: 1.41 µg/mL)
NR
Seow et al. (2017) [29]
Prospective cohort study
IFX
Ntotal: 15
Patients attending the IBD pregnancy clinic who were treated with IFX or ADL were prospectively enrolled if they became pregnant in the study period
The authors suggest that anti-TNF levels can be targeted to the lower end of the therapeutic range during T0 in clinical stable patients. The regimen used in T0 should be continued in T5
There was an inverse relationship between IFX levels and CRP in CD (p = 0.03)
After adjusting for albumin, BMI, and CRP, gestational age had a significant effect on the IFX concentrations with multivariate mixed modeling (p = 0.02)
Mobility shift assay
(LLOD: 0.0074 µg/mL)[78]
The IQR of T5 were extracted via WPD
Steenholdt et al. (2011) [47]
Retrospective case report
IFX
Ntotal: 1
NR
IFX > 0.5 µg/mL is associated with maintained response in both CD and UC. They suggest this as a valid cut-off level for clinically relevant IFX concentrations
NR
Fluid-phase RIA
(LLOD: 10 U/mL)
All data were extracted via WPD
T5: 16 and 28 weeks after T4
Vasilauskas et al. (2006) [14]
Retrospective case report
IFX
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (NR)
NR
Vestergaard et al. (2017) [45]
Case report
IFX
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (NR)
NR
Proschmann et al. (2021) [54]
Prospective cohort study
NAT
Ntotal: 11
Women diagnosed with remitted relapse multiple sclerosis with highly active disease course
NR
Authors confirm that NAT is transferred into human breastmilk in reassuringly low amounts. The observed alteration of drug levels during pregnancy are small and unlikely to be of clinically significance regarding efficacy.
FACS assay (LLOD: 14 ng/mL) [79]
All data were extracted via WPD
T0: up to 6 months
T5: up to 6 months
Toorop et al. (2022) [53]
Case series
NAT
Ntotal: 3
Patients with multiple sclerosis that used NAT during the entire pregnancy
NR
NAT concentrations can decrease during pregnancy; therefore, neurologists should be aware
Cross-linking essay
All data were extracted via WPD
Weber and Millet (2022) [60]
Case series
CAN
Ntotal: 7 (1 sample measurement)
NR
NR
Further studies needed to confirm safety of CAN during pregnancy
LC with MS (LLOQ 1 μg/mL)
NR
Saito et al. (2020) [61]
Case report
OMA
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
Further study is encouraged to clarify mother-to-child transmission of OMA and the safety profile of the drug
NR
T3: 2 days before delivery
Tada et al. (2019) [13]
Case report
TCZ
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 6 ng/mL)
NR
Moriyama et al. (2020) [39]
Case report
TCZ
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 5 ng/mL) [80]
NR
Saito et al. (2018) [62]
Case report
TCZ
Ntotal: 2
NR
NR
NR
NR
All data were extracted via WPD
T5: 13, 18, 22, 35, 44, and 49 weeks after delivery
Saito et al. (2019) [63]
Case report
TCZ
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
TCZ proved to be safe in a mother and her child during both pregnancy and breastfeeding
NR
NR
Saito et al. (2020) [64]
Case report
TCZ
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 0.002 μg/mL)
An undetectable level of TCZ was measured at delivery (37 weeks of gestation); however, this measurement was not included in this study as the patient stopped TCZ therapy at 14 weeks of gestation
T5: 3, 33, and 23 days after injection
Flanagan et al. (2021) [67]
Observational study
UST
Ntotal: 19
IBD patients treated with UST during pregnancy
NR
UST levels appear stable during pregnancy, suggesting that monitoring of levels in stable patients is not warranted. No new safety signals were reported
ELISA (LLOD: 0.04 μg/mL)
3 patients started in 2nd or 3rd trimester with first 390 mg iv and after that q8w
Klenske et al. (2019) [68]
Case report
UST
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
Consistent with previous reports, the authors report elevated UST cord blood levels in comparison with the maternal drug level, as well as breast milk levels and serum trough levels in similar range
NR
NR
Mitrova et al. (2021) [58]
Prospective observational study
UST
Ntotal: 15
Women with IBD exposed to UST 2 months prior to conception or during pregnancy
NR
Between maternal UST levels and GA of last administration, there was a significant correlation (ρ = 0.578, p = 0.02)
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.4 µg/mL) [81]
NR
Mitrova et al. (2022) [59]
Prospective multicenter study
UST
Ntotal: 37 (39 pregnancies)
IBD patients treated with UST or VDZ during pregnancy. Only singleton pregnancies were included
NR
The use of the new biologic UST seems to be safe. The pharmacokinetic pattern of UST seems similar to anti-TNF
ELISA (detection limits: 1.5–600 ng/mL)
Pharmacokinetic parameters were available in 26 infant–mother pairs exposed to UST
Prentice et al. (2023) [56]
Congress abstract
UST
Ntotal: 97
IBD patients treated with UST or VDZ during pregnancy
Proactive dose adjustment and level monitoring during pregnancy is not necessary
UST levels are stable over the course of pregnancy, while VDZ levels fall but without parallel increase of biochemical disease activity
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.4 µg/mL)
This study is published as a congress abstract
Rowan et al. (2018) [69]
Case report
UST
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
UST levels remained stable throughout pregnancy, cord levels were nearly 2-fold higher than maternal serum levels
ELISA (detection limits: NR)
NR
Saito et al. (2022) [66]
Case report
UST
Ntotal: 1
NR
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 1.0 ng/mL)
Treatment at GA: 5, 17, and 29. Continued again at 48 days postpartum
Sako et al. (2021) [65]
Prospective cohort study
UST
Ntotal: 1
Women diagnosed with CD, dosed with UST during and/or after 2nd trimester
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 0.747 ng/mL)
NR
Flanagan et al. (2018) [57]
Case report
VDZ
Ntotal: 5
IBD patients treated with VDZ during pregnancy
NR
Placental transfer of VDZ may potentially be less than those documented with anti-TNFα agents
ELISA (LLOD: 2 μg/mL)
 
Flanagan et al. (2020) [36]
Prospective cohort study
VDZ
Ntotal: 17
Women with IBD exposed to VDZ during pregnancy
Intrapartum dosing adjustments are not indicated
A small significant decrease in VDZ levels per gestational week of −0.18 (95% CI −0.33 to −0.02) µg/mL was observed (p = 0.03)
ELISA (LLOD: 2 and 0.25 µg/mL)
Pre-term < 37 weeks (n): 2
T0: up to 12 months
T5: up to 6 months
Julsgaard et al. (2018) [55]
Case report
VDZ
Ntotal: 2
IBD patients treated with VDZ during pregnancy
NR
NR
ELISA (LLOD: 2 μg/mL)
NR
Mitrova et al. (2021) [58]
Prospective observational study
VDZ
Ntotal: 16
Women with IBD exposed to VDZ 2 months prior to conception or during pregnancy
NR
Between maternal VDZ levels and GA of last administration, there was a significant correlation (ρ = 0.751, p = 0.001)
Between maternal drug level and the interval between the last infusion and delivery, there was a significant correlation (ρ = −0.917, p < 0.001).
ELISA (LLOQ: 2 µg/mL) [81]
NR
Mitrova et al. (2022) [59]
Prospective multicenter study
VDZ
Ntotal: 49 (54 pregnancies)
IBD patients treated with UST or VDZ during pregnancy. Only singleton pregnancies were included
NR
The use of the new biologic VDZ seems to be safe. The pharmacokinetic pattern of VDZ differs from anti-TNF, as the levels at the time of delivery are higher in maternal blood than in cord blood
ELISA (detection limits: 5–600 ng/mL)
Pharmacokinetic parameters were available in 23 infant–mother pairs exposed to VDZ
Prentice et al. (2023) [56]
Congress abstract
VDZ
Ntotal: 97
IBD patients treated with UST or VDZ during pregnancy
Proactive dose adjustment and level monitoring during pregnancy is not necessary
UST levels are stable over the course of pregnancy, while VDZ levels fall but without parallel increase of biochemical disease activity
ELISA (LLOQ: 0.25 µg/mL)
This study is published as a congress abstract
ADL adalimumab, aHUS atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, BMI body mass index, CAN canakinumab, CD Crohn’s disease, CI confidence intervals, COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019, CZP certolizumab pegol, ECU eculizumab, ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, FACS fluorescence-activated cell sorting, GA gestational age, GOL golimumab, IBD inflammatory bowel disease, IFX infliximab, IQR intra-quartile range, iv intravenous, LC liquid chromatography, LLOD lower limit of detection, LLOQ lower limit of quantification, MS/MS tandem mass spectrometry, NAT natalizumab, NR not reported, OMA omalizumab, PNH paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, qxw (i.e. q1w/q2w/etc.) (dose) once a week / once every two weeks / etc.,  RIA radioimmunoassay, SARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, T0 pre-pregnancy, T1 trimester 1, T2 trimester 2, T3 trimester 3, T4 during delivery, T5 postpartum, TCZ tocilizumab, TNF tumor necrosis factor, TRFIA time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay, UC ulcerative colitis, UST ustekinumab, VDZ vedolizumab, WPD web plot digitizer

3 Results

3.1 Study Selection and Data Extraction

In total, 42 studies reporting on the PK of mAbs during pregnancy were included in this systematic review, of which nine studies reported data on two or three different mAbs. A total of eight studies for adalimumab (ADL), three for CZP, five for eculizumab (ECU), one for golimumab (GOL), 12 for IFX, two for natalizumab (NAT), one for canakinumab (CAN), one for omalizumab (OMA), five for tocilizumab (TCZ), eight for ustekinumab (UST), and five for vedolizumab (VDZ) were included. An overview of the patient populations and study characteristics is presented in Table 2, and an overview of results and dosing guidance is presented in Table 3.

3.2 Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Inhibitors

3.2.1 Adalimumab

Eight studies were included reporting serum concentrations of ADL in pregnant women [11, 29, 3338]. Most PK information was available from two studies [29, 36] (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 2). Dosing was generally consistent between pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, and most participants received 40 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Median steady-state concentrations measured during pregnancy were consistently lower when compared to those measured in the non-pregnant states (either pre-pregnancy or postpartum) [29, 36] (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2
The concentration of adalimumab (ADL) during different states of pregnancy. The concentration of ADL is expressed in µg/mL on the y-axis (median with corresponding IQR and range). The different states of pregnancy per study are shown on the x-axis. The different states of pregnancy are expressed as pre-pregnancy (T0), first trimester (T1), second trimester (T2), third trimester (T3), during delivery (T4), and postpartum (T5). FLAa stands for the study of Flanagan et al. (2020); SEO for Seow et al. (2017); LAB for Labetoulle et al. (2019); BOR for Bortlik et al. (2013); JULa for Julsgaard et al. (2013); JULb for Julsgaard et al. (2016); KANa for Kanis et al. (2018); and MAH for Mahadevan et al. (2013) [11, 29, 3338]. IQR interquartile range
Bild vergrößern
The first study found non-significant decreases of median ADL concentrations, as compared to the pre-pregnancy values, in all trimesters, at delivery, and postpartum of 45.2%, 50.0%, 44.2%, 35.6%, and 33.7%, respectively [36]. The second study also showed a non-significant decrease in median ADL concentrations in comparison with pre-pregnancy concentrations; first, second, third trimester, and postpartum concentrations showed decreases of 51.2%, 30.9%, 47.5%, and 58.0%, respectively [29]. Both studies used mixed effect modelling to conclude that, after accounting for covariates such as maternal body mass index (BMI), albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP), ADL concentrations may remain consistent between trimesters one to three, but comparisons were not made to the non-pregnant states [29, 36]. Overall, median concentrations were not meaningfully different between the trimesters, and these authors agree with the assertion of consistency throughout pregnancy following a visual inspection of the individual plots and based on limited sample sizes to otherwise detect minor differences. The other six studies [11, 3335, 37, 38] reported ADL concentrations at the first trimester, delivery, and/or non-pregnancy state (postpartum). When considering adapted dosing regimens based on the measured PK data, Flanagan et al. stated that routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) or intrapartum dosing adjustment are not indicated [36]. Seow et al. advised that TDM in the second trimester may be useful in guiding dosing in the third trimester [29]. None of the other studies reported PK-based dosing guidance for ADL during pregnancy.
In summary, available evidence suggests that ADL serum concentrations may be unaffected or modestly decreased during pregnancy, and may remain relatively stable throughout the three trimesters.

3.2.2 Certolizumab Pegol

Three studies were included reporting serum concentrations of CZP in pregnant women [11, 39, 40] (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 3). Concentrations at delivery were within the range of concentrations observed from a previous population PK analysis [41] in non-pregnant individuals based on the reported number of days since the last dose, and were mostly within the proposed therapeutic range [41] when the sample was collected up to 28 days after the last dose [41]. Within-individual comparisons to the non-pregnant state were not possible except for one study in a single Japanese patient [40], where concentrations were similar (albeit slightly slower) in the third trimester compared to postpartum.
Fig. 3
The concentration of certolizumab pegol (CZP) during different states of pregnancy. The concentration of CZP is expressed in µg/mL on the y-axis (median with corresponding IQR and range). The different states of pregnancy per study are shown on the x-axis. The different states of pregnancy are expressed as third trimester (T3), during delivery (T4), and postpartum (T5). MOR stands for the study of Morita et al. (2018); MAH for Mahadevan et al. (2013); and MAR for Mariette et al. (2018) [11, 40, 76]. IQR interquartile range
Bild vergrößern
In summary, there is not sufficient evidence to indicate that CZP serum concentrations may be meaningfully impacted by pregnancy.

3.2.3 Golimumab

One case report of Benoit et al. [42] reported that GOL was detectable in maternal plasma in one patient immediately after delivery (Tables 2, 3). The time since last dose was not reported to enable further interpretation.

3.2.4 Infliximab

In total, twelve studies were included in this systematic literature review reporting PK or exposure parameters of IFX in pregnant women [12, 14, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38, 4347] (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 4). While IFX is typically dosed on an mg/kg basis, most studies specified a practice where the dose during pregnancy was not increased from the pre-pregnancy dose despite an increase in body weight.
Fig. 4
The concentration of infliximab (IFX) during different states of pregnancy. The concentration of IFX is expressed in µg/mL on the y-axis (median with corresponding IQR and range). The different states of pregnancy per study are shown on the x-axis. The different states of pregnancy are expressed as pre-pregnancy (T0), first trimester (T1), second trimester (T2), third trimester (T3), during delivery (T4), and postpartum (T5). The different colors indicate the stages of pregnancy. FLAa stands for the study of Flanagan et al. (2020); SEO for Seow et al. (2017); STE for Steenholdt et al. (2011); BOR for Bortlik et al. (2013); ELI for Eliesen et al. (2020); JULb for Julsgaard et al. (2016); KANa for Kanis et al. (2018); MAH for Mahadevan et al. (2013); VES for Vestergaard et al. (2017); KANb for Kane et al. (2009); and VAS for Vasilauskas et al. (2006) [11, 12, 14, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38, 43, 45, 47]. IQR interquartile range
Bild vergrößern
In all studies reporting IFX serum concentrations in all six periods (pre-pregnancy, first, second, third trimester, at delivery and postpartum) [29, 36, 44], IFX serum concentrations generally increased during pregnancy compared to pre-pregnancy serum concentrations (Fig. 4). One of the studies [44] showed increases of 16.4% in the first trimester, 105.5% in the second trimester, and 78.1% in the third trimester. In another study [36], the serum concentrations increased by 11.4%, 26.6%, and 39.2% in the first, second, and third trimesters. The third study [29] showed the highest rise in concentration, with increases of 23.0%, 49.2%, and 204.2% in the first, second, and third trimesters. In two studies, only postpartum concentrations were described and could not be compared to concentrations in other periods [14, 43]. In three studies, IFX concentrations at postpartum were compared to pre-conceptional concentration, showing a decrease of 19.2% [44] or increases of 30.4% and 50.1% [29, 36]. Other studies are case reports [14, 45, 47].
Only one study reported exposure parameters; Grišić et al. [44] used a population PK model to determine clearance (CL) (0.608 L/d) and volume of distribution (Vd ) (18.2 L) of IFX, and reported an effect of −0.121 of second and third trimester state on CL [44]. However, the population PK model was constructed on only trough concentrations and only tested covariates (including possible effects of pregnancy) on CL; possible effects of pregnancy on Vd were not evaluated.
In light of a small significant increase in IFX serum concentrations during the second and third trimesters [36, 44], some commentaries on the use of TDM or the need for dosing adjustments have emerged. One study stated that antenatal dosing adjustments are not needed [36]. Another study adds that TDM can assist in regulating constant maternal IFX concentrations during pregnancy, in the hopes of minimizing IFX exposure for the fetus [44]. Other studies suggest discontinuation of treatments around the third trimester to minimize placental transfer [11, 33]. One study advised that IFX serum concentrations could be targeted to the lower end of the therapeutic range (e.g., 3 µg/mL) during the pre-pregnancy phase and postpartum phase, and measuring serum concentrations in the second trimester may help to decide whether to give a dose in the third trimester [29].
Overall, available evidence shows that IFX serum concentrations generally increase throughout pregnancy. Considerations for the use of TDM to maintain constant exposures throughout pregnancy are emerging.

3.3 Complement Inhibitor

3.3.1 Eculizumab

Five studies were included reporting serum concentrations of ECU in pregnant women [4852] (Tables 2, 3).
In women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (ranging from 25 weeks gestation until day 1 of the postpartum period), mean ± standard deviation ECU concentrations at 1 h following an intravenous dose of 1200 mg were 321 ± 13 μg/mL, and trough concentrations approximately 3 days after dosing were not below the proposed therapeutic range (> 116 μg/mL) (150 μg/mL and 160 μg/mL) [48]. Substantial concentrations were reported in one mother who received eculizumab 1200 mg intravenously for treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome 26 h prior to delivery [49]. In another mother receiving 1200 mg of ECU in different dosing regimens (every week up to every 3 weeks), substantially higher levels were measured after pregnancy when compared to during pregnancy [52]. At delivery, 1 day after an additional dose of 1500 mg, a level of 1589 μg/mL was measured. One woman continuously treated with ECU 900 mg every 2 weeks for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria experienced breakthrough hemolysis at approximately week 30 of her pregnancy, and required re-induction and an increased maintenance dose (up to 1200 mg every 2 weeks) [51]. Concentrations before dose adjustment were < 11 μg/mL, and therapeutic concentrations were restored following the dose increase [51]. After her pregnancy, the dose was returned to 900 mg every 2 weeks and the condition was reported as stable. Another study reported complexed ECU-C5 concentrations following 600-mg doses for treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome as detectable and well-tolerated [50]. Interpretation of complexed concentrations is limited. None of the studies report any evidence-based dosing advice or PK-related conclusions.
In summary, very limited evidence from case reports suggests that ECU serum concentrations may be unaffected or modestly decreased during pregnancy. One case of breakthrough hemolysis requiring dose adjustment is of interest [51].

3.4 Anti-integrin

3.4.1 Natalizumab

Two studies were included reporting serum concentrations of NAT in pregnant women [53, 54] (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 5).
Fig. 5
The concentration of natalizumab (NAT) during different stages of pregnancy. The concentration of NAT is expressed in µg/mL on the y-axis (median with corresponding IQR and range). The different states of pregnancy per study are shown on the x-axis. The different states of pregnancy are expressed as pre-pregnancy (T0), first trimester (T1), second trimester (T2), third trimester (T3), during delivery (T4), and postpartum (T5). PRO stands for the study of Proschmann et al. (2021) and TOO for Toorop et al. (2022) [53, 54]. IQR interquartile range
Bild vergrößern
The first study, reviewing 11 patients, reported a non-significant trend for decreases of 14.6%, 30.9%, 50%, and 55.3% in the first, second, and third trimesters and at delivery, respectively, compared to the pre-pregnancy state [54]. The second study reviewing three patients reported similar progressive decreases of 4.7%, 39.0%, and 61.6% in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, when compared to the pre-pregnancy state. Concentrations returned to normal pre-pregnancy levels in the postpartum period (approximately 3–6 months after delivery). Despite reductions in trough concentrations during pregnancy, multiple sclerosis disease activity remained stable for these patients with no dose adjustment. Proschmann et al. [54] suggest that there may be pregnancy-related changes that marginally increase NAT clearance and that measurements of serum concentration across pregnancy are not required. Toorop et al. [53] stated that professionals should be aware of the possibility of NAT concentrations decreasing during pregnancy. None of the women who received NAT suffered from relapse during gestation, indicating that the disease remained stable during pregnancy.
In summary, NAT concentration may modestly decrease during pregnancy, with return to pre-pregnancy concentrations in the postpartum period.

3.4.2 Vedolizumab

Six studies reporting serum concentrations of VDZ in pregnant women were included [36, 5559] (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 6).
Fig. 6
The concentration of vedolizumab (VDZ) during different stages of pregnancy. The concentration of VDZ is expressed in µg/mL on the y-axis (median with corresponding IQR and range). The different states of pregnancy per study are shown on the x-axis. The different states of pregnancy are expressed as pre-pregnancy (T0), first trimester (T1), second trimester (T2), third trimester (T3), during delivery (T4), and postpartum (T5). FLAa stands for the study of Flanagan et al. (2020); FLAc for Flanagan et al. (2018); JULc for Julsgaard et al. (2018); MITa for Mitrova et al. (2021); MITb for Mitrova et al. (2022); and PRE for Prentice et al. (2023) [36, 5559]. IQR interquartile range
Bild vergrößern
Most PK information was available from Prentice et al. [56] and Flanagan et al. [36]. Data on the non-pregnancy state for comparison with the pregnancy period were exclusively available from Prentice et al. [56], reporting 20.5 µg/mL and 13.7 µg/mL for the pre-pregnancy and postpartum periods, respectively. For Prentice et al. [56], the concentrations during pregnancy progressively decreased as compared with the pre-pregnancy state, with reductions up to 58.5% at delivery. For Flanagan et al. [36], similar results were reported with reductions up to 71.1% at delivery. The concentration of VDZ at time of delivery was similar in most studies, with medians ranging from 4.7 to 9.9 µg/mL. When focusing on evidence-based dosing regimens, Flanagan et al. [36] stated that, while a small significant decrease in VDZ serum concentrations per period was observed, no antenatal dosing adjustments were indicated.
In summary, serum concentrations of VDZ seem to progressively decrease during pregnancy. However, one study suggested that no dose adjustments were indicated [36].

3.5 Interleukin-1 Inhibitor

3.5.1 Canakinumab

One case series of Weber and Millet [60] reported that CAN was detectable in maternal plasma in one patient immediately after delivery (Tables 2, 3). The time since last dose was not reported to enable further interpretation.

3.6 Interleukin-5 Inhibitor

3.6.1 Omalizumab

One case report of Saito et al. [61] reported two OMA concentrations, obtained during the third trimester and at delivery, with a 2-day interval between samplings. Both measurements were acquired 10 weeks subsequent to the last administration of a 150-mg subcutaneous monthly dose. Considering PK behavior of OMA [61], the authors considered the observed maternal serum concentration at delivery (3239.9 ng/mL) to be within an acceptable range.

3.7 Interleukin-6 Inhibitor

3.7.1 Tocilizumab

Five studies reporting serum concentrations of TCZ in pregnant women were included [13, 39, 6264] (Tables 2, 3).
In the paper of Tada et al. [13], the TCZ concentration was documented twice during the third trimester 1 week apart (16.20 and 6.17 µg/mL). Moriyama et al. [39] reported a TCZ concentration of 13.30 µg/mL at delivery. Saito et al. published three case reports, of which two reported TCZ concentrations exclusively during the postpartum period [62, 64], with medians of 9.8 µg/mL and 3.9 µg/mL. The third case report of Saito et al. [63] reported five TCZ concentrations observed during various periods, ranging from 3.24 to 57.65 µg/mL.
Overall, little information is available to form a conclusion about the possible effects of pregnancy on the PK of TCZ.

3.8 Interleukin-23 Inhibitor

3.8.1 Ustekinumab

In total, eight studies reported on serum concentrations of UST in pregnant women [56, 58, 59, 6569] (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 7). Two studies [56, 67] reported concentration of UST during first, second, and third trimesters, demonstrating that UST concentrations remained relatively stable during pregnancy. Klenske et al. [68] and Rowan et al. [69] also reported sparse measurements of UST concentrations during pregnancy, with variable results. Three other studies reported median UST concentrations exclusively at delivery [58, 59, 65]. Over all studies, the median UST concentration at delivery ranged from 0.27 to 5.3 µg/mL. Interpretation of concentrations at delivery is difficult because the dosage regimens are variable or not clearly reported, but the concentrations would generally fall within a proposed therapeutic range (> 1.1 µg/mL) [70].
Fig. 7
The concentration of ustekinumab (UST) during different stages of pregnancy. The concentration of UST is expressed in µg/mL on the y-axis (median with corresponding IQR and range). The different states of pregnancy per study are shown on the x-axis. The different states of pregnancy are expressed as pre-pregnancy (T0), first trimester (T1), second trimester (T2), third trimester (T3), during delivery (T4), and postpartum (T5). FLAb stands for the study of Flanagan et al. (2021); KLE for Klenske et al. (2019); MITa for Mitrova et al. (2021); MITb for Mitrova et al. (2022); PRE for Prentice et al. (2023); ROW for Rowan et al. (2018); SAI for Saito et al. (2022); and SAK for Sako et al. (2021) [56, 58, 59, 6569]. IQR interquartile range
Bild vergrößern
In summary, evidence largely formed from two studies [56, 67] suggests that UST concentrations remain relatively stable during pregnancy.

4 Discussion

Overall, available information suggests that the anatomical and physiological changes throughout pregnancy may have meaningful effects on the PK of mAbs. For all of the assessed mAbs, except IFX, serum concentrations were similar or decreased during pregnancy. For only IFX, serum concentrations generally increased throughout pregnancy. Therefore, for most mAbs (except IFX), modestly higher dosing (per mg) may be needed during pregnancy to sustain a similar serum exposure compared to pre-pregnancy. Cases of poor disease control during pregnancy with undetectable mAb concentration have been documented in the literature [48]. While these general trends are observed, any risk–benefit considerations to modestly increase a flat dose in pregnant women should consider the unique properties, pharmacology, and the safety profile of the mAb, as well as the individual patient characteristics.
The findings of decreased concentrations in pregnancy for most mAbs are consistent with the general understanding of the anatomical and physiological changes that occur in pregnancy. Blood volume increases by 40%, potentially diluting serum concentrations [21]. Total volume of distribution (L) may also increase along with increasing pregnant body weight. However, mAbs have relatively restricted distribution into the placenta and any additional increase in volume of distribution would be less than proportional to the increase in total body weight. Sizes of major eliminating organs (such as the liver, skin, and muscle) of the maternal body are increased [23, 26]. Maternal muscle that increases in pregnancy includes uterine smooth muscle, placental smooth muscle, abdominal muscle, and other muscle groups in arms and legs that increase in mass slightly along with increased pregnant weight [27]. There is no evidence that systemic FcRn increases or decreases throughout pregnancy. Indeed, any meaningful effects of altered expression or availability of FcRn would be expected to affect endogenous plasma proteins that bind to FcRn (e.g., IgG, albumin) in the same way – dramatic changes in which are not observed in pregnancy [42].
IFX is the mAb with the greatest amount of PK data available from pregnant women [11, 12, 14, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38, 4345, 47], yet is an apparent anomaly among all other mAbs with available data. Twelve PK studies have been performed during pregnancy showing a general increase in serum concentrations. Reduced target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) clearance of IFX has been proposed as the physiological driver of this observation; however, a dissimilar finding for ADL almost rules out this proposed impact of target or disease characteristics [23, 36].
It has to be noted that when deciding to study the PK of drugs in pregnant women it is difficult to recruit pregnant women and that there are many ethical issues around their inclusion in clinical trials. Therefore, all studies currently performed are with limited samples, both in terms of the number of patients and the inconsistent post-dose sampling times. To obtain formal PK parameters, dense blood sampling is often required or a large population for population-PK modelling. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling can be an attractive tool to make use of existing PK data from sparse or variable sources. Limited data collected could be confirmatory to the mechanistic hypotheses, rather than purely exploratory. One PBPK modeling paper for three mAbs (IFX, ADL, and golimumab) in pregnant women was identified following submission of this manuscript [71]. The drug-specific rates of cellular uptake in pregnancy were optimized to observed PK data from the third trimester (kup, kupp). As such, the models are not considered to have mechanistically captured the changes in mAb PK that occur throughout pregnancy because any unexplained differences after updating the structural compartments were attributed to these optimized constants. The optimized models were used to estimate the optimal timing of the last dose prior to delivery to ensure that mAb concentrations did not fall below therapeutic levels [71].
A limitation when using the serum/plasma PK concentrations of mAbs in pregnant women for dose adjustment or TDM is that they may not be appropriately representative of tissue concentrations or PD effects. Future evidence-based dosing recommendations should also consider maternal PD information and disease control when available.
Finally, this systematic literature review is limited to PK in pregnant women, without including additional PK or safety data on the fetus. It is known that all tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mAbs, except CZP, cross the placenta by the Fc receptor [1, 72]. Large studies showed a low risk, no increase in the rate of congenital abnormalities, adverse pregnancy outcomes, or neonatal infections out to 1 year of life of anti-TNF use in pregnancy [46]. Also, for other non-TNFα mAbs used in autoimmune diseases, such as NAT, VDZ, UST, GOL, ECU, and TCZ, which all crossed the placenta, no increased risk of adverse events in both mother and infant is reported [1, 7375]. Second, maternal clinical endpoints (PD parameters) are not addressed within our systematic literature review.

5 Conclusions

We performed a systematic literature review on the PK of mAbs in pregnant women receiving therapy for various indications. In general, no PK parameters except serum concentrations were reported. Pregnancy-related physiological and anatomical changes could influence the PK of mAbs. Overall, we conclude that a modest increase in the flat dose, expressed in mg, may be needed to obtain the same serum concentrations compared to the pre-pregnancy state and thereby to achieve target concentrations. Our study clearly shows the knowledge gap with regard to PK of mAbs during pregnancy and encourages future researchers to collect PK data from mAbs in pregnant women, so that evidence-based dosing regimens may be generated.

Declarations

Funding

This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Competing interests: Jip van Gendt, Robin Emaus, Marijn C. Visschedijk, Dianne Bouwknegt, Karina de Leeuw, Jelmer R. Prins, and Paola Mian declare that they have no financial or non-financial interests that are directly or indirectly related to the work submitted for publication. Daan J. Touw is vice chair of the Medical Advisory Board of Sanquin. Paul Malik is a full-time employee of Calico Life Sciences.

Authors’ Contributions

JvG and RE contributed to the literature search, data extraction, data analysis, and writing the initial draft of the manuscript. MCV, JRP, and DJT contributed to the conceptualization of the study and reviewing the manuscript. DB and KdL contributed to reviewing the manuscript. PMa contributed to the conceptualization of the study and writing and reviewing the manuscript. PMi contributed to the conceptualization of the study, literature search, data extraction, data analysis, and writing and reviewing the manuscript.

Ethics Approval

Not applicable.

Data Availability

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.

Code Availability

Not applicable.
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Titel
Pharmacokinetics of Monoclonal Antibodies Throughout Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review
Verfasst von
J. van Gendt
R. Emaus
M. C. Visschedijk
D. J. Touw
D. G. Bouwknegt
K. de Leeuw
J. R. Prins
P. Malik
Paola Mian
Publikationsdatum
07.04.2024
Verlag
Springer International Publishing
Erschienen in
Clinical Pharmacokinetics / Ausgabe 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0312-5963
Elektronische ISSN: 1179-1926
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-024-01370-7

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
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