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Peer-reviewed article

ATP-binding cassette transporter polymorphisms and the pharmacokinetics of oral esketamine.

Oude Nijhuis JC, Coerts DTiD, van Dalfsen JHiD, Smith-Apeldoorn SY, Veraart JKEiD, Schoevers RAiD, Touw DJiD, van Schaik RHN, Tamminga WJ

PharmacogenomicsDec 1, 2025Netherlands0 citationsDOI: 10.1080/14622416.2026.2617376

Abstract

Oral esketamine is a promising new therapy for treatment-resistant depression. However, concerns exist about interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. Genetic polymorphisms regulating the expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters might influence bioavailability. Utilizing blood samples from a placebo-controlled trial investigating repeated, low dose oral esketamine (<i>N</i> = 18), we performed <i>ABCB1</i> 3435C > T and <i>ABCG2</i> 421C > A genotyping and measured the plasma levels of esketamine and its metabolites 4 h after dosing. For <i>ABCB1</i> 3435C > T, esketamine concentrations for C/C (<i>Mdn</i> = 3.8 µg/L), C/T (<i>Mdn</i> = 2.7 µg/L), and T/T (<i>Mdn</i> = 1.0 µg/L) were not significantly different (χ<sup>2</sup>(2) = 3.41, <i>p = </i>0.182). For <i>ABCG2</i> 421C > A, esketamine concentrations did not differ significantly between C/A (<i>Mdn</i> = 1.5 µg/L) and C/C (<i>Mdn</i> = 2.4 µg/L) (<i>U</i> = 10.00, <i>p</i> = 0.471). Metabolite plasma concentrations were also not associated with polymorphism status. These results suggest that oral esketamine pharmacokinetics are unaffected by ABC transporter polymorphisms. However, due to the limited sample size and genotype variant representation, results are preliminary. Larger, more adequately powered studies are needed to clarify genotype effects and inform individualized esketamine therapyClinical trial registration: NTR6161 (Dutch Trial Register).

Topics & conditions

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KetamineDepression

Keywords

Oral administrationPharmacogeneticsMajor Depressive DisorderDifficult-to-treat Depression

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