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23268 Mycophenolic Acid, Sera (MPA)

Mycophenolic Acid, Sera (MPA)
Test Code: MYCOPSO
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 81563, , CellCeptm, MPA-G (Mycophenolic Acid Glucuronide), Mycophenolate Mofetil, Myfortic
Useful For
Monitoring therapy with CellCept to ensure adequate blood levels and avoid overimmunosuppression
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Serum​ ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​ ​1.0 mL ​0.25 mL ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum Red Top Tube
Refrigerated (preferred)
 ​14 days
​ ​Ambient ​14 days
​ ​Frozen ​14 days
Rejection Criteria
Hemolysis
Mild OK; Gross reject
Lipemia​
Mild OK; Gross reject
Icterus​
Mild OK; Gross reject
​Other ​Serum gel tube
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Monday through Sunday Same day/1 day
Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Test Information
​
Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) is a new immunosuppressive agent useful in organ transplantation. It is approved for use in renal, hepatic, and cardiac transplants. When mycophenolate mofetil enters the blood, it is immediately metabolized to the active drug, mycophenolic acid (MPA), which inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase and interferes with the de novo pathway of guanosine nucleotide synthesis selectively in lymphocytes. MPA inhibits proliferative responses of T- and B-lymphocytes to both mitogenic and allospecific stimulation. MPA acts in the same fashion as azathioprine, and MPA is suggested as replacement therapy for azathioprine. The drug is deactivated by the hepatic enzyme, uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) to
form mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPA-G).
 
The principle clinical problem encountered in MPA therapy is excessive immunosuppression, which predisposes the patient to systemic infection. Measurement of the blood level of MPA and MPA-G can be useful to guide therapy.
 
Monitoring is recommended immediately after transplant up to 3 weeks after therapy is initiated to evaluate dosing adequacy. Additional monitoring is indicated if the MPA level is not in the therapeutic range or if a major change in health status occurs.
Reference Range Information
MYCOPHENOLIC ACID (MPA)
1.0-3.5 mcg/mL
 
MPA GLUCURONIDE
35-100 mcg/mL
Interpretation
​
Trough serum levels of mycophenolic acid (MPA) at steady-state (>2 weeks at the same dose) in the range of 1.0 mcg/mL to 3.5 mcg/mL indicate adequate therapy. Mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPA-G) levels in the range of 35 mcg/mL to 100 mcg/mL indicate that the patient has normal uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) metabolic capacity. MPA-G levels are typically in the range of 100 mcg/mL to 250 mcg/mL during the 2 weeks following transplantation. MPA-G typically decreases after this initial post-transplant phase.
 
Trough steady-state serum MPA levels >4.0 mcg/mL indicate that the patient is overimmunosuppressed and susceptible to systemic infections. Decreased dosages may be indicated in these cases.
 
Low MPA levels and high MPA-G levels suggest that the patient has an active UGT metabolic capability; higher doses may be required to maintain therapeutic levels of MPA. Some patients have a high UGT metabolic capacity. These patients may require 1 gram or more 3 times a day to maintain trough serum MPA levels in the range of 1.0 mcg/mL to 3.5 mcg/mL. They are likely to have MPA-G levels >100 mcg/mL. MPA-G is inactive; MPA-G levels only describe the patient’s metabolic status.
 
Patients who have low UGT conjugating capability may become overimmunosuppressed, indicated by a trough steady-state serum MPA level >4.0 mcg/mL and a MPA-G level <40 mcg/mL. Dose reduction or interval prolongation is indicated in this case.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​80180 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 81563, , CellCeptm, MPA-G (Mycophenolic Acid Glucuronide), Mycophenolate Mofetil, Myfortic
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Mycophenolic Acid, Sera (81563)
​Cerner ​Mycophenolic Acid, Sera (81563)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Serum​ ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​ ​1.0 mL ​0.25 mL ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum Red Top Tube
Refrigerated (preferred)
 ​14 days
​ ​Ambient ​14 days
​ ​Frozen ​14 days
Rejection Criteria
Hemolysis
Mild OK; Gross reject
Lipemia​
Mild OK; Gross reject
Icterus​
Mild OK; Gross reject
​Other ​Serum gel tube
Useful For
Monitoring therapy with CellCept to ensure adequate blood levels and avoid overimmunosuppression
Reference Range Information
MYCOPHENOLIC ACID (MPA)
1.0-3.5 mcg/mL
 
MPA GLUCURONIDE
35-100 mcg/mL
Interpretation
​
Trough serum levels of mycophenolic acid (MPA) at steady-state (>2 weeks at the same dose) in the range of 1.0 mcg/mL to 3.5 mcg/mL indicate adequate therapy. Mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPA-G) levels in the range of 35 mcg/mL to 100 mcg/mL indicate that the patient has normal uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) metabolic capacity. MPA-G levels are typically in the range of 100 mcg/mL to 250 mcg/mL during the 2 weeks following transplantation. MPA-G typically decreases after this initial post-transplant phase.
 
Trough steady-state serum MPA levels >4.0 mcg/mL indicate that the patient is overimmunosuppressed and susceptible to systemic infections. Decreased dosages may be indicated in these cases.
 
Low MPA levels and high MPA-G levels suggest that the patient has an active UGT metabolic capability; higher doses may be required to maintain therapeutic levels of MPA. Some patients have a high UGT metabolic capacity. These patients may require 1 gram or more 3 times a day to maintain trough serum MPA levels in the range of 1.0 mcg/mL to 3.5 mcg/mL. They are likely to have MPA-G levels >100 mcg/mL. MPA-G is inactive; MPA-G levels only describe the patient’s metabolic status.
 
Patients who have low UGT conjugating capability may become overimmunosuppressed, indicated by a trough steady-state serum MPA level >4.0 mcg/mL and a MPA-G level <40 mcg/mL. Dose reduction or interval prolongation is indicated in this case.
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Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Monday through Sunday Same day/1 day
Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​80180 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.