The goal of this observational study is to better understand how clozapine treatment can be tailored as regards minimizing side effects and optimizing efficacy and monitoring. Firstly, how clozapine is broken down into norclozapine in the liver and how both clozapine and norclozapine affect side effects are examined. In order to investigate this metabolization process in the liver inflammation levels in the blood are assessed, which inhibit the conversion of clozapine into norclozapine. In addition, various factors related to physical health are assessed, such as blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate. The role of hormones is investigated, such as cortisol, a stress hormone that affects metabolism and stress levels. Amino acids are examined, which are building blocks of proteins, and specific parts of DNA that influence clozapine metabolism. In addition, investigation follows whether 12 hours after ingestion is a well-chosen time at which the amount of clozapine is measured in the blood in case of ingestion once a day and twice a day. Finally, specific side effects of clozapine are assessed - with special attention to stool - and the severity of the psychiatric symptoms in patients with therapy resistant schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Rationale: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is essential for clozapine and can enhance therapeutic outcomes and minimize side effects. As of yet, research on (nor)clozapine concentrations and their association to metabolic side effects is limited and inconclusive. Unfortunately, not enough is known about individual risk factors for developing metabolic side effects to personalize clozapine treatment. It would be desirable to have another way to predict which clozapine users are at increased risk of developing severe side effects. Current guidelines are based on limited evidence, potentially resulting in inconsistent or suboptimal monitoring and management. Objective: The primary objective is to evaluate the correlation between (nor)clozapine kinetics and serum level HbA1c. Secondary objectives include validating an existing population pharmacokinetic model, assessing the validity of the current 12-hour post-intake sampling practice, determining the optimal sampling window for once-daily clozapine TDM and assessing the correlation of other metabolic and multiple laboratory parameters and influence of demographic and clinical parameters on the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics of clozapine and norclozapine.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
Correlation between serum level HbA1c and (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio.
Assessed using a PK-PD turn over model.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
Validation of an existing population pharmacokinetic model, assessing the validity of the current 12-hour post-intake sampling practice, determining the optimal sampling window for once-daily clozapine TDM.
The predictive performance of the model by Beex et al. (2023) for our population will be assessed through calculations of the prediction error for each observation as well as the root mean square error to measure the overall prediction accuracy. 2\. Percentage difference in clozapine and norclozapine median concentrations predicted 10, 11, 13 and 14-hour post intake (based on clinical samples) compared to median concentrations at current reference sampling time of 12-hour post intake. 3\. Percentage difference in clozapine and norclozapine concentrations based on different sampling times across entire concentration-time profiles to identify optimal sampling time or window within current therapeutic window of 350-700 μg/L.
Time frame: For the secondary endpoint pertaining to the sample times retrospective data will be collected from 01-02-2024 up to 01-02-2025.
The validity of the current 12-hour post-intake sampling practice.
Percentage difference in clozapine and norclozapine median concentrations predicted 10, 11, 13 and 14-hour post intake (based on clinical samples) compared to median concentrations at current reference sampling time of 12-hour post intake.
Time frame: For the secondary endpoint pertaining to the sample times retrospective data will be collected from 01-02-2024 up to 01-02-2025.
The optimal sampling window for once-daily clozapine therapeutic drug monitoring.
Percentage difference in clozapine and norclozapine concentrations based on different sampling times across entire concentration-time profiles to identify optimal sampling time or window within current therapeutic window of 350-700 μg/L.
Time frame: For the secondary endpoint pertaining to the sample times retrospective data will be collected from 01-02-2024 up to 01-02-2025.
The influence of demographic and clinical parameters on the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics of clozapine and norclozapine.
Effect of covariates on the pharmacokinetics of clozapine, the metabolite norclozapine (and clozapine/norclozapine ratio). Covariates to be studied include: age, estradiol, comedication (e.g. fluvoxamine), ethnicity, pharmacogenetics, smoking behaviour, inflammation markers, phenylalanine and tyrosine.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
The correlation of other metabolic and multiple laboratory parameters on the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics of clozapine and norclozapine.
Correlation between other metabolic parameters (such as fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, BMI, abdominal circumference, blood pressure and heart rate)..
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
Correlation between absolute neutrophilic count (ANC) and total white cell count (WCC) and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio.
Correlation between ANC and TWC and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio will be assessed using a PK-PD turn over model.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
Correlation between general side effects of clozapine and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio.
Correlation between Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effect Scale (GASS-C) and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio will be assessed using a PK-PD turn over model.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
Correlation between constipation and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio.
Correlation between the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio will be assessed using a PK-PD turn over model.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
Correlation between symptoms of schizophrenia and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio.
Correlation between the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-6) and the (nor)clozapine concentrations and ratio will be assessed using a PK-PD turn over model.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
The effect of cortisol concentration and genetics on the correlation of (nor)clozapine concentrations and/or ratio on the metabolic markers.
The influence of cortisol concentration and genetics on (nor)clozapine concentrations and/or ratio on the metabolic markers.
Time frame: For each patient two years of follow-up will be collected (until a maximum of 01-12-2027).
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