Behind the Curtain: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Psychotropic Drugs from a Laboratory Analytical Perspective.

PURPOSE: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a well-established tool for guiding psychopharmacotherapy and improving patient care. Despite their established roles in the prescription of psychotropic drugs, the "behind the curtain" processes of TDM requests are invariably obscure to clinicians, and literature addressing this topic is scarce. METHODS: In the present narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the various steps, starting from requesting TDM to interpreting TDM findings, in routine clinical practice. Our goal was to improve clinicians' insights into the numerous factors that may explain the variations in TDM findings due to methodological issues. RESULTS: We discussed challenges throughout the TDM process, starting from the analyte and its major variation forms, through sampling procedures and pre-analytical conditions, time of blood sampling, sample matrices, and collection tubes, to analytical methods, their advantages and shortcomings, and the applied quality procedures. Additionally, we critically reviewed the current and future advances in the TDM of psychotropic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The "behind the curtain" processes enabling TDM involve a multidisciplinary team, which faces numerous challenges in clinical routine. A better understanding of these processes will allow clinicians to join the efforts for achieving higher-quality TDM findings, which will in turn improve treatment effectiveness and safety outcomes of psychotropic agents.

Genetic association of the rs17782313 polymorphism with antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

RATIONALE: Weight gain is a frequent side effect of treatment with SGAs (second-generation antipsychotics) and a leading cause for nonadherence. Several candidate genes have been identified that could influence the amount of AIWG (antipsychotic-induced weight gain). The polymorphism rs17782313 near the MC4R (human melanocortin 4 receptor gene) was strongly associated with obesity in a large scale GWAS (genome wide association study), yet previous studies investigating its impact on AIWG did not lead to a definite conclusion regarding its effect. In particular, they were all relatively short and had a naturalistic design. OBJECTIVE: We therefore examined the influence of the rs17782313 polymorphism on SGA-related weight gain. METHODS: Participants of a multicenter randomized, controlled, double-blind study comparing two treatment strategies in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were genotyped using a rapid-cycle polymerase chain reaction. Up to 252 individuals completed the first 2 weeks (phase I), 212 the entire 8 weeks (hence 'completers'). Patients received either amisulpride or olanzapine or both consecutively. Thirty-seven had their first episode. Weight gain occurring in different genotypes was statistically compared and confounding factors were adjusted by stepwise multiple linear regression. A correction for multiple testing was included. RESULTS: Within 212 'completers', carriers of the C allele had a higher absolute weight gain than those homozygous for the T allele (2.6 kg vs. 1.2 kg), though this observation was not significant (P = 0.063). In the amisulpride subpopulation, this association appeared stronger and reached significance (2.5 kg vs. 0.7 kg, P = 0.043), though failed to remain significant after correction for multiple testing. A stepwise multiple linear regression showed a significant association in both the whole study population (P < 0.001) and the amisulpride subpopulation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the rs17782313 polymorphism might influence antipsychotic-induced weight gain and therefore confirm some of the earlier conclusions.

Quantification of Antibiotics in Patient Samples: State of the Art in Standardization and Proficiency Testing.

BACKGROUND: For many antibiotics, the convenient one-fits-all dosing regimen had to be abandoned. Owing to highly variable pharmacokinetics, therapeutic drug monitoring has become an indispensable prerequisite. It is based on a suitable measuring method, sample materials, and standardization. Appropriate quality control including external quality assessment (EQA) is essential. For many antibiotics, EQAs have been established for many decades, whereas others have only lately been introduced. This article gives an insight into the state of the art regarding the therapeutic drug monitoring of antibiotics regarding standardization, EQAs, and reference measurement procedures (RMPs). METHODS: An overview of the currently available international EQA schemes for antibiotics and a literature overview of available RMPs are given. EQAs including gentamicin and vancomycin have been offered by German providers for more than 25 years. The period 2000-2020 was selected for a detailed analysis. The experiences with a new EQA including linezolid, meropenem, and piperacillin are described. RESULTS: EQAs for gentamicin and vancomycin are provided in many countries. Those for linezolid, meropenem, and piperacillin do not seem to be very common. Most of the antibiotics monitored for decades are measured by commercially available assays. EQAs for linezolid, meropenem, and piperacillin introduced in 2018 were rapidly accepted in Germany. Methods reported in this study were HPLC based either with UV or mass spectrometric detection. The number of participants succeeding was comparable between UV and mass spectrometry. Candidate RMPs for gentamicin, vancomycin, and linezolid based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry were published. CONCLUSIONS: EQAs are offered regularly for many antibiotics worldwide. The results of EQAs in Germany generally compare well, but there is potential for improvement. Both immunoassays and HPLC-based methods work properly in EQAs evaluated in Germany. From a quality control perspective, fast and inexpensive methods may be selected without endangering the patient's health based on clinical needs.

Effects of Genetic Polymorphism in CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and the Organic Cation Transporter OCT1 on Amitriptyline Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers and Depressive Disorder Patients.

The tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline is frequently prescribed but its use is limited by its narrow therapeutic range and large variation in pharmacokinetics. Apart from interindividual differences in the activity of the metabolising enzymes cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and 2C19, genetic polymorphism of the hepatic influx transporter organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) could be contributing to interindividual variation in pharmacokinetics. Here, the impact of OCT1 genetic variation on the pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline and its active metabolite nortriptyline was studied in vitro as well as in healthy volunteers and in depressive disorder patients. Amitriptyline and nortriptyline were found to inhibit OCT1 in recombinant cells with IC50 values of 28.6 and 40.4 µM. Thirty other antidepressant and neuroleptic drugs were also found to be moderate to strong OCT1 inhibitors with IC50 values in the micromolar range. However, in 35 healthy volunteers, preselected for their OCT1 genotypes, who received a single dose of 25 mg amitriptyline, no significant effects on amitriptyline and nortriptyline pharmacokinetics could be attributed to OCT1 genetic polymorphism. In contrast, the strong impact of the CYP2D6 genotype on amitriptyline and nortriptyline pharmacokinetics and of the CYP2C19 genotype on nortriptyline was confirmed. In addition, acylcarnitine derivatives were measured as endogenous biomarkers for OCT1 activity. The mean plasma concentrations of isobutyrylcarnitine and 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine were higher in participants with two active OCT1 alleles compared to those with zero OCT1 activity, further supporting their role as endogenous in vivo biomarkers for OCT1 activity. A moderate reduction in plasma isobutyrylcarnitine concentrations occurred at the time points at which amitriptyline plasma concentrations were the highest. In a second, independent study sample of 50 patients who underwent amitriptyline therapy of 75 mg twice daily, a significant trend of increasing amitriptyline plasma concentrations with decreasing OCT1 activity was observed (p = 0.018), while nortriptyline plasma concentrations were unaffected by the OCT1 genotype. Altogether, this comprehensive study showed that OCT1 activity does not appear to be a major factor determining amitriptyline and nortriptyline pharmacokinetics and that hepatic uptake occurs mainly through other mechanisms.

Current and future challenges in quality assurance in molecular diagnostics.

The development and performance of molecular genetic assays has required increasingly complex quality assurance in recent years and continues to pose new challenges. Quality management officers, as well as academic and technical personnel are confronted with new molecular genetic parameters, methods, changing regulatory environments, questions regarding appropriate validation, and quality control for these innovative assays that are increasingly applying quantification and/or multiplex formats. Yet, quality assurance and quality control guidelines are still not widely available or in some circumstances have become outdated. For these reasons, the need for solutions to provide test confidence continues to grow. In order to integrate new test procedures into existing quality assurance measures, the ISO 15189 guideline can serve as an orientation. The ISO 15189 guideline describes requirements for medical laboratories and thus includes those performing molecular diagnostics. This article gives an overview of the possibilities and challenges in quality assurance of molecular parameters and shows possible solutions.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Drugs.

BACKGROUND: The use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to guide treatment with long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, which are increasingly prescribed, remains a matter of debate. The aim of this review was to provide a practical framework for the integration of TDM when switching from an oral formulation to the LAI counterpart, and in maintenance treatment. METHODS: The authors critically reviewed 3 types of data: (1) positron emission tomography data evaluating dopamine (D2/D3) receptor occupancy related to antipsychotic concentrations in serum or plasma; D2/D3 receptors are embraced as target sites in the brain for antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability, (2) pharmacokinetic studies evaluating the switch from oral to LAI antipsychotics, and (3) pharmacokinetic data for LAI formulations. Based on these data, indications for TDM and therapeutic reference ranges were considered for LAI antipsychotics. RESULTS: Antipsychotic concentrations in blood exhibited interindividual variability not only under oral but also under LAI formulations because these concentrations are affected by demographic characteristics such as age and sex, genetic peculiarities, and clinical variables, including comedications and comorbidities. Reported data combined with positron emission tomography evidence indicated a trend toward lower concentrations under LAI administration than under oral medications. However, the available evidence is insufficient to recommend LAI-specific therapeutic reference ranges. CONCLUSIONS: Although TDM evidence for newer LAI formulations is limited, this review suggests the use of TDM when switching an antipsychotic from oral to its LAI formulation. The application of TDM practice is more accurate for dose selection than the use of dose equivalents as it accounts more precisely for individual characteristics.

Guía de consenso de expertos para la monitorización terapéutica de drogas en neuropsicofarmacología / Consensus guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring in neuropsychopharmacology

OBJETIVO: La Monitorización Terapéutica de Drogas (llamada en inglés TDM: therapeutic drug monitoring) combina la cuantificación de las concentraciones de medicamentos en la sangre, la interpretación farmacológica y las directrices de tratamiento. La TDM introduce una herramienta de medicina de precisión en una ípoca de gran conciencia de la necesidad de tratamientos personalizados en neurología y psiquiatría. Las indicaciones claras de la TDM incluyen la ausencia de respuesta clínica en el rango de dosis terapéuticas, la evaluación de la adherencia farmacológica, problemas de tolerancia e interacciones medicamentosas. MÉTODOS: Basándose en la literatura existente, se describieron los rangos de referencia terapéutica recomendables, los valores críticos de laboratorio y los niveles de recomendación para usar la TDM para la optimización de dosis sin indicaciones específicas, se calcularon los factores de conversión, los factores para el cálculo de concentraciones medicamentosas relacionadas con la dosis (en inglés DRC dose-to-ratioconcentration) y el cociente entre el metabolito y el compuesto original (en inglés se llama MPR: metabolite-to-parent ratio). RESULTADOS: Este resumen de las guías actualizadas del consenso por la Task Force del TDM del Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie, ofrece el conocimiento práctico y teórico para la integración de la TDM como parte de la farmacoterapia con medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos en la práctica clínica rutinaria. CONCLUSIONES: La presente traducción en español, de la guía para la aplicación del TDM en medicamentos neuropsiquiátricos, tiene como objetivo ayudar a los clínicos a mejorar la seguridad y la eficacia de los tratamientos

OBJECTIVES: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) combines the quantification of drug concentrations in blood, pharmacological interpretation, and treatment guidance. TDM introduces a precision medicine tool in times of increasing awareness of the need for personalised treatment. In neurology and psychiatry, TDM can guide pharmacotherapy for patient subgroups such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, elderly patients, patients with intellectual disabilities, patients with substance use disorders, individuals with pharmacokinetic peculiarities, and forensic patients. Clear indications for TDM include lack of clinical response in the therapeutic dose range, assessment of drug adherence, tolerability issues, and drug-drug interactions. METHODS: Based upon existing literature, recommended therapeutic reference ranges, laboratory alert levels, and levels of recommendation to use TDM for dosage optimisation without specific indications, conversion factors, factors for calculation of dose-related drug concentrations, and metabolite-to-parent ratios were calculated. RESULTS: This summary of the updated consensus guidelines by the TDM task force of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie (AGNP) offers the practical and theoretical knowledge for the integration of TDM as part of pharmacotherapy with neuro- psychiatric agents into clinical routine. CONCLUSIONS: The present guidelines for TDM application for neuropsychiatric agents aim to assist clinicians in enhancing safety and efficacy of treatment

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Rivastigmine and Donepezil Under Consideration of CYP2D6 Genotype-Dependent Metabolism of Donepezil.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE-I) might depend on blood concentration. While rivastigmine metabolism is independent of the cytochrome P450 system, its isoenzymes, especially CYP2D6, metabolize donepezil. CYP2D6 polymorphisms can cause altered enzyme activity resulting in lower or higher than expected drug concentrations of donepezil. OBJECTIVE: We investigated correlations between clinical efficacy and serum concentrations of rivastigmine and donepezil under special consideration of CYP 2D6 genotype or gene dose-dependent metabolism of donepezil. METHODS: Serum concentrations of donepezil and rivastigmine were measured by liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allele-specific PCR were performed to assess CYP2D6 genotype and gene dose. RESULTS: Patients treated with rivastigmine (n=28) or donepezil (n=48) were included in the study. Both gene dose and metabolism type significantly predicted the level of donepezil serum concentration (p=0.019 and p=0.013, respectively). In the rivastigmine group, changes of the word list delayed recall subtest before treatment and under stable medication were significantly associated with rivastigmine serum levels (ß=0.465; p=0.018). Drug serum concentrations were outside the recommended range in a substantial percentage of participants, which might have contributed to poor correlations between changes in cognitive measures and drug concentrations. Donepezil serum concentrations significantly depended on CYP2D6 gene dose. CONCLUSION: Testing AChE-I serum concentration should be considered in patients without clinical response to treatment or those with severe side effects. Patients with donepezil drug levels outside the recommended range might additionally profit from CYP2D6 genotyping or treatment with an AChE-I independent of CYP metabolism.

Serum Concentrations of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Patients With Alzheimer's Dementia Are Frequently Below the Recommended Levels.

BACKGROUND: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE-I) are recommended for the treatment of cognitive symptoms but also of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia. They are widely used not only in Alzheimer's disease, but also in other forms of dementia. Efficacy of treatment might depend on serum concentration of the respective AChE-I. OBJECTIVE: In patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia, we measured serum concentrations of hepatically metabolized donepezil and renally excreted rivastigmine and investigated possible modifiers. Additionally, we looked at correlations between serum concentrations and efficacy for both drugs. METHODS: Serum concentrations of donepezil and rivastigmine were measured by liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Allele specific PCR were performed to determine CYP2D6 genotype and gene dose. Clinical efficacy was assessed by changes of the subtest wordlist delayed recall of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease-Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-NAB). RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients treated with a stable dosage of donepezil 10 mg (n=41) or rivastigmine 9.5 mg (n=26) were included. Mean serum concentration of donepezil and rivastigmine were 41.2 and 6.5 ng/ml, respectively. Serum concentrations were below the recommended range in 73% of the subjects in the donepezil group and in 65% of the participants in the rivastigmine group. When applying a dose-related reference, ranges 63% of patients in the donepezil group and 32% in the rivastigmine group had concentrations below the expected range. Gene dose, sex, and duration of treatment significantly predicted donepezil serum concentration (p=0.046, p=0.001, p=0.030 respectively). Only for rivastigmine did the serum concentration significantly contribute to the regression model predicting changes on the subtest word list delayed recall (ß=0.472; p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentrations of about two thirds of the patients were below the recommended range. When not looking at absolute values but at the dose-related reference ranges, these numbers improved but still 32%, respectively 63% of patients had low serum concentrations. High serum concentrations of rivastigmine predicted clinical response to cognition. Therapeutic drug monitoring might help to identify the cause of poor clinical response to cognition and behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with AChE-I treatment.

External quality assessment (EQA) and alternative assessment procedures (AAPs) in molecular diagnostics: findings of an international survey.

Objectives: Quality management for clinical laboratories requires the establishment of internal procedures including standard operating procedures (SOPs), internal quality control (QC), validation of test results and quality assessment. External quality assessment (EQA) and alternativeassessment procedures (AAPs) are part of the quality hierarchy required for diagnostic testing. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) document with requirements for conformance ISO 15189 and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document (CLSI) QMS24 require participation in EQA schemes and AAPs where applicable. The purpose of this study was to perform a global survey of EQA and AAPs for key procedures in molecular diagnostic laboratories. Methods: The Committee for Molecular Diagnostics of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC C-MD) conducted a survey of international molecular laboratories that covered specific topics of molecular diagnostic services as well as methods for EQA and AAPs. The survey addressed the following aspects: (1) usage of laboratory-developed test (LDT), (2) participation in EQA schemes and (3) performance of AAPs. Results: A total of 93 responses from laboratories located in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America were received. The majority of the participating laboratories (65.9%) use LDTs and 81.3% stated that it is mandatory for them to participate in EQA programs, while 22% of the laboratories reported not performing AAPs. Thirty-one percent of the laboratories use EQAs for fewer than 50.0% of their reported parameters/analytes. Conclusions: While the majority of laboratories perform EQA and AAPs to improve their quality in molecular diagnostics, the amount of AAPs as quality procedures differs within the laboratories. Further surveys are necessary to clarify the existing needs in additional EQAs and standardized AAPs. The survey will also guide future efforts of the IFCC C-MD for identifying quality practices in need to improve harmonization and standardization within molecular diagnostics.

Fat Mass and Obesity-Related Gene Variants rs9939609 and rs7185735 are Associated with Second-Generation Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain.

INTRODUCTION: Weight gain is a limiting and frequent adverse effect of second-generation antipsychotic therapy. Identifying genetic risk factors would significantly improve pharmacotherapy. METHODS: We focused on rs7185735 and rs9939609, 2 common single nucleotide polymorphisms of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene reported to be associated with obesity. Three-hundred fifty Caucasian inpatients were included in a naturalistic study. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, we did not observe any significant association of polymorphisms with weight change in the whole study population (p>0.05). In a subpopulation without additional weight-inducing comedication (n=178), G-allele carriers of rs7185735 gained 3.4 times more weight (1.69 kg±3.1 kg, p=0.019) than AA genotypes (0.49 kg±3.1 kg). A-allele carriers of rs9939609 gained 3.1 times more weight (1.65 kg±3.1 kg, p=0.029) than TT genotypes (0.54 kg±3.2 kg). DISCUSSION: Our findings confirm the role of the FTO gene as a high-potential risk factor for obesity and indicate a value for predicting a weight gain induced by second-generation antipsychotics. Further, we detected an additive effect of FTO rs7185735 and MC4R rs17782313.

[Therapeutic drug monitoring in neuropsychopharmacology : Summary of the consensus guidelines 2017 of the TDM task force of the AGNP]. / Therapeutisches Drug-Monitoring in der Neuropsychopharmakologie : Zusammenfassung der Konsensusleitlinien 2017 der TDM-Arbeitsgruppe der AGNP.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the quantification and interpretation of drug concentrations in blood serum or plasma to optimize pharmacological therapy. TDM is an instrument with which the high interindividual variability of pharmacokinetics of patients can be identified and therefore enables a personalized pharmacotherapy. In September 2017 the TDM task force of the Working Group for Neuropsychopharmacology and Pharmacopsychiatry (AGNP) published an update of the consensus guidelines on TDM published in 2011. This article summarizes the essential statements for the clinical practice in psychiatry and neurology.

TDM in psychiatry and neurology: A comprehensive summary of the consensus guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring in neuropsychopharmacology, update 2017; a tool for clinicians.

OBJECTIVES: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) combines the quantification of drug concentrations in blood, pharmacological interpretation and treatment guidance. TDM introduces a precision medicine tool in times of increasing awareness of the need for personalized treatment. In neurology and psychiatry, TDM can guide pharmacotherapy for patient subgroups such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, elderly patients, patients with intellectual disabilities, patients with substance use disorders, individuals with pharmacokinetic peculiarities and forensic patients. Clear indications for TDM include lack of clinical response in the therapeutic dose range, assessment of drug adherence, tolerability issues and drug-drug interactions. METHODS: Based upon existing literature, recommended therapeutic reference ranges, laboratory alert levels, and levels of recommendation to use TDM for dosage optimization without specific indications, conversion factors, factors for calculation of dose-related drug concentrations and metabolite-to-parent ratios were calculated. RESULTS: This summary of the updated consensus guidelines by the TDM task force of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie offers the practical and theoretical knowledge for the integration of TDM as part of pharmacotherapy with neuropsychiatric agents into clinical routine. CONCLUSIONS: The present guidelines for TDM application for neuropsychiatric agents aim to assist clinicians in enhancing safety and efficacy of treatment.

gDNA extraction yield and methylation status of blood samples are affected by long-term storage conditions.

Epigenetics is believed to provide great chances for a better understanding of the development and treatment of many diseases where the analysis of genomic DNA has so far failed to provide conclusive answers. Methylcytosine is a frequently used quantitative marker of epigenetic studies. Since immediate analysis of sampled material is in most cases not possible, storage time and conditions are critical aspects regarding the quality of genomic DNA and reliability of analysis. Blood is frequently used for such analyses. We, therefore, collected blood samples of ten volunteers and stored them under various conditions for ten months: -70°C, -20°C, 2-8°C and room temperature. An additional aliquot was frozen at -70°C and thawed once a week at room temperature. We then compared the DNA extraction yields and methylation status in relation to storage time and conditions. We found significantly lower DNA extraction yields (up to -97.45%; p ≤ 0.001) as well as significantly higher methylation levels after ten months of storage (up to +42.0%; p ≤ 0.001). These results suggest that storage time has an important influence on DNA analyses of blood samples for all storage conditions. This might be due to differences in stability of methylated and non-methylated DNA. Our study indicates that storage conditions and time may be a critical factor for epigenetic methylation studies and require rigorous validation. For reliable analyses we, therefore, recommend to perform epigenetic analysis directly after sample collection.

Simultaneous Determination of Protein-Unbound Cyclosporine A and Mycophenolic Acid in Kidney Transplant Patients Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of immunosuppressants is essential to optimize patient care after organ transplantation. In blood, most immunosuppressive drugs are bound to plasma proteins or located inside blood cells. However, it is generally assumed that only protein-unbound (free) drug concentrations are pharmacologically active and could therefore better reflect the clinical outcome. Study data are still limited due to lacking rapid analytical methods. Therefore, a simple multiplex method for direct measurement of free cyclosporine A (CsA) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) has been developed. METHODS: The sample preparation included ultracentrifugation, followed by liquid-liquid extraction. Stable isotope labeled analogues of CsA and MPA were used as internal standards. The LC-MS/MS analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The validated assay was used in a study of 40 blood samples from kidney transplant patients. RESULTS: The lower limits of quantification were 0.1 (CsA) and 0.5 ng/mL (MPA). Assay linearity was confirmed in the concentration ranges of 0.1-10.0 ng/mL (CsA) and 0.5-100 ng/mL (MPA). For both analytes, inaccuracy was ≤9.8% and imprecision was ≤7.8%. The extraction efficiency ranged between 91% and 96%. In the patient samples the average free CsA and MPA fractions were 5.8% (2.1%-16.8%) and 1.2% (0.5%-2.4%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A reliable and highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method as a new suitable tool for measuring protein-unbound CsA and MPA has been developed, validated and applied in kidney transplant patient samples. Now, larger studies can be conducted to investigate the benefit of free drug monitoring in transplant recipients.

Investigation of TSPO variants in schizophrenia and antipsychotic treatment outcomes.

AIM: TSPO is a neuroinflammatory biomarker and emerging therapeutic target in psychiatric disorders. We evaluated whether TSPO polymorphisms contribute to interindividual variability in schizophrenia, antipsychotic efficacy and antipsychotic-induced weight gain. PATIENTS & METHODS: We analyzed TSPO polymorphisms in 670 schizophrenia cases and 775 healthy controls. Gene-gene interactions between TSPO and other mitochondrial membrane protein-encoding genes (VDAC1 and ANT1) were explored. Positive findings were evaluated in two independent samples (Munich, n = 300; RUPP, n = 119). RESULTS: TSPO rs6971 was independently associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain in the discovery (puncor = 0.04) and RUPP samples (p = 3.00 × 10(-3)), and interacted with ANT1 rs10024068 in the discovery (p = 1.15 × 10(-3)) and RUPP samples (p = 2.76 × 10(-4)). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight TSPO as a candidate for future investigations of antipsychotic-induced weight gain, and support the involvement of mitochondrial membrane components in this serious treatment side effect.

CYP1A2*1D and *1F polymorphisms have a significant impact on olanzapine serum concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Although several polymorphisms in olanzapine-metabolizing enzymes have been identified, the clear role and benefit for pharmacotherapy remain uncertain. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential influence of polymorphisms in the CYP1A2 gene (*1D,*1F), in the UGT1A4 gene (*3), and in the POR gene (rs2302429) on olanzapine serum concentrations and the clinical outcome. METHODS: Ninety-eight white inpatients who received olanzapine as part of their treatment for at least 4 weeks were included in the retrospective investigation. Moreover, a sample of 209 inpatients receiving olanzapine or clozapine was built to investigate the influence of the relevant polymorphisms CYP1A2*1F, *1D, and CYP1A2 inducers on the clinical outcome. RESULTS: Carriers of the delT-allele (*1D) developed significantly higher dose-corrected olanzapine serum concentrations (analysis of covariance; P < 0.001, delT + delTdelT: 3.1, TT: 1.6 ng·mL·mg, adjusted model including the confounding factors age, sex, baseline weight, CYP1A2*1F genotype, and concomitant CYP1A2 inducers). Moreover, the CYP1A2*1F (AA) genotype also revealed a significant impact on olanzapine serum concentrations according to the analysis of covariance model (P = 0.028; CC + CA: 2.05, AA: 1.44 ng·mL·mg). The other polymorphisms studied revealed no significant influence. Regarding response and adverse effects, a higher increase of weight could be observed in schizophrenic Paranoid Depressive Scale (responder: +5.7 vs nonresponder: +1.8 kg; P = 0.007) and Clinical Global Impression responders (4.6 vs 1.8 kg; P = 0.017). No direct correlation between olanzapine serum concentrations and response or weight gain could be detected. Patients with at least 2 factors promoting higher serum concentrations (no CYP1A2 inducer, *1D deltT-allele, or *1F C-allele) showed a better response according to the Paranoid Depressive Scale (P = 0.002) and a significant correlation with the Clinical Global Impression Scale-2 after 4 weeks (n = 193, r = -0.177; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We, for the first time, identified a significant influence of polymorphisms in CYP1A2 in combination with CYP1A2 inducer status on the clinical outcome. Therefore, genotyping for CYP1A2*1D and *1F may be a useful tool for dose optimization and identification of high-risk patients. Further and larger studies are needed before genotype-based dosage recommendations can help patients treated with CYP1A2 metabolized drugs.

Falsely elevated cyclosporin and tacrolimus concentrations over prolonged periods of time due to reversible adsorption to central venous catheters.

Falsely elevated concentrations of immunosuppressants can be caused by reversible adsorption to central venous catheter (CVC) systems. If undetected, this may lead to dose reduction resulting in underdosage which may even entail graft-versus-host disease or organ rejection. We analyzed the adsorption and release for cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) in vitro and in vivo. Four types of CVCs were examined in vitro: two made from polyurethane (PU), one from silicone and one from PU with an incorporated silver ion-based antimicrobial agent. All 26 CVCs analyzed in vitro showed significant reversible adsorption of CsA (n=13; p=0.001) and Tac (n=13; p=0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Immediately after infusing the drugs, the mean concentrations of 6420ng/mL of CsA and 250ng/mL of Tac were measured. Flushing with NaCl lowered the drug release. Besides, blood samples of fifteen patients were taken simultaneously from all lumina of the CVC and via venipuncture. The samples from contaminated lumina showed the mean elevations by a factor of 11 for CsA (n=12) and 89 for Tac (n=3). Blood sampling for immunosuppressant monitoring should thus never be performed from lumina previously used for infusing the drug even after prolonged periods of time and extensive rinsing.

Polymorphisms in serotonergic pathways influence the outcome of antidepressant therapy in psychiatric inpatients.

Serotonergic pathways are known to play an essential role in the effects generated by antidepressants. Polymorphisms in serotonin receptor and transporter genes have been identified as an important factor. To investigate which of these polymorphisms may be useful to predict clinical outcome, we assessed their effect in a naturalistic clinical study. We studied the influence of the 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 and a 5-HTR2A intron 2 SNP with regard to response and side effects in 273 psychiatric inpatients. Main clinical assessments included Clinical Global Impressions ratings, paranoid depression scale self-rating scale and Dosage Record, and Treatment Emergent Symptoms (DOTES) Scale. We found significant associations between 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 S/L(G) alleles and response and side effects in 100 patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment (p = 0.037, CGI-I ≤ 2: 0% vs. 19% and p = 0.0005, DOTES cluster c: 0.76 vs. 0.19). 5-HTT VNTR and 5-HTR2A intron 2 polymorphisms were associated significantly with adverse effects in patients with selective and nonselective SRI (5-HTT VNTR 12/12: n = 170, p = 0.0001, side effect rates: 51% vs. 19% and rs7997012 [A/A]: n = 50, p = 0.020, side effects rates: 43% vs. 11%). No impact of the polymorphisms on mirtazapine treatment was found. Our study confirms the influence of serotonergic polymorphisms at the receptor and transporter level on SSRI response and side effects, supporting previous reports based on various study designs. The effects were strong enough to be noticed clinically in this naturalistic setting. However, randomized controlled trials are warranted to provide unequivocal evidence of the clinical usefulness of pretherapeutic screening for these polymorphisms.