Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Future Clozapine Compatibility Genetic Test

It was announced today that Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (GNSC) published results from its study, reporting the discovery of genetic markers that the Company believes predict who is at risk of developing clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, a life-threatening decrease of white blood cells that requires frequent blood testing of patients.

A news report suggests that Clozapine ( a drug that has been identified as one of the most effective medications for treating schizophrenia) has had limited utilization due to the risk of inducing agranulocytosis. According to a 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 329:162-167), clozapine-induced agranulocytosis affects 1-2% of people taking the medication. Normally, the risk is reduced through careful monitoring of the patient's white blood cell count via weekly blood tests.

However, this current research study suggests that there may be alternative approach in the prescribing of clozapine where, a one-time genetic test may someday eliminate the need for continuous blood monitoring.

In the Press Release from the company (published by the company) it states:

  "In light of recent drug withdrawals and labeling restrictions due to rare but serious adverse drug events, these results underscore the potential of pharmacogenetics to identify individuals who are at particular risk for developing fatal adverse drug reactions," said Kevin Rakin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genaissance. "The CARING study is a powerful, cost-effective model for understanding the contribution of genetics to other adverse drug reactions and provides strong evidence of the power of Genaissance 's proprietary platform. We believe an appreciable market exists for a genetic diagnostic test for predicting which patients are at-risk for developing agranulocytosis in response to clozapine and other drugs."

   "Our analyses indicate that genetic variation appears to explain a significant portion of the risk of developing clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, " added Carol R. Reed, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs of Genaissance. "We believe the sensitivity and selectivity of these markers could support further development of a diagnostic test. Additionally, one of the associations we identified in the HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) complex has been previously reported to be associated with clozapine-induced agranulocytosis. Our results confirm this finding, building confidence that our novel findings will be validated in future studies."

   "Clozapine has long been accepted as one of the most effective medications for treating schizophrenia but has had limited utilization due to the risk of inducing agranulocytosis," said John Kane, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Professor of Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and co-Chair of the CARING Steering Committee. "These findings have moved us one step closer to realizing an alternative approach in the prescribing of clozapine where a one-time genetic test may someday alleviate the need for continuous blood monitoring for the majority of clozapine treated patients."

   Genaissance believes that these scientific findings have uncovered new clues to the underlying biological and physiologic mechanisms of drug-induced agranulocytosis and provide a starting point for elucidating a common mechanism across drugs from different classes that carry this rare but devastating side effect.

   Genaissance is preparing a patent application designed to protect its novel findings and will provide further details after its anticipated filing of this application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

   About Genaissance

   Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing products based on its proprietary pharmacogenomic technology and has a revenue-generating business in DNA and pharmacogenomic products and services. For more information on Genaissance, visit our website at: http://www.genaissance.com/ .