Clozapine proven safe with minimal blood Cancer risk in landmark study

POK FU LAM, HONG KONG: A groundbreaking study by the LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has confirmed the safety of clozapine, a widely used antipsychotic drug, in relation to blood cancer risk. Using a dataset of over 10,000 schizophrenia patients spanning two decades, researchers found the risk of blood cancer to be minimal, averaging less than six additional cases per 10,000 users annually.
The study, published in PLOS Medicine, counters earlier Western research suggesting a significant risk increase. Lead researcher Professor Francisco Lai emphasized that current stringent blood monitoring protocols, practiced globally, ensure safe clozapine use without the need for added restrictions or warnings.
Clozapine remains the only FDA-approved treatment for resistant schizophrenia, praised for reducing symptoms, relapse rates, and mortality. The HKUMed study noted no increased risk for other cancers, reinforcing clozapine’s role as a critical treatment option for mental illness.
Professor Lai highlighted the unique advantages of Hong Kong’s linked healthcare data, which allowed the research team to produce more reliable findings than previous studies from Finland and the U.S. He added, “This research supports clinicians and patients in making informed decisions about clozapine’s benefits and risks.”
This pivotal research showcases the potential of big data in advancing drug safety monitoring and sets the stage for further studies into the long-term effects of psychotropic medications.