Sebastian Zimmermann

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Linked-In: Sebastian Zimmermann

                                                                    

 

Topic

Drug Monitoring of Kinase Inhibitors in the Context of Precision Medicine – Focus on Minimally Invasive Microsampling

Abstract (plain language summary):

This doctoral thesis explores how we can better monitor certain medicines called kinase inhibitors, which are often used to treat cancers and other serious illnesses. These drugs don’t work the same for everyone—some people may need more or less of the drug depending on their body, genetics, or other medications they’re taking.

To make treatment more personal and effective, doctors often use a method called therapeutic drug monitoring—checking how much medicine is in the blood to adjust the dose if needed. But getting blood samples the usual way (through a vein) can be hard, especially for people who are sick or live far from hospitals.

That’s why this research focuses on minimally invasive microsampling, a new way to take small amounts of blood—just a few drops from the fingertip. This method could let patients take samples at home and send them to a lab, making treatment safer, easier, and more precise.

Abstract (Scientific audience)

This dissertation investigates the feasibility and clinical utility of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of kinase inhibitors (KIs) using minimally invasive microsampling techniques, with a particular focus on volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS). Recognizing the substantial interindividual pharmacokinetic variability and the narrow therapeutic index of many KIs, the work underscores the need for personalized dosing strategies in the context of precision medicine.

The author presents simulation-based case studies, in vitro-to-plasma ratio experiments, and clinical validation of VAMS for selected KIs including cabozantinib, nilotinib, and ruxolitinib. The thesis evaluates analytical workflows (LC-MS/MS), bioanalytical method validation per ICH M10, and conversion approaches for translating dried blood sample concentrations into plasma-equivalent values. The work supports the potential for home-based sampling and remote drug monitoring, highlighting its benefits for individualized therapy management and decentralized clinical pharmacology.

Publications