Key points:
- A new study demonstrates the practical application of using genes to tailor drug prescriptions.
- 50 types of genetic variants were shown to affect how the 39 selected drugs worked.
- In addition to 30% less side effects with the personalized approach, patients were more satisfied with and involved in their care.
Researchers from the University of Liverpool have developed a “DNA medication pass” that associates a patient’s genetic profile to drugs whose processing is influenced by DNA. Scanning the pass enables doctors and pharmacists to know what the optimal medication and dose is for the individual being treated.
The study, published in The Lancet, is the first to demonstrate the practical application of using a panel of genes to tailor drug prescription to the individual.
For the study, approximately 7,000 patients from seven European countries were assessed. Half the patients were randomized to have their DNA mapped and receive a DNA pass, while the other half served as controls, mimicking today’s standard one-size-fits all approach.
Evaluating 12 specific genes, the scientists found 50 types of genetic variants that affected how the 39 selected drugs worked. Twelve weeks after initiating treatment, patients reported their side effects.
According to the study results, patients who used the medication pass and whose drugs and doses were adjusted according to their DNA experienced 30% fewer serious side effects than those prescribed a standard dose of medication.
The patients also expressed great satisfaction with the pass itself. According to the researchers, the pass gives patients the feeling of being more in control, as they become actively involved in their personalized treatment.
“For the first time we have proven that a ‘tailored’ strategy works at a large scale within clinical practice. There is now enough evidence for us to proceed with implementation,” said lead researcher Henk-Jan Guchelaar, professor of clinical pharmacy at Leiden University Medical Center. “By adapting implementation to suit each country’s healthcare system, we can make treatment more effective and safer for millions of patients.”