Pharmacogenomics (PGX) Comphrehensive Panel

Pharmacogenomics (Pgx) relates to the study of genetic factors determining the variability in drug response. It examines genetic differences that influence how individuals respond to medications. Since every patient’s genetic makeup is unique, a one-size-fits-all approach to prescribing may be ineffective or even harmful.

By using a patient’s genetic profile, healthcare providers can make informed decisions to:

• Optimize drug efficacy
• Minimize the risk of adverse reactions
• Prevent harmful drug interactions

The Impact of PGx Testing

PGx testing helps healthcare professionals prescribe the most effective medications for each patient, reducing uncertainty and eliminating the need for trial-and-error prescribing. By streamlining the path to proper treatment, PGx testing ultimately saves lives.

Who Should Consider PGx Testing?

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is beneficial for a variety of patients, including those who:

• Have cancer
• Suffer from heart disease
• Take multiple prescription medications
• Are undergoing pain management treatment
• Have psychiatric disorders
• Require specialized cardiology care

 Understanding PGx Test Results

PGx testing categorizes patients based on their metabolic response to medications:

• Extensive (Normal) Metabolizer – Processes drugs at the expected rate
• Intermediate Metabolizer – Metabolizes drugs slower than normal, potentially requiring dosage adjustments
• Poor Metabolizer – Has difficulty breaking down certain medications, leading to increased risk of side effects
• Ultra-rapid Metabolizer – Processes drugs more quickly than normal, possibly reducing drug effectiveness

Benefits of PGx Testing

PGx testing provides valuable insights that can:

• Enhance patient care and treatment outcomes
• Personalize medication plans based on genetic factors
• Identify potential drug side effects before treatment begins
• Reduce the trial-and-error approach in prescribing medications
• Predict how an individual will respond to a specific drug
• Assess a patient’s ability to metabolize certain medications
• Improve the likelihood of successful treatment
• Recommend safer dosages and alternative medications if necessary
• Save patients both time and money by optimizing prescriptions
• Lower the risk of treatment failure
• Provide healthcare professionals with greater confidence in prescribing
• Reduce overall healthcare costs
• Support long-term treatment planning

 References

1. Barker CIS, Groeneweg G, Maitland-van der Zee AH, Rieder MJ, Hawcutt DB, Hubbard TJ, Swen JJ, Carleton BC. Pharmacogenomic testing in paediatrics: Clinical implementation strategies. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Oct;88(10):4297-4310. doi: 10.1111/bcp.15181. Epub 2022 Feb 7. PMID: 34907575; PMCID: PMC9544158.
2. Haga SB, LaPointe NM. The potential impact of pharmacogenetic testing on medication adherence. Pharmacogenomics J. 2013 Dec;13(6):481-3. doi: 10.1038/tpj.2013.33. Epub 2013 Sep 3. PMID: 23999596; PMCID: PMC3969027.
3. Kim K, Magness JW, Nelson R, Baron V, Brixner DI. Clinical Utility of Pharmacogenetic Testing and a Clinical Decision Support Tool to Enhance the Identification of Drug Therapy Problems Through Medication Therapy Management in Polypharmacy Patients. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2018 Dec;24(12):1250-1259. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2018.24.12.1250. PMID: 30479202; PMCID: PMC10397798.
4. Malsagova KA, Butkova TV, Kopylov AT, Izotov AA, Potoldykova NV, Enikeev DV, Grigoryan V, Tarasov A, Stepanov AA, Kaysheva AL. Pharmacogenetic Testing: A Tool for Personalized Drug Therapy Optimization. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Dec 19;12(12):1240. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121240. PMID: 33352764; PMCID: PMC7765968.
5. Manzor Mitrzyk B, Kadri R, Farris KB, Ellingrod VL, Klinkman MS, Ruffin Iv MT, Plegue MA, Buis LR. Using Pharmacogenomic Testing in Primary Care: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2019 Aug 19;8(8):e13848. doi: 10.2196/13848. PMID: 31429417; PMCID: PMC6764327.