Pharmacogenomics-guided personalized medicine in a clinical setting: real-world data

Pharmacogenetic testing plays a key role in personalized pharmacotherapy and improving treatment outcomes; however, its benefit in clinical hyperpolypharmacy (≥ 10 chronic drugs) remains uncertain.

This study assessed the impact of extensive pharmacogenetic testing in hyperpolypharmacy patients. The primary outcome was the number of actionable drug-gene interactions (DGIs) per patient; secondary outcomes included clinical recommendations, clinician adherence, and DGIs with potential for severe adverse events.

This intervention included 100 hyperpolypharmacy inpatients (≥ 10 drugs) from Maasstad Hospital internal ward and Antes psychiatry ward. Eligible patients (≥ 18 years) underwent a 14-gene pharmacogenetic panel test. A multidisciplinary team reviewed drug-gene interactions (DGIs), evaluated medical records, and implemented monitoring or medication adjustments as needed.

An average of 4.7 (interquartile range: 4.0-5.5) actionable variants in the tested pharmacogenes per patient was identified, resulting in at least one DGI in 46% of the patients, with an average of 0.6 DGI per patient. After evaluation by the multidisciplinary team, 12 out of 64 DGIs (19%) led to recommendations for interventions, with an adherence rate of 67%. In 5% of patients, the identified DGI could potentially be associated with a higher risk of hospitalization or mortality.

Systematic pharmacogenetic panel testing in clinical hyperpolypharmacy patients identified at least one DGI in 46% of the patients. Of these DGIs, 19% led to a recommendation for intervention. This study demonstrates that pharmacogenetic panel testing holds the potential to optimize pharmacotherapy in clinical hyperpolypharmacy patients.