Pharmacogenomics
Decoding Resistin Gene Polymorphisms: Implications for Lung Cancer Risk and Clinical Outcomes of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
Biomedicines. 2025 Jan 24;13(2):291. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13020291.
ABSTRACT
Background: Resistin (RETN), an inflammatory cytokine exhibiting multifaceted roles in cancer progression, has emerged as a plausible mediator between inflammation and oncogenesis. Prior research from our group has highlighted the pivotal role of resistin in carcinogenesis and its impact on drug responsiveness. The present study delves into the relationship between resistin expression and genetic polymorphisms with cancer risk and clinical outcomes among lung cancer patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to assess resistin expression levels in 104 tumor tissues derived from lung adenocarcinoma patients. Additionally, 498 lung cancer patients and 213 healthy controls were recruited for this study, with 467 patients undergoing at least two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. Unconditional logistical regression analysis was employed to evaluate the associations between RETN polymorphisms and lung cancer risk, as well as clinical outcomes. Genotyping of RETN polymorphisms (rs1862513 and rs3745367) was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY System. Results: The findings revealed a positive correlation between resistin expression in tumor tissues and metastasis (particularly distant metastasis) and overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma. However, RETN polymorphisms were not significantly associated with overall survival in lung cancer patients. No substantial association was observed between RETN polymorphisms and lung cancer risk, chemotherapy response, or toxicities, except for rs1862513, which showed a link with severe gastrointestinal toxicity. Meta-analysis results further confirmed the absence of a significant association between RETN polymorphisms and cancer risk. Conclusions: Despite the pivotal role of resistin in carcinogenesis, only the RETN rs1862513 polymorphism emerges as a potential biomarker for gastrointestinal toxicity in lung cancer patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy. However, these findings necessitate validation through well-designed studies with larger sample sizes.
PMID:40002704 | DOI:10.3390/biomedicines13020291
Association of rs3798220 Polymorphism with Cardiovascular Incidents in Individuals with Elevated Lp(a)
Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Feb 7;15(4):404. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15040404.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] plays a significant role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Genetic regulation of Lp(a) involves variations in the apo(a) LPA gene, as specific polymorphisms like rs10455872 and rs3798220, both linked to higher Lp(a) levels and CVD. CVD remains the leading global cause of death, with high Lp(a) levels increasingly recognized as a significant factor in younger patients with no other CVD risk factors. We aimed to evaluate the association of LPA genetic variations with Lp(a) levels and its effect on cardiovascular risk as there are existing inconsistent findings. Methods: This case-control study included 251 subjects with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range, IQR = 17) and elevated Lp(a) levels. Cases were subjects who experienced early cardiovascular incidents (women < 65, men < 55 years old), and the control group included subjects without such history. Genotyping of LPA gene polymorphisms (rs10455872 and rs3798220) was performed, and demographic data with Lp(a) levels were collected. To evaluate the association between the LPA genotypes and the risk of cardiovascular incidents (CVI), several logistic regression models were performed. The cut-off points for Lp(a) levels were determined using diagnostic test accuracy measures. Results: The rs3798220-C allele was associated with higher Lp(a) levels (288 ± 166 nmol/L in cases vs. 189 ± 102 nmol/L in controls, p < 0.001) and myocardial infarction (53% in cases vs. 36% in controls, p = 0.036). Among cases, 28.9% carried the rs3798220-C allele, compared to 18.7% in controls. The rs10455872-G allele was slightly more prevalent in controls (34.15% vs. 29.69%) but without further significant associations. In this study, the cut-off Lp(a) value of 151 nmol/L, for patients with a positive family history of early CVD, is associated with a higher chance of developing CVI. Conclusions: This study demonstrates an association between the LPA rs3798220-C allele and higher Lp(a) levels, as well as an increased risk of early onset myocardial infarction. However, the obtained association should further be evaluated at a much larger scale.
PMID:40002555 | DOI:10.3390/diagnostics15040404
Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacokinetics of Moxifloxacin in MDR-TB Patients in Indonesia: Analysis for ABCB1 and SLCO1B1
Antibiotics (Basel). 2025 Feb 16;14(2):204. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics14020204.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives: Studies show that SNPs in ABCB1 rs2032582 and SLCO1B1 rs4149015 affect the PK profile of moxifloxacin, a key drug for MDR-TB. This study aimed to assess the genotype frequencies of ABCB1 rs2032582 and SLCO1B1 rs4149015; describe moxifloxacin AUC0-24 and Cmax; and evaluate the association between genotype variations and moxifloxacin AUC0-24 and Cmax, corrected for the effect of other determinants in MDR-TB patients in Indonesia. Methods: The genotypes were identified using DNA sequencing. Plasma samples for PK analysis were collected at either two or four timepoints post-dose, at steady state. AUC0-24 values were assessed with a limited sampling formula. A multivariate linear regression analysis identified the determinants for moxifloxacin AUC0-24 and Cmax. Results: We recruited 204 MDR-TB patients for PG analysis, with 80 providing PK samples. The majority of the ABCB1 and SLCO1B1 genotypes were wildtype (GG), 41.7% and 93.6%, respectively. The geometric mean AUC0-24 for moxifloxacin was 78.6 mg·h/L and that for Cmax was 6.1 mg/L. No statistically significant difference in exposure to moxifloxacin could be shown between the genotypes. Sex, age, and dose in mg/kg/body weight were significant determinants of the AUC0-24 of moxifloxacin. Conclusions: The major genotype of ABCB1 rs2032582 and SLCO1B1 rs4149015 was wildtype, and the exposure to moxifloxacin was high but not related to the studied genotype in an Indonesian population.
PMID:40001447 | DOI:10.3390/antibiotics14020204
Analysis of factors influencing the relationship between voriconazole plasma concentrations and adverse effects in a paediatric population
Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2025 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/bcp.70026. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: The influence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on voriconazole plasma concentrations is recognized, but its extent, other contributing factors and risks for adverse reactions remain under-explored.
METHODS: This study focused on Japanese paediatric patients recruited between 2020 and 2022 treated with voriconazole. We specifically investigated the occurrence of cholestasis and thrombocytopenia as adverse reactions of voriconazole. Voriconazole plasma levels were modelled in a previous study using a population pharmacokinetics approach. Missing values were estimated with a Bayesian method in Phoenix NLME. We analysed CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3 and CYP2C19*17. Clinical and laboratory data were collected before and after voriconazole treatment.
RESULTS: Among the 60 patients (mean age: 6.5 years; 53.3% male), 38 had haematological malignancies, 18 inborn errors of immunity, 2 solid tumours and 2 other diseases. Adverse reactions occurred in 12 patients. The voriconazole plasma concentrations were significantly higher in those experiencing these adverse reactions (mean normalized concentrations: 0.66 in cases vs. -0.16 in controls, P = .025), with a trend towards higher concentrations in carriers of the CYP2C19*2 or *3 alleles (mean normalized concentrations: 0.98 in carrier cases vs. 0.016 in noncarrier cases, P = .14). A predictive model for voriconazole concentrations, incorporating carriership of CYP2C19*2 or *3, C-reactive protein levels, and platelet counts, showed a summed variance explained of 23.6% with the variance attributable to CYP2C19*2 or *3 carrier status alone was 2.6%. Including carrier status improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse reactions to 0.70.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the role of the CYP2C19 polymorphism in voriconazole-induced thrombocytopenia and cholestasis.
PMID:40001258 | DOI:10.1002/bcp.70026
Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2025 Feb 25;23(Suppl 1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12958-025-01359-2.
ABSTRACT
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is fundamental to support development and reproduction. It acts through a receptor expressed in the gonads, modulating mitogenic, anti-apoptotic, and steroidogenic signals. LH is also marketed as a drug for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), where it is administered to women to support the action of follicle-stimulating hormone and can lead to specific responses, depending on the individual genetic background. These concepts underline the relevance of a pharmacogenetic approach to COS, in the attempt to optimize clinical outcomes and avoid adverse events. However, knowledge is currently limited by the paucity of clinical studies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of LH and its receptor activity, starting from the description of their molecular pathways from in vitro studies. Data on LH action from in vivo studies were described, as well as the impact of LH and LH/choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor genetic variants on folliculogenesis and its association with infertility or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Finally, evidence from clinical studies evaluating genetic polymorphisms in the context of assisted reproductive technology treatments and its implications for a pharmacogenomic approach were discussed.
PMID:40001128 | DOI:10.1186/s12958-025-01359-2
Examining patient-specific responses to PARP inhibitors in a novel, human induced pluripotent stem cell-based model of breast cancer
NPJ Precis Oncol. 2025 Feb 25;9(1):53. doi: 10.1038/s41698-025-00837-5.
ABSTRACT
Preclinical models of breast cancer that better predict patient-specific drug responses are critical for expanding the clinical utility of targeted therapies, including for inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Reprogramming primary cancer cells into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) recently emerged as a powerful tool to model drug response phenotypes, but its use to date has been limited to hematopoietic malignancies. We designed an optimized reprogramming methodology to generate breast cancer-derived hiPSCs (BC-hiPSCs) from nine patients representing all major subtypes of breast cancer. BC-hiPSCs retain patient-specific oncogenic variants, including variants unique to individual tumor subclones. Additionally, we developed a protocol to differentiate BC-hiPSCs into mammary epithelial cells and mammary-like organoids for in vitro disease modeling, including drug response phenotyping. Using these tools, we demonstrated that BC-hiPSCs can be used to screen for differential sensitivity to PARP inhibitors and mechanistically investigated the causal genetic variant driving drug sensitivity in one patient.
PMID:40000798 | DOI:10.1038/s41698-025-00837-5
Pharmacogenomics and response to lithium in bipolar disorder
Pharmacogenomics. 2025 Feb 25:1-18. doi: 10.1080/14622416.2025.2470605. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: The present review explores the existing evidence on pharmacogenomic tests for prediction of lithium response in the treatment of bipolar disorder. We focused our research article on reports describing findings from genome-wide association studies, polygenic risk scores, and gene expression analyses associated with lithium response.
METHODS: We conducted a non-systematic review of studies from PubMed/Medline by using terms such as "pharmacogenomics," "GWAS," "gene expression," and "lithium response." Inclusion criteria focused on original research involving human subjects and assessing lithium response outcomes as well as in vitro studies. An extensive pearl-growing strategy was employed to further enlarge the scope of the piece by capitalizing on the knowledge of study authors on the subject.
RESULTS: The observed results, albeit promising, remain preliminary in terms of clinical relevance. Machine learning combining genetic and clinical data appears associated with moderate success in predicting lithium responsiveness. Gene expression studies and genome-wide association studies have helped identify possible targets of lithium and have the potential to support target-specific drug research.
CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacogenomics may support further discoveries in precision medicine further enlarging our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of lithium for its efficacy. However, clinical applications currently appear out of reach in the near future.
PMID:39998910 | DOI:10.1080/14622416.2025.2470605
Inducing Cuproptosis with Copper Ion-Loaded Aloe Emodin Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tumor Photodynamic Immunotherapy
Adv Healthc Mater. 2025 Feb 25:e2404612. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202404612. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Immunotherapy has fundamentally transformed the clinical treatment landscape for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While its effectiveness is ultimately limited by patient heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an emerging antitumor immunotherapy, has shown its unique therapeutic advantages. However, previous studies often overlooked the potential toxicity of photosensitizers (PS), making the discovery of safe and effective PS a pressing clinical need. In this study, Aloe Emodin (AE), a medicinal plant natural compound, was loaded with copper ions (Cu), and self-assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) under the modification of PEG2k-DSPE-FA. NPs can target, accumulate, and reside within tumor sites, responsively releasing copper ions and AE, thus dual-functioning by inducing tumor cell death via cuproptosis and enhancing PDT effects. The LLC tumor-bearing mouse model demonstrated that NPs induce the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo, promote lymphocyte infiltration, transform "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" and significantly enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). This study provides experimental evidence of AE as a clinically promising PDT agent and offers a novel perspective for the synergistic treatment of clinical NSCLC.
PMID:39998287 | DOI:10.1002/adhm.202404612
Bridging the Gap: Advancing Pharmacogenetic Testing Through Comprehensive Implementation and Evaluation Strategies
Ther Drug Monit. 2025 Feb 25. doi: 10.1097/FTD.0000000000001314. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) enhances drug therapy by tailoring treatment to individual genetic profiles, thereby improving safety and efficacy. However, the integration of PGx into clinical practice, particularly in hospitals, faces significant challenges, including limited testing services, variant coverage, and inconsistent guidelines. A recent review, "Implementation and Evaluation Strategies of Pharmacogenetic Testing in Hospital Settings," highlights these challenges and current strategies. Sustaining PGx programs requires ongoing education, support, the integration of advanced technologies, and financial sustainability. Addressing inconsistent insurance coverage, developing standardized methodologies, and implementing clear policies are crucial for widespread adoption, advancement of personalized medicine, and improvement of patient care in hospital settings.
PMID:39996574 | DOI:10.1097/FTD.0000000000001314
Lipids as key biomarkers in unravelling the pathophysiology of obesity-related metabolic dysregulation
Heliyon. 2025 Jan 23;11(3):e42197. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42197. eCollection 2025 Feb 15.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Obesity is intricately linked with metabolic disturbances. The comprehensive exploration of metabolomes is important in unravelling the complexities of obesity development. This study was aimed to discern unique metabolite signatures in obese and lean individuals using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quadruple time-of-flight (LC-MS/Q-TOF), with the goal of elucidating their roles in obesity.
METHODS: A total of 160 serum samples (Discovery, n = 60 and Validation, n = 100) of obese and lean individuals with stable Body Mass Index (BMI) values were retrieved from The Malaysian Cohort biobank. Metabolic profiles were obtained using LC-MS/Q-TOF in dual-polarity mode. Metabolites were identified using a molecular feature and chemical formula algorithm, followed by a differential analysis using MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Validation of potential metabolites was conducted by assessing their presence through collision-induced dissociation (CID) using a targeted tandem MS approach.
RESULTS: A total of 85 significantly differentially expressed metabolites (p-value <0.05; -1.5 < FC > 1.5) were identified between the lean and the obese individuals, with the lipid class being the most prominent. A stepwise logistic regression revealed three metabolites associated with increased risk of obesity (14-methylheptadecanoic acid, 4'-apo-beta,psi-caroten-4'al and 6E,9E-octadecadienoic acid), and three with lower risk of obesity (19:0(11Me), 7,8-Dihydro-3b,6a-dihydroxy-alpha-ionol 9-[apiosyl-(1->6)-glucoside] and 4Z-Decenyl acetate). The model exhibited outstanding performance with an AUC value of 0.95. The predictive model underwent evaluation across four machine learning algorithms consistently demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy of 0.821, aligning with the findings from the classical logistic regression statistical model. Notably, the presence of 4'-apo-beta,psi-caroten-4'-al showed a statistically significant difference between the lean and obese individuals among the metabolites included in the model.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the significance of lipids in obesity-related metabolic alterations, providing insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to obesity. This underscores their potential as biomarkers for metabolic dysregulation associated with obesity.
PMID:39995923 | PMC:PMC11848079 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42197
Analgesic therapy failure in a <em>COMT</em> HPS/HPS diplotype carrier heterozygous for the <em>CYP2D6</em> *<em>4</em> allele with fibromyalgia-a case report
Pain Rep. 2025 Feb 21;10(2):e1248. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001248. eCollection 2025 Apr.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The cytochrome P450 enzyme 2D6 (CYP2D6) and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme are involved in catecholamine metabolism, potentially influencing pain modulation. Catechol-O-methyltransferase has 3 major haplotypes related to pain sensitivity: low (LPS), average (APS), and high (HPS). However, the reliability of these haplotypes in predicting clinical outcomes is not well investigated. We present a 40-year-old female patient with fibromyalgia. Despite extensive pharmacotherapy with 120 mg/d duloxetine, 150 mg/d pregabalin, 80 mg/d oxycodone, 2 g/d paracetamol, and 1.6 g/d ibuprofen, she suffered from severe pain.
OBJECTIVES: We aim to investigate the patient's susceptibility to analgesic therapy failure (TF) and pain sensitivity with pharmacogenotyping.
METHODS: PGx panel testing, including CYP2D6 and COMT rs4680, was conducted by a commercial provider. Additional genotyping of COMT rs6269, rs4633 and rs4818 was performed applying PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and sanger sequencing.
RESULTS: The patient was identified as COMT HPS/HPS diplotype carrier and CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizer. CYP2D6 is mainly responsible for the bioactivation of oxycodone into oxymorphone. Reduced CYP2D6 activity may result in a lower oxycodone activation. Considering the coadministration of duloxetine (a moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor), the TF of oxycodone could also be the result of a drug-drug-gene interaction. No other medications were affected by her genetic profile.
CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that the broad TF of pain medications and associated high pain sensitivity could be related to the patient's genetic predisposition in CYP2D6 and COMT, warranting further investigation in a larger patient sample.
PMID:39995492 | PMC:PMC11850035 | DOI:10.1097/PR9.0000000000001248
Editorial: Ovarian cancer targeted medication: PARP inhibitors, anti-angiogenic drugs, immunotherapy, and more, volume II
Front Pharmacol. 2025 Feb 10;16:1552652. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1552652. eCollection 2025.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:39995412 | PMC:PMC11848066 | DOI:10.3389/fphar.2025.1552652
CYP3A5 and POR gene polymorphisms as predictors of infection and graft rejection in post-liver transplant patients treated with tacrolimus - a cohort study
Pharmacogenomics J. 2025 Feb 25;25(2):4. doi: 10.1038/s41397-025-00363-4.
ABSTRACT
Liver transplantation is the only curative option for patients with advanced stages of liver disease, with tacrolimus used as the immunosuppressive drug of choice. Genetic variability can interfere with drug response, potentially leading to overexposure or underexposure. This study aims to investigate the association of CYP3A4 (rs2740574, rs2242480, rs35599367), CYP3A5 (rs776746, rs10264272), POR (rs1057868) and ABCB1 (rs1128503, rs2229109, rs9282564) gene polymorphisms with infection, acute rejection, and renal failure. The logistic regression model found an influence of CYP3A5 (rs776746) and POR28 (rs1057868) on the development of acute rejection after liver transplantation (p = 0.028). It also found an association between carriers of the variant allele of the POR*28 gene and infection.
PMID:39994182 | DOI:10.1038/s41397-025-00363-4
Integrated Pharmacogenetic Signature for the Prediction of Prostatic Neoplasms in Men With Metabolic Disorders
Cancer Genomics Proteomics. 2025 Mar-Apr;22(2):285-305. doi: 10.21873/cgp.20502.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM: Oncogenic processes are delineated by metabolic dysregulation. Drug likeness is pharmacokinetically tested through the CYP450 enzymatic system, whose genetic aberrations under epigenetic stress could shift male organisms into prostate cancer pathways. Our objective was to predict the susceptibility to prostate neoplasia, focused on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa), based on the pharmacoepigenetic and the metabolic profile of Caucasians.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two independent cohorts of 47,389 individuals in total were assessed to find risk associations of CYP450 genes with prostatic neoplasia. The metabolic profile of the first cohort was statistically evaluated and frequencies of absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion-toxicity (ADMET) properties were calculated. Prediction of miRNA pharmacoepigenetic targeting was performed.
RESULTS: We found that prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients of the first cohort shared common cardiometabolic trends. Drug classes C08CA, C09AA, C09CA, C10AA, C10AX of the cardiovascular, and G04CA, G04CB of the genitourinary systems, were associated with increased prostate cancer risk, while C03CA and N06AB of the cardiovascular and nervous systems were associated with low-risk for PCa. CYP3A4*1B was the most related pharmacogenetic polymorphism associated with prostate cancer susceptibility. miRNA-200c-3p and miRNA-27b-3p seem to be associated with CYP3A4 targeting and prostate cancer predisposition. Metabolomic analysis indicated that 11β-OHT, 2β-OHT, 15β-OHT, 2α-OHT and 6β-OHT had a high risk, and 16α-OHT, and 16β-OHT had an intermediate disease-risk.
CONCLUSION: These findings constitute a novel integrated signature for prostate cancer susceptibility. Further studies are required to assess their predictive value more fully.
PMID:39993800 | DOI:10.21873/cgp.20502
The pharmacogenomic landscape in the Chinese: An analytics of pharmacogenetic variants in 206,640 individuals
Innovation (Camb). 2025 Jan 18;6(2):100773. doi: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100773. eCollection 2025 Feb 3.
ABSTRACT
Pharmacogenomic landscapes and related databases are important for identifying the biomarkers of drug response and toxicity. However, these data are still lacking for the Chinese population. In this study, we constructed a pharmacogenomic landscape and an associated database using whole-genome sequencing data generated by non-invasive prenatal testing in 206,640 Chinese individuals. In total, 1,577,513 variants (including 331,610 novel variants) were identified among 3,538 pharmacogenes related to 2,086 drugs. We found that the variant spectrum in the Chinese population differed among the seven major regions. Regional differences also exist among provinces in China. The average numbers of drug enzyme, transporter, and receptor variants were 258, 557, and 632, respectively. Subsequent correlation analysis indicated that the pharmacogenes affecting multiple drugs had fewer variants. Among the 16 categories of drugs, we found that nervous system, cardiovascular system, and genitourinary system/sex hormone drugs were more likely to be affected by variants of pharmacogenes. Characteristics of the variants in the enzyme, transporter, and receptor subfamilies showed specificity. To explore the clinical utility of these data, a genetic association study was conducted on 1,019 lung cancer patients. Two novel variants, AKT2 chr19:40770621 C>G and SLC19A1 chr21:46934171 A>C, were identified as novel platinum response biomarkers. Finally, a pharmacogenomic database, named the Chinese Pharmacogenomic Knowledge Base (CNPKB: http://www.cnpkb.com.cn/), was constructed to collect all the data. In summary, a pharmacogenomic landscape and database for the Chinese population were constructed in this study, which could support personalized Chinese medicine in the future.
PMID:39991480 | PMC:PMC11846038 | DOI:10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100773
Harnessing genomics and translational research to improve health in Africa: a report of the 13<sup>th</sup> African Society of Human Genetics meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Pan Afr Med J. 2024 Nov 14;49:79. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2024.49.79.42550. eCollection 2024.
ABSTRACT
The thirteenth conference of the African Society of Human Genetics with the theme "harnessing genomics and translational research to improve health in Africa" was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in August 2021, using a hybrid in-person and virtual model for participation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, African research across various human genetics disciplines was presented, including talks on the genetics of infectious and non-communicable diseases, population genetics, and translational research. The meeting also featured presentations on pharmacogenomics, genetics of developmental disorders, cancer genetics and genetics of rare diseases. In-depth discussions on ethical legal and social issues in genomics research and community and patient engagement were also key sessions of this meeting. The primary focus of the conference and the discussions was how to translate the wealth of genomic research in the continent into improved health outcomes in the continent. In this report, we summarize the key scientific research relevant to Africa presented and discussed during the meeting providing an overview of the progress of human genetics in the continent. We also discuss opportunities and challenges of harnessing genomics for health improvement in Africa.
PMID:39989936 | PMC:PMC11845995 | DOI:10.11604/pamj.2024.49.79.42550
Mosaic loss of chromosome Y characterises late-onset rheumatoid arthritis and contrasting associations of polygenic risk score based on age at onset
Ann Rheum Dis. 2025 Feb 19:S0003-4967(25)00184-0. doi: 10.1016/j.ard.2025.01.034. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) increase with age and are associated with age-related diseases. The association between mCAs and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly late-onset RA (LORA), has not been explored.
METHODS: mCAs were detected in peripheral blood samples from 2 independent Japanese datasets (Set 1: 2107 RA cases and 86,998 controls; Set 2: 2359 RA cases and 86,998 controls). The associations between mCAs and RA were evaluated in each dataset using logistic regression models and meta-analysis. In each dataset, the effect sizes of mosaic loss of Y (mLOY) and polygenic risk score (PRS) of RA in males was evaluated, and a meta-analysis was subsequently performed. The interaction between mLOY and PRS was assessed. These models were applied separately to RA, LORA, and young-onset RA (YORA).
RESULTS: mLOY increased significantly in LORA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, P = .0070). We observed a negative association between mLOY and YORA (OR = 0.66, P = .0034). On the other hand, we found consistently negative associations of autosomal mCAs or mosaic loss of X with RA, LORA, and YORA. The PRS effect sizes were lower for LORA than for YORA. mLOY with a high cell fraction strengthened the association between PRS and LORA (P = .0036), whereas the association with YORA was independent of mLOY.
CONCLUSIONS: LORA was characterised by the presence of a high burden of mLOY. The observed interaction between mLOY and PRS in LORA, but not in YORA, supports different gene-environment interactions between the subsets. These data suggest that distinct pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the development of LORA and YORA.
PMID:39986957 | DOI:10.1016/j.ard.2025.01.034
Interactions between the intestinal microbiota and drug metabolism - Clinical implications and future opportunities
Biochem Pharmacol. 2025 Feb 19:116809. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2025.116809. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The importance of the intestinal microbita in a multitude of physiological processes is well-evidenced. These include metabolism of nutrients and xenobiotics, biosynthesis of vitamin K and vitamin B12, immunomodulation, maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier integrity and protection against some pathogens. Interindividual differences in the intestinal microbiota composition have impacts on health. The bioavailability and activity of some pharmaceuticals are heavily influenced by interindividual variability in metabolism, which has a genetic basis. This variability, primarily occurring in the liver but also in the intestine, has been studied extensively. Despite the advancement of this field - pharmacogenetics - its integration into clinical practice remains limited for reasons discussed herein. This highlights the even greater challenge of applying emerging knowledge on variability in the gut microbiota to drug therapy. However, ignoring these opportunities would be a mistake. While clinical applications of microbiota-guided drug therapy are currently absent and the ideas in this article are largely theoretical, research is uncovering that in cases where a substantial portion of a drug or its metabolites reaches the colon, or where drugs are formulated for colonic delivery, the gut microbiota can significantly affect drug metabolism and activity. Greater focus should be placed on research into how interindividual variability in the intestinal microbiome can modify pharmaceutical bioavailability and activity. This article is deliberately speculative and exploratory but proposes that, though there are still no clinical examples of microbiome-guided drug therapy, these interactions could afford opportunities for improvements in personalised medicine and also for drug design.
PMID:39983848 | DOI:10.1016/j.bcp.2025.116809
Comparing the clinical utility of pharmacogenomic genotyping and next generation sequencing in a military health system adult medicine clinic
Pharmacogenomics. 2025 Feb 21:1-9. doi: 10.1080/14622416.2025.2466413. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Pharmacogenetic (PGx) screening is intended to optimize drug efficacy and reduce adverse drug reactions. Current screening options include genotyping assays for preselected PGx variants and broader next-generation sequencing panels (NGS). Few studies have directly compared preemptive PGx screening methods.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The two PGx methods were compared in a cross-sectional study of adult Military Health System (MHS) clinic beneficiaries. Participants had initial targeted CYP2C19/CYP2D6 genotyping at a Military Health System Laboratory. Genotyping was followed by multi-gene NGS testing. Current prescriptions were recorded and potential drug-drug interactions screened to evaluate prescribing risk.
RESULTS: All participants (100%) had at least one clinically actionable NGS panel result compared to 81% with targeted CYP2C19/CYP2D6 genotyping. Participants (n = 162) had an average of 6.6 (range 0-22) prescriptions and 2.7 (range 0-24) drug-drug interactions. Among those with at least one clinically actionable NGS result, 42% were currently taking medication with actionable CPIC guidelines (Level A/B), compared with 24% with CYP2C19/CYP2D6 genotyping. Sixteen participants (10%) had uncertain NGS panel results, with none for CYP2C19/CYP2D6 genotyping.
CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive multi-gene NGS detected more clinically actionable PGx results than targeted CYP2C19/CYP2D6 genotyping. Effective PGx screening in the MHS may decrease preventable adverse effects and improve military readiness.
PMID:39981562 | DOI:10.1080/14622416.2025.2466413
Global burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, 2010 to 2021
JHEP Rep. 2024 Nov 14;7(3):101271. doi: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101271. eCollection 2025 Mar.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study used the Global Burden of Disease data (2010-2021) to analyze the rates and trends of point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in 204 countries.
METHODS: Total numbers and age-standardized rates per 100,000 population for MASLD prevalence, annual incidence, and YLDs were compared across regions and countries by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Smoothing spline models were used to evaluate the relationship between the burden of MASLD and SDI. Estimates were reported with uncertainty intervals (UI).
RESULTS: Globally, in 2021, the age-standardized rates per 100,000 population of point prevalence of MASLD were 15,018.1 cases (95% UI 13,756.5-16,361.4), annual incidence rates were 608.5 cases (598.8-617.7), and YLDs were 0.5 (0.3-0.8) years. MASLD point prevalence was higher in men than women (15,731.4 vs. 14,310.6 cases per 100,000 population). Prevalence peaked at ages 45-49 for men and 50-54 for women. Kuwait (32,312.2 cases per 100,000 people; 95% UI: 29,947.1-34,839.0), Egypt (31,668.8 cases per 100,000 people; 95% UI: 29,272.5-34,224.7), and Qatar (31,327.5 cases per 100,000 people; 95% UI: 29,078.5-33,790.9) had the highest prevalence rates in 2021. The largest increases in age-standardized point prevalence estimates from 2010 to 2021 were in China (16.9%, 95% UI 14.7%-18.9%), Sudan (13.3%, 95% UI 9.8%-16.7%) and India (13.2%, 95% UI 12.0%-14.4%). MASLD incidence varied with SDI, peaking at moderate SDI levels.
CONCLUSIONS: MASLD is a global health concern, with the highest prevalence reported in Kuwait, Egypt, and Qatar. Raising awareness about risk factors and prevention is essential in every country, especially in China, Sudan and India, where disease incidence and prevalence are rapidly increasing.
IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the global burden of MASLD, highlighting its rising prevalence and incidence, particularly in countries with varying sociodemographic indices. The findings are significant for both clinicians and policymakers, as they offer critical insights into the regional disparities in MASLD burden, which can inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies. However, the study's reliance on modeling and available data suggests cautious interpretation, and further research is needed to validate these findings in clinical and real-world settings.
PMID:39980749 | PMC:PMC11840544 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101271