Pharmacogenomics

Autophagy-related genes genetically interact with Pmk1 MAPK signaling in fission yeast

Tue, 2022-08-23 06:00

MicroPubl Biol. 2022 Aug 4;2022. doi: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000618. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Apart from the highly conserved role in the cellular degradation process, autophagy also appears to play a key role in cellular proliferation. Here, we describe the genetic interaction of autophagy-related genes and Pmk1 MAPK signaling in fission yeast. atg1 deletion cells (Δ atg1 ) exhibit the vic (viable in the presence of immunosuppressant and Cl - ) phenotype, indicative of Pmk1 signaling inhibition. Moreover, the Δ atg1 Δ pmk1 double mutant resembles the single Δ pmk1 mutant, suggesting that Atg1 functions in the Pmk1 pathway. In addition, the growth defect induced by overexpression of Pck2, an upstream activator of Pmk1 MAPK was alleviated by the deletion of atg1 + . Finally, the deletion of autophagy-related genes recapitulates Pmk1 MAPK signaling inhibition. Our data suggest a novel role for autophagy in MAPK signaling regulation.

PMID:35996690 | PMC:PMC9391948 | DOI:10.17912/micropub.biology.000618

Categories: Literature Watch

Hepatic solute carrier transporters and drug therapy: Regulation of expression and impact of genetic variation

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Aug 19:108268. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108268. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Organic cation transporters (OCT), organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) and organic anion transporters (OAT) from the solute carrier (SLC) family play an essential role in the uptake of endogenous compounds and drugs into the hepatocytes and other cell types. The well-documented interindividual variability of expression and activity of these transporters translates into interindividual variability in drug pharmacokinetics and drug response. It is therefore important to elucidate mechanisms affecting membrane transporter expression and function. These mechanisms include transcriptional regulation, disease-dependent regulation and genetic variation. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the molecular functions and substrate profiles of cloned hepatic OCTs, OATPs and OATs and discuss recent advances in understanding variable expression and function. Finally, the role of genetic variation in these transporters on drug exposure will be presented with implications for individual drug response.

PMID:35995278 | DOI:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108268

Categories: Literature Watch

Genetic polymorphisms of pharmacogenomic VIP variants in the Lahu population from Yunnan Province

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

Gene. 2022 Aug 19:146825. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146825. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenomics has been widely used to study the very important pharmacogenetic (VIP) variants among populations, but information on pharmacogenomics in the Lahu population is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the distribution of VIP variants between the Lahu and the other 26 populations.

METHODS: We genotyped 55 VIP variants of 27 genes in the Lahu population from the PharmGKB database. χ2 test was used to compare the genotype and allele frequencies between the Lahu and the other 26 populations from the 1000 Genomes Project.

RESULTS: The genotype and allele frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on rs20417 (PTGS2), rs776746 (CYP3A5), rs2115819 (ALOX5), and rs3093105 (CYP4F2) were considerably different in the Lahu population compared with those in the other 26 populations. Besides, based on the PharmGKB database, we identified several VIP variants that may alter the drug metabolism of aspirin (PTGS2), tacrolimus (CYP3A5), montelukast (ALOX5), and vitamin E (CYP4F2).

CONCLUSION: The results show that there are significant differences in the genotype frequency distribution between the Lahu and the other 26 populations. Our study supplements the pharmacogenomics information of the Lahu population and provides a theoretical basis for individualized medicine in Lahu.

PMID:35995116 | DOI:10.1016/j.gene.2022.146825

Categories: Literature Watch

The family of kallikrein-related peptidases and kinin peptides as modulators of epidermal homeostasis

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2022 Aug 22. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00012.2022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The epidermis is the outermost skin layer and is part of one of the largest organs in the body; it is supported by the dermis, a network of fibrils, blood vessels, pilosebaceous units, sweat glands, nerves, and cells. The skin as a whole is a protective shield against numerous noxious agents, including microorganisms and chemical and physical factors. These functions rely on the activity of multiple growth factors, peptide hormones, proteases, and specific signaling pathways that are triggered by the activation of distinct types of receptors sited in the cell membranes of the various cell types present in the skin. The human kallikrein family comprises a large group of 15 serine proteases synthesized and secreted by different types of epithelial cells throughout the body, including the skin. At this site, they initiate a proteolytic cascade that generates the active forms of the proteases, some of which regulate skin desquamation, activation of cytokines, and antimicrobial peptides. Kinin peptides are formed by the action of plasma and tissue kallikreins on kininogens, two plasma proteins produced in the liver and other organs. Although kinins are well known for their proinflammatory abilities, in the skin they are also considered important modulators of keratinocyte differentiation. In this review, we summarize the contributions of the kallikreins and kallikrein-related peptidases family and those of kinins and their receptors in skin homeostasis, with special emphasis on their pathophysiological role.

PMID:35993513 | DOI:10.1152/ajpcell.00012.2022

Categories: Literature Watch

Current Status and Trends of Research on Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity from 2002 to 2021: A Twenty-Year Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 Aug 11;2022:6260243. doi: 10.1155/2022/6260243. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Anthracyclines constitute the cornerstone of numerous chemotherapy regimens for various cancers. However, the clinical application of anthracyclines is significantly limited to their dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. A comprehensive understanding of the current status of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is necessary for in-depth research and optimal clinical protocols. Bibliometric analysis is widely applied in depicting development trends and tracking frontiers of a specific field. The present study is aimed at revealing the status and trends of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity during the past two decades by employing bibliometric software including R-bibliometric, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. A total of 3504 publications concerning anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity from 2002 to 2021 were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Results showed significant growth in annual yields from 90 records in 2002 to 304 papers in 2021. The United States was the most productive country with the strongest collaboration worldwide in the field. Charles University in the Czech Republic was the institution that contributed the most papers, while 7 of the top 10 productive institutions were from the United States. The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health are the two agencies that provide financial support for more than 50% of sponsored publications. The research categories of included publications mainly belong to Oncology and Cardiac Cardiovascular Systems. The Journal of Clinical Oncology had a comprehensive impact on this research field with the highest IF value and many publications. Simunek Tomas from Charles University contributed the most publications, while Lipshultz Steven E. from the State University of New York possessed the highest H-index. In addition, the future research frontiers of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity might include early detection, pharmacogenomics, molecular mechanism, and cardiooncology. The present bibliometric analysis may provide a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in future research directions.

PMID:35993025 | PMC:PMC9388240 | DOI:10.1155/2022/6260243

Categories: Literature Watch

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery following neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer: A real-world prospective cohort study

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

Front Oncol. 2022 Aug 4;12:969545. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.969545. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous group of diseases. For this subset of patients, clinical management is still under debate and prognosis remains poor so far. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in stage III NSCLC.

METHODS: A real-world prospective cohort study was performed in a single-center setting from April 2021 to May 2022. Patients who were diagnosed with resectable or potentially resectable stage IIIA-B NSCLC and received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy followed by robotic-assisted thoracic surgery were enrolled. Pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, treatment-related adverse events, and surgical outcomes of these patients were evaluated.

RESULTS: A total of 44 patients who underwent robotic-assisted thoracic surgery after three doses of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy were included in this study. Of these, 36 of 44 (81.8%) patients had a major pathological response, and 26 (59.1%) had a pathological complete response based on pathological examination of surgical specimen. Eight patients (18.2%) suffered grade 3 treatment-related adverse events, including neutropenia (n = 4), increased aminotransferases (n = 3), anemia (n = 1), and cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (n = 1). Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery was performed subsequently, and R0 resection was achieved in all patients. Only two (4.5%) patients required conversion to thoracotomy. Surgical complications occurred in five (11.4%) patients, including air leak (n = 3), chylothorax (n = 2), and surgical site infection (n = 1). There was no re-surgery or postoperative mortality within 90 days.

CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery following neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy showed good feasibility and safety in stage III NSCLC. It was not associated with unexpected perioperative morbidity or mortality and may be a promising therapeutic option in stage III NSCLC. These results need further confirmation by more large-scale clinical trials.

PMID:35992784 | PMC:PMC9386359 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2022.969545

Categories: Literature Watch

Tissue-specific identification of multi-omics features for pan-cancer drug response prediction

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

iScience. 2022 Jul 19;25(8):104767. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104767. eCollection 2022 Aug 19.

ABSTRACT

Current statistical models for drug response prediction and biomarker identification fall short in leveraging the shared and unique information from various cancer tissues and multi-omics profiles. We developed mix-lasso model that introduces an additional sample group penalty term to capture tissue-specific effects of features on pan-cancer response prediction. The mix-lasso model takes into account both the similarity between drug responses (i.e., multi-task learning), and the heterogeneity between multi-omics data (multi-modal learning). When applied to large-scale pharmacogenomics dataset from Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal, mix-lasso enabled accurate drug response predictions and identification of tissue-specific predictive features in the presence of various degrees of missing data, drug-drug correlations, and high-dimensional and correlated genomic and molecular features that often hinder the use of statistical approaches in drug response modeling. Compared to tree lasso model, mix-lasso identified a smaller number of tissue-specific features, hence making the model more interpretable and stable for drug discovery applications.

PMID:35992090 | PMC:PMC9385562 | DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2022.104767

Categories: Literature Watch

Corrigendum: Validation of single nucleotide variant assays for human leukocyte antigen haplotypes HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-A*31:01 across diverse ancestral backgrounds

Mon, 2022-08-22 06:00

Front Pharmacol. 2022 Aug 5;13:971316. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.971316. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.713178.].

PMID:35991872 | PMC:PMC9389443 | DOI:10.3389/fphar.2022.971316

Categories: Literature Watch

CYP2C19 genotype-guided antithrombotic treatment versus conventional clopidogrel therapy in peripheral arterial disease: study design of a randomized controlled trial (GENPAD)

Sun, 2022-08-21 06:00

Am Heart J. 2022 Aug 18:S0002-8703(22)00163-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.08.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clopidogrel is recommended in international guidelines to prevent arterial thrombotic events in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Clopidogrel itself is inactive and metabolism is dependent on the CYP2C19 enzyme. About 30% of Caucasian PAD patients receiving clopidogrel carry one or two CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele(s) and do not or to a limited extent convert the prodrug into its active metabolite. As a result, platelet inhibition may be inadequate which could lead to an increased risk of adverse clinical events related to arterial thrombosis. A CYP2C19 genotype-guided antithrombotic treatment might be beneficial for PAD patients.

METHODS: GENPAD is a multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 2,276 PAD patients with an indication for clopidogrel monotherapy. Patients with a separate indication for dual antiplatelet therapy or stronger antithrombotic therapy are not eligible for study participation. Patients randomized to the control group will receive clopidogrel 75mg once daily without pharmacogenetic guidance. Patients randomized to the intervention group will be tested for carriage of CYP2C19 *2 and *3 loss-of-function alleles, followed by a genotype-guided antithrombotic treatment with either clopidogrel 75mg once daily for normal metabolizers, clopidogrel 150mg once daily for intermediate metabolizers, or acetylsalicylic acid 80mg once daily plus rivaroxaban 2.5mg twice daily for poor metabolizers. The primary outcome is a composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, cardiovascular death, acute or chronic limb ischemia, peripheral vascular interventions, or death. The secondary outcomes are the individual elements of the primary composite outcome and clinically relevant bleeding complications.

CONCLUSION: The aim of the GENPAD study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of a genotype-guided antithrombotic treatment strategy compared to conventional clopidogrel treatment in PAD patients.

PMID:35988587 | DOI:10.1016/j.ahj.2022.08.001

Categories: Literature Watch

Alopecia and colon ulcers following azathioprine use in a patient with myasthenia gravis: A case report

Fri, 2022-08-19 06:00

Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Aug 19;101(33):e29986. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029986.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Azathioprine is a purine analog (PA) used to treat myasthenia gravis (MG). However, some patients are sensitive to azathioprine and develop severe side effects, such as leukopenia, alopecia, and diarrhea soon after using the medication. Pharmacogenetics plays a crucial role in such intolerance.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A 16-year-old woman with MG developed hair loss, pancytopenia, bloody diarrhea, and fever shortly after azathioprine treatment.

DIAGNOSIS: Pharmacogenetic analysis revealed compound heterozygosity of the nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15) gene, which led to suppressed NUDT15 function. Colonoscopy revealed large ulcers with polypoid lesions in the terminal ileum, cecum, ascending colon, and rectum. These are the characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

INTERVENTIONS: Sanger sequencing of NUDT15 gene and colonoscopy for bloody stool evaluation.

OUTCOMES: The patient recovered completely from this acute episode after discontinuation of azathioprine treatment. Her hemogram turned back to normal range. There was also no blood in stool during follow-up.

LESSONS: Pharmacogenetic effects should be considered when prescribing PA medication. The possibility of secondary or concomitant autoimmune diseases must always be considered in patients with MG.

PMID:35984164 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000029986

Categories: Literature Watch

Metabolic, genetic, and pharmacokinetic parameters for the prediction of olanzapine efficacy

Thu, 2022-08-18 06:00

Eur J Pharm Sci. 2022 Aug 15:106277. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106277. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Clinical use of the a olanzapine has significantly different individual-to-individual outcomes. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a means of predicting response to olanzapine using a combined approach based on pharmacokinetics, pharmacometabonomics, and genetic polymorphism. The olanzapine pharmacokinetics of 19 healthy volunteers treated with orally disintegrating tablets were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolic profiling and phenotyping were performed on the blood samples that remained after pharmacokinetic analysis using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) were identified as key genes. The single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes most related to drug metabolism were investigated by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Forty-one metabolites (p < 0.05) are increased or decreased after treatment with olanzapine. Tryptophan metabolism, norepinephrine metabolism, and γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism were identified as being related to the effects of olanzapine. Subjects carrying rs1641031 AC and CC exhibited a 59.2% increase in the mean peak concentration (Cmax) value and a 25.33% decrease in the mean oral clearance rate (CL/F) value, compared to that in subjects with the GABA-T rs1641031 AA genotype (p < 0.05). Moreover, polymorphism of the GABA-T gene has an impact on the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine. Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (0:0/18:3), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (0:0/22:5), and octadecatrienoic acid distinguish subjects with high and low olanzapine drug oral clearance and are thus identified as biomarkers for predicting its efficacy.

PMID:35981664 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106277

Categories: Literature Watch

Collaborative challenges of multi-cohort project in pharmacogenetics - why time is essential for meaningful collaborations

Wed, 2022-08-17 06:00

JMIR Form Res. 2022 Aug 17. doi: 10.2196/36759. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Multi-cohort projects in medicine provide an opportunity to investigate scientific questions beyond the boundaries of a single institution, and to increase sample size for more reliable results. However, the complications of these kinds of collaborations arise during management, with many administrative hurdles. Hands-on approaches and lessons learned from previous collaborations provide solutions for optimized collaboration models. Here, we use our experience in running the Swiss multi-cohort project PGX-link to show the strategy we used to tackle different challenges from project set up to getting the relevant permits, including ethics approval. We set PGX-link into an international context, since our struggles were similar to those encountered during the SYNCHROS project. We provide ad-hoc solutions for cohorts, general project management strategies, and suggestions for unified protocols between cohorts that would ease current management hurdles. Project managers are not necessarily familiar with medical projects, and even if they are, they are not aware of the intricacies behind decision making, and consequently of the time needed to set up multi-cohort collaborations. This paper is meant to be a brief overview of what we went through with our multi-cohort project and provides the necessary practices for future managers.

PMID:35976179 | DOI:10.2196/36759

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenomics: an opportunity for personalised psychotropic prescribing in adults with intellectual disabilities

Wed, 2022-08-17 06:00

BJPsych Open. 2022 Aug 17;8(5):e157. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.554.

ABSTRACT

There is growing evidence for the use of pharmacogenomics in psychotropic prescribing. People with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately prescribed psychotropics and are at risk of polypharmacy. There is an urgent need for safeguards to prevent psychotropic overprescribing but it is equally crucial that this population is not left behind in such exciting initiatives. Understanding how genetic variations affect medications is a step towards personalised medicine. This may improve personalised prescribing for people with intellectual disabilities, especially given the high rate of psychiatric and behavioural problems in this population. Our editorial explores opportunities and challenges that pharmacogenomics offers for the challenges of polypharmacy and overprescribing of psychotropics in people with intellectual disabilities.

PMID:35975635 | DOI:10.1192/bjo.2022.554

Categories: Literature Watch

PharmacoGenetic targeting of a C. elegans essential neuron provides an in vivo screening for novel modulators of nematode ion channel function

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

Pestic Biochem Physiol. 2022 Aug;186:105152. doi: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105152. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

ABSTRACT

Chemical or drug treatments are successfully used to treat parasitic nematode infections that impact human, animal and plant health. Many of these exert their effects through modifying neural function underpinning behaviours essential for parasite viability. Selectivity against the parasite may be achieved through distinct pharmacological properties of the parasite nervous system, as exemplified by the success of the ivermectin which target a glutamate-gated chloride channel found only in invertebrates. Despite the success of the ivermectins, emerging resistance and concerns around eco-toxicity are driving the search for new nematocidal chemicals or drugs. Here, we describe the potential of a 5-HT-gated chloride channel MOD-1, which is involved in vital parasite behaviours with constrained distribution in the invertebrate phyla. This ion channel has potential pharmacophores that could be targeted by new nematocidal chemicals and drugs. We have developed a microtiter based bioassay for MOD-1 pharmacology based on its ectopic expression in the Caenorhabditis elegans essential neuron M4. We have termed this technology 'PhaGeM4' for 'Pharmacogenetic targeting of M4 neuron'. Exposure of transgenic worms harbouring ectopically expressed MOD-1 to 5-HT results in developmental arrest. By additional expression of a fluorescence marker in body wall muscle to monitor growth we demonstrate that this assay is suitable for the identification of receptor agonists and antagonists. Indeed, the developmental progression is a robustly quantifiable bioassay that resolves MOD-1 activation by quipazine, 5-carboxyamidotryptamine and fluoxetine and highlight methiothepin as a potent antagonist. This assay has the intrinsic ability to highlight compounds with optimal bioavailability and furthermore to filter out off-target effects. It can be extended to the investigation of other classes of membrane receptors and modulators of neuronal excitation. This approach based on heterologous modulation of the essential M4 neuron function offers a route to discover new effective and selective anthelmintics potentially less confounded by disruptive environmental impact.

PMID:35973757 | DOI:10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105152

Categories: Literature Watch

The amount of DNA combined with TP53 mutations in liquid biopsy is associated with clinical outcome of renal cancer patients treated with immunotherapy and VEGFR-TKIs

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

J Transl Med. 2022 Aug 16;20(1):371. doi: 10.1186/s12967-022-03557-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing number of treatment options, reliable prognostic/predictive biomarkers are still missing for patients affected by metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC).

METHODS: Patients with mccRCC undergoing standard first line treatment were enrolled. Blood (12 ml) was drawn at treatment baseline and circulating free DNA (cfDNA) was extracted from plasma. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on cfDNA using the Oncomine Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay and clinical outcomes were correlated with liquid biopsy findings.

RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were enrolled, 12 received immunotherapy and 36 received a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). A cfDNA cut-off of 0.883 ng/μl stratified patients based on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). cfDNA amount was also correlated with best response (p = 0.006). Additional cfDNA cut-points divided patients into short, intermediate and long responders, with PFS of 4.87 vs 9.13 vs 23.1 months, respectively (p < 0.001). PFS resulted to be significantly shorter in carriers of mutant TP53 compared to not carriers (p = 0.04). Patients with high cfDNA levels and mutant TP53 have the worst PFS, while patients with low cfDNA amounts and no mutations in TP53 displayed the longest PFS (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that cfDNA and TP53 are potential predictive biomarkers of response in mccRCC to be further explored in larger and/or prospective studies.

PMID:35974365 | DOI:10.1186/s12967-022-03557-7

Categories: Literature Watch

Use of pharmacological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Analysis of a psychiatric population in Switzerland and comparison with international guidelines

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

Encephale. 2022 Aug 13:S0013-7006(22)00124-5. doi: 10.1016/j.encep.2022.03.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Several international guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been published. However, it is unclear whether clinicians use these procedures in their daily practice. We compared the psychopharmacological prescription patterns in a Swiss adult psychiatric center with international clinical guidelines at admission and discharge.

METHODS: Retrospective chart review study between 2005 and 2015 of adult patients with PTSD and no other documented psychiatric comorbidity.

RESULTS: Fifty-two outpatients and 21 inpatients were included; 47% had at least one psychopharmacological treatment at admission. Among them, 47% had one or several antidepressants, mainly escitalopram (31%, n=5) or citalopram. At discharge, 68% had at least one psychopharmacological treatment. Among them, 76% had at least one antidepressant, mainly escitalopram (34%, n=13) or mirtazapine (21%, n=8). They were compared to the guidelines of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD), showing 19% of the patients treated with antidepressants at admission were in agreement with the guidelines (sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine), and 26% at discharge. In addition, we found prescriptions of benzodiazepines (62% at admission and 50% at discharge), antipsychotics (12% and 22%), Z-drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone: 15 and 40%) and a few pregabalin prescriptions (n=4).

CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians in this study frequently prescribed antidepressants to treat PTSD, as recommended. However, most of the antidepressants used were not recommended in the VA/DoD guidelines. Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs remained widely used, although they are not recommended.

PMID:35973850 | DOI:10.1016/j.encep.2022.03.011

Categories: Literature Watch

High throughput CRISPRi and CRISPRa technologies in 3D genome regulation for neuropsychiatric diseases

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

Hum Mol Genet. 2022 Aug 16:ddac193. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddac193. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Advances in genomics have led to the identification of many risk loci with hundreds of genes and thousands of DNA variants associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. A significant barrier to understanding the genetic underpinnings of complex diseases is the lack of functional characterization of risk genes and variants in biological systems relevant to human health and connecting disease-associated variants to pathological phenotypes. Characterizing gene and DNA variant functions requires genetic perturbations followed by molecular and cellular assays of neurobiological phenotypes. However, generating null or mutant alleles is low throughput, making it impossible to characterize disease-associated variants in large quantities efficiently. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) screens can be leveraged to dissect the biological consequences of the tested genes and variants in their native context. Nevertheless, testing non-coding variants associated with complex diseases remains non-trivial. In this review, we first discuss the current challenges of interpreting the function of the non-coding genome and approaches to prioritizing disease-associated variants in the context of the 3D epigenome. Second, we provide a brief overview of high throughput CRISPRi and CRISPRa screening strategies applicable for characterizing non-coding sequences in appropriate biological systems. Lastly, we discuss the promising prospects of using CRISPR-based technologies to dissect DNA sequences associated with neuropsychiatric diseases.

PMID:35972825 | DOI:10.1093/hmg/ddac193

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenomics guided dosing for fluoropyrimidine and irinotecan chemotherapies for patients with cancer (PACIFIC-PGx): study protocol of a multicentre clinical trial

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

Acta Oncol. 2022 Aug 16:1-4. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2022.2109423. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35972781 | DOI:10.1080/0284186X.2022.2109423

Categories: Literature Watch

HLA pharmacogenetic markers of drug hypersensitivity from the perspective of the populations of the Greater Middle East

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

Pharmacogenomics. 2022 Aug 16. doi: 10.2217/pgs-2022-0078. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Specific HLA associations with drug hypersensitivity may vary between geographic regions and ethnic groups. There are little to no data related to HLA-drug hypersensitivity on populations who reside in the Greater Middle East (GME), a vast region spanning from Morocco in the west to Pakistan in the east. In this review, the authors intended to summarize the significant HLA alleles associated with hypersensitive drug reactions induced by different drugs, as have been found in different populations, and to summarize the prevalence of these alleles in the specific and diverse populations of the GME. For example, HLA-B*57:01 allele prevalence, associated with abacavir-induced hypersensitivity, ranges from 1% to 3%, and HLA-DPB1*03:01 prevalence, associated with aspirin-induced asthma, ranges from 10% to 14% in the GME population. Studying pharmacogenomic associations in the ethnic groups of the GME may allow the discovery of new associations, confirm ones found with a low evidence rate and enable cost-effectiveness analysis of allele screening before drug use.

PMID:35971864 | DOI:10.2217/pgs-2022-0078

Categories: Literature Watch

<em>ARG2</em> single-nucleotide polymorphism rs3742879 affects plasma arginase 2 levels, nitric oxide formation and antihypertensive therapy response in preeclampsia

Tue, 2022-08-16 06:00

Pharmacogenomics. 2022 Aug 16. doi: 10.2217/pgs-2022-0079. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: This work examined whether ARG1 (rs2781659, rs2781667, rs2246012 and rs17599586) and ARG2 (rs3742879 and rs10483801) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with antihypertensive therapy responsiveness in preeclampsia (PE) and their effects on arginase isoforms and nitrite concentrations in responsive and nonresponsive patients. Methods: SNP genotypes were determined by TaqMan assays. Plasma arginase levels were measured by ELISA and nitrite concentrations were measured using an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay. Results: The G allele for ARG2 rs3742879 (A>G) was less frequent in nonresponsive compared with responsive patients (15.5% vs 24.7%) and the G carriers of the nonresponsive subgroup had lower arginase 2 (9.2 ± 7.5 ng/ml vs 19.1 ± 17.3 ng/ml) and higher nitrite concentrations (110.2 ± 52.8 nM vs 78.5 ± 37.9 nM) than carriers of the AA genotype (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: ARG2 SNP rs3742879 is associated with diminished arginase 2 levels and increased nitric oxide formation in nonresponsive PE patients.

PMID:35971863 | DOI:10.2217/pgs-2022-0079

Categories: Literature Watch

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