Pharmacogenomics

A systematic review of pharmacogenetic testing in primary care: Attitudes of patients, general practitioners, and pharmacists

Sat, 2022-01-08 06:00

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2021 Dec 15:S1551-7411(21)00387-9. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.12.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenetic testing enhances patient safety by improving medical treatment and reducing side effects. It has shown potential in both primary and secondary care. However, implementation in healthcare, particularly in primary care, is slow.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to review articles published on the attitudes towards, and knowledge on pharmacogenetic testing in primary care, among general practitioners, pharmacists, and patients.

METHODS: The review was performed according to the PRISMA checklist. A systemized literature search was followed by a 2-step screening process. Apart from the content of articles being within the scope of the review, inclusion criteria included: articles in English; primary research articles; qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Content analysis was conducted as a qualitative meta-synthesis. The methodological rigor of included articles was assessed.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. The analysis resulted in the following main themes: i) benefits of pharmacogenetic testing, ii) barriers to pharmacogenetic testing, iii) pharmacists' role in pharmacogenetic counselling, and iv) pharmacists' knowledge on pharmacogenetics. Methodological rigor was generally medium/high.

CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed in this area, and there is a need for more education on pharmacogenetic testing for healthcare professionals. Issues like patient autonomy, economy, and access to tests also need to be addressed.

PMID:34996718 | DOI:10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.12.002

Categories: Literature Watch

Optimizing therapeutic drug monitoring in inflammatory bowel disease: a focus on therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

Sat, 2022-01-08 06:00

Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2022 Jan 7. doi: 10.1080/17425255.2021.2027367. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is useful for optimizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, TDM in clinical practice is still restricted by long turnaround times between sampling and results and the fact that dosing of mAbs to a target drug concentration is challenging due to high pharmacokinetic (PK) variability at both a population and patient level. Overcoming these barriers may be addressed by point-of-care (POC) assays, model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) and pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics.

AREAS COVERED: This review provides an overview of the optimization of TDM of mAbs in IBD including POC testing, MIPD and pharmacogenetics.

EXPERT OPINION: Recent advances in sampling, quantification, and support of clinical decisions include POC assays and PK dashboards which may allow for prompt and precise application of TDM in clinical practice. Future perspectives towards a more personalized implementation of TDM could include the incorporation of pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics to identify subgroups of patients who would benefit more from proactive TDM or combination therapy such as those prone to immunogenicity and/or accelerated drug clearance. However, there are still challenges regarding the implementation of these innovative approaches and more data from prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are needed.

PMID:34996330 | DOI:10.1080/17425255.2021.2027367

Categories: Literature Watch

Metabolovigilance: Associating Drug Metabolites with Adverse Drug Reactions

Fri, 2022-01-07 06:00

Mol Inform. 2022 Jan 6. doi: 10.1002/minf.202100261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Metabolovigilance database (https://pharmacogenomics.clas.ucdenver.edu/pharmacogenomics/side-effect/) is a single repository of information on over 15,920 pharmaceuticals and the compounds expected to result from metabolism of these drugs. Metabolovigilance functions as both a web server, providing data directly to users and as a web application, applying user inputs to create logic statements that curate the data presented or downloaded. Using this tool, it is easy to collect information on drugs, their side effects, and the metabolites associated with specific side effects. Information on these compounds can be sorted based on physical properties of the drugs and their metabolites. All of this information can be viewed, sorted, and downloaded for use in other applications. This open-access tool will facilitate molecular studies on the causes of adverse drug reactions and is well suited to integrate with genomic data furthering the goals of personalized medicine.

PMID:34994061 | DOI:10.1002/minf.202100261

Categories: Literature Watch

Role of serotonin transporter and receptor gene polymorphisms in treatment response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in major depressive disorder

Fri, 2022-01-07 06:00

Hum Psychopharmacol. 2022 Jan 6:e2830. doi: 10.1002/hup.2830. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Significant challenges in the management of major depressive disorder include the lag period from treatment initiation to an evident response, low response rates and unpredictable disparities in outcome between patients. As a large part of these has been linked to genetic mechanisms, we tried to establish a relationship between genes associated with serotonin neurotransmission and outcome to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients with moderate to severe depression [at least 15 on the Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Rating Scale] being started on SSRI were recruited. Those with a reduction of at least 50% from baseline or an absolute score of 7 or less after 8 weeks of treatment were considered as responders. The serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region 5HTTLPR, serotonin transporter intron 2 (STin2) polymorphism and the 5-HT receptor 1A rs6295 polymorphisms were studied in association with outcome.

RESULTS: The l/l genotype of the 5HTTLPR was associated with greater likelihood of response (OR: 4.65, CI: 1.74-12.38, p = 0.003). Patients with the 12/12 repeat variant of the STin2 VNTR polymorphism showed a greater reduction in HAM-D score, compared to patients with the 10/10 genotype (OR: 0.12, CI: 0.03-0.44, p = 0.001). We found no association of the 5HTR1Ars6295 polymorphism with response.

CONCLUSIONS: The 5HTTLPR polymorphism and the SLC6A4 intron 2 polymorphism were associated with treatment response, with the l/l genotype and 12-copy allele showing a tendency towards better outcomes, respectively.

PMID:34994008 | DOI:10.1002/hup.2830

Categories: Literature Watch

Quantile-Dependent Expressivity of Serum Interleukin-6 Concentrations as a Possible Explanation of Gene-Disease Interactions, Gene-Environment Interactions, and Pharmacogenetic Effects

Fri, 2022-01-07 06:00

Inflammation. 2022 Jan 7. doi: 10.1007/s10753-021-01601-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a moderately heritable pleiotropic cytokine whose elevated concentrations in coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, Eales' disease, Sjògren's syndrome, osteoarthritis, adenocarcinoma, neuroblastoma, polymyalgia rheumatica, pulmonary tuberculosis, and enterovirus 71 infection, and following coronary artery bypass graft show larger genetic effects than in unaffected low IL-6 controls. We hypothesize that genetic effects may depend upon whether average IL-6 concentrations are high or low, i.e., quantile-dependent expressivity. Quantile-specific offspring-parent (βOP) and full-sib regression slopes (βFS) were estimated by applying quantile regression to the age- and sex-adjusted serum IL-6 concentrations in families surveyed in the Framingham Heart Study. Quantile-specific heritabilities were calculated as h2 = 2βOP / (1 + rspouse) and h2 = {(1 + 8rspouseβFS)0.5 -1} / (2rspouse)). Heritability (h2 ± SE) of IL-6 concentrations increased from 0.01 ± 0.01 at the 10th percentile (NS), 0.02 ± 0.01 at the 25th (P = 0.009), 0.03 ± 0.01 at the 50th (P = 0.007), 0.04 ± 0.02 at the 75th (P = 0.004), and 0.13 ± 0.05 at the 90th percentile (P = 0.03), or 0.0005 ± 0.0002 for each 1% increase in the offspring's phenotype distribution (Plinear trend = 0.02) when estimated from βOP and from 0.02 ± 0.02 at the 10th (NS), 0.02 ± 0.02 at the 25th (NS), 0.06 ± 0.02 at the 50th (P = 0.01), 0.12 ± 0.04 at the 75th (P = 0.001), and 0.30 ± 0.03 at the 90th percentile (P < 10-16), or 0.0015 ± 0.0007 for each 1% increase in the sibling phenotype distribution (Plinear trend = 0.02) when estimated from βFS. Thus the heritability of serum IL-6 concentrations is quantile dependent, which may contribute in part to the larger genetic effect size reported for diseases and environmental conditions that elevate IL-6 concentrations vis-à-vis unaffected controls.

PMID:34993731 | DOI:10.1007/s10753-021-01601-0

Categories: Literature Watch

<em>Lasia spinosa</em> Chemical Composition and Therapeutic Potential: A Literature-Based Review

Fri, 2022-01-07 06:00

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021 Dec 28;2021:1602437. doi: 10.1155/2021/1602437. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Lasia spinosa (L.) is used ethnobotanically for the treatment of various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the lungs, bleeding cough, hemorrhoids, intestinal diseases, stomach pain, and uterine cancer. This review is aimed at summarizing phytochemistry and pharmacological data with their molecular mechanisms of action. A search was performed in databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar using the keywords: "Lasia spinosa," then combined with "ethnopharmacological use," "phytochemistry," and "pharmacological activity." This updated review included studies with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments with compounds of known concentration and highlighted pharmacological mechanisms. The research results showed that L. spinosa contains many important nutritional and phytochemical components such as alkanes, aldehydes, alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, ketones, lignans, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids, and volatile oil with excellent bioactivity. The importance of this review lies in the fact that scientific pharmacological evidence supports the fact that the plant has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiarrheal, antihelminthic, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antinociceptive effects, while protecting the gastrointestinal system and reproductive. Regarding future toxicological and safety data, more research is needed, including studies on human subjects. In light of these data, L. spinosa can be considered a medicinal plant with effective bioactives for the adjuvant treatment of various diseases in humans.

PMID:34992714 | PMC:PMC8727140 | DOI:10.1155/2021/1602437

Categories: Literature Watch

Genetic Contributors of Incident Stroke in 10,700 African Americans With Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis From the Genetics of Hypertension Associated Treatments and Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Studies

Fri, 2022-01-07 06:00

Front Genet. 2021 Dec 21;12:781451. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.781451. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Background: African Americans (AAs) suffer a higher stroke burden due to hypertension. Identifying genetic contributors to stroke among AAs with hypertension is critical to understanding the genetic basis of the disease, as well as detecting at-risk individuals. Methods: In a population comprising over 10,700 AAs treated for hypertension from the Genetics of Hypertension Associated Treatments (GenHAT) and Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) studies, we performed an inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis of incident stroke. Additionally, we tested the predictive accuracy of a polygenic risk score (PRS) derived from a European ancestral population in both GenHAT and REGARDS AAs aiming to evaluate cross-ethnic performance. Results: We identified 10 statistically significant (p < 5.00E-08) and 90 additional suggestive (p < 1.00E-06) variants associated with incident stroke in the meta-analysis. Six of the top 10 variants were located in an intergenic region on chromosome 18 (LINC01443-LOC644669). Additional variants of interest were located in or near the COL12A1, SNTG1, PCDH7, TMTC1, and NTM genes. Replication was conducted in the Warfarin Pharmacogenomics Cohort (WPC), and while none of the variants were directly validated, seven intronic variants of NTM proximal to our target variants, had a p-value <5.00E-04 in the WPC. The inclusion of the PRS did not improve the prediction accuracy compared to a reference model adjusting for age, sex, and genetic ancestry in either study and had lower predictive accuracy compared to models accounting for established stroke risk factors. These results demonstrate the necessity for PRS derivation in AAs, particularly for diseases that affect AAs disproportionately. Conclusion: This study highlights biologically plausible genetic determinants for incident stroke in hypertensive AAs. Ultimately, a better understanding of genetic risk factors for stroke in AAs may give new insight into stroke burden and potential clinical tools for those among the highest at risk.

PMID:34992631 | PMC:PMC8724550 | DOI:10.3389/fgene.2021.781451

Categories: Literature Watch

Polygenic Ara-C Response Score Identifies Pediatric Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Need of Chemotherapy Augmentation

Thu, 2022-01-06 06:00

J Clin Oncol. 2022 Jan 6:JCO2101422. doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.01422. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To establish a patient-specific polygenic score derived from cytarabine (ara-C) pathway pharmacogenomic evaluation to personalize acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ara-C-pathway genes were analyzed with outcome in patients from the multicenter-AML02 trial (N = 166). Multi-SNP predictor modeling was used to develop 10-SNP Ara-C_SNP score (ACS10) using top SNPs predictive of minimal residual disease and event-free survival (EFS) from the AML02-cohort and four SNPs previously associated with ara-C triphosphate levels in the AML97 trial. ACS10 was evaluated for association with outcomes in each clinical trial arms: the standard low-dose ara-C (LDAC, n = 91) and augmented high-dose ara-C (HDAC, n = 75) arms of AML02 and the standard Ara-C, daunorubicin and etoposide (ADE) (n = 465) and the augmented ADE + gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO; n = 466) arms of AAML0531 trial.

RESULTS: In the standard LDAC-arm of AML02 cohort, the low-ACS10 score group (≤ 0) had significantly worse EFS (ACS10 low v high hazard ratio [HR] = 2.81; 95% CI, 1.45 to 5.43; P = .002) and overall survival (OS; HR = 2.98; 95% CI, 1.32 to 6.75; P = .009) compared with the high-ACS10 group (score > 0). These results were validated in the standard-ADE arm of AAML0531, with poor outcome in the low-ASC10 group compared with the high-ACS10 group (EFS: HR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.75, P = .026; OS: HR = 1.64, 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.22, P = .002). Within the augmented arms (AML02-HDAC and AAML0531-ADE + GO), EFS and OS did not differ between low- and high-ACS10 score groups. In both cohorts, patients with low-ACS10 consistently showed a 10-percentage point improvement in 5-year EFS with augmented therapy (AML02-HDAC or AAML0531-ADE + GO arms) than with standard therapy (AML02-LDAC or AAML0531-ADE arms).

CONCLUSION: Patients with low-ACS10 score experienced significantly poor outcome when treated on standard regimen. Augmentation with either high-dose ara-C or GO addition improved outcome in low-ACS10 group. A polygenic ACS10 score can identify patients with unfavorable pharmacogenetic characteristics and offers a potential for an elective augmented therapy option.

PMID:34990262 | DOI:10.1200/JCO.21.01422

Categories: Literature Watch

Association between gene polymorphism and adverse effects in cancer patients receiving docetaxel treatment: a meta-analysis

Thu, 2022-01-06 06:00

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 6. doi: 10.1007/s00280-021-04374-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Large interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetic properties of docetaxel has been reported, with the clearance of docetaxel varying nearly six fold, in which pharmacogenetics of docetaxel may play an essential role in addition to physiological factors. The association between the gene polymorphism and risk of adverse clinical effects in docetaxel treated patients has been examined in several studies, but their conclusions are, to some extent, controversial. To clarify the role of gene polymorphism in the clinical outcomes of docetaxel treatment, a meta-analysis was performed in the present study.

METHODS: Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to evaluate the impact of gene polymorphisms of CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and ABCB1. Four studies with 485 subjects were included in this study. Fixed or random-effects model was chosen according to heterogeneity to conduct the meta-analysis. Publication bias was evaluated by fail-safe numbers.

RESULTS: Significant association was identified between the ABCB1 C3435T (rs1045642) polymorphism and risk of short-term recurrent hematological toxicity (TT vs. CC + TC OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.30-6.52, P = 0.009; TT vs. CC OR = 4.23, 95% CI 1.69-10.57 P = 0.002). The association of the ABCB1 G2677T/A (rs2032582) polymorphism with risk of fluid retention was statistically significant (T(A)/T(A) vs. GG + GT(A) OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.16-3.73, P = 0.01). No statistically significant association between the CYP3A5 A6986G (rs776746) polymorphism and adverse effects was observed in this study. Due to the limitations of included literature, we did not conduct meta-analysis on CYP3A4 gene polymorphism and adverse effects.

CONCLUSION: An association between the ABCB1 C3435T (rs1045642), ABCB1 G2677T/A (rs2032582) polymorphism and risk of adverse effects of docetaxel was found by our meta-analysis. Namely, the TT homozygotes of the ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism may be associated with the risk of hematological toxicity. ABCB1 G2677T T(A)/T(A) genotype may be associated with the fluid retention.

TRAIL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020203132.

PMID:34988655 | DOI:10.1007/s00280-021-04374-3

Categories: Literature Watch

Associations Between High Plasma Methylxanthine Levels, Sleep Disorders and Polygenic Risk Scores of Caffeine Consumption or Sleep Duration in a Swiss Psychiatric Cohort

Thu, 2022-01-06 06:00

Front Psychiatry. 2021 Dec 20;12:756403. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.756403. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Objective: We first sought to examine the relationship between plasma levels of methylxanthines (caffeine and its metabolites) and sleep disorders, and secondarily between polygenic risk scores (PRS) of caffeine consumption or sleep duration with methylxanthine plasma levels and/or sleep disorders in a psychiatric cohort. Methods: Plasma levels of methylxanthines were quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. In inpatients, sleep disorder diagnosis was defined using ICD-10 "F51.0," sedative drug intake before bedtime, or hospital discharge letters, while a subgroup of sedative drugs was used for outpatients. The PRS of coffee consumption and sleep duration were constructed using publicly available GWAS results from the UKBiobank. Results: 1,747 observations (1,060 patients) were included (50.3% of observations with sleep disorders). Multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, setting of care and psychiatric diagnoses showed that patients in the highest decile of plasma levels of methylxanthines had more than double the risk for sleep disorders compared to the lowest decile (OR = 2.13, p = 0.004). PRS of caffeine consumption was associated with plasma levels of caffeine, paraxanthine, theophylline and with their sum (β = 0.1; 0.11; 0.09; and 0.1, pcorrected = 0.01; 0.02; 0.02; and 0.01, respectively) but not with sleep disorders. A trend was found between the PRS of sleep duration and paraxanthine levels (β = 0.13, pcorrected = 0.09). Discussion: Very high caffeine consumption is associated with sleep disorders in psychiatric in- and outpatients. Future prospective studies should aim to determine the benefit of reducing caffeine consumption in high caffeine-consuming patients suffering from sleep disorders.

PMID:34987426 | PMC:PMC8721597 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.756403

Categories: Literature Watch

Combinatorial pharmacogenomic algorithm is predictive of sertraline metabolism in patients with major depressive disorder

Wed, 2022-01-05 06:00

Psychiatry Res. 2021 Dec 22;308:114354. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114354. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pharmacogenomic testing can be used to guide medication selection in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Currently, there is no consensus on which gene or genes to consider in medication management. Here, we assessed the clinical validity of the combinatorial pharmacogenomic algorithm to predict sertraline blood levels in a subset of patients enrolled in the Genomics Used to Improve DEpression Decisions (GUIDED) trial. Patients who reported taking sertraline within ≤2 weeks of the screening blood draw were included. All patients received combinatorial pharmacogenomic testing, which included a weighted assessment of individual phenotypes for multiple pharmacokinetic genes relevant for sertraline (CYP2C19, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4). Sertraline blood levels were compared between phenotypes based on: 1) the pharmacokinetic portion of the combinatorial pharmacogenomic algorithm, and 2) individual genes. When evaluated separately, individual genes (for CYP2C19 and CYP2B6) and the combinatorial algorithm were significant predictors of sertraline blood levels. However, in multivariate analyses that included individual genes and the combinatorial pharmacogenomic algorithm, only the combinatorial pharmacogenomic algorithm remained a significant predictor of sertraline blood levels. These findings support the clinical validity of the combinatorial pharmacogenomic algorithm, in that it is a superior predictor of sertraline blood levels compared to individual genes.

PMID:34986431 | DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114354

Categories: Literature Watch

Precision Medicine Landscape of Genomic Testing for Patients With Cancer in the National Institutes of Health All of Us Database Using Informatics Approaches

Wed, 2022-01-05 06:00

JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2022 Jan;6:e2100152. doi: 10.1200/CCI.21.00152.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The rapid growth of biomedical data ecosystems has catalyzed research for oncology and precision medicine. We leverage federal cloud-based precision medicine databases and tools to better understand the current landscape of precision medicine and genomic testing for patients with cancer.

METHODS: Retrospective observational study of genomic testing for patients with cancer in the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program, with the cancer cohort defined as having at least two documented or reported cancer diagnoses.

RESULTS: There were 5,678 (1.8%) All of Us participants in the cancer cohort, with a significant difference between cancer status by age category, sex, race, and ethnicity (P < .001 for all). There were 295 (5.2%) patients with cancer who received genomic testing compared with 6,734 (2.2%) of noncancer patients, with 752 genomic tests commonly focused on gene mutations (primarily pharmacogenomics), molecular pathology, or clinical cytogenetic reports.

CONCLUSION: Although not yet ubiquitous, diverse clinical genomic analyses in oncology can set the stage to grow the practice of precision medicine by integrating research patient data repositories, cancer data ecosystems, and biomedical informatics.

PMID:34985965 | DOI:10.1200/CCI.21.00152

Categories: Literature Watch

Attitudes toward pharmacogenetics in patients undergoing CYP2C19 testing following percutaneous coronary intervention

Wed, 2022-01-05 06:00

Per Med. 2022 Jan 5. doi: 10.2217/pme-2021-0064. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: Patient knowledge and attitudes toward pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing may impact adoption of clinical testing. Methods: Questionnaires regarding knowledge, attitudes and ethics of PGx testing were distributed to 504 patients enrolled in the ADAPT study conducted at two urban hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Responses were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: 311 completed the survey (62% response rate). 74% were unaware of PGx testing, but 79% indicated using PGx results to predict medication efficacy was important. In a multivariable model, higher education level (p = 0.031) and greater genetics knowledge (p < 0.001) were associated with more positive attitudes toward PGx testing. Conclusion: Greater patient knowledge of genetics was associated with a more positive attitude toward PGx testing, indicating that educational strategies aimed at increasing genetics knowledge may enhance adoption of PGx testing in the clinic.

PMID:34984913 | DOI:10.2217/pme-2021-0064

Categories: Literature Watch

Chronic Activation of LXRα Sensitizes Mice to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Tue, 2022-01-04 06:00

Hepatol Commun. 2022 Jan 3. doi: 10.1002/hep4.1880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The oxysterol receptor liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear receptor best known for its function in the regulation of lipid and cholesterol metabolism. LXRs, both the α and β isoforms, have been suggested as potential therapeutic targets for several cancer types. However, there was a lack of report on whether and how LXRα plays a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we found that systemic activation of LXRα in the VP-LXRα knock-in (LXRαKI) mice or hepatocyte-specific activation of LXRα in the VP-LXRα transgenic mice sensitized mice to liver tumorigenesis induced by the combined treatment of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 3,3',5,5'-tetrachloro-1,4-bis (pyridyloxy) benzene (TCPOBOP). Mechanistically, the LXRα-responsive up-regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway and the complement system, and down-regulation of bile acid metabolism, may have contributed to increased tumorigenesis. Accumulations of secondary bile acids and oxysterols were found in both the serum and liver tissue of LXRα activated mice. We also observed an induction of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells accompanied by down-regulation of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells in DEN/TCPOBOP-induced liver tumors, indicating that chronic activation of LXRα may have led to the activation of innate immune suppression. The HCC sensitizing effect of LXRα activation was also observed in the c-MYC driven HCC model. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic activation of LXRα promotes HCC, at least in part, by promoting innate immune suppressor as a result of accumulation of oxysterols, as well as up-regulation of the IL-6/Janus kinase/STAT3 signaling and complement pathways.

PMID:34981658 | DOI:10.1002/hep4.1880

Categories: Literature Watch

Transcriptomics of receptive endometrium in women with sonographic features of adenomyosis

Tue, 2022-01-04 06:00

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022 Jan 3;20(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12958-021-00871-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women with uterine adenomyosis seeking assisted reproduction have been associated with compromised endometrial receptivity to embryo implantation. To understand the mechanisms involved in this process, we aimed to compare endometrial transcriptome profiles during the window of implantation (WOI) between women with and without adenomyosis.

METHODS: We obtained endometrial biopsies LH-timed to the WOI from women with sonographic features of adenomyosis (n=10) and controls (n=10). Isolated RNA samples were subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) by the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform and endometrial receptivity classification with a molecular tool for menstrual cycle phase dating (beREADY®, CCHT). The program language R and Bioconductor packages were applied to analyse RNA-seq data in the setting of the result of accurate endometrial dating. To suggest robust candidate pathways, the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the adenomyosis group in the receptive phase were further integrated with 151, 173 and 42 extracted genes from published studies that were related to endometrial receptivity in healthy uterus, endometriosis and adenomyosis, respectively. Enrichment analyses were performed using Cytoscape ClueGO and CluePedia apps.

RESULTS: Out of 20 endometrial samples, 2 were dated to the early receptive phase, 13 to the receptive phase and 5 to the late receptive phase. Comparison of the transcriptomics data from all 20 samples provided 909 DEGs (p<0.05; nonsignificant after adjusted p value) in the adenomyosis group but only 4 enriched pathways (Bonferroni p value < 0.05). The analysis of 13 samples only dated to the receptive phase provided suggestive 382 DEGs (p<0.05; nonsignificant after adjusted p value) in the adenomyosis group, leading to 33 enriched pathways (Bonferroni p value < 0.05). These included pathways were already associated with endometrial biology, such as "Expression of interferon (IFN)-induced genes" and "Response to IFN-alpha". Data integration revealed pathways indicating a unique effect of adenomyosis on endometrial molecular organization (e.g., "Expression of IFN-induced genes") and its interference with endometrial receptivity establishment (e.g., "Extracellular matrix organization" and "Tumour necrosis factor production").

CONCLUSIONS: Accurate endometrial dating and RNA-seq analysis resulted in the identification of altered response to IFN signalling as the most promising candidate of impaired uterine receptivity in adenomyosis.

PMID:34980152 | DOI:10.1186/s12958-021-00871-5

Categories: Literature Watch

The frequency of the known mitochondrial variants associated with drug-induced toxicity in a Korean population

Tue, 2022-01-04 06:00

BMC Med Genomics. 2022 Jan 3;15(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s12920-021-01153-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Few studies have annotated the whole mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome associated with drug responses in Asian populations. This study aimed to characterize mtDNA genetic profiles, especially the distribution and frequency of well-known genetic biomarkers associated with diseases and drug-induced toxicity in a Korean population.

METHOD: Whole mitochondrial genome was sequenced for 118 Korean subjects by using a next-generation sequencing approach. The bioinformatic pipeline was constructed for variant calling, haplogroup classification and annotation of mitochondrial mutation.

RESULTS: A total of 681 variants was identified among all subjects. The MT-TRNP gene and displacement loop showed the highest numbers of variants (113 and 74 variants, respectively). The m.16189T > C allele, which is known to reduce the mtDNA copy number in human cells was detected in 25.4% of subjects. The variants (m.2706A > G, m.3010A > G, and m.1095T > C), which are associated with drug-induced toxicity, were observed with the frequency of 99.15%, 30.51%, and 0.08%, respectively. The m.2150T > A, a genotype associated with highly disruptive effects on mitochondrial ribosomes, was identified in five subjects. The D and M groups were the most dominant groups with the frequency of 34.74% and 16.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Our finding was consistent with Korean Genome Project and well reflected the unique profile of mitochondrial haplogroup distribution. It was the first study to annotate the whole mitochondrial genome with drug-induced toxicity to predict the ADRs event in clinical implementation for Korean subjects. This approach could be extended for further study for validation of the potential ethnic-specific mitochondrial genetic biomarkers in the Korean population.

PMID:34980117 | DOI:10.1186/s12920-021-01153-0

Categories: Literature Watch

Fatigue in breast cancer patients on chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study exploring clinical, biological, and genetic factors

Tue, 2022-01-04 06:00

BMC Cancer. 2022 Jan 3;22(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-09072-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and distressing complaints reported by cancer patients during chemotherapy considerably impacting all aspects of a patient's life (physical, psychosocial, professional, and socioeconomic). The aim of this study was to assess the severity of cancer-related fatigue in a group of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and explore the association between fatigue scores and sociodemographic, clinical, biological, psychiatric, and genetic factors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study carried out at the oncology outpatient unit of Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital recruited 67 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy between November 2017 and June 2019 to evaluate fatigue using the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire). Genotyping for seven gene polymorphisms (COMT, DRD2, OPRM1, CLOCK, PER2, CRY2, ABCB1) was performed using the Lightcycler® (Roche).

RESULTS: The prevalence of fatigue was 46.3%. Multivariable analysis taking the fatigue score as the dependent variable showed that a higher number of cycles and a lower hemoglobin level were significantly associated with higher odds of exhibiting fatigue. Moreover, having at least one C allele for DRD2 SNP (vs. TT) was significantly associated with a 4.09 higher odds of expressing fatigue compared to TT patients. Finally, patients with at least one C allele for CLOCK SNP tended to display higher fatigue levels than TT patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that anemic breast cancer patients with a high number of chemotherapy cycles and those carrying at least one C allele for DRD2 and CLOCK SNPs are at greater risk of exhibiting fatigue. Since no previous research has reported such genetic results, future studies are necessary to confirm our findings.

PMID:34979978 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-021-09072-0

Categories: Literature Watch

Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Polmacoxib in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Osteoarthritis

Mon, 2022-01-03 06:00

Clin Ther. 2021 Dec 30:S0149-2918(21)00463-X. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.11.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Polmacoxib, a new coxib dually inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 and carbonic anhydrase I/II, was recently approved for osteoarthritis treatment in South Korea. This study explored the population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of polmacoxib.

METHODS: Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was performed using pooled pharmacokinetic data from a Phase I study in healthy individuals and pharmacokinetic properties and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) data from a Phase IIb study in patients with osteoarthritis. Pharmacodynamic models for WOMAC were sequentially fit using individual pharmacokinetic parameter estimates.

FINDINGS: Polmacoxib concentrations in whole blood were adequately described by the 2-compartment model, with mixed zero- and first-order absorption kinetics. Iron concentration was the significant covariate associated with clearance of polmacoxib. The relationship between the whole blood concentration of polmacoxib and WOMAC was best described by a 2-effect compartment model that consisted of central and peripheral compartments with the rate constant of 0.408 min-1 for distribution to the central effect compartment. A decrease in WOMAC was linked to the central effect site compartment concentration through an ordinary maximum effect model with an effect site concentration needed to achieve 50% of the maximum effect of 508 ng/mL.

IMPLICATIONS: The current model accurately characterized the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of polmacoxib and could provide a basis for individualized drug therapy. (Clin Ther. 2021;XX:XXX-XXX) © 2021 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.

PMID:34974943 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.11.008

Categories: Literature Watch

Multiomics Analysis Identifies BIRC3 as a Novel Glucocorticoid Response-Associated Gene

Fri, 2021-12-31 06:00

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Dec 28:S0091-6749(21)02734-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) response among patients with asthma is influenced by genetics, but biologically actionable insights based on associations have not been found. Various glucocorticoid response omics datasets are available to interrogate their biological effects.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify functionally relevant ICS response genetic associations by integrating complementary multiomics datasets.

METHODS: Variants with p-values<10-4 from a previous ICS response genome-wide association study were re-ranked based on integrative scores determined from: i) glucocorticoid receptor (GR)- and ii) RNA polymerase II (RNAP II)-binding regions inferred from ChIP-Seq data for three airway cell types, iii) glucocorticoid response element (GRE) motifs, iv) differentially expressed genes in response to glucocorticoid exposure according to 20 transcriptomic datasets, and v) expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) from GTEx. Candidate variants were tested for association with ICS response and asthma in six independent studies.

RESULTS: Four variants had significant (q-value<0.05) multiomics integrative scores. These variants were in a locus consisting of 52 variants in high LD (r2≥0.8) near GR-binding sites by the gene BIRC3. Variants were also BIRC3 eQTLs in lung, and two were within/near putative GRE motifs. BIRC3 had increased RNAP II occupancy and gene expression with glucocorticoid exposure in two ChIP-Seq and 13 transcriptomic datasets. Some BIRC3 variants in the 52-variant locus were associated (p-value<0.05) with ICS response in three independent studies and others with asthma in one study.

CONCLUSION: BIRC3 should be prioritized for further functional studies of ICS response.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Genetic variation near BIRC3 may influence ICS response in people with asthma.

PMID:34971648 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.025

Categories: Literature Watch

Prescription Patterns and Relationship to Pharmacogenomics Testing in the Military Health System

Thu, 2021-12-30 06:00

Mil Med. 2021 Dec 30;187(Supplement_1):9-17. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab481.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Clinical utilization of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing is highly institutionally dependent, and little information is known about provider practices of PGx testing in the Military Health System (MHS). In this study, we aimed to characterize Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) actionable prescription (Rx) patterns and their temporal relationship with PGx testing in the MHS.

METHODS: Using data from the Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool (M2) database, this retrospective cohort study included all patients receiving at least one PGx test and at least one CPIC actionable Rx from January 2015 to August 2020 (845 patients, 1,471 PGx, 7,725 index CPIC actionable Rxs). Rx patterns and temporal relationships with PGx testing were characterized via descriptive statistics. Binomial regression was used to determine which patient and provider characteristics were associated with a patient receiving a PGx test within 30 days of an index Rx.

RESULTS: Patients had a median of 9 index CPIC actionable Rx's (range 1-26). Pain medications were most commonly prescribed (N = 794, 94% patients with at least 1 Rx). However, pain medication had the lowest Rx-PGx match rate (40%) compared to an average of 62% Rx-PGx match rate for all CPIC drugs. Antidepressants were also commonly prescribed (N = 668, 79.1% patients with at least 1 Rx), and antidepressants had the highest Rx-PGx match rate of 86.7%. A minority of providers (20%, N = 249) ordered the majority of PGx tests (86.1%, N = 1,266) and only 8.3% of PGx tests (N = 398) matched to a CPIC actionable drug within 30 days of the test (defined by Rxs ordered within 30 days before or after the PGx test). However, approximately 39.8% of patients (N = 317) had at least one drug match to a PGx test within 30 days. The largest predictor of whether a patient received a PGx test within 30 days of any index Rx was whether or not a specific psychiatry provider ordered the PGx test (odds ratio; OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.13-6.54, P < 0.001). Neither the CPIC level of evidence nor FDA PGx actionable or informative labels had a significant effect on PGx test timing.

CONCLUSIONS: PGx testing was generally limited to high Rx-drug users and was found to be an under-utilized resource. PGx testing did not typically follow CPIC guidelines. Implementing PGx testing protocols, simplifying PGx test-ordering by incorporating at minimum CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 into PGx-testing panels, and unifying providers' PGx knowledgebase in the MHS are feasible and would improve the clinical utilization of PGx tests in the MHS.

PMID:34967405 | DOI:10.1093/milmed/usab481

Categories: Literature Watch

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