Updates in Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Conference

March 2-3 | Virtual & Orlando, FL

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy has partnered with GenomeWeb’s Precision Medicine Leaders’ Summit to produce this event, which will be in-person and live streamed.

Updates in Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics will highlight the evolving role of molecular profiling in guiding pharmacotherapy decision-making – from new developments in pharmacogenomics to the use of companion diagnostics, polygenic risk scores, and other biomarker strategies.

Visit the Updates in Precision Medicine conference website for more information and to register.

PGx ECHO Program

Posted on by Alexis

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy invites all actively practicing clinicians to join their Pharmacogenomics (PGx) ECHO project. PGx ECHO aims to improve health professionals’ confidence in using PGx in patient care by providing case-based education and consultation through telementoring. Every month, clinicians from across the nation seek PGx advice regarding real clinical cases. PGx ECHO is modeled on the all-teach-all-learn principle and encourages interactive and engaging discussion between attendees and facilitators.

The University of Minnesota works with colleagues at Children’s MN, Ferris State University, M Health Fairview, Manchester University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and Sanford Health to coordinate and facilitate the monthly sessions. PGx ECHO meets the third Friday of every month over the lunch hour. For past ECHO cases and topics, and a schedule of upcoming cases, please visit the PGx ECHO website.

If you are interested in joining, please use this link to register.

PGx ECHO is for practicing clinicians with direct patient care responsibilities. Student learners are welcome to join.

If you would like to present a case or have any questions, please contact pgxecho@umn.edu.

PGx ECHO

Friday, January 20 | 1-2 pm ET (12-1 pm CT) | Virtual

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy invites all actively practicing clinicians to join their Pharmacogenomics (PGx) ECHO project. PGx ECHO aims to improve health professionals’ confidence in using PGx in patient care by providing case-based education and consultation through telementoring. Every month, clinicians from across the nation seek PGx advice regarding real clinical cases. PGx ECHO is modeled on the all-teach-all-learn principle and encourages interactive and engaging discussion between attendees and facilitators.

The University of Minnesota works with colleagues at Children’s MN, Ferris State University, M Health Fairview, Manchester University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and Sanford Health to coordinate and facilitate the monthly sessions. PGx ECHO meets the third Friday of every month over the lunch hour. For past ECHO cases and topics, and a schedule of upcoming cases, please visit the PGx ECHO website.

If you are interested in joining, please use this link to register.

PGx ECHO is for practicing clinicians with direct patient care responsibilities. Student learners are welcome to join.

If you would like to present a case or have any questions, please contact pgxecho@umn.edu.

PGx ECHO

Friday, December 16 | 1-2 pm ET (12-1 pm CT) | Virtual

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy invites all actively practicing clinicians to join their Pharmacogenomics (PGx) ECHO project. PGx ECHO aims to improve health professionals’ confidence in using PGx in patient care by providing case-based education and consultation through telementoring. Every month, clinicians from across the nation seek PGx advice regarding real clinical cases. PGx ECHO is modeled on the all-teach-all-learn principle and encourages interactive and engaging discussion between attendees and facilitators.

The University of Minnesota works with colleagues at Children’s MN, Ferris State University, M Health Fairview, Manchester University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and Sanford Health to coordinate and facilitate the monthly sessions. PGx ECHO meets the third Friday of every month over the lunch hour. For past ECHO cases and topics, and a schedule of upcoming cases, please visit the PGx ECHO website.

If you are interested in joining, please use this link to register.

PGx ECHO is for practicing clinicians with direct patient care responsibilities. Student learners are welcome to join.

If you would like to present a case or have any questions, please contact pgxecho@umn.edu.

Development and Validation of the Minnesota Assessment of Pharmacogenomic Literacy (MAPL)

Posted on by Alexis

Josiah D Allen, Lusi Zhang, Alyssa N K Johnson, Pamala A Jacobson, Catherine A McCarty, Amy L Pittenger, Jeffrey R Bishop

Abstract
Ensuring that patients have an adequate understanding of pharmacogenomic (PGx) test results is a critical component of implementing precision medicine into clinical care. However, no PGx-specific validated literacy assessment has yet been developed. To address this need, we developed and validated the Minnesota Assessment of Pharmacogenomic Literacy (MAPLTM). Foundational work included a scoping review of patient and general public attitudes and experiences with pharmacogenomic testing, three focus groups, readability assessments, and review by experts and members of the general public. This resulted in a 15-item assessment designed to assess knowledge in four domains: underlying concepts, limitations, benefits, and privacy. For validation, 646 participants completed the MAPL as a part of a larger survey about pharmacogenomic research and statewide PGx implementation. Two items were deemed to be “too easy” and dropped. The remaining 13 items were retained in the final MAPL with good internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75). Confirmatory factor analysis validated the four-domain construct of MAPL and suggested good model performance and high internal validity. The estimated coefficient loadings across 13 questions on the corresponding domains are all positive and statistically significant (p < 0.05). The MAPL covers multiple knowledge domains of specific relevance to PGx and is a useful tool for clinical and research settings where quantitative assessment of PGx literacy is of value.

Keywords: genetic counseling; genomic literacy; literacy assessment; pharmacogenomics; psychometric validation.

Pharmacogenomics in treatment of depression and psychosis: an update

Posted on by Alexis

Marin Jukic, Filip Milosavljević, Espen Molden, Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg

Abstract

Genetic factors can, to a certain extent, successfully predict the therapeutic effects, metabolism, and adverse reactions of drugs. This research field, pharmacogenomics, is well developed in oncology and is currently expanding in psychiatry. Here, we summarize the latest development in pharmacogenomic psychiatry, where results of several recent large studies indicate a true benefit and cost-effectiveness of pre-emptive genotyping for more successful psychotherapy. However, it is apparent that we still lack knowledge of many additional heritable genetic factors of importance for explanation of the interindividual differences in response to psychiatric drugs. Thus, more effort to further develop pharmacogenomic psychiatry should be invested to achieve a broader clinical implementation.

Keywords: ADME genes; drug metabolism; personalized medicine; pharmacogenomics; psychiatric genetics

Implementing comprehensive pharmacogenomics in a community hospital–associated primary care setting

Posted on by Alexis

Jennifer A. Wick, Tara Schmidlen, Kendra Grande, Chad Moretz, Kristine Ashcraft, Julia Green, Nicolas Moyer, Burns C. Blaxall

Background
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is an emerging field. Many drug-gene interactions are known but not yet routinely addressed in clinical practice. Therefore, there is a significant gap in care, necessitating development of implementation strategies.

Objective
The objective of the study was to assess the impact of implementing a PGx practice model which incorporates comprehensive pharmacogenomic risk evaluation, testing and medication optimization administered by 7 PGx-certified ambulatory care pharmacists embedded across 30 primary care clinic sites.

A Mixed-Methods Protocol to Identify Best Practices for Implementing Pharmacogenetic Testing in Clinical Settings

Posted on by Alexis

Nina R. Sperber, Deborah Cragun, Megan C. Roberts, Lisa M. Bendz, Parker Ince, Sarah Gonzales,
Susanne B. Haga, R. Ryanne Wu, Natasha J. Petry, Laura Ramsey, and Ryley Uber

Abstract

Using a patient’s genetic information to inform medication prescriptions can be clinically effective; however, the practice has not been widely implemented. Health systems need guidance on how to engage with providers to improve pharmacogenetic test utilization. Approaches from the field of implementation science may shed light on the complex factors affecting pharmacogenetic test use in real-world settings and areas to target to improve utilization. This paper presents an approach to studying the application of precision medicine that utilizes mixed qualitative and quantitative methods and implementation science frameworks to understand which factors or combinations consistently account for high versus low utilization of pharmocogenetic testing. This approach involves two phases: (1) collection of qualitative and quantitative data from providers-the cases-at four clinical institutions about their experiences with, and utilization of, pharmacogenetic testing to identify salient factors; and (2) analysis using a Configurational Comparative Method (CCM), using a mathematical algorithm to identify the minimally necessary and sufficient factors that distinguish providers who have higher utilization from those with low utilization. Advantages of this approach are that it can be used for small to moderate sample sizes, and it accounts for conditions found in real-world settings by demonstrating how they coincide to affect utilization.

Keywords: coincidence analysis; configurational comparative methods; health services research; implementation science; mixed methods; pharmacogenomics

ASHG Annual Meeting

October 25-29 | Los Angeles, CA

ASHG 2022 will take place October 25-29 in Los Angeles. The meeting provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of cutting-edge science in all areas of human genetics. ASHG members and leading scientists from around the world are selected to present their research findings at invited, plenary, platform, and poster sessions. This year’s meeting will be an unmatched opportunity to reunite and reconnect with your colleagues in a warm, diverse, and welcoming city. The official meeting language is English.

Registration is required and fees vary. Visit the ASHG website for more details about the conference.