Author: Deanna L Kroetz, PhD on November 18, 2019 
After decades of discovery and translational research into genetic determinants of loss of efficacy and increased toxicity, the pharmacogenetics (PGx) field has set its eyes on implementation of important findings. Groups such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) have published guidelines for drug dosing with consideration of genetic variation. A tutorial in Clinical and Translational Science provides detailed steps for implementation at your institution. Surprisingly, there has been little discussion about whether and how to return genotyping results for pharmacogenes back to patients.
A recently published original research article in Clinical and Translational Science by Truong and colleagues describes initial efforts to develop a portal for patients to view their genotyping information and to access drug-specific educational information regarding the implications of the genetic data. Pilot testing of a mock patient portal (YourPGx) demonstrated that participants improved their knowledge of PGx with only a 15-minute interaction with the site. A traffic light system provided a quick and easy way for participants to understand the impact of their genetics on therapeutic outcome and/or adverse events for specific drugs. A compelling finding was that after visiting the portal, almost all participants indicated that they would share their PGx results with their healthcare providers, and a majority would share with their pharmacists. Patients increasingly want to be closely involved with their providers to improve health outcomes. The return of PGx data might empower even more patients to advocate for personalized treatment.
This article highlights an emerging area for consideration in the implementation of PGx findings. The Editorial Team of Clinical and Translational Science welcomes original pharmacogenetic contributions spanning the entire spectrum from discovery to implementation.
Image by Truong et al. Clin. Trans. Sci https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cts.12681, is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Clinical and Translational Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
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