Pharmacogenomic Tests in Development

DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (Sarasota, FL, USA), has two such tests now under development.

The first test is a genomic-based diagnostic tool to match ovarian cancer patients with the most suitable form and dose of chemotherapy. Currently, cancer patients are treated with anticancer drugs whose efficacy is known in terms of population averages. However, individual cancer patients exhibit unpredictable and unique responses to almost all commonly used chemotherapeutic compounds. Individual genetic differences are suspected to play a role in this variable drug response. Decisions about treatment regimes can be fateful for cancer patients, and second chances at treatment may not be successful.

A better understanding of the relationship between genes and drug response can replace the current trial-and-error process of chemotherapy. To improve this understanding, DNAPrint has identified several single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers whose haploid alleles are predictive for nonresponse to the Taxol and carboplatin drug combination used for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Based on these markers, a new test called Ovanome will be studied in clinical trials for monitoring and reporting on the use of Taxol and carboplatin, led by Hector J. Gomez, M.D., chief medical officer of DNAPrint. It is not yet known whether such tests require approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Another test being developed by DNAPrint is Statinome, designed for the cardiac drug market. The test will classify patients as adverse responders or good responders to a class of drugs known as statins, used to treat patients with heart disease. Once perfected, DNAPrint believes Statinome will be able to dramatically improve the benefits associated with taking statins by obviating the risks associated with adverse response.




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