A review of pharmacogenetic studies in the Bangladeshi population

Abstract

Pharmacogenetics (PGx)-guided prescribing is an evidence-based precision medicine strategy. Although the past two decades have reported significant advancements in both the quality and quantity of PGx research studies, they are seldom done in developing countries like Bangladesh. This review identified and summarized PGx studies conducted in the Bangladeshi population by searching PubMed and Google Scholar. Additionally, a quality evaluation of the identified studies was also carried out. Eleven PGx studies were identified that looked at the effects of genetic variants on blood thinners (CYP2C9, VKORC1, and ITGB3), cancer drugs (TPMT, MTHFR, DPYD, ERCC1, GSTP1, XPC, XRCC1, TP53, XPD, and ABCC4), statins (COQ2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5), and prednisolone (ABCB1, CYP3A5, and NR3C1) in the Bangladeshi population. Most studies were of low to moderate quality. Although the identified studies demonstrated the potential for PGx testing, the limited PGx literature in the Bangladeshi population poses a significant challenge in the widespread implementation of PGx testing in Bangladesh.

Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward pharmacogenomics among pharmacists and pharmacy students: A systematic review

“…To partly counteract interindividual variation in drug response, the “precision medicine” concept has been developed that strives to achieve individualization of treatment plans and optimize patient outcomes. It has been estimated that up to 95% of variation in drug efficacy and tolerability can be attributed to genetic differences between individuals, and between 80% and 99.5% of the population carry an actionable genetic variant that could affect drug selection and/or dosing of at least one drug 5,7–9 . Over the past two decades, pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing has emerged as one of the essential tools for precision medicine that can aid in determining how a person processes and reacts to drugs based on their genetic makeup.…”