Most Current Smokers Desire Genetic Susceptibility Testing and Genetically-Efficacious Medication

Abstract

The clinical translation of genetic research on nicotine dependence and treatment response requires acceptance of genetic testing by smokers. This study determines (1) which current smokers are receptive to genetic susceptibility testing for nicotine dependence and (2) to what potential extent smokers motivated to quit desire to take smoking cessation medication when hypothetical genetic results predict their pharmacogenetic medication response. Current smokers from a genetic nicotine dependence study (n = 1306) and an ongoing smoking cessation trial (n = 209) were surveyed on their hypothetical interest in seeing genetic testing results related to risk of nicotine dependence. Most current smokers (84.8%) reported high interest in receiving genetic testing results. Factors associated with high interest included age ≥40 years, having a college degree, and a positive medical history (≥1 medical condition). In the ongoing smoking cessation trial, current smokers motivated to quit (n = 474) were surveyed on their desire to take smoking cessation medication given hypothetical below or above average pharmacogenetic responses to the medication. When the hypothetical medication response changed from below to above average, significantly more smokers reported a desire to take medication (from 61.0% to 97.5%, p < .0001). These preliminary findings suggest that genetic testing for personalized smoking cessation treatment is well-received by smokers and that a positive hypothetical pharmacogenetic response increases desire to take smoking cessation medication among current smokers motivated to quit.

Genetic feedback for psychiatric conditions: Where are we now and where are we going

“…Data suggest that many people have an interest in genetic testing for psychiatric conditions (Chiu et al, 2018;DeLisi & Bertisch, 2006;Gamm, Nussbaum, & Biesecker, 2004;Laegsgaard, Kristensen, & Mors, 2009;Meiser et al, 2008;Scott et al, 2014;Tercyak, Peshkin, Wine, & Walker, 2006;Wilde, Meiser, Mitchell, & Schofield, 2010), with most studies reporting that over 80% of the sample is interested (Chiu et al, 2018;DeLisi & Bertisch, 2006;Laegsgaard et al, 2009;Meiser et al, 2008;Scott et al, 2014). This high level of interest is consistent with interest in genetic testing for other health outcomes, including breast cancer (Lerman, Seay, Balshem, & Audrain, 1995), prostate cancer (Bratt et al, 2000), and weight gain (Meisel, Walker, & Wardle, 2012).…”

“…Interest in genetic testing for psychiatric conditions does not appear to vary across individuals' racial/ethnic background (Chiu et al, 2018;Scott et al, 2014;Tercyak et al, 2006). Two studies found that individuals of minority racial/ethnic backgrounds were less interested in psychiatric genetic testing; however, these racial/ethnic differences were not statistically significant after accounting for other confounding demographic variables (Chiu et al, 2018;Tercyak et al, 2006).…”

“…Interest in genetic testing for psychiatric conditions does not appear to vary across individuals' racial/ethnic background (Chiu et al, 2018;Scott et al, 2014;Tercyak et al, 2006). Two studies found that individuals of minority racial/ethnic backgrounds were less interested in psychiatric genetic testing; however, these racial/ethnic differences were not statistically significant after accounting for other confounding demographic variables (Chiu et al, 2018;Tercyak et al, 2006). Although there has been severe underrepresentation of minority populations in genetic research due to a myriad of reasons such as discrimination, stigma, and mistrust of scientific research (Dick, Barr, Guy, Nasim, & Scott, 2017), it is promising to see that these differences may not be reflected in individuals' interest in psychiatric genetic testing.…”

“…There is mixed evidence for associations between other demographic factors, including age, gender, educational attainment, and income, and interest in genetic testing for different psychiatric conditions (Chiu et al, 2018;Laegsgaard et al, 2009;Meiser et al, 2008;Scott et al, 2014). Interest in genetic testing for nicotine dependence was associated with many factors; older age, having a college degree, and being a woman were associated with higher interest, while lower income was associated with lower interest (Chiu et al, 2018). Similar predictors were found in an adolescent sample in which older age, higher household income, and better school performance were also associated with increased interest in genetic testing for nicotine dependence (Tercyak et al, 2006).…”

Attitudes toward Precision Treatment of Smoking in the Southern Community Cohort Study

“…7,8) were more likely to undergo lung cancer screening, use nicotine replacement therapy, and quit smoking. Further enthusiasm for these specific precision approaches is bolstered by evidence of their acceptability among smokers (10)(11)(12)(13).…”