Genetic Testing Introduced for Guiding Opioid Therapy

A lab-developed genetic test was developed to aid the delivery of personalized opioid pain-relieving treatment.

A clinical lab offers testing for variants in all four cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genes known to influence the CYP450 enzyme system. These gene variants affect metabolism of opioids and other medications. With this information, physicians can decide to adjust doses or administer other therapies in order to improve the prospect for effective pain relief and reduce the likelihood of drug toxicity, drug interactions, and other adverse outcomes.

Quest Diagnostics (Madison, NJ, USA) developed, validated, and now offers the test service through its Nichols Institute facility in San Juan Capistrano, (CA, USA). The test is based in part on gene variants owned by Transgenomic, Inc. (Omaha, ME, USA) through a nonexclusive licensing agreement between the two companies.

Charles (Buck) Strom, MD, PhD, senior medical director, genetics, Quest Diagnostics commented, “Opioids can be very effective pain-alleviating medications, but they are also powerful and potentially dangerous drugs carrying a high risk of addiction, toxicity, and other adverse effects. The inclusion of Transgenomic’s gene discoveries into our genetic testing services will provide physicians with greater insights for safely and effectively administering opioid treatment.”

Related Links:
Quest Diagnostics
Transgenomic, Inc.