Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Therapeutics > Precision therapeutics

Precision therapeutics

An individualized approach to drug selection and monitoring

Precision therapeutics, or the use of pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing in conjunction with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to revolutionize medication selection and monitoring.

A significant percentage of patients possess genetic variants that impact therapeutic response. Establishing patients’ genetic profiles allows physicians to select medications that optimize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing harmful reactions. Incorporating PGx testing into clinical practice in conjunction with TDM, which quantifies drug concentrations in the blood, provides physicians and psychiatrists with personalized insights to identify and avoid adverse drug reactions. This approach not only maximizes therapeutic efficacy, but it also minimizes toxicity, improves medication adherence, and lowers overall cost of care.1

Test menu

Expert-backed, patient-focused testing

Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ testing is developed and validated in partnership with the Molecular Technologies Laboratory, Clinical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Center for Individualized Medicine (CIM), and the Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics at Mayo Clinic. Our testing offers:

Excellence in analytical and clinical quality: Tests include only actionable genes with a high level of clinical evidence. We include more alleles per gene (up to two times as many) as our competitors. Our tests are designed to include clinically significant variants across diverse populations to ensure testing appropriateness for patients around the world.

End-to-end testing: Access to both PGx testing and TDM testing for a comprehensive list of antidepressants in one laboratory.

Interpretive support: We offer consultations with Mayo Clinic physicians, laboratory directors, PGx pharmacists, genetic counselors, and other toxicology experts to help guide test ordering and interpretation. In addition, our reports include medication recommendations categorized by drug class and reference sources of information to ensure easy interpretation.

Unparalleled breadth of vision: We support our PGx clients throughout their PGx journey through access to Mayo Clinic’s PGx certificate program, interpretative support, and clinical decision support.

The right medication for the right patient at the right dose

Indications for precision therapeutics testing may include:

  • Multiple failed therapies
  • Polypharmacy cases
  • Prescription risk for hypersensitivity reactions
  • Family history of medication intolerance
  • Symptoms suggestive of drug metabolism concern
  • Severe diseases
  • Elderly and pediatric patients who have difficulty communicating adverse drug reactions

For optimal outcomes, both PGx and therapeutic drug monitoring must be interpreted in the full context of a patient’s clinical picture, including demographic and clinical characteristics.

“Both pharmacogenomics and therapeutic drug monitoring can help maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicity for antidepressant therapy.”

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., co-director of the Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory

News and updates

The latest

References
  1. Benitez J, Cool C, Scotti D. Use of combinatorial pharmacogenomic guidance in treating psychiatric disorders. Per Med. 2018 Sept. 15(6), 481–494. 10.2217/pme-2018-0074 (futuremedicine.com)
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