Applying Next-Generation Sequencing Platforms for Pharmacogenomic Testing in Clinical Practice

Alireza Tafazoli; Henk-Jan Guchelaar; Wojciech Miltyk; Adam J Kretowski; Jesse J Swen

doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.693453

Applying Next-Generation Sequencing Platforms for Pharmacogenomic Testing in Clinical Practice

Front Pharmacol. 2021 Aug 25:12:693453. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.693453. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Alireza Tafazoli^{1

2}, Henk-Jan Guchelaar^{3

4}, Wojciech Miltyk¹, Adam J Kretowski^{2

5}, Jesse J Swen^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Analysis and Bioanalysis of Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
² Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
³ Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
⁴ Leiden Network of Personalized Therapeutics, Leiden, Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) studies the use of genetic data to optimize drug therapy. Numerous clinical centers have commenced implementing pharmacogenetic tests in clinical routines. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are emerging as a more comprehensive and time- and cost-effective approach in PGx. This review presents the main considerations for applying NGS in guiding drug treatment in clinical practice. It discusses both the advantages and the challenges of implementing NGS-based tests in PGx. Moreover, the limitations of each NGS platform are revealed, and the solutions for setting up and management of these technologies in clinical practice are addressed.

Keywords: PGx testing; clinical implementation; clinical practice; next generation sequencing; pharmacogenomics.

Publication types

Review