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news.A saliva-based cardiovascular disease test to identify gene variants implicated in potentially lethal reaction to popular anti-clotting drug
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Quest Diagnostics has revealed that it is performing DNA testing for gene variants that can increase the risk of major coronary events in certain patients taking the anti-clotting drug, Plavix, for Scripps Health patients electing to undergo coronary stent procedures.
The company said that the test is designed to help improve outcomes for stent recipients by enabling Scripps Health cardiologists to personalize therapy based on diagnostic insights into a patient’s genetic makeup.
Scripps Health is said to be the first health system in the US to deploy this genetic testing service for coronary stent patients as part of patient treatment. Scripps physicians will initially offer the genetic tests to elective stent patients before they undergo their procedures at Scripps Green Hospital in San Diego.
The company said that it is the first saliva-based test for cardiovascular disease developed by Quest Diagnostics. The company expects to offer the saliva and blood-based versions of the test nationally to its other clients this month.
According to the company, patients who test positive for the mutated alleles may receive alternative treatments based on a variety of factors. These treatments may include increased monitoring, an increased dosage of clopidogrel or the use of alternative therapies, including treatment with Effient.
Eric Topol, chief academic officer of Scripps Health, said: “Our collaboration with Quest Diagnostics represents a landmark program in individualized medicine, based on considerable new data and new choices for one of the most commonly prescribed medications and medical procedures in the world. This program demonstrates Scripps Health’s commitment to being at the forefront of individualized cardiovascular medicine.”
Jon Cohen, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Quest Diagnostics, said: “Our collaboration with Scripps Health reflects our commitment to developing diagnostics based on quality research and superlative medical expertise. We look forward to continuing to work with Scripps to design forward-thinking diagnostics and medical practices that, like CYP testing, can have a significant favorable impact on patient outcomes.”