• Example 1: Drug Receptors (Binding)
  Some medications require proteins to bind to receptors for them to function effectively. Here, your genes determine what type & how many receptors you have as it may affect how your body responds to the medications. You may need a higher or lower dose or perhaps a different medication than others.
• Case 1: Breast Cancer & T-DM1
  Some breast cancer produces excessive HER2, a type of receptor in which excessive HER2 causes the cancer to develop & spread. T-DM1, a type of medication used for breast cancer treatment, works by binding T-DM1 onto HER2 cancerous cells and eliminating them. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, the doctor may take a sample of your tumor to determine whether T-DM1 is the right medication for you. The doctor may prescribe T-DM1 if your result is HER2 positive (high amount of HER2). If it’s HER2 negative, T-DM1 may not work for you & you may need to seek alternative medications/treatments.

• Example 2: Drug Breakdown (Metabolism)
  Your genes can affect how quickly your body breaks down (metabolize) medication. If your body metabolizes medication more quickly than others, it means your body gets rid of it faster and may need a higher dosage, or a different medication. If it metabolizes more slowly, you may need less of it.
• Case 2: Depression and Amitriptyline.
  The 2 genes, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, are responsible for breaking down Amitriptyline, an anti-depressant drug. If the doctor intends to prescribe Amitriptyline, they will recommend you undergo genetic testing for both CYP2D6 & CYP2C19 as this will help the doctor decide what dosage works for you. If your body metabolizes Amitriptyline too fast, you will need a higher dose for it to work effectively, or perhaps a different medication. If your body metabolizes slowly, you may only need a smaller dose, or a different medication to avoid its side effects.

All pharmacogenomics and nutrigenomics tests are conducted at Beacon Precision Diagnostics, an award-winning and patient-centric medical diagnostic laboratory, with strict compliance of ISO 15189 and CAP standards, based at Beacon Hospital.