Confirmatory DPYD Testing in MGI Subjects

Overview

Run by DHI member Dr. Dan Hertz, Associate Professor of Pharmacy, this Hertz Lab project began several years ago with data and support from AI & Digital Health Innovation. Using data from Michigan Genomics Initiative, the Hertz lab demonstrated that patients carrying DPYD variants higher risk of severe toxicity from fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. Dr. Hertz then set-up a notification in MiChart, so when individuals who carried DPYD variants were diagnosed with cancer and scheduled to receive fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy, Hertz lab could enroll the patient on a research study to undergo confirmatory DPYD testing and receive safer fluoropyrimidine doses.

Dr. Hertz continues to work with Michigan Genomics Initiative, using genotype data from this specific population in a variety of ways. One project is measuring systemic fluoropyrimidine concentrations in DPYD variant carriers receiving reduced fluoropyrimidine doses, to improve the precision of personalized dosing recommendations. He has also partnered with genetic testing companies to use samples from DPYD carriers to validate the accuracy of their DPYD test panels, which is an important step toward FDA recommending DPYD testing as standard of care. This work could lead to widespread adoption of DPYD testing and more precise fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy dosing to ensure patients receive safe and effective cancer treatment. 

Principal Investigator(s):

Dan Hertz, PHARMD, PhD