APA workgroup update maintains skepticism on pharmacogenomic tools for depression – Am J Psychiatry

A recent review by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Council of Research Workgroup on Biomarkers and Novel Treatments revisits the use of pharmacogenomic (PGx) tools for selecting depression treatments. The review assesses new clinical trials and meta-analyses conducted from 2017 to 2022. Of the studies analyzed, few demonstrated significant efficacy in treatment response using PGx tools, with many suffering from methodological flaws such as lack of full blinding and insufficient control measures. Despite some trials showing promise, the overall evidence remains insufficient to support the widespread clinical application of PGx tools in managing major depressive disorder. The Workgroup reaffirms the 2018 conclusions and aligns with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s stance, recommending that future research should focus on more rigorous study designs and explore other potential benefits of pharmacogenomics, such as predicting rare adverse drug reactions.

Reference (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Baum ML, et al. (2024). Pharmacogenomic Clinical Support Tools for the Treatment of Depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, Published Online: 30 Apr 2024. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230657