Errors and reproducibility of DNA array-based detection of allelic variants in ADME genes: PHARMAchip™

Aims: Differences in adverse drug reactions can be explained by genetic variations, especially if they determine the expression of certain protein effectors and/or drug-metabolizing enzymes. Over the last decade, several tests screening for the most frequent polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes have been marketed for research and diagnostic purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of PHARMAchip™ for the genotyping of polymorphisms of genes associated with drug metabolism and response as an alternative to Jurilab Ltds DrugMEt® Test. Materials & methods: In this observational study, performed using 100 previously genotyped DNA samples, we report on common genes included in the two different tests examined: the former DrugMEt test and the recently introduced PHARMAchip test. Results & conclusion: Although these tests are based on different methodological approaches, we have found a high concordance of results between both methods. Some of the discrepancies between tests were related to allelic variants not monitored in a particular microarray and the quality of the genomic DNA used. © 2010 Future Medicine Ltd.