Pharmacogenetic Research Activity in Central America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim: The present review was aimed at analyzing the pharmacogenetic scientific activity in Central America and the Caribbean. Materials & methods: A literature search for pharmacogenetic studies in each country of the region was conducted on three databases using a list of the most relevant pharmacogenetic biomarkers including ‘phenotyping probe drugs’ for major drug metabolizing enzymes. The review included 132 papers involving 47 biomarkers and 35,079 subjects (11,129 healthy volunteers and 23,950 patients). Results: The country with the most intensive pharmacogenetic research was Costa Rica. The most studied medical therapeutic area was oncology, and the most investigated biomarkers were CYP2D6 and HLA-A/B. Conclusion: Research activity on pharmacogenetics in Central American and the Caribbean populations is limited or absent. Therefore, strategies to promote effective collaborations, and foster interregional initiatives and research efforts among countries from the region could help for the rational clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.

Keywords::

• biomarkers
• Caribbean region
• Central America
• pharmacogenetics
• pharmacogenomics

Acknowledgements

The contribution of P Jacques from Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population, Haiti is gratefully acknowledged.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by the University of Costa Rica (PhD fellowship to C Céspedes-Garro in Spain), Gobierno de Extremadura, Agencia Extremeña de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo AEXCID 13IA001 (MESTIFAR; to Sociedad Iberoamericana de Farmacogenética y Farmacogenómica). This project has been coordinated in the network Red Iberoamericana de Farmacogenética y Farmacogenómica (www.ribef.com) and MESTIFAR Project. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the University of Costa Rica (PhD fellowship to C Céspedes-Garro in Spain), Gobierno de Extremadura, Agencia Extremeña de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo AEXCID 13IA001 (MESTIFAR; to Sociedad Iberoamericana de Farmacogenética y Farmacogenómica). This project has been coordinated in the network Red Iberoamericana de Farmacogenética y Farmacogenómica (www.ribef.com) and MESTIFAR Project. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.