Opportunities and challenges for the implementation of pharmacogenomics in supportive care for gastrointestinal cancer patients in Zimbabwe

作者：Tinashe Mazhindu, Ntokozo Ndlovu, Margaret Borok, Kevin Grimes, Collen Masimirembwa · 发表于：Pharmacogenomics · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1080/14622416.2025.2600695 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Pharmacogenetics and Drug Metabolism、Colorectal Cancer Treatments and Studies、Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms

Introduction Supportive care in oncology aims to prevent and manage cancer-related side effects. This study reviews supportive medications for gastrointestinal cancer patients, analyzes usage patterns, biomarker frequencies, and feasibility of dose adjustments.Methodology A 10-year retrospective study was performed at Parirenyatwa group of Hospitals, Radiotherapy & Oncology Center evaluating the supportive care medicines prescribed for all gastrointestinal cancer patients.Results A total of 607 patients were analyzed, 42% receiving cancer-specific treatment and 58% best supportive care. Patients who receive cancer-specific treatment, 200 participants (78%) received at least one supportive care medicine compared to 250 (71%) in the best supportive care group (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.96–2; p = 0.08).Seventeen different supportive care medications were prescribed, seven (41%) of these have pharmacogenomic biomarkers testing recommendation. More patients in the cancer-treated group received medicines with actionable pharmacogenomic biomarkers than in the best supportive care group (56% versus 40%; OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.38–2.66; p = 0.0001). PGX guidelines were fully implemented for tramadol, codeine, omeprazole, and ondansetron; partially for ibuprofen and celecoxib; and unimplementable for amitriptyline.Conclusion There is an opportunity to improve supportive care in gastrointestinal cancer patients through pharmacogenomics though some specific medicines challenges to full implementations a...