Study data show that one-third of the IDgenetix-guided medication recommendations were due to drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors, demonstrating the value of this additional information in guiding selection of neuropsychiatric medications for older adults in cohort of patients 65 and older, with majority being on five or more medications at the time of testing

Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care, today announced new data highlighting the value of its IDgenetix pharmacogenomic (PGx) test in guiding medication recommendations for patients with mental health conditions who are 65 and older. The data will be shared via a poster presentation at the 2024 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) Annual Meeting, taking place March 15-18 in Atlanta.

“Pharmacogenomics has been increasingly used to identify genetic variations associated with drug response; however, its potential in older adults who are more likely to be on multiple medications and experience adverse drug events has not been fully explored,” said Robert Cook, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development at Castle Biosciences. “This study found that, despite all patients carrying potentially clinically significant genetic variants, one-third of medication recommendations were due to drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors provided on the IDgenetix report. This is especially important as real-world evidence shows that polypharmacy, taking five or more prescription medications, occurs in more than half of elderly patients.1”

Poster title: pharmacogenomic characteristics and IDgenetix-Guided medication management for older adults with depression and anxiety

Presenting Author: Raymond A. Lorenz, Pharm.D., BCPP, Castle Biosciences, Inc.

Date and Time: Saturday, March 16, from 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Grand Ballroom, Hanover Hall and Embassy Hall Exhibition Level at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta

IDgenetix is an advanced 3-in-1 PGx test that incorporates genetic information, drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors to produce a report that can help clinicians select optimal medications for their patients with depression, anxiety and other neuropsychiatric illnesses. The study analyzed gender, age and diagnosis, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia, from a sample of IDgenetix reports for patients 65 and older (n=737). The most common psychiatric diagnoses for which IDgenetix was ordered included depression and anxiety. Additionally, 58% of the patients in the study were on five or more medications, with an average of seven, at the time of testing.

All patients in the study had genetic polymorphisms that could impact medication selection in at least three of the 15 genes on the IDgenetix report. While drug-gene interactions accounted for 66% of all medication recommendations, drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors accounted for 34% (27% and 7%, respectively), demonstrating the value of the IDgenetix 3-in-1 test in providing tailored guidance to help clinicians select the optimal medications for their patients.