Join the new PGRN society!

After 20 years of NIH funding, the Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN) is transitioning to an independent, nonprofit scientific society, and all interested individuals are invited to sign up to become a member of the new PGRN!  The independent scientific society will continue many of the functions of the current PGRN, and we encourage you to join today to stay involved.  Benefits of joining the new PGRN include:

•         Reduced registration fees for PGRN meetings and workshops, including member receptions and poster sessions at annual meetings with large scientific societies such as ASHG and ASCPT

•         Participation in member calls/webinars and Research in Progress Seminars

•         Membership on PGRN program committees for meetings and workshops

•         Network with colleagues and establish collaborations

•         Leadership opportunities for members (e.g., serve on PGRN committees, board, and as leaders)

•         Awards for trainees and mentorship opportunities

•         Access to PGRN web pages highlighting pharmacogenomics tools and resources, events and other useful information for PGx research, education and clinical practice

Special membership rates are available for trainees, multi-year memberships, early sign ups and those from developing countries. In addition, take advantage of the opportunity to be listed on the PGRN website as a founding member if you choose that option during signup. Sign up today at https://pgrn.regfox.com/pgrn-membership-dues.

Therapeutic Resource for COVID-19

PharmGKB has assembled a COVID-19 webpage containing therapeutic drugs from clinical trials and adjuvant therapies linking to PharmGKB annotations of gene and variant associations with these drugs.  While no trials currently discuss pharmacogenomics directly, some drugs have known associated genes and pathways.  Due to the potential QT-prolonging action of some of the drugs on this list, such as hydroxychloroquine, and the risk of concomitant treatment with other QT-prolonging agents, we have included a list of drugs associated with QT prolongation.  Additionally, we provide a list of antidepressants with Clinical Pharmacogenetic Implementation Consortium (CPIC) prescribing guidelines in light of the likelihood of depression and/or anxiety associated with the impact of COVID-19.

Following a drug link on the PharmGKB COVID-19 webpage takes the user to PharmGKB annotations about that drug, including FDA-approved drug labels, variant and clinical annotations based on peer-reviewed literature and pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic pathways.  This resource is under development.  The COVID-19 space is changing rapidly and new clinical trials continue to be added for investigational drugs, some of which are being repurposed and some of which are experimental with very limited information.  We will update the PharmGKB webpage as we get new information. 

National COVID-19 daily health survey launched by Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine researchers have released a daily survey to help predict surges of COVID-19 cases in the United States.

The Stanford Medicine National Daily Health Survey initially takes two minutes to complete, with subsequent daily surveys taking only seconds. It is hoped that data from the survey, in combination with local testing results, will be able to warn healthcare providers of sudden increases in COVID-19 cases in the community before those cases reach the hospital.

Speaking to Stanford Medicine, Lawrence “Rusty” Hofmann, MD, professor and chief of interventional radiology, who is leading the survey, emphasized the need for a many people as possible to participate in the survey. “To work, this survey needs people. My hope is that people see taking this survey as their civic duty and as a way to be involved in fighting COVID-19.”

“It’s crucial to continue to take the survey every day, especially during this time of uncertainty and while we shelter in place,” Hofmann told Stanford Medicine. “But even after this initial phase is over, there will be pockets of COVID-19 cases that crop up, which is why it’s important to make a habit of it and stay consistent.”

We encourage all PharmGKB users based in the US to get involved at https://med.stanford.edu/covid19/covid-counter.html and spread the word to colleagues, friends and family.