Rationale and design for a pragmatic randomized trial to assess gene-based prescribing for SSRIs in the treatment of depression

Clin Transl Sci. 2024 Jun;17(6):e13822. doi: 10.1111/cts.13822.

Abstract

Specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) metabolism is strongly influenced by two pharmacogenes, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. However, the effectiveness of prospectively using pharmacogenetic variants to select or dose SSRIs for depression is uncertain in routine clinical practice. The objective of this prospective, multicenter, pragmatic randomized controlled trial is to determine the effectiveness of genotype-guided selection and dosing of antidepressants on control of depression in participants who are 8 years or older with ≥3 months of depressive symptoms who require new or revised therapy. Those randomized to the intervention arm undergo pharmacogenetic testing at baseline and receive a pharmacy consult and/or automated clinical decision support intervention based on an actionable phenotype, while those randomized to the control arm have pharmacogenetic testing at the end of 6-months. In both groups, depression and drug tolerability outcomes are assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months (primary), and 6 months. The primary end point is defined by change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression score assessed at 3 months versus baseline. Secondary end points include change inpatient health questionnaire (PHQ-8) measure of depression severity, remission rates defined by PROMIS score < 16, medication adherence, and medication side effects. The primary analysis will compare the PROMIS score difference between trial arms among those with an actionable CYP2D6 or CYP2C19 genetic result or a CYP2D6 drug-drug interaction. The trial has completed accrual of 1461 participants, of which 562 were found to have an actionable phenotype to date, and follow-up will be complete in April of 2024.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Pragmatic Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19* / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6* / genetics
  • Depression* / diagnosis
  • Depression* / drug therapy
  • Depression* / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pharmacogenomic Testing*
  • Pharmacogenomic Variants
  • Pragmatic Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Prospective Studies
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors* / administration & dosage
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • CYP2C19 protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors