Proove Biosciences Launches Genetic Profile to Predict Response to Epidural with Fentanyl
(PRWEB) February 24, 2016 -- Proove Biosciences Inc., launched a first-of-a-kind genetic profile to predict a patient’s response to fentanyl when administered through the epidural cavity. Fentanyl, which is a potent opioid, is nearly 100 times more powerful than morphine. As a strong narcotic analgesic, fentanyl presents serious risks for patients with variations in specific genes. Depending upon genetic variability, certain patients are at increased risk of experiencing complications or adverse reactions to Fentanyl. With the Proove Epidural with Fentanyl™ profile, however, doctors are able to assess risk and dosage requirements prior to administering the drug.
The profile examines 15 genetic markers to identify how patients are likely to respond to an epidural with fentanyl. By learning how patients might respond prior to treatment, doctors are better equipped to deliver customized care. “We’re excited to introduce an innovative profile that empowers doctors to make more informed decisions earlier in the process,” said Brian Meshkin, CEO at Proove Biosciences. “By identifying a patient’s genetic predisposition to fentanyl, we are able to replace uncertainty with the knowledge of what works best for each patient.”
Epidurals are often administered to patients in significant pain, including women in labor. In a study published by the International Association for the Study of Pain, researchers discovered that a variant in the OPRM1 gene—a gene that is evaluated in the Proove profile—indicates how women are likely to respond to epidurals with fentanyl. The findings suggest that women with a particular variant may be more responsive to opioids and require less analgesic drugs.
In study published by Anesthesia & Analgesia, the official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society, a team of collaborators confirmed that variations in the COMT gene, which also evaluated in the new profile, affected fentanyl consumption for post-operative pain relief. The new profile is important because it evaluates variations in multiple genes to predict a patient’s response to fentanyl along with susceptibility to adverse reactions. By understanding a patient’s genetic make-up prior to treatment, doctors are able to use an objective tool for improving patient safety and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
About Proove Biosciences
Our mission is to change the future of medicine. Proove represents the proof to improve healthcare decisions. We seek a future when clinicians look back and wonder how they could have ever prescribed medications without knowing how a patient would respond. Physicians use Proove Biosciences testing to improve outcomes—both safety and efficacy of medical treatment. From a simple cheek swab collected in the office, Proove performs proprietary genetic tests in its CLIA-certified laboratory to identify patients at risk for misuse of prescription pain medications and evaluate their metabolism of medications. For more information, please visit http://www.proove.com or call toll free 855-PROOVE-BIO (855-776-6832).
Genevieve McCormick, Proove Biosciences, http://www.proove.com, +1 949-556-7239, [email protected]
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