Click to play videoPune: Genetic tests that will allow doctors to make treatments specific to patients are now available in India.
These tests are being used in the prescription of drugs for the treatment of cancer and even tuberculosis.
Shahid Memon is suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or cancer in bone marrow. After a chemotherapy course, Shahid will undergo medication as maintenance therapy.
However, if the medication does not suit him, it may have severe side effects like chronic weakness and skin rash. His doctor has now advised him to undergo a genetic test, a test that will establish if Shahid's body can digest the prescribed medicine with more positive and less negative effects.
"Some medicines are digested or metabolised by one given pathway. If the pathway is affected it may have an effect, which could also be a side effect. At times this can be life threatening. We want to prevent this and at the same time make sure the medicine has a positive effect,” says Acton Biotech Dr Vijay Ramanan.
In genetic profiling, a DNA is extracted from the blood sample. The DNA undergoes a mutation test with a sample of the prescribed medicine to establish what effect it will have on the persons body.
"We need to tailor make our treatment according to our needs so that we reduce side effects and optimize the effect and do not use drugs unnecessarily as trials,” says Oncologist, Dr Minish Jain.
There are a few clinics in India that conduct these tests that can cost anywhere between Rs 1,750 to Rs 3000.
In India, genetic testing is being utilised for prescription of cancer drugs. It can also be used for treatment of ailments like TB and psychiatric problems and can go a long way in defining treatment for severely ill patients.
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