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GSK Launches Abacavir Genetic Testing Program: doctor survey, education and complimentary tests
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GlaxoSmithKline has announced offering to HIV clinicians across the United States an invitation to participate in the TEACH Study, which includes complimentary HLA-B*5701 genetic testing for patients regarding abacavir hypersensitivity. Here is the GSK announcement.
As you may know, important new data presented at the 4th International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney demonstrated an association between abacavir hypersensitivity and the HLA-B*5701 allele. Researchers reported that those patients with the HLA-B*5701 allele were at greater risk of developing an abacavir hypersensitivity reaction and that pre-therapy screening and exclusion of subjects who are positive for HLA-B* 5701 lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reactions.
Pharmacogenetic tests are available that can identify the absence or presence of this allele in patients. Based on this scientific advance, GSK is conducting a study called TEACH (The Evaluation of Attitudes and practice patterns of HIV clinicians when Considering the use of HLA-B*5701 in clinical practice) that will document the experiences of US-based HIV clinicians using this pharmacogenetic test.
US-based HIV clinicians will receive an electronic notification inviting them to participate in the TEACH study. Any US-based clinician may register at the study website, www.hlab5701survey.com. These clinicians will be asked to complete a short pre-educational survey and an educational module. The pre-educational survey is designed to assess current attitudes and practice patterns regarding the use of the HLA-B*5701 pharmacogenetic test. The educational module is approximately 15 minutes long, and briefly reviews abacavir hypersensitivity, pharmacogenetics (HLA-B*5701) and clinical trial data from PREDICT-1 and SHAPE. Upon completion of the survey and educational module, clinicians are eligible to receive ten (10) complimentary HLA-B*5701 sample collection kits through either LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics to be used at their discretion.
After gaining experience with the HLA-B*5701test, participating clinicians will be asked to complete a follow-up survey. Results from the test will remain confidential between provider and patient and GSK will not have access to any patient identifiable information.
Results from this study will provide information about how clinicians are using the HLA-B*5701 test in the routine management of their HIV patients and will provide valuable information about the prevalence of the HLA-B*5701 allele throughout the United States in a diverse patient population.
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