Adapting drugs to DNA results in a 30% reduction in side-effects

Medicine & Science An international research group, including scientists from MedUni Vienna and led by Leiden University Medical Center, has found that patients have 30% fewer serious side-effects when the drug dose is adapted to their DNA. The study, published in "The Lancet", is the first to demonstrate the practical application of prescribing drugs based on a person's genetic information. The "one-size-fits-all" approach in prescribing is now outdated. Due to differences in our genetic information, we may all respond differently to a particular drug. For example, some people process drugs more quickly than others and therefore require a higher dose to achieve the desired effect. Personalised treatments are therefore preferable. To facilitate this, Matthias Samwald's research group at the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at MedUni Vienna has developed a "DNA drug passport".