Precision medicine: tailoring dosages to women

Project lead

Dr. Simon de Denus

pharmacist and pharmacogenomics researcher

Potential impact

Transform the way treatments are prescribed while reducing the occurrence of adverse effects and improving the quality of life of each individual.

By analyzing data from more than 10,000 patients, Dr. Simon de Denus’s research project aims to better understand why women are more susceptible to experiencing adverse effects from cardiovascular drugs. Its goal is also to explore how dosages can be optimized based on individual factors – sex, weight, genetics, etc. – thereby making medicine more precise and effective for each patient.

Observation

Standard dosages, adverse effects

Even today, less than 30% of participants in clinical studies in cardiology are women.

That means that most heart disease medications were tested and calibrated based on studies where women were underrepresented.

And yet women report adverse side effects more than men do. For example, anticoagulants used to reduce the risk of embolism lead to a higher incidence of bleeding in women. Why? Because a person’s response to medication can vary depending on their genetics, weight, size, metabolism, even kidney function.

Goal

Dosages that take into account the individual

Dr. de Denus’s project examines the concentrations and effects of nearly 50 cardiovascular medications in 10,000 patients of the MHI Biobank (a repository of health-related information and biological samples that is one of the largest hospital cohorts in the world).

The goal is to determine why women are more at risk of adverse side effects and if dosages can be optimized depending on their individual traits.

The project assesses if adjustments based on sex, weight, genetics, or kidney function could improve the tolerance and efficacy of treatments.

“We need to move from a standardized approach to precision medicine if we want every person, especially every woman, to benefit from care adapted to their unique profile.”

[Dr. Simon de Denus, pharmacist and pharmacogenomics researcher]

Impact

An improved quality of life

By taking a closer look at the concentrations of cardiovascular drugs, this precision medicine project could transform the way treatments are prescribed. The goal is to adapt dosages to individual profiles and:

Reduce undesirable side effects and increase the tolerance and the efficacy of treatments
Issue adapted recommendations for the prescription of medication (for physicians and pharmacists)
Improve a patient’s quality of life

50%

Up to 50% of undesirable side effects associated with medication are preventable. This is an opportunity to act.

Explore more projects related to women’s heart health

Developing targeted therapies for arrhythmias in pregnancy

Protecting the heart and brain of menopausal women