The importance of personalized treatment in psychiatric diseases was discussed at the Personalized Treatment Panel titled "From Medicine to Genetics", organized for the second time this year to commemorate the late Prof. Dr. Tuncel Özden, the founder of Üsküdar University Pharmacogenetics Laboratory. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the Pharmacogenetics Laboratory established in 2009 was a first in our country and said, "We established this laboratory for treatment-resistant patients. The cost of leaving a person without treatment is more expensive. That is why we say that the most expensive treatment is ineffective treatment. For this reason, we want to find a cure for people who are looking for treatment in anguish."
Seçkin Özden, wife of the late Prof. Dr. Tuncel Özden, attended the Personalized Treatment Panel titled "From Medicine to Genetics" held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
We want to keep Prof. Dr. Tuncel Özden's memory alive
In his opening speech, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said that they aimed to commemorate the late Prof. Dr. Tuncel Özden, the founder of the Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, and to keep his memory alive, as well as to update the innovations in the field of pharmacogenetics and to follow the innovations.
Established for treatment-resistant patients
Stating that Üsküdar University was the only university participating in the 2015 G20 Meeting and that its R&D focus is brain research, Prof. Dr. Tarhan told the story of the establishment of the Pharmacogenetics Laboratory. Prof. Dr. Nevzat said the following: "In 2013, Obama launched the Brain Initiative Project. There he said: 'We invested one dollar in genetic sciences and earned 147 dollars. Now we will invest in brain research in the same way and expect the same results.' In 2015, he turned this into a 10-year plan. Within this framework, neurogenetics and pharmacogenetics came to the fore. There are big important studies on this, in which NASA is involved. We are heading towards a world where the neuralnetwork, genetic algorithms and behavioral sciences merge. In fact, mind control and artificial intelligence were discussed at Davos this year.
The R&D focus of our university is also within this framework. We established the Pharmacogenetics Laboratory in 2009 for the following reasons: We have patients who are resistant to treatment. While researching what innovations are available in the world, we came across new studies with scientific references, drug genetics studies, pharmacogenetic studies. At that time, there were none in Turkey and we decided to establish this laboratory. While doing research, we found Professor Tuncel in Ankara, he was working on drug blood levels in the laboratory. Then Ms. Selma and Uğur came together. I learned that drug blood levels are now being checked in psychiatry at Ankara Medicine, I was very happy. It is very good that it is not only done in our country but also elsewhere and that it is accepted."
The most expensive treatment is ineffective treatment
Noting that the allocation of resources to studies in this field is considered unnecessary and criticized in some circles, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "There is a saying in medicine that the most expensive treatment is ineffective treatment. Some people ask why you are investing so much. I remind them of this saying. The cost of leaving a person untreated is more expensive. That is why we want to find a cure for people who are in agony seeking treatment. This is what is difficult, and we aspire to the difficult. It is an important method in the treatment of resistant psychiatric diseases. Therefore, it is important for us that this method becomes more widespread and accepted."
The use of DNA passport should be widespread
Prof. Dr. Rohn Van Schaik, President of the European Pharmacogenetics Association and Head of the Department of Pharmacogenetics at Erasmus University, pointed out the importance of pharmacogenetic studies and personalized treatment methods in his presentation titled "Clinical Use of Pharmacogenetic Tests Today and in the Future". Using the definition of "DNA passport", Prof. Dr. Schaik stated that scientists are investigating the reactions of DNA to drugs and said:
"The important thing is to predict something before it happens. The issue of personalized medicines is very important. Do you think there will come a time like this? The person will go to the pharmacy and show his DNA passport and in return he will receive the medicine he needs to take according to the dose he needs to take. In this way, it will be possible to find out which patients may have side effects to medicines. The number of deaths due to side effects is significant and it is possible to reduce this. We cannot assume that everyone has the same metabolic structure.
These differences also exist between human races and are related to their ethnic background. If you know the genotype of the patient, you are closer to making a very accurate decision. We have a lot of knowledge about this. In psychiatry, there are people who stop their medication because of side effects. It is useful in many fields such as psychiatry, cardiology, oncology. DNA passport should be introduced and its use should be expanded in Turkey. If we are going to treat patients, we should offer them the safest medicines."
He explained pharmacogenetic studies in the treatment of depression
Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Kemal Arıkan made a presentation titled "Pharmacogenetic Clinical Advantages" in the panel, which he also moderated. Pointing out the importance of pharmacogenetic studies in patients receiving depression treatment, Arıkan said, "Üsküdar University has a data-based project. It will be realized very soon. Then we will have the possibility of reaching more satisfactory information in such studies."
Prof. Dr. Uğur Atik: 45 thousand analyzes were conducted in 3 years
Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Uğur Atik, in his presentation titled "Pharmacogenetics Laboratory Drug Levels Monitoring (TDM) Experiences", summarized the process from the establishment of the Pharmacogenetics Laboratory to the present day and the work of Prof. Dr. Tuncel Özden in this process. Stating that 45,204 drugs were analyzed in the laboratory between 2015-2018, Prof. Dr. Uğur Atik said, "The data of our laboratory, which has been working in coordination with NPISTANBUL Hospital for about 10 years, helps rational drug use practices specific to the genetic structure of the individual, contributes to the health economy, and is instrumental in making significant progress in the transition from disease-centered treatment to individualized treatment."
Üsküdar University Molecular Biology and Genetics Department Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan explained the studies carried out in this field at the university in his presentation titled "Current Pharmacogenetic Applications; The Case of Üsküdar University". Stating that they have been conducting 5-HTT (Serotonin Reuptake Protein) analyses in their laboratories since 2015, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan said, "We conducted 24 analyses in 2015, and this number increased to 30 in 2016. In 2017, it reached 49. If the average so far continues like this, it may reach 70."
TDM allows drug dose adjustment
Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Vocational School of Health Services Faculty Member, NPISTANBUL Hospital psychiatry specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz gave clinical examples in her presentation titled "Therapeutic drug blood level measurement". Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eryılmaz stated that therapeutic drug blood level monitoring is the most valid way to optimize pharmacotherapy and that TDM allows the clinician to adjust the drug dose according to the patient's personal characteristics.
