What You Should Know:
– Helix, a leader in population genomics and precision health, presented groundbreaking research at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2024 Annual Meeting.
– The highlight was a novel AI-powered model that predicts the 12-month weight loss response of semaglutide, a popular medication for obesity and type 2 diabetes, in diverse populations.
Predicting Weight Loss with Precision
Helix researchers developed an integrated polygenic risk score that incorporates co-morbid factors like type 2 diabetes and hypertension to predict individual responses to semaglutide treatment. Their findings showed that among those using a 2.4mg dose of semaglutide, individuals in the top quintile of this new score were twice as likely to achieve 10% weight loss compared to those in the bottom quintile.
Improving Obesity Treatment with AI
This precision effectiveness model has the potential to revolutionize how obesity is treated. By identifying individuals most likely to respond to semaglutide, healthcare providers can:
- Personalize treatment plans: Offer tailored recommendations based on individual genetic and clinical factors.
- Improve shared decision-making: Facilitate informed discussions between patients and providers about the most effective treatment options.
- Predict weight loss outcomes: Provide estimates of expected weight loss and likelihood of response.
- Optimize dosage: Guide dosage adjustments to balance weight loss goals with potential side effects.
Helix Research Network: Powering Precision Medicine
This research was made possible by the Helix Research Network (HRN), a vast and rapidly growing precision clinical research network. The HRN comprises leading health systems across North America, providing a rich dataset for innovative studies in various therapeutic areas.
Additional Research Highlights from ASHG 2024
Helix also presented research on:
- Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing: Highlighting the importance of considering a patient’s genotype before prescribing medications, particularly for drugs like clopidogrel, where genetic variations can significantly impact efficacy and safety.
- Cardiovascular risk prediction: Developing a new method for predicting lipoprotein(a) levels, a key predictor of cardiovascular disease, with improved accuracy in diverse populations.
Advancing Precision Health
These studies showcase the power of the Helix Research Network and its potential to advance precision health. By leveraging large-scale genomic and clinical data, Helix is developing innovative tools and insights to improve patient care and accelerate drug discovery and development.
“The Helix Research Network marks a significant leap forward in precision health, allowing us to extract meaningful insights from a comprehensive clinicogenomics dataset from across North America,” said William Lee, Ph.D., chief science officer at Helix. “Through our collaboration with our partners, we are generating insights that will shape the future of medicine – guiding more effective, personalized treatments across a range of diseases. We’re thrilled to support this breakthrough research that can bring transformative changes for patients worldwide and help redefine healthcare.”