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Review
. 2020 Mar;17(2):155-170.
doi: 10.2217/pme-2019-0110. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

A review of clinical pharmacogenetics Studies in African populations

Fouzia Radouani  1 , Lyndon Zass  2 , Yosr Hamdi  3 , Jorge da Rocha  4 , Reem Sallam  5 , Sonia Abdelhak  3 , Samah Ahmed  6   7 , Maryame Azzouzi  1 , Ichrak Benamri  1   8 , Alia Benkahla  9 , Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar  10 , Melek Chaouch  9 , Haifa Jmel  3 , Rym Kefi  3 , Ayoub Ksouri  9   10 , Judit Kumuthini  11 , Phumlani Masilela  2 , Collen Masimirembwa  4   12 , Houcemeddine Othman  4 , Sumir Panji  2 , Lilia Romdhane  3   13 , Chaimae Samtal  14   15   16 , Rania Sibira  6   17 , Kais Ghedira  9 , Faisal Fadlelmola  6 , Samar Kamal Kassim  5 , Nicola Mulder  2
Affiliations
Review

A review of clinical pharmacogenetics Studies in African populations

Fouzia Radouani et al. Per Med. 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Effective interventions and treatments for complex diseases have been implemented globally, however, coverage in Africa has been comparatively lower due to lack of capacity, clinical applicability and knowledge on the genetic contribution to disease and treatment. Currently, there is a scarcity of genetic data on African populations, which have enormous genetic diversity. Pharmacogenomics studies have the potential to revolutionise treatment of diseases, therefore, African populations are likely to benefit from these approaches to identify likely responders, reduce adverse side effects and optimise drug dosing. This review discusses clinical pharmacogenetics studies conducted in African populations, focusing on studies that examined drug response in complex diseases relevant to healthcare. Several pharmacogenetics associations have emerged from African studies, as have gaps in knowledge.

Keywords: Africa; communicable diseases; genetic variation; noncommunicable diseases; pharmacogenetics; pharmacogenomics; precision medicine.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of pharmacogenetics studies found to be conducted within various African regions.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of pharmacogenetics studies found to be conducted within various disease fields.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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