Abu Dhabi advances precision medicine for Alzheimer’s disease patients
- 5 hours ago
Abu Dhabi has taken a groundbreaking step in personalised healthcare by integrating APOE genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease into its pharmacogenomics (PGx) reports.
This innovative approach ensures that healthcare providers personalise Alzheimer’s treatments for the individual based on their genetic makeup for safer and more effective care.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological condition characterised by memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioural changes. According to the World Health Organisation, Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Globally, there are over 10 million new cases of dementia each year, equating to one new case every 3.2 seconds.
The inclusion of the APOE E4 genotyping in the pharmacogenomics reports is a result of collaboration between the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate and M42’s Biogenix Lab. It represents a significant milestone in precision medicine.
When treated with anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, as one of the therapeutic options, Alzheimer’s patients with two copies of APOE E4 may experience severe side effects, such as brain swelling or bleeding, therefore, by identifying these genetic risks, clinicians can tailor Alzheimer’s treatment plans for the individual, ensuring the best outcomes while minimising adverse reactions that can be detrimental.
Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, said, “The inclusion of APOE E4 genotyping in PGx report reflects our commitment to providing the best-in-class care for our communities through genetic profiling and precision therapies. This reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in healthcare innovation, driven by genomics-based healthcare solutions. Our goal is to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date and actionable genetic insights. These insights can be integrated into treatment plans, especially for therapies involving anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, to ensure safer and more effective care.”
The PGx reports enable healthcare providers to customise therapeutic treatments according to how the body metabolises medications and the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body. By incorporating pharmacogenomics insights, covering 22 pharmacogenes and 183 medications, healthcare professionals can optimise drug selection, reduce the risk of adverse reactions, and anticipate potential interactions for improved therapeutic outcomes.
The pharmacogenomics reports initiative is part of the Emirati Genome Programme (EGP), which is building a comprehensive genetic database to support tailored treatments for EGP participants. PGx reports are securely available to all physicians in Abu Dhabi through Malaffi, DoH’s health information exchange.
As a transformative milestone 160,000 PGx reports are now available to EGP participants, a scale that surpasses many population genomics application programmes globally. This achievement will set a new standard for population genomics.
Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Health Solutions, M42, stated, “The integration of pharmacogenomics into clinical care marks a transformative step towards precision medicine in Abu Dhabi. By embedding these insights directly into patient records, we are equipping healthcare providers with actionable data to enhance treatment safety and efficacy.
"This initiative, led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, is made possible through M42’s advanced health technology infrastructure, ensuring that every patient receives care that is tailored to their unique genetic makeup. This milestone reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovation in medicine and to putting patients at the centre of healthcare transformation.”
Currently, the reports are available for patients with specific conditions, including cancer, mental health disorders, respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases, neurological diseases, pain management and now Alzheimer’s.
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi and M42’s Biogenix Lab are committed to regularly updating pharmacogenomics tools to reflect the latest scientific developments, ensuring continuous improvements in patient care.
WAM