Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The International Serious Adverse Event Consortium (SAEC) this week released its first data, offering health care professionals more insight into the genetic basis for two serious adverse drug events – Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and its most severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), according to Health News Digest.

SJS and TEN are serious reactions to medication that present with a rash on the skin that blisters over causing the skin to keep off in sheets. Mucus membranes such as those on the eyes and in the mouth also can blister, leading to life-threatening complications. If signs and symptoms are not quickly recognized and the medication causing the problem not identified and stopped, the reactions can be fatal.

SAEC is a nonprofit organization made up of major pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions focused on research relating to the genetics of drug-induced serious adverse events. Organized 16 months ago, the group’s mission is to develop genetic tests that can identify which patients are more likely to suffer severe adverse reactions to medication. Much of the group’s focus is on SJS/TEN.

The group’s findings were derived by pooling serious skin rash cases and control samples from GlaxoSmithKline plc London, U.K. From that data, researchers identified numerous genetic associations that may increase one’s chances of having a serious skin reaction to medication.

“This consortium has taken a significant step forward by promoting open sharing of drug safety data. This type of cooperation has the potential to lead to more personalized approaches to medicine that can reduce a patient’s risk for experiencing an adverse drug event,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The group’s initial research results will be published later this year.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.