Health Diagnostic Laboratory announces new capability to run CYP2C19 genetic test

Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL, Inc.), www.myhdl.com, a leader in disease state management, today announced its new capability to run the CYP2C19 genetic test.  HDL, Inc., headquartered in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, has added CYP2C19 to its comprehensive panel of tests to help physicians better personalize treatment based on an expanded, total patient profile.  

"Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) enzyme is involved in the liver's metabolism of several important drugs," said G. Russell Warnick, Chief Scientific Officer at HDL, Inc. and editor of the Handbook of Lipoprotein Testing.   "Most notable of those drugs is Plavix® (clopidogrel) an anti-blood clotting medication.  Clinicians considering Plavix® as a possible preventative therapy for patients should first have their CYP2C19 test results."

The FDA released a safety announcement on March 12, 2010 stating that anywhere from 2-14% of the population are poor metabolizers of Plavix® based on CYP2C19 function.  These patients do not effectively convert Plavix® to its active form because of low CYP2C19 activity reducing the effectiveness of the drug as a preventative therapy for heart attacks, unstable angina, stroke, and cardiovascular death.  

"There is great significance in adding Cytochrome genetic test, as it demonstrates yet another way that advanced testing at HDL, Inc. can help provide better preventative therapy and evidence-based treatments."