PHOENIX trial reaches recruitment target of more than 3,000 participants
A pioneering study exploring how genetics can help personalise medicines has completed recruitment after enrolling more than 3,000 patient participants.
The PHOENIX trial, co-sponsored by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and the University of Glasgow, is examining whether pharmacogenomic testing can help clinicians prescribe safer and more effective medicines by taking account of an individual’s genetic make-up.
The study is one of the largest of its kind undertaken in the UK and is expected to provide important evidence on how personalised prescribing could be integrated into routine NHS care.
Recruitment closed at the end of September, with a total of 3,021 patients choosing to participate during an 18-month period.
They will be followed up until the end of this year, and researchers expect the main trial results to be available in the new year.
The trial is being delivered through a partnership involving the University of Glasgow’s Living Laboratory, the NHSGGC-hosted West of Scotland Innovation Hub, and industry partners MyDNA and Agena Bioscience.
Participants have been recruited from a wide range of specialties including stroke, cardiology, orthopaedics, surgery, mental health and outpatient services in NHSGGC and NHS Golden Jubilee.
Chief Investigator Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Consultant at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Pontecorvo Chair of Pharmacogenomics at the University of Glasgow, said: “Reaching 3,021 randomised participants is a tremendous achievement and reflects the commitment of patients, clinicians, research nurses and support teams across multiple services and sites.
“PHOENIX has shown that it is possible to deliver large-scale pharmacogenomic research within routine NHS care.
“We now look forward to completing participant follow-up and analysing the data to establish whether using genetic information to guide prescribing can improve outcomes for patients and help shape the future of personalised medicine.”
Co-investigator Dr Stefanie Lip, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Pharmacogenomics at the University of Glasgow said: “Many medicines work differently from person to person because of differences in the genes involved in processing and responding to drugs.
This milestone marks the culmination of an enormous team effort.
“Recruiting and following more than 3,000 participants across a wide range of clinical specialties has only been possible because of the commitment and enthusiasm shown by colleagues throughout NHSGGC and our partner organisations.
“The scale of recruitment achieved by PHOENIX will provide an important evidence base for understanding how pharmacogenomic testing can be used in everyday healthcare.”
PHOENIX participants provided a simple cheek swab, which was used to analyse multiple genes known to influence responses to medicines.
Researchers are investigating whether this approach can reduce adverse drug reactions and treatment failures while supporting more tailored treatment decisions.
The study uses linked NHS prescribing, hospital and mortality data to assess outcomes.
Alongside clinical outcomes, the trial is evaluating the practical and economic considerations of implementing pharmacogenomic testing within the NHS.