What were we trying to do?
Overall, the DEVOTE programme aims to make pharmacogenetic testing more accessible to patients to improve clinical outcomes. 

 

In this part of the programme, we were supporting an evaluation of a new genetic test that lets healthcare professionals know if patients who have suffered a stroke have a mutation on their CYP2C19 gene. This mutation can reduce the effectiveness of a drug called clopidogrel, which is the standard treatment for stroke victims in hospitals. 

 

Why was this important?
Around 29% of the general population and up to 60% of people in certain ethnic groups have a mutation in their CYP2C19 gene, meaning the effectiveness of clopidogrel is reduced. Clopidogrel is used to prevent platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots, so if the effects of clopidogrel are reduced, the chance of suffering another stroke doubles.

 

Using the new genetic test can produce results in around an hour, compared to several days for a traditional lab-based genetic test. So, using this test should mean that better – and faster – treatment decisions can be made.

 

How did we do it?
An early cost-effectiveness analysis showed that using the genetic test could potentially offer a saving of £512 per stroke patient, when compared to no testing. 

 

The NIHR ARC-GM research team supported the implementation science elements of one phase of the evaluation, which involved piloting the test in Greater Manchester’s Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at Salford Royal Hospital. 

 

During this stage, the set-up costs, workforce requirements, and other requirements were studied to understand the best way to roll out this test more widely across England. 

 

 

Findings

Findings from the DEVOTE programme will be available in due course. 

 

Who did we work with?
This work was led by Prof Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and Professor of Translational Medicine at The University of Manchester. 

 

The work involved:

• Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
• The University of Manchester
• Genedrive
• Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Health Innovation Manchester

 

 

Funding information
This research was part of the DEVOTE programme, an Innovate UK-funded project as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Innovation Accelerator Programme, coordinated by Health Innovation Manchester, led by The University of Manchester and supported by MFT.

 

More information

 

 

Programme Manager
Gill Rizzello
Gill.rizzello@manchester.ac.uk