SWEDEGENE—a Swedish nation-wide DNA sample collection for pharmacogenomic studies of serious adverse drug reactions

SWEDEGENE is a Swedish nation-wide sample collection established to facilitate studies of clinical and genetic risk factors for adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Most cases are recruited among patients reported to the ADR registry at the Swedish Medical Products Agency by health-care professionals. Clinical data are collected both from medical and laboratory records and through interviews using standardized questionnaires. Genome-wide scans and whole-genome sequencing are done, and association studies are conducted using mainly controls from the Swedish TwinGene biobank with data on diagnoses and prescribed drugs. SWEDEGENE was established in 2008 and currently contains DNA and information from about 2550 adults who have experienced specific ADRs, and from 580 drug exposed controls. Results from genome-wide association studies have now been published, and data from whole-genome sequencing are being analyzed. SWEDEGENE has the potential to offer a new means of developing individualized and safe drug therapy through patient pre-treatment screening.