Prevention is better than cure — and this holds especially true for HIV. As this disease continues to affect millions of lives, advances in genetics are rapidly accelerating our ability to understand drug efficacy, predict side effects, and identify complications.
The Numbers
First discovered in the 1960s and coming to light in the early 1980s, HIV was first reported in India in 1986. According to WHO 2016 statistics, there are 36.7 million people living with HIV globally (1.8 million newly infected), with 2.1 million in India.
The ART of Medication
Antiretroviral treatments (ART) have been available since the late 1990s. The Indian government has offered free treatment since 2004. Key drug classes include:
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NNRTIs (e.g., Efavirenz) — Block reverse transcriptase function and virus growth
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NRTIs (e.g., Abacavir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir) — Synthetic nucleosides that compete with the virus to prevent further growth
Roadblocks to Success
Of the HIV-affected population, 53% globally receive treatment. In India, 50% of affected adults and 33% of affected children receive treatment. Major limiting factors include stigma, accessibility to testing, and complexity of lifelong treatment. Lower immunity can lead to secondary infections such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Genetics to the Rescue
Pharmacogenomics testing makes it easier to assess drug efficacy and predict side effects. Governing bodies recommend genetic testing for drugs such as abacavir. With this information, doctors can suggest alternate treatments for poor responders and recommend optimum dosages. Genetic tests also help quickly identify secondary infections such as tuberculosis using technologies like RT-PCR, with higher sensitivity and specificity than regular tests.
How MapmyGenome Can Help
Laboratories across the globe use MapmyGenome’s SpoligoTB kit to quickly screen for TB. Pharmacogenomic tests such as MedicaMap provide information on efficacy and adverse effects of several drugs including abacavir and efavirenz.
Understand Your Drug Response Genetically
MapmyGenome’s pharmacogenomics testing helps doctors and patients understand how your unique genetic profile affects drug efficacy and side effects — enabling more personalised, safer treatment decisions.
