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Potential of pharmacogenetics in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases – a danish report overview from 2000 – 2024

The Pharmacogenomics Journal volume 26, Article number: 5 (2026) Cite this article

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Abstract

Given the substantial degree of inter-individual variability in treatment responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), treatment optimization is warranted. We provide an overview of pharmacogenetic variants that can affect the efficacy or toxicity of drugs commonly used for IBD. We used The Danish Register of Medical Product Statistics for information about medical treatment from 2000 – 2024. Of the most used drugs Azathioprine, Mesalazine, and Sulfasalazine have pharmacogenetic recommendation guidelines and/or FDA annotations. Approximately 19,241 Danish individuals treated with azathioprine—around 801 annually—may carry a genetic variant for which pharmacogenetic dosing guidelines exist. Up to 13,934 Danish individuals using infliximab or adalimumab (~580 individuals each year) have a potential risk of developing immunogenicity related to monoclonal antibodies. This study shows the possibilities of pharmacogenetic testing as a supportive clinical decision tool to optimize treatment and minimize risk of e.g., serious adverse effects, remission, and other serious complications.

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Fig. 1: Graphical illustration of most used drugs in Denmark between 2000 - 2024.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, University Hospital Sønderjylland, Aabenraa, Denmark

    Trine Andresen & Vibeke Andersen

  2. Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Translational Pain Neuroscience and Precision Health, Institute of Health, Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

    Trine Andresen

  3. Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

    Trine Andresen, Hela Nazari & Vibeke Andersen

  4. University Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. de las Ciencias s/n, Cáceres, Spain

    José A. G. Agúndez

  5. OPEN, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

    Vibeke Andersen

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  2. José A. G. Agúndez
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TA, HN and VA designed the study, conceived the work, revised the manuscript, approved the final version, and agreed on the aspects of the work. TA performed data analysis. JAGA revised the manuscript and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Trine Andresen.

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TA, JAGA and HN have no competing financial interests in relation to the work described. VA is supported by Sundhedsdonationer (2024-0379).

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Andresen, T., Agúndez, J.A.G., Nazari, H. et al. Potential of pharmacogenetics in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases – a danish report overview from 2000 – 2024. Pharmacogenomics J 26, 5 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41397-026-00400-w

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