Using a machine-learning flag to prompt pharmacogenetic testing in children.
Timely Ordering of Pharmacogenetic Testing in Pediatric Oncology
This project tests whether a computer model can help doctors offer genetic drug testing to hospitalized children (6 months–18 years) who are likely to be prescribed certain medications within the next three months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 275 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Months to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Hospital for Sick Children Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT06902688 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
A machine-learning model runs each morning after admission to predict whether a patient will receive one of several pre-selected 'targeted' medications within the next three months. When the model flags a patient as high-risk, the research or pharmacogenomics team notifies the clinical team and offers pharmacogenetic testing to the patient and family. Testing and any genotype-guided medication changes follow an associated pharmacogenetic protocol and focus on systemically administered drugs. The trial enrolls non-ICU pediatric inpatients who have not previously had pharmacogenetic testing or received a targeted medication.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Hospitalized patients aged 6 months to 18 years at The Hospital for Sick Children who are not in the ICU, have not previously had pharmacogenetic testing or received a targeted medication, and are expected to remain hospitalized past the day of admission.
Not a fit: Patients already tested genetically, patients who have already received a targeted medication, current ICU patients, or those discharged the same day are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase the number of children with genetic test results available before starting certain drugs so clinicians can choose safer drugs or doses.
How similar studies have performed: Pharmacogenetic-guided prescribing has shown benefits in some settings, but using a machine-learning model to proactively identify pediatric inpatients for testing is relatively new and unproven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Inpatient at The Hospital for Sick Children * Between 6 months to 18 years old Exclusion Criteria: * Prior pharmacogenetic testing and/or prior receipt of a targeted medication * Current Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission * Expected hospital discharge is prior to midnight on the day of admission
Where this trial is running
Toronto, Ontario
- The Hospital for Sick Children — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lillian Sung, MD, PhD — The Hospital for Sick Children
- Study coordinator: Lillian Sung, MD, PhD
- Email: lillian.sung@sickkids.ca
- Phone: 4168135287
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.