Proove Biosciences Inc., a company that specializes in research for tailored pain medicine, has presented results from three studies on the link between genetics and pain at this year’s American Academy of Pain Management’s (AAPM) 32nd Annual Meeting, Feb. 18-21, in Palm Springs.

Proove Biosciences has now presented clinical data for the fourth year in a row at the AAPM conference.  The three presentations focused on the identification of genetic variants of different types of pain patients, confirming the link between specific genes and fibromyalgia, and assessing the clinical utility of genetic testing.

“We’re excited that our internal research continues to build upon new discoveries in genetic testing and personalized care,” Proove Biosciences CEO Brian Meshkin said in a press release. “We are committed to reducing the reliance on trial-and-error prescribing. With continued research, we are confident that physicians will have enough information to create customized treatment plans for every patient.”

All presentations reported back from the following studies:

1. Research including 1,512 patients found that genetic variants connected to pain pathways and drug metabolism may be different among patients suffering from nociceptive pain and patients suffering from neuropathic pain. The study’s main goal was to understand genetic differences between these two patient populations to potentially improve doctors’ knowledge on tailoring treatment plans as a consequence of a better understanding of the pain source;

2. A second study evaluated 128 genes in 108 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM). This study lead to the identification of eight genes that are linked to an augmented risk of developing the disease;

3. A third study assessed 13 clinics across the U.S. to evaluate the clinical utility of genetic testing in 600 patients. Among physicians who requested genetic testing for their patients, 80 percent said patient care benefited from it; 38 percent said the testing led to a change in the type of drug administered or dosing levels; and 36.5 percent reduced the amount of medications indicated in the adaptation period, to find the best medicine for that patient.