title: Pharmacogenetic research activity in Central America and the Caribbean: a systematic review.
abstract: The present review was aimed at analyzing the pharmacogenetic scientific activity in Central America and the Caribbean.
  
  
  
  A literature search for pharmacogenetic studies in each country of the region was conducted on three databases using a list of the most relevant pharmacogenetic biomarkers including 'phenotyping probe drugs' for major drug metabolizing enzymes. The review included 132 papers involving 47 biomarkers and 35,079 subjects (11,129 healthy volunteers and 23,950 patients).
  
  
  
  The country with the most intensive pharmacogenetic research was Costa Rica. The most studied medical therapeutic area was oncology, and the most investigated biomarkers were CYP2D6 and HLA-A/B. Conclusion: Research activity on pharmacogenetics in Central American and the Caribbean populations is limited or absent. Therefore, strategies to promote effective collaborations, and foster interregional initiatives and research efforts among countries from the region could help for the rational clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.
authors.affiliation: CICAB Clinical Research Centre, Extremadura University Hospital & Medical School, Badajoz, Spain.|RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|Teaching & Research Department, Genetics Section, School of Biology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Céspedes-Garro
authors.affiliation: CICAB Clinical Research Centre, Extremadura University Hospital & Medical School, Badajoz, Spain.|RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.
authors.forename: María-Eugenia G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Naranjo
authors.affiliation: RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodrigues-Soares
authors.affiliation: CICAB Clinical Research Centre, Extremadura University Hospital & Medical School, Badajoz, Spain.|RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.
authors.forename: Adrián
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: LLerena
authors.affiliation: RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duconge
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Unit Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
authors.forename: Lazara K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Montané-Jaime
authors.affiliation: RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|Teaching & Research Department, National Center of Medical Genetics, Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Hilda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roblejo
authors.affiliation: CICAB Clinical Research Centre, Extremadura University Hospital & Medical School, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fariñas
authors.affiliation: Secretaría Ejecutiva del Consejo de Ministros de Salud de Centroamérica y República Dominicana, Ciudad Merliot, El Salvador.
authors.forename: María de Los A
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|Facultad de Medicina, UNAN Universidad Autónoma Nacional de Nicaragua, León, Nicaragua.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.affiliation: RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|CIIMET Centro de Investigación e Información de Medicamentos y Tóxicos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.affiliation: RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.|Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Dirección de Investigación, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Carmen I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Villagrán
authors.affiliation: CICAB Clinical Research Centre, Extremadura University Hospital & Medical School, Badajoz, Spain.|RIBEF Ibero-American Network of Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics.
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Peñas-LLedó
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D017691:Caribbean Region; D002489:Central America; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 / Q000235:genetics; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010597:Pharmacogenetics
chemical_list: D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6
keywords: Caribbean region; Central America; biomarkers; pharmacogenetics; pharmacogenomics