The Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) www.airforcemedicine.af.mil has partnered with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research www.usaf.coriell.org located in Camden New Jersey to prepare the medical community for the integration of genomic medicine. The study now entering Phase II is expanding the program to include all Active Duty members and their spouses as well as Air Force retirees and their spouses.
The Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC) Clinical Utility Study is part of the Air Force Personalized Medicine Program. CPMC is studying whether giving people personal genetic information about potentially actionable medical conditions or drug response can improve their health or change their behavior.
Since 2010, when the study began, more than 2,000 AFMS personnel have volunteered to become part of the Air Force Clinical Utility Study (CUS) cohort of the CPMC. The collaborative also includes a number of academic institutions including Stanford University, Boston University, the University of Pennsylvania, and other research partners.
Study participants submit a saliva sample for DNA analysis, activate a secure online account, and then complete a questionnaire based on personal, family, medical, and social history. Once the genomic testing is completed, individuals are notified via email that results are available.
Medical encounter data is combined with genomic information and stripped of identifying demographics. The de-identified dataset is used to look for associations between genes, environment, and disease risk as well as the impact of genetic information on medication use and dosage.
According to Maj. (Dr) Ruth Brenner, Chief of AFMS Personalized Medicine for the Air Force Medical Support Agency, “Coriell engages two teams of researchers who review medical literature and determine which health conditions and what medication information is clinically actionable and can be reported to participants, the Cohort Oversight Board, and to the Pharmacogenomics Advisory Group.”
Currently approved conditions include but are not limited to type 2 diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease, and melanoma. Results can be accessed through a secure online CUS website and the results are presented with both genomic risks and other factors such as diet, lifestyle, and family history.
Participants have the opportunity to speak with Coriell’s genetic counselors at no cost to discuss their study results. A variety of educational materials are provided for participants on the web portal.
The reports are only shared with the participants in the study. About 1,300 participants in the study have activated their accounts and have received more than 28,000 personalized risk reports combined.