Abacavir hypersensitivity: a model system for pharmacogenetic test adoption.

A pharmacogenetic marker for abacavir hypersensitivity is rapidly being incorporated into routine medical practice following demonstration of strong clinical utility in pivotal clinical studies. As one of the few pharmacogenetic markers that have crossed from research tools to clinical adoption and utilization, the abacavir hypersensitivity pharmacogenetic marker provides a great model for demonstration of factors that are critical to successful pharmacogenetic test adoption. Several examples of novel diagnostic test implementation are reviewed with focus on factors that are critical to translation into clinical practice. Other pharmacogenetic markers that have not yet been integrated into routine clinical care are discussed and reasons for their lack of acceptance are suggested.