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Sex: Female
Education:

  • Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology, University of the Philippines Manila, 2014 - present
  • Doctor of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, 2012
  • Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, University of the Philippines Manila, 2006

Field of Specialization:
Clinical Epidemiology
Internal Medicine
Omic Technologies for Health
Genetics

Researches:

Article title: BAG6 Variant rs805303 is Nominally Associated with ACEi-induced Cough Among Filipinos.
Authors: Paul Ferdinand M. Reganit, Jose B. Nevado, Jr., Eva Maria C. Cutiongco – de la Paz,
Jezreel L. Taquiso, Aimee Yvonne Criselle L. Aman, Elmer Jasper B. Llanes, Jose Donato A. Magno, Deborah Ignacia D. Ona, Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, Lourdes Ella G. Santos, Richard Henry P. Tiongco II1, Jaime M. Aherrera, Lauro L. Abrahan IV, Charlene F. Agustin, Adrian John P. Bejarin, and Rody G. Sy
Publication title: Philippine Journal of Science 149(1): 35-41, 2020

Abstract:
Cough is a common side effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy. The incidence of ACEi-induced cough has been shown to correlate with genetic variation among different populations. This study aimed to determine the association of candidate genetic polymorphisms with ACEi-induced cough among Filipinos. Two hundred twenty (220) participants on ACEi therapy pressure-lowering in an unmatched case-control study (82 cases with ACEi-induced cough and 138 controls). Genomic DNA samples were extracted and genotyped for selected genetic variants. The association of genetic variants and clinical factors with ACEi-induced cough was determined using regression analyses. Univariate logistic regression showed that the BAG6 variant rs805303 is nominally associated with ACEi-induced cough among Filipinos, at a per-comparison error rate (PCER) of 0.05 (OR 2.10, p = 0.016). The association of the variant with ACEi cough was statistically significant after multiple regression analysis (adjusted OR 2.09, p = 0.022) while adjusting for confounding clinical factors (sex, alcohol intake, and diastolic blood pressure). Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/33c7nxdu

Article title: The Klotho Variant rs36217263 Is Associated With Poor Response to Cardioselective Beta-Blocker Therapy Among Filipinos.
Authors: Rody G. Sy, Jose B. Nevado Jr, Elmer Jasper B. Llanes, Jose Donato A. Magno, Deborah Ignacia D. Ona, Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, Paul Ferdinand M. Reganit, Lourdes Ella G. Santos, Richard Henry P. Tiongco II, Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera, Lauro L. Abrahan IV, Charlene F. Agustin, Aimee Yvonne Criselle L. Aman, Adrian John P. Bejarin, Eva Maria C. Cutiongco – de la Paz
Publication title: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 107(1):221-226, 2020

Abstract:
A common drug used for hypertension among Filipinos is beta-blockers. Variable responses to beta-blockers are observed, and genetic predisposition is suggested. This study investigated the association of genetic variants with poor response to beta-blockers among Filipinos. A total of 76 Filipino adult hypertensive participants on beta-blockers were enrolled in an unmatched case-control study. Genotyping was done using DNA from blood samples. Candidate variants were correlated with clinical data using χ2 and logistic regression analysis. The deletion of at least one copy of allele A of rs36217263 near Klotho showed statistically significant association with poor response to beta-blockers (dominant; odds ratio (OR) = 3.89; P = 0.017), adjusted for diabetes and dyslipidemia. This association is observed among participants using cardioselective beta-blockers (crude OR = 5.60; P = 0.008) but not carvedilol (crude OR = 2.56; P = 0.67). The genetic variant rs36217263 is associated with poor response to cardioselective beta-blockers, which may become a potential marker to aid in the management of hypertension.
Full text is available upon request to the author

Article title: Variants Near CETP, MTTP and BUD13-ZPR1-APOA5 may be Nominally Associated with Poor Statin Response Among Filipinos.
Authors: Lourdes Ella G. Santos, MD, Jose B. Nevado, Jr., MD, PhD, Eva Maria C. Cutiongco–de la Paz, MD, Lauro L. Abrahan IV, MD, Aimee Yvonne Criselle L. Aman, RCh, MD, Elmer Jasper B. Llanes, MD, Jose Donato A. Magno, MD, Deborah Ignacia D. Ona, MD, Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, MD, MSc, Paul Ferdinand M. Reganit, MD, MPH, Richard Henry P. Tiongco II, MD, Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera, MD, Charlene F. Agustin, MD, Adrian John P. Bejarin, MD and Rody G. Sy, MD
Publication title: Acta Medica Philippina 56(10):23-31, 2022

Abstract:
Objective. Several studies showed that genetic factors affect responsiveness to statins among different populations. This study investigated the associations of candidate genetic variants with poor response to statins among Filipinos.
Methods. In this unmatched case-control study, dyslipidemic participants were grouped into statin responders and poor responders based on the degree of reduction in LDL-c from baseline. DNA from blood samples were genotyped and analyzed. The association of candidate variants with statin response was determined using chi-square and logistic regression analysis.
Results. We included 162 adults on statins (30 poor responders as cases, 132 good responders as controls). The following variants are nominally associated with poor response to statin among Filipinos at a per-comparison error rate of 0.05: rs173539 near CETP (OR=3.05, p=0.015), rs1800591 in MTTP (OR=3.07, p=0.021), and rs1558861 near the BUD13-ZPR1-APOA5 region (OR=5.08, p=0.004).
Conclusion. Genetic variants near CETP, MTTP and the BUD13-ZPR1-APOA5 region are associated with poor response to statins among Filipinos. Further study is recommended to test the external validity of the study in the general Filipino population
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/mpt79t6x

Article title: A Genetic Polymorphism in GCKR may be Associated with Low High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Phenotype among Filipinos: A Case-Control Study.
Authors: Rody G. Sy, MD, Jose B. Nevado, Jr., MD, Eddieson M. Gonzales, MD, Adrian John P. Bejarin, MD, Aimee Yvonne Criselle L. Aman, MD, Elmer Jasper B. Llanes, MD, Jose Donato A. Magno, MD, Deborah Ignacia D. Ona, MD, Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, MD, Paul Ferdinand M. Reganit, MD, Lourdes Ella G. Santos, MD, Richard Henry P. Tiongco II, MD, Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera, MD, Lauro L. Abrahan IV, MD, Charlene F. Agustin, MD and Eva Maria C. Cutiongco–de la Paz, MD
Publication title: Acta Medica Philippina 56(10):49-56, 2022

Abstract:
Background. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) is a well-recognized risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Associated gene variants for low HDL-c have already been demonstrated in various populations. Such associations have yet to be established among Filipinos who reportedly have a much higher prevalence of low HDL-c levels compared to other races.
Objective. To determine the association of selected genetic variants and clinical factors with low HDL-c phenotype in Filipinos.
Methods. An age- and sex-matched case-control study was conducted among adult Filipino participants with serum HDL-c concentration less than 35 mg/dL (n=61) and those with HDL-c levels of more than 40 mg/dL (n=116). Genotyping was done using DNA obtained from blood samples. Candidate variants were correlated with the low HDL-c phenotype using chi-squared test and conditional logistic regression analysis.
Results. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with low HDL-c phenotype among Filipinos with univariate regression analysis. The variant rs1260326 of glucokinase regulator (GCKR) (CT genotype: adjusted OR=5.17; p-value=0.007; TT genotype: adjusted OR=6.28; p-value=0.027) remained associated with low HDL-c phenotype, together with hypertension and elevated body mass index, after multiple regression analysis.
Conclusion. The variant rs1260326 near GCKR is associated with low HDL-c phenotype among Filipinos. Its role in the expression of low HDL-c phenotype should be further investigated prior to the development of possible clinical applications
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/yck7m283

Article title: Variant rs6596140 of Follistatin-like 4 Gene (FSTL4) May Be Associated with Poor Response to Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) among Filipinos.
Authors: Deborah Ignacia D. Ona, Jose B. Nevado Jr., John Daniel A. Ramos, Elmer Jasper B. Llanes, Jose Donato A. Magno, Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, Paul Ferdinand M. Reganit, Lourdes Ella G. Santos, Richard Henry P. Tiongco II, Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera, Lauro L. Abrahan IV, Charlene F. Agustin, Aimee Yvonne Criselle L. Aman, Adrian John P. Bejarin, Eva Maria C. Cutiongco–de la Paz, and Rody G. Sy
Publication title: Philippine Journal of Science 150(4):703-721, 2021

Abstract:
Constituting one of the most commonly used antihypertensive drug families are the angiotensin
receptor blockers (ARBs). The aim of this study was to identify the variants associated with
response to ARBs that may potentially be used as markers for designing a tailor-fit treatment
strategy for hypertension. An unmatched case-control study was done among adult hypertensive Filipino patients maintained on ARBs. Genotypic analysis of blood DNA was conducted. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine association of clinical and genetic variables with ARB response. A total of 69 poor responders and 126 normal responders were included in the study. After performing univariate logistic regression, five single nucleotide polymorphisms showed association with poor response to ARBs. The genetic variant rs6596140 remained significant (dominant model; OR 2.36, p = 0.009) after adjusting for female sex and age. Variant rs6596140 was found to be associated with poor response to ARBs among Filipinos. Prior to clinical application, verification is recommended prior to clinical application. As the function of this variant is presently unknown, an investigation to elucidate its role in ARB response in hypertension is also recommended.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/4ttcueev

Article title: rs17465637 variant of MIA3 may be associated with coronary artery disease among Filipinos.
Authors: Aimee Yvonne Criselle L. Aman, Rody G. Sy, Jose B. Nevado Jr., Adrian John P. Bejarin, Paul Ferdinand M. Reganit, Richard Henry P. Tiongco II, Elmer Jasper B. Llanes, Jose Donato A. Magno, Deborah Ignacia D. Ona, Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, Lourdes Ella G. Santos, Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera, Lauro L. Abrahan IV, Charlene F. Agustin, and Eva Maria C. Cutiongco–de la Paz
Publication title: Philippine Journal of Science 150(5): 1051-62, 2021

Abstract:
Genetics is an important component in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD);
however, studies on the Filipino population are lacking. This study aimed to determine the
association of polymorphisms with the development of CAD among Filipinos. This is an ageand sex-matched case-control association study involving 122 adult Filipinos with CAD and
230 control participants without CAD. DNA from blood samples were genotyped for candidate
single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using Illumina GoldenGate Genotyping (GGGT)
assay. Candidate variants and clinical data were correlated with the occurrence of CAD using
chi-square and logistic regression analysis. Of the candidate variants analyzed, only rs17465637
in MIA3 (adjusted OR 2.38; p = 0.024) was found to have a nominal association with the
development of CAD among Filipinos after adjusting for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus
(T2DM), and smoking status. This finding may potentially allow earlier identification of Filipino
patients at risk for CAD. Validation of these findings in a larger cohort is recommended.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2vpduc78

Article title: The rs1458038 variant near FGF5 is associated with poor response to calcium channel blockers amongFilipinos,
Authors: Felix Eduardo R Punzalan, Eva Maria C Cutiongco-de la Paz, Jose Jr B Nevado, Jose Donato A Magno, Deborah Ignacia D Ona, Aimee Yvonne Criselle L Aman, Marc Denver A Tiongson, Elmer Jasper B Llanes, Paul Ferdinand M Reganit, Richard Henry P Tiongco 2nd, Lourdes Ella G Santos, Jaime Alfonso M Aherrera, Lauro L Abrahan 4th, Charlene F Agustin , Adrian John P Bejarin, Rody G Sy
Publication title: Medicine 101(5): e28703, 2022

Abstract:
Genetic variation is known to affect response to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) among different populations. This study aimed to determine the genetic variations associated with poor response to this class of antihypertensive drugs among Filipinos.One hundred eighty one hypertensive participants on CCBs therapy were included in an unmatched case-control study. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid were extracted and genotyped for selected genetic variants. Regression analysis was used to determine the association of genetic and clinical variables with poor response to medication.The variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene showed significant association with poor blood pressure-lowering response based on additive effect (CT genotype: adjusted OR 3.41, P = .001; TT genotype: adjusted OR 6.72, P < .001).These findings suggest that blood pressure response to calcium channels blockers among Filipinos with hypertension is associated with gene variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. Further studies are recommended to validate such relationship of the variant to the CCB response.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/4nkc8fzp

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