The muscle pain that made you give up on preventing heart disease — because the statin you were prescribed wasn't the one your genes could handle.
Whole genome sequencing identifies SLCO1B1 variants that determine which statins are safe and effective for you, enabling continued cardiovascular protection without myopathy risk.
Statin Response (SLCO1B1)
Statin-induced myopathy, characterized by muscle pain, weakness, and in severe cases rhabdomyolysis, occurs in approximately 0.5-1% of statin users and is the most common reason for statin discontinuation. However, genetic variants in SLCO1B1 identify patients at substantially elevated risk. SLCO1B1 encodes solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B1 (OATP1B1), which actively transports statins into hepatocytes, the site of their action. The SLCO1B1*5 variant (rs4149056, c.521T>C, p.Val174Ala) increases plasma concentration of simvastatin approximately 4-17-fold depending on carrier status, substantially increasing myopathy risk.
Heterozygous carriers of SLCO1B1*5 have approximately 4.5-fold increased risk of myopathy on simvastatin; homozygous carriers face approximately 16.9-fold increased risk. This risk is specific to simvastatin and atorvastatin (to a lesser degree); rosuvastatin and pravastatin are metabolized through different pathways and pose lower myopathy risk in SLCO1B1 variant carriers. Approximately 15% of European ancestry populations carry at least one SLCO1B1*5 allele, with frequency varying significantly by ancestry. The *5 variant reduces hepatic transporter function, decreasing hepatic uptake and permitting statins to accumulate in plasma and reach systemic tissues including muscle, leading to higher myopathy risk.
SLCO1B1 genotyping enables safe, continued statin therapy for patients with prior myopathy or at elevated genetic risk. A patient identified as SLCO1B1*5 heterozygous can safely use alternative statins including rosuvastatin or pravastatin, enabling continued cardiovascular risk reduction. For patients who are SLCO1B1*5 homozygous, simvastatin is contraindicated; alternative statins with different metabolism pathways are strongly preferred. Genotype documentation in the medical record ensures that simvastatin is not prescribed inadvertently and that future providers understand the individual's statin tolerance profile.
Standard panels may not include SLCO1B1, missing the #1 genetic cause of statin myopathy.
SLCO1B1 genotyping is recommended but not routine
The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) published guidelines in 2012 recommending SLCO1B1 genotype-guided statin selection. However, many standard statin prescribing workflows do not include SLCO1B1 testing, even though the risk is substantial. Some pharmacogenomics panels include SLCO1B1, but single-gene panels and many standard lipid panels do not. For patients with prior statin-associated myopathy, genetic testing can identify the root cause and guide safe alternative statin selection. Whole genome sequencing captures SLCO1B1 and the full context of lipid metabolism genes, enabling comprehensive pharmacogenomic assessment.
Your statin choice determines whether you tolerate cholesterol therapy
A patient found to be SLCO1B1*5 heterozygous should avoid simvastatin; if a statin is clinically necessary, alternatives include rosuvastatin (CPIC recommends considering lower starting dose), pravastatin, or pitavastatin. If homozygous *5, simvastatin is contraindicated and alternative statins strongly preferred. For patients with prior statin-associated myopathy, SLCO1B1 genotyping identifies the genetic risk factor and enables safe alternative statin selection — often allowing lipid-lowering therapy to continue and cardiovascular protection to be maintained. Documented in the medical record, the genotype prevents future statin-related myopathy episodes and enables informed patient-provider discussion about lipid management options.
Your full DNA (not just a part of it)
Traditional genetic testing looks at narrow sets of genes, missing most parts of your genome. We sequence your full genome — every gene and every region between genes.
Comprehensive insights and specialized reports
Easy to read and with answers you and your doctor can act on. Not a file to interpret — 200+ clinical reports, organized by category.
Your test becomes more valuable every year
Your DNA does not change, but genome science is accelerating. Every month, new variant-disease associations are discovered. We validate these findings and update your reports automatically. Your test becomes more valuable every year.
The results doctors bring to their hardest cases.
Forty years of uncertainty. One test.
A patient had spent decades in the UK healthcare system without a diagnosis. Dante data, accepted by NHS clinical teams at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, identified Noonan Syndrome and a RUNX1 leukemia-associated variant that had gone undetected. After 40 years, they finally had an answer.
A complete read delivers a complete picture.
A patient came to Dante to investigate periodic paralysis. Reading the complete genome identified a concurrent hereditary cardiac finding — Brugada syndrome — that their doctor confirmed with an ECG. The result also explained a family member's unresolved cardiac history. One test. Every answer in it.
Sequenced in 2019. The data worked in 2021.
Jennifer sequenced her genome with Dante two years before her breast cancer diagnosis. When treatment began, Dante's pharmacogenomics data showed her prescribed chemotherapy would cause serious adverse effects. Her doctor selected an alternative — and she started effective treatment from day one.
Every genetic question deserves a complete answer.
Whether you are searching for answers today or protecting your health for tomorrow, a complete read of your entire genome is the only place to start.
It runs in your family. Now you can know if it runs in your genes.
Your genome contains inherited variants associated with medical conditions like cardiac, cancer, and neurological. We read all of them — with the clinical depth to give the result meaning.
Learn more →When traditional lab tests say you're fine. And you know you're not.
Standard diagnostic tests check for a pre-selected set of answers. We sequence your full DNA — including parts that no test was designed to check. If the answer is in your genome, we will help you find it.
Learn more →Your diagnosis may be right. Your treatment plan may be incomplete.
Your genes determine which treatments are most likely to work — and which are not. We give your doctor the tools and insights to inform your treatment plan.
Learn more →You want to know before something forces the question.
Some people don't wait for a diagnosis or a family history to act. Whole genome sequencing gives you the complete genetic picture now — so you and your doctor can make informed decisions before anything becomes urgent.
Learn more →You already took a DNA test. Here's what it couldn't tell you.
Most consumer DNA tests read less than 0.1% of your genome. We read all of it.
Learn more →Clinical-grade results. Chosen by individuals, trusted by doctors for their most complex cases.
Dante Genome Test helped specialists at a UK national acute hospital in the identification of Noonan Syndrome and a rare leukemia-associated genetic variant that had gone undetected. That result changed the medical care of the patient.
Accredited by & published in
Common questions about whole genome sequencing.
What is the difference between whole genome sequencing and a targeted genetic test?
Targeted genetic tests — including standard hereditary cancer panels — read a pre-defined list of known variants in a specific set of genes. They are designed to find what they already know to look for. Whole genome sequencing reads your entire genome: all 6 billion base pairs, every gene, every region between genes. A Mayo Clinic study published in JAMA Oncology found that standard testing guidelines missed more than half of patients with inherited cancer mutations. Genome Test does not have a fixed list.
What will I receive when my results are ready?
Your Dante Genome delivers 200+ physician-ready reports organized by clinical category — hereditary cancer, cardiac conditions, rare diseases, pharmacogenomics, carrier status, and more. Reports are delivered to your secure Genome Manager and are formatted for direct clinical use. Your genome data is permanently retained and re-analyzed automatically as science advances.
What happens if a clinically significant variant is found?
If a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant is identified, it will be clearly flagged in your physician-ready report with clinical context, published evidence, and recommended next steps. We recommend sharing any clinically significant finding with your physician or a genetic counselor, who can guide decisions about surveillance, risk reduction, or cascade testing for family members.
How is this different from a consumer DNA test like 23andMe or AncestryDNA?
Consumer DNA tests use genotyping chips that read less than 0.1% of your genome — a tiny pre-selected set of common variants. They are optimized for ancestry and population-level traits, not clinical genetic findings. The Dante Genome Test sequences 100% of your genome at 30X coverage, the same standard used in clinical diagnostic settings. The two tests are not comparable in scope, methodology, or clinical utility.
How long does it take to get results, and how are they delivered?
Your collection kit ships within 48 hours of ordering. Once your sample arrives at our CLIA-certified laboratory, sequencing and analysis takes 6–8 weeks. Results are delivered securely to your Genome Manager, where you can access your reports, share them with your physician, and receive automatic updates as new findings are validated against your genome.
We work with patient advocacy groups worldwide.
Dante Labs works with patient advocacy groups of any size — for Statin Response (SLCO1B1) and other conditions, rare and common. We support groups in any country, including virtual patient advocacy groups.
We can provide customized reports, group discounts, and packages tailored for your members. Please reach out using the form and we'll be in touch within two business days.
- Custom genomic reports for your members
- Group discounts and tailored packages
- Any country — including virtual groups
- Rare and common conditions covered
Message received.
We’ll be in touch within 2 business days. To follow up directly: hello@dantelabs.com
One test.
A lifetime of answers.
One kit, sent to your home. Your entire genome sequenced at the clinical standard used for diagnostic decisions. 200+ physician-ready reports delivered to your Genome Manager in 6–8 weeks — permanent and updated as science advances.
Ships within 48 hours · Results in 6–8 weeks
