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Genotype predictors of response to asthma medications
Ladina Joos1, Andrew J Sandford
1Pulmonary Cell Research Laboratory, Research Department, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The search for the genetic basis of asthma and other allergic diseases has identified many candidate genes. Some of these genes have been investigated to determine whether they influence a person's response to asthma medication. Several studies have shown that polymorphisms in the beta 2 -adrenergic receptor gene influence responsiveness to beta-agonists. Polymorphisms in the 5-lipoxygenase gene and the leukotriene C 4 synthase gene have been associated with response to medications that target leukotriene metabolism. Results such as these suggest the potential for pharmacogenetic tailoring of therapy for individual asthmatic patients. To date, no polymorphisms have been identified that influence response to anticholinergics or are involved in steroid resistance.