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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Candidate Gene Testing in Clinical Cohort Studies with Multiplexed Genotyping and Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 21, 2018
Pharmacogenetics of asthma.
John J Lima1, Kathryn V Blake, Kelan G Tantisira
1Centers for Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32207, USA. Jlima@nemours.org
Genetic variations influence how patients respond to asthma medications like bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Identifying these genetic markers is key to developing personalized asthma treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics
- Genetics of asthma treatment response
Background:
- Patient response to asthma medications (bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers) shows significant variability.
- Genetic variations are a key factor contributing to this heterogeneity in drug response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and update the current understanding of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics for common asthma drugs.
- To highlight genetic influences on patient response to different asthma medication classes.
Main Methods:
- Review of early and recent studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
- Analysis of genetic variants associated with drug response and safety.
- Examination of gene variants impacting lung function, airway responsiveness, and exacerbations.
Main Results:
- ADRB2 Gly16Arg genotype linked to bronchodilator response and asthma worsening with beta-agonists in early studies.
- GWAS implicate other genes in bronchodilator response heterogeneity; continuous beta-agonist safety needs more research.
- Variants in CRHR1, TBX21, FCER2, ALOX5, LTA4H, LTC4S, ABCC1, CYSLTR2, and SLCO2B1 are associated with variable responses to inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers.
Conclusions:
- Discovery of novel genetic variants influencing response heterogeneity supports further research.
- Future studies should incorporate gene expression and GWAS.
- Predictive genomic models are essential for advancing personalized asthma medicine.
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