VKORC1 polymorphisms and complete resistance to vitamin K antagonists: About two cases

Ilham Benyamna1,2, Houda El Fissi2, Fadoua Bouzid2,3

  • 1Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Inezgane Provincial Hospital, Agadir, Morocco.

Biomedicine
|March 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Complete resistance to vitamin K antagonists, a rare condition, can be linked to specific VKORC1 gene mutations. Identifying these genetic factors is crucial for effective therapeutic management in affected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are crucial anticoagulants.
  • Complete resistance to VKAs is rare but poses significant therapeutic challenges.
  • Direct oral anticoagulants may not always be suitable alternatives.

Observation:

  • Two middle-aged women presented with unexplained peripheral venous thrombosis.
  • Standard etiological assessments revealed no abnormalities.
  • Genetic testing identified specific VKORC1 gene genotypes in both patients.

Findings:

  • Both patients exhibited complete resistance to vitamin K antagonists.
  • The VKORC1 5417 GG genotype was present in both cases.
  • VKORC1 3673 genotypes were GG (case 1) and GA (case 2).

Implications:

  • Genetic identification of VKORC1 variants is key for diagnosing VKA resistance.
  • Altered treatment strategies are necessary for patients with VKA resistance.
  • Understanding these genetic factors can guide optimal patient care and management.

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
1.2K
Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
885
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
15.0K
Determination of Michaelis Constant and Maximum Elimination Rate01:20

Determination of Michaelis Constant and Maximum Elimination Rate

The Michaelis constant (KM) and the theoretical maximum process rate (Vmax) are vital parameters in the Michaelis-Menten equation, central to many biochemical reactions. They provide essential insights into enzyme kinetics and drug metabolism.
These parameters can be estimated by analyzing plasma concentration data post-drug administration. A notable example of this application is phenytoin, a drug with capacity-limited kinetics. It's recommended that phenytoin should be administered at two...
97
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.3K
Comparing Copy Number Variations and SNPs02:26

Comparing Copy Number Variations and SNPs

Sequencing of the human genome has opened up several best-kept secrets of the genome. Scientists have identified thousands of genome variations that exist within a population. These variations can be a single nucleotide or a larger chromosomal variation.
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
17.7K