What are pharmacogenetics?
Study of variations in DNA sequences and drug response
The aim is to identify right drug and dose for each patient.
What is pharmacogenetics polymorphism?
Genetical differences in the we react to drugs.
What kind of markers can we observe to predict the reaction of a patient to a drug?
Minisatellite
Microsatellite
SNP
What is a minisatellite?
Tandem repeats of sequence that vary from 14 to 100 base pairs in length.
What is a microsatellite?
Short sequence of tandem repeats.
What is a SNP?
Single nucleotide polymorphism.
What are copy number variations?
Duplication and deletions
What are the consequences of polymorphism?
Responses to drugs vary
Disease susceptibility
In what way does polymorphism affect the response to drugs?
Toxicity and efficacy
What is Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT)?
Purine antimetabolite prodrug used in cancer chemotherapy
What is Azathioprine?
Precursor of 6MP and is used as an immunosuppressant drug
What is Methyltransferase?
Enzyme which methylates and
inactivates 6-mercaptopurine.
What is the process of Thiopurine Metabolism?
Azathioprine converted to 6-mercaptopurine.
Can become oxidised or add methyl to make it inactive.
Or it can become active 6-thioguanine nucleotides.
What is the function of 6-thioguanine nucleotide?
Active metabolites, incorporated into DNA and trigger apoptosis
What is used to add methyl and inactivate 6-mercaptopurine in thiopurine metabolism?
TPMT
How many types of TMPT are there?
3 groups with varying activity, homo and hetero.
What causes low levels of TPMT?
Due two SNPs which influence protein stability.
What are the clinical consequence of low TMPT?
– Increased thiopurine toxicity
– Homozygotes experience life-threatening myelosuppression
– Possibly improved survival
What are the clinical consequence of high TMPT?
– Some evidence of a decreased therapeutic effect
– Likely due to increased drug metabolism
What are Cytochromes P450?
Multigene family of enzymes that oxidise both drugs and other foreign compounds.
What do Cytochromes P450 need?
Requirement for NADPH and O2.
Where are Cytochromes P450 expressed?
Liver
What is the role of Cytochromes P450?
Most have a nonessential physiological role
What is important about Debrisoquine?
Some individuals are unable to metabolize it,