Your Genes Can Affect Drug Activity
 (HealthDayNews, 6/15/04)

Dr. Paul M. Ridker of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and team, did genetic workups on 1,563 people who were taking pravastatin (Pravachol) to lower their cholesterol. The investigators assessed variations, known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs, in genes related to cholesterol and lipid metabolism. When they focused on the gene that produces a molecule called HMG-CoA reductase, the scientists found an association between two closely linked SNPs in this gene and a smaller reduction in cholesterol for 8% of the subjects after 24 weeks on pravastatin. This means that the drug appeared to be less effective for patients with this gene variation. These findings show how pharmocogenetics, the field of science that examines how genes and medications interact, may eventually be useful in predicting the effectiveness of a drug for a specific individual.

(JAMA, June 16, 2004)

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