Pharmacogenetics of asthma

Methods Mol Biol. 2008:448:359-78. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-205-2_11.

Abstract

Asthma is a common disease characterized by airway inflammation and bronchorestriction. There are several common categories of medications for treating asthma; however, not all asthmatics have the same response to these medications, some of which are adverse responses that are potentially life threatening. Because interindividual responses to asthma medications can vary considerably, the potential for genetic contributions to variable drug responses is significant. This chapter reviews the most common biological pathways targeted by asthma therapy and briefly discusses the genetic contribution to varied responses to asthma therapy for four common types of asthma medications: beta-agonists, anticholinergics, leukotriene modifiers, and corticosteroids.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / genetics*
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Leukotriene Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Patient Selection
  • Pharmacogenetics* / methods
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / agonists
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / genetics
  • Receptors, Leukotriene / drug effects
  • Receptors, Leukotriene / genetics
  • Receptors, Muscarinic / drug effects
  • Receptors, Muscarinic / genetics
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Cholinergic Antagonists
  • Leukotriene Antagonists
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Receptors, Leukotriene
  • Receptors, Muscarinic