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Genetic Variants and Their Impact on Clinical Responses to Treatments

Recent studies have explored the relationship between genetic variants and clinical responses to various treatments, including mesalamine for ulcerative colitis, ALK inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer, and metformin for type 2 diabetes. Findings suggest that while some genetic variants do not significantly affect treatment outcomes, others may influence drug efficacy and patient survival.

Genetic Variants in Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

A study focused on the impact of genetic variants in cellular transport proteins on the response to mesalamine in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients found no significant association between common transporter gene variants and mesalamine response. This suggests that the effectiveness of mesalamine may be influenced by rare genetic events or environmental factors such as the intestinal microbiome.

ALK Inhibitors and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Research on ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) revealed that different EML4-ALK fusion variants show varying sensitivity to ALK inhibitors like crizotinib, alectinib, and ceritinib. Specifically, patients with EML4-ALK variant 2 had a longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared to those with other variants, indicating that the specific ALK fusion variant can significantly impact clinical outcomes.

Metformin Response in Type 2 Diabetes

A genome-wide association study identified common variants in PRPF31 and CPA6 associated with metformin response in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. These findings suggest that genetic factors play a role in the variability of metformin's glucose-lowering effects, highlighting the potential for personalized treatment approaches based on genetic makeup.

Implications for Clinical Practice

These studies underscore the importance of genetic testing in predicting treatment outcomes and tailoring therapies to individual patients. Understanding the genetic basis of drug response can lead to more effective and personalized treatment strategies, improving patient care and outcomes.
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Reference News

[1]
clinical variants response: Topics by ...
science.gov · Jun 26, 2018

Genetic variants in cellular transport genes do not influence mesalamine response in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, a...

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