Utility of Assessing Thiopurine S-methyltransferase Polymorphisms Before Azathioprine Therapy

Title:Utility of Assessing Thiopurine S-methyltransferase Polymorphisms Before Azathioprine Therapy

Volume: 13 Issue: 9

Author(s): Teresa Cabaleiro, Manuel Roman, Javier P. Gisbert and Francisco Abad-Santos

Affiliation:

Keywords: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, azathioprine, polymorphism, genotyping

Abstract: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) catalyzes the methylation of thiopurine drugs, such as azathioprine and mercaptopurine, which are used in a variety of diseases. Several mutations in the TPMT gene correlate with low enzyme activity and subsequent adverse effects, mainly myelotoxicity. Hence, genotyping TPMT makes it possible to identify patients at high risk of drug toxicity and adjust dosage accordingly. However, further research about the availability of a reliable and universal screening method and more costeffectiveness studies are necessary.

Cite this article as:

Cabaleiro Teresa, Roman Manuel, P. Gisbert Javier and Abad-Santos Francisco, Utility of Assessing Thiopurine S-methyltransferase Polymorphisms Before Azathioprine Therapy, Current Drug Metabolism 2012; 13 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920012803341311