title: Genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolism--its relevance to Asian populations.
abstract: Genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolism represent a significant although largely underrecognised problem in therapeutics. The presence of mutant alleles within a population may result in substantial interindividual and interethnic variability in the efficacy/toxicity ratios for many drugs. The practical difficulties involved in phenotyping both individuals and populations alike have hindered the generation of much useful information, especially those in relation to non-Caucasian populations. Newer techniques have provided clearer insights into the molecular genetics of these polymorphisms. It is hoped that these techniques will eventually lead to relatively non-invasive genotyping procedures that will allow the systematic characterisation of the diverse ethnic groups in Asia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044466:Asian People; D003647:Debrisoquin / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008617:Mephenytoin / Q000378:metabolism; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism*; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D000431:Ethanol; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D008617:Mephenytoin; D003647:Debrisoquin