title: Genetics and the variability of treatment response in asthma.
abstract: Pharmacogenetics is the study of how genetic differences influence the variability in patients' responses to therapy. Using specific examples in asthma, I will define the concepts of variability in response to therapy in asthma. I will then use the relationship between specific genetic polymorphisms and the response to beta-adrenergic agonists and leukotriene modifiers to illustrate pharmacogenetic interactions and to acquaint the reader with the applicability of these findings to clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass, USA.
authors.forename: Elliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Israel
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists