Genetics of asthma.
This report concentrates on pharmacogenomic and pharmacogenetic issues discussed at the National Asthma Campaign International Congress, including the current state of asthma genetics and the potential to identify novel targets using either array-based technology or by targeting kinase or other signal transduction pathways. In addition, the potential contribution of variability in the genes coding for primary drug targets is examined; it is likely that at least some inter-individual variability in treatment response can be explained by the variation in relevant genes. The use of anti-IgE and anti-cytokine approaches to the treatment of asthma is also reviewed.
Hall
I
I
Department of Therapeutics, University Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom. ian.hall@nottingham.ac.uk