title: Pharmacogenetics of ophthalmic topical beta-blockers.
abstract: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The primary glaucoma risk factor is elevated intraocular pressure. Topical beta-blockers are affordable and widely used to lower intraocular pressure. Genetic variability has been postulated to contribute to interpersonal differences in efficacy and safety of topical beta-blockers. This review summarizes clinically significant polymorphisms that have been identified in the beta-adrenergic receptors (ADRB1, ADRB2 and ADRB3). The implications of polymorphisms in CYP2D6 are also discussed. Although the candidate-gene approach has facilitated significant progress in our understanding of the genetic basis of glaucoma treatment response, most drug responses involve a large number of genes, each containing multiple polymorphisms. Genome-wide association studies may yield a more comprehensive set of polymorphisms associated with glaucoma outcomes. An understanding of the genetic mechanisms associated with variability in individual responses to topical beta-blockers may advance individualized treatment at a lower cost.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Milwaukee, WI, USA, Tel.: +1 414 456 7810; ; E-mail: dsidjani@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: Duska J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sidjanin
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McCarty
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patchett
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Russell A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wilke