Influence of genetic factors on drug treatment efficacy and safety in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Drug treatment is in many cases ineffective. Besides patients who do not respond to the treatment, adverse drug reactions as a consequence of the treatment are a major clinical problem. This review presents clinical implications and molecular mechanisms of genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolizing enzymes (CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A), drug transporters (P-glycoprotein) and drug receptors, which play a significant role in intersubject variability. Polymorphisms in the genes can affect an individual’s risk of having an adverse drug reaction, or can alter the efficacy of drug treatment in that individual.