TPMT

Description

The TPMT gene provides instructions for making thiopurine methyltransferase, an enzyme crucial for metabolizing thiopurine drugs like azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. These drugs are used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain cancers. The TPMT enzyme breaks down thiopurine drugs, preventing them from building up to toxic levels. Variations in the TPMT gene can affect enzyme activity, leading to altered drug metabolism and potential side effects.

Associated Diseases

• Myeloid leukemia
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Crohn‘s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Vasculitis

Did you know?

TPMT is one of the most widely studied pharmacogenetic genes due to its significant impact on drug efficacy and toxicity.