Thiopurines

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 Thiopurines are medications used to treat diseases like leukemia and autoimmune disorders. They work by disrupting DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.

Impact of Gene Variants

Genetic variations in enzymes like TPMT and NUDT15 can affect how individuals respond to thiopurines. These variations can influence the drug’s effectiveness and the risk of side effects.

Ways to Recognize Problems

Problems with thiopurine treatment can be identified through symptoms like a low white blood cell count or increased susceptibility to infection. Genetic testing can also help identify individuals who might have adverse reactions to the drug.

Ways to Improve

Dose adjustments based on genetic testing can improve the effectiveness of thiopurine treatment. Additionally, strategies like low-dose thiopurines combined with allopurinol can be used in certain cases to reduce toxicity.

Did you know

Adverse reactions to thiopurines occur in up to 7% of patients. Up to half of patients discontinue treatment with thiopurines within the first 2 years due to adverse drug events or failure of therapy.