Current and Future Role of Methotrexate in RA Therapy
Current and Future Role of Methotrexate in RA Therapy
Recent advances in genetics, particularly pharmacogenetics, may permit the prediction of an individual patient's response to MTX. Currently available data demonstrate the potential, but also the limitations of genetic polymorphism analyses. At present, there are no reliable means to predict an individual patient's response to MTX, although pharmacogenetics seems to have a promising role.
Genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in enzymes associated with MTX metabolism and regeneration of reduced folates have been studied, while a pharmacogenetic index has been calculated as a function of homozygous variant genotypes. However, although genetic polymorphisms in the folate metabolic pathway and MTX transporters modify MTX toxicity, they do not seem to influence MTX efficacy.
Pharmacogenetics
Recent advances in genetics, particularly pharmacogenetics, may permit the prediction of an individual patient's response to MTX. Currently available data demonstrate the potential, but also the limitations of genetic polymorphism analyses. At present, there are no reliable means to predict an individual patient's response to MTX, although pharmacogenetics seems to have a promising role.
Genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in enzymes associated with MTX metabolism and regeneration of reduced folates have been studied, while a pharmacogenetic index has been calculated as a function of homozygous variant genotypes. However, although genetic polymorphisms in the folate metabolic pathway and MTX transporters modify MTX toxicity, they do not seem to influence MTX efficacy.
