Week 4 - Personalized Medicine - Bemis

Question 2

Identify selected alleles which should be examined prior to prescription of warfarin

Answer 2

Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug given to those who have had heart attacjs, prosthetic heart valves, or irregular heart beats.VKORC1 and CYP2C9 are genes that significantly impact warfarin sensitivity. This means depending on your genetics you might need a lot more of less of the drug to be effective.

Question 3

Describe molecular tests that maybe used for detecting genetic variants ( SNPs)

Answer 3

Deep sequencingExon trappingDirect sequencing (most common)

Question 4

Benefits of personalized medicine?

Answer 4

safer drugsIncreased drug effectivenessAlternate drugs for standard treatments

Question 5

General role of cytochrome p450 family:

Answer 5

They are expressed in the liver and intestines and are involved in detoxification

Question 6

Describe 3 general types of metabolizers and their significance for pain management:

Answer 6

There is a balance of 3A4 and 2D6 in metabolizing a drug like codein.Most people have the right ratio that allows them to be extensive metabolizers. This means they effectively metabolize codein to morphine and benefit with pain relief.Poor metabolizers: If there is too much 3A4 compared to 2D6, then 3A4 converts codein to norcodein and no benefit is achieved.Ultrarapid metabolizers: too much 2D6 action! Codein is matbolized too quickly to benefit the person with pain relief

Question 7

List 2 drugs that can also change the ratios beteen 2D6 and 3A4

Answer 7

Grapefruit Juice = reduces 3A4Quinidine = reduces 2D6This can throw off, or restore the right ratio for maximum benefit :)