Pharmacogenomics of cardiovascular drugs and adverse effects in pediatrics

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2011 Sep;58(3):228-39. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e3182163b82.

Abstract

Individual response to medication is highly variable. For many drugs, a substantial proportion of patients show suboptimal response at standard doses, whereas others experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Pharmacogenomics aims to identify genetic factors underlying this variability in drug response, providing solutions to improve drug efficacy and safety. We review recent advances in pharmacogenomics of cardiovascular drugs and cardiovascular ADRs, including warfarin, clopidogrel, β-blockers, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, drug-induced long QT syndrome, and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. We particularly focus on the applicability of pharmacogenomic findings to pediatric patients in whom developmental changes in body size and organ function may affect drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Solid evidence supports the importance of gene variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 for warfarin dosing and in CYP2C19 for clopidogrel response in adult patients. For the other cardiovascular drugs or cardiovascular ADRs, further studies are needed to replicate or clarify genetic associations before considering uptake of pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice. With the exception of warfarin and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, there is lack of pharmacogenomic studies on cardiovascular drug response or ADRs aimed specifically at children or adolescents. The first pediatric warfarin pharmacogenomic study indeed indicates differences from adults, pointing out the importance and need for pediatric-focused pharmacogenomic studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / genetics
  • Cardiotoxins* / metabolism
  • Cardiotoxins* / pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cardiovascular Agents / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / enzymology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / genetics
  • Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases

Substances

  • Cardiotoxins
  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • CYP2C9 protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • VKORC1 protein, human
  • Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases