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Anyone having a lot of problems while taking leflunomide?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 6 4:00pm | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
I know there is a gene present in some people (HLA-B27) that might make someone more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. I was tested and was found positive for this when I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis over 50 years ago.
But I have never heard of a genetic test to check for the efficacy of an immunosuppressant drug… where can I read this info?
Replies to "I know there is a gene present in some people (HLA-B27) that might make someone more..."
There has been a lot of research on Differential DNA Methylation pathways in recent years and the effect on metabolism of DMARD's like Methotrexate and Leflunomide to determine which patients are better suited to these drugs. Some studies state that around 40% of patients do not have a good response to them and suffer a range of undesirable side effects, liver damage and infection risks being the more serious adverse effects. The most recent study I read was from China in 2023, indicating that blood tests for particular DNA methylation signatures that determine response to Leflunomide and Methotrexate are still being actively researched. I noticed that the Lab test for Leflunomide response that was available 6 months ago is no longer available. I think it is still a dynamic and rapidly changing area of medicine but definitely worth keeping an eye on. I've just been doing basic Google searches but if you had access to Medline or some other medical research database, you will find a lot more info.
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Here is some information Mayo Clinic has on the topic:
-- Pharmacogenomics in Patient Care: https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-individualized-medicine/patient-care/pharmacogenomics