There have been recent studies which show that testing asthmatic children for a variant in the beta-2 receptor gene could help clinicians ascertain which medication is the most suitable, aiding treatment for those who previously struggled to respond well to standard treatments. Researchers suggest that this way of treating patients could help to tailor the medication for a more personalised management of the condition.
Carried by one in seven asthma sufferers, the genetic testing looks for the arginine-16 genotype in the beta-2 receptor gene. Generally, children are offered a standardised treatment in the form of a reliever inhaler which is effective for some but not all cases. In fact, some studies have seen a poor reaction to this treatment in which the child’s condition actually worsened after using the inhaler. The study involved 62 children separated into two groups – one was offered the standard fluticasone treatment, in the form of a steroid inhaler, and salmeterol, and the second group provided with fluticasone and Montelukast. The study involved the analysis of asthma symptom scores, salbutamol use, asthma exacerbations, lung function and the quality of life.
In the Montelukast group, researchers noticed that the number of days missed from school was significantly lower. For nearly every symptom analysed in the study, the treatment of Montelukast offered a more effective cure. Researchers noted that the children’s treatment could be made more efficient with an in-expansive genetic test. This area of research is still relatively new but offers a route to new and exciting studies that could shape the future medication of asthma. With genetic testing, it could be possible to tailor medication to each individual case and thus, offer a more effective form of treatment. This will not only be more cost effective but will also reduce the amount of asthma-related deaths and hospital visits as well.
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