β1-adregenergic Receptor Gene and Bucindolol

A randomized clinical trial evaluating bucindolol, a beta blocker, for treating heart failure did not find it to be effective. But, retrospective analysis that took into account people’s β1-adregenergic receptor genotype found that those with two copies of the arginine version of the gene (homozygous) did respond favorably to the drug.

• 50% of people are homozygous for arginine
• 30% are homozygous for glycine
• 20% are heterozygous carrying arginine on one allele and glycine on the other

Some results from the analysis:

• Arginine homozygotes treated with bucindolol had a 38% increase in survival compared with those getting placebo.
• Arginine homozygotes treated with bucindolol were less likely to be hospitalized compared with placebo patients with the same genotype.
• For the combined outcome of time to first hospitalization for heart failure or to death, arginine homozygotes-bucindolol patients had a benefit compared to arginine homozygotes-placebo patients.

These findings echoed the presentations at the Personalized Medicine e-Symposium last month. Using people’s unique genetic make-up to determine treatment could help improve drug efficacy and reduce side effects.

MedPage Today, July 10, 2006

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