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Gene Variant Linked to Coronary Risk
by
findingDulcinea Staff
Studies performed by the Celera Group find that 60 percent of people carry a gene variant that increases the likelihood of a heart attack. Carriers of the gene may benefit more than others from the use of statins.
30-Second Summary
According to the Celera press release, the risk of heart disease is 55 percent higher in carriers of the KIF6 gene variant. An individual’s KIF6 status also determines how well they react to therapy with a cholesterol-lowering called statin.
Dr. Marc Sabatine, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said that the risk variant’s presence alone should not determine what therapy patients get, but that genetic data could help tailor treatment to the patient’s needs, The Wall Street Journal reported. The results "take us one step closer to personalized medicine," he said.
A division of Celera, Berkley Heart Lab is developing a genetic test that will test for the KIF6 gene variant.
The Celera findings will be published on Jan. 29 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Statin treatments are used to lower the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, widely known as LDL. The Mayo Clinic explains that LDL is the “bad” cholesterol, because it can accumulate on artery walls and potentially cause a heart attack or stroke.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is the “good” cholesterol, because it helps prevent arterial blockage.
Dr. Marc Sabatine, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said that the risk variant’s presence alone should not determine what therapy patients get, but that genetic data could help tailor treatment to the patient’s needs, The Wall Street Journal reported. The results "take us one step closer to personalized medicine," he said.
A division of Celera, Berkley Heart Lab is developing a genetic test that will test for the KIF6 gene variant.
The Celera findings will be published on Jan. 29 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Statin treatments are used to lower the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, widely known as LDL. The Mayo Clinic explains that LDL is the “bad” cholesterol, because it can accumulate on artery walls and potentially cause a heart attack or stroke.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is the “good” cholesterol, because it helps prevent arterial blockage.
Headline Link: ‘Gene Variant Is Said to Be Linked to Heart Attack and Prevention’
Recent studies performed by the Celera Group-Applera Corp. found that the gene variant KIF6, present in approximately 60 percent of the population, greatly increases the likelihood of a coronary event. It also impacts how heart disease patients respond to treatment with a cholesterol-lowering drug called statin. Dr. Marc Sabatine, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said that a patient’s KIF6 status alone should not determine what treatment they are prescribed, but that genetic data could help tailor therapy to the patient’s needs.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Background: The Celera study
According to a Celera press release, “carriers of the KIF6 gene variant have up to a 55% increased risk of a coronary event.” Recently acquired by Celera, Berkley Heart Lab is developing a genetic test that will test for the KIF6 gene variant. The test will be available in the coming months.
Source: Celera
The study will be published on Jan. 29 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Related Topics: PROVE-IT Statin study
According to Dr. Thomas H. Lee of Brigham and Women's Hospital, the 2004 Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy, or PROVE-IT study, as it is known, found that 80mg of atorvastatin lowers LDL levels better than 40 mg of pravastatin for patients who have had a heart attack. Dr. Lee also warns patients that “as the dosage goes up, LDL goes down — but the risk of muscle and liver damage increases.”
Source: Harvard Health Publications
Reference Material: Good and bad cholesterol; cholesterol-lowering drugs
The Mayo Clinic explains that low-density lipoprotein, widely known as LDL, is the “bad” cholesterol, because it can accumulate on artery walls and potentially cause a heart attack or stroke. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is the “good” cholesterol, because it helps prevent arterial blockage.
Source: Mayo Clinic
The American Heart Association provides information on cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins, selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors (Zetia), resins, fibrates and niacin.
Source: The American Heart Association
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