Genetic determinants of response to statins

Abstract

In developed countries, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death. Statins are abundantly prescribed to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease by lowering cholesterol. Genetic factors are thought to be partly responsible for the interindividual variation in the response to statins. This article reviews the most important studies conducted on pharmacogenetics of statins. Currently, there is no evidence to advocate pharmacogenetic testing before initiating therapy.

Keywords::

• pharmacodynamic
• pharmacogenetic
• pharmacokinetic
• statin

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Anke-Hilse Maitland-van der Zee is funded by a Veni grant from The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.