Genetics of CYP2C19

Genetics of CYP2C19

What is CYP2C19?

CYP2C19 is a helper protein in the liver that plays a big role in breaking down many medicines. It helps turn the drug clopidogrel into an active form that can do its job. Clopidogrel is a medicine that doctors prescribe to patients to prevent blood clots. Some people have a version of the CYP2C19 gene that doesn’t work well, other have a version that works extra well. These differences can impact how the drug clopidogrel works in people with heart disease. 

How was the research done?

Researchers want to see how the CYP2C19 gene activity level affects how doctors treat brain and blood vessel problems. These problems include stroke, brain aneurysms, and abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain. They have interest in how often strokes occur while people are taking clopidogrel to prevent blood clots.

What is the significance of this study? 

Few studies have looked at how the CYP2C19 gene affects brain and blood vessel problems. Some research shows that people with a less effective version of the CYP2C19 gene may have a higher chance of having repeat strokes. This is the case for conditions like minor strokes, full strokes, and treatments for narrow carotid arteries. This study is looking to see if the type of CYP2C19 gene a person has can change how well clopidogrel works. Doctors could use this information to decide the best treatment to prevent strokes in each patient.