|  Asthma
is a chronic or long-term inflammation or thickening of the
airway passages. When people with asthma are exposed to certain
“triggers,” airway inflammation may worsen. Airways
narrow, mucus thickens and breathing becomes more difficult.
Several medications are available for the treatment of the
symptoms of asthma. Finding the ideal treatment for any one
patient is a process of trial and error. All patients start
out with a similar course of treatment which is gradually
adjusted until the symptoms are under control. The different
types of medications are prescribed together for a combination
therapy, or separately, depending on the outcome of each course
of treatment.
Price:
| AsthmaGEN
DNA Test* |
|
| Standard
- 7 business days: |
$285 |
| Express
- 3 business days: |
$335 |
* California and New York State residents must
have a medical doctor's prescription to order this test.
Several studies have found that for patients with a certain
genetic variable (“polymorphism” or change in
the DNA code) in the beta2 adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2),
the use of daily beta-agonist inhalers is not effective and
in some instances may even be counter-productive. These individuals
have the Arg/Arg genetic variable, and in studies, their asthma
symptoms improved when they stopped using inhalers containing
beta-agonists (albuterol, salbutamol, salmeterol).
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Until now, your doctor could not tell whether you have this
particular genetic variable and you were prescribed a beta-agonist
medication just like everyone else. With the ß16AsthmaGEN™
test you can help your doctor make more informed decisions
about your treatment and avoid the time and discomfort associated
with trying medications that will not alleviate your symptoms.
In the US, about 15% of Caucasian and 20% of African-American
asthma sufferers have the Arg/Arg genetic variable and receive
no benefit from using their daily inhaler containing albuterol,
salbutamol or salmeterol.
Easy Procedure:
- Request your FREE collection kit by phone or online.
- Collect the sample.
- Complete the Payment and Authorization Form.
- Collect a simple cheek swab sample in the privacy of
your home.
- Return your sample to the laboratory via postal method
of your choice
- Receive your results in 3-7 business days online, via
email, and/or mail
Product Benefits
- Personalize your asthma treatment
- Improve asthma management for individuals with the Arg/Arg
genotype
- Safe, easy, convenient
- >99% accuracy
Who can use this DNA test:
- Asthmatics using inhalers with beta-agonists: find out
whether your medication is optimal for you.
- Asthmatics not using inhalers with beta-agonists: your
asthma treatment may change in the future. Find out whether
a beta-agonist should, or should not be a part of your treatment
in the future.
- Medical professionals: if you are caring for someone
with asthma, this test can help you personalize your patient(s)’
treatment.
| AsthmaGEN
DNA Test* |
|
| Standard
- 7 business days: |
$285 |
| Express
- 3 business days: |
$335 |
* California and New York State residents must
have a medical doctor's prescription to order this test.
Asthma is a chronic or long-term inflammation or thickening
of the airway passages. When people with asthma are
exposed to certain “triggers,” airway inflammation
may worsen. Airways narrow, mucus thickens and breathing
becomes more difficult. The exact causes of asthma are
not known, but a number of risk factors have been identified.
These include:
- A family history - if a parent or sibling has asthma,
you are at increased risk of developing asthma yourself.
Thus, there are genetic components to developing asthma.
- Living in urban areas - compared to rural areas, big cities
have more air pollution and certain household pests (cockroaches,
mites, rodents). Exposure to these allergens can lead
to the development of asthma in some individuals.
- Secondhand cigarette smoke - people exposed to secondhand
smoke either at home or in the office are at increased risk
of developing asthma.
- Low birthweight - babies born below normal weight due
to premature birth or other causes, are at increased risk
of developing asthma
How is asthma treated?
Several medications are available for the treatment of the
symptoms of asthma. Finding the ideal treatment for
any one patient is a process of trial and error. All
patients start out with a similar course of treatment which
is gradually adjusted until the symptoms are under control.
The different types of medications are prescribed together
for a combination therapy, or separately, depending on the
outcome of each course of treatment.
One of the more common treatments for asthma attacks when
breathing becomes difficult is the use of an inhaler to dilate
bronchial, or airway, passages. Beta-agonists are one
type of bronchodilator medication. These types of drugs
act directly on the beta2 adrenergic receptor to promote relaxation
of the smooth muscles in the airway. Other types of
medications used to treat asthma include corticosteroids and
anticholinergics.
Genetics not only contributes to the risk of developing asthma,
but there are also genetic determinants for how you will respond
to different medications used for the treatment of asthma.
Several studies have found that
for patients with a certain polymorphism in the beta2 adrenergic
receptor, the use of daily beta-agonist inhalers is not effective
and in some instances may even be counter-productive.
Until now, your doctor could not tell whether you have this
particular polymorphism and you were prescribed a beta-agonist
medication just like everyone else. With the β16AsthmaGEN™
test you can help your doctor make more informed decisions
about your treatment and avoid the time and discomfort associated
with trying medications that will not work for you.
Inhalers containing albuterol are the most commonly prescribed
treatments for asthma in the US. Each year, 52 million
prescriptions for albuterol are filled in the US, which makes
albuterol the 7th most common medication. About 15% of Caucasian
and 20% of African-American asthma sufferers have the genetic
variant that limits the benefit of albuterol therapy.
References
- Carroll C, Stoltz P, Schramm C, Zucker
AR. beta-Adrenergic receptor polymorphisms affect response
to treatment for pediatric status asthmaticus. Chest meeting
abstract 2007. PMID: 132:483a
- Israel E, Drazen JM, Liggett SB, et
al. The effect of polymorphisms of the beta(2)-adrenergic
receptor on the response to regular use of albuterol in
asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000 Jul;162(1):75-80.
PMID: 10903223
- Israel E, Chinchilli V M, Ford JG,
et al. Use of regularly scheduled albuterol treatment in
asthma: genotype-stratified, randomised, placebo-controlled
cross-over trial. Lancet 364: 1505-1512, 2004. PMID: 15500895
- Ferdinands JM, Mannino DM, Gwinn ML,
Bray MS. ADRB2 Arg16Gly Polymorphism, Lung Function, and
Mortality: Results from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities
Study. PLoS ONE. 2007 Mar 14;2:e289. PMID: 17356698
- Taylor DR, Drazen JM, Herbison GP,
Yandava CN, Hancox RJ, Town GI. Asthma exacerbations during
long term beta agonist use: influence of beta(2) adrenoceptor
polymorphism. Thorax. 2000 Sep;55(9):762-7. PMID: 10950895
- Wechsler ME, Lehman E, Lazarus SC,
et al. beta-Adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and response
to salmeterol. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006 Mar 1;173(5):519-26.
PMID: 16322642
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