The role of mdr1 gene polymorphism in the duration of remission of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease with a strong genetic contribution to its pathogenesis. The treatment response is influenced by several factors including differences in drug metabolism. Genetic factors may be responsible for up to 30 % of this difference. The MDR1 gene product, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), is probably one of the most important and best defined transporters for drug delivery in humans. A number of large cohort studies were conducted on the study of the C3435T polymorphism of the MDR1 (ABC1) gene in patients with RA, but very little data was available on studies of the presence of three isoforms of the ABC1 gene.