Perlegen seeking genes responsible for Actos, Avandia side effects

California, USA-based Perlegen Sciences says that it has completed the collection of more than 3,000 DNA samples from diabetic patients treated with Actos (pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone) in order to analyze the genetic variability associated with adverse events due to treatment with this class of medications.

An estimated 200 million people worldwide have type 2 diabetes, including close to 20 million in the USA. In the late 1990s, insulin sensitizing thiazolidinediones (TZDs, the class of drugs to which Actos and Avandia belong) were approved in the USA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The main side effect from TZDs is fluid retention, leading to edema, weight gain and, potentially aggravating heart failure. Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration requested that black-box labels be added to the packaging of both drugs, warning about the risk of cardiovascular events (Marketletter June 18). This new labeling may significantly impact the use of these agents.

"Our early results have demonstrated a significant genetic component to the adverse effect profile of these TZDs," commented David Cox, Perlegen's chief scientific officer, "Through our analysis of this valuable sample set, using both genotyping and sequencing technologies, we hope to provide patients and physicians with critical decision making information, while revealing biological insights that will enable the discovery of safer medicines," he added.