NIH-funded research shows that differences in the CYP2A6 gene -- which controls in part how fast nicotine is metabolized -- can predict whether nicotine replacement therapies (nicotine lozenge and/or nicotine patch) will be effective in helping a person quit smoking. The effectiveness of buproprion, a non-nicotine based medication often prescribed to quit smoking, was not affected by differences in this gene.
This study adds to previous findings with the CHRNA5 gene, showing that screening for genetic variation may better guide personalized treatments to quit smoking.
The study was partially funded by NIDA, NCI, NHGRI, NCATS, and NIMH. For a copy of the study, published online Sept 11, go to http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12353/abstract.
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