TPMT GENOTYPING AND TOXICITY TEST (PHARMACOGENOMICS)

Description

TPMT (thiopurine S-methyltransferase) genotyping and phenotyping are pharmacogenomic tests used to assess an individual’s ability to metabolize thiopurine drugs like azathioprine, mercaptopurine, and thioguanine. These tests help predict potential drug toxicity, particularly myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression), before starting treatment. TPMT genotyping identifies genetic variations in the TPMT gene, while phenotyping measures the enzyme’s activity in red blood cells. Combining both tests can improve the accuracy of predicting TPMT status, especially in cases of intermediate enzyme activity or rare genetic variants.