Pharmacogenetic and epigenetic features of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome

Recently, investigation of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) is an actual topic due to difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of our study was to investigate HDAC2, PI3K-δ, GR-α, and GR-β relative expressions in order to found markers of steroid sensitivity in ACOS patients. Methods. We examined 31 ACOS patients and 32 control patients. Blood levels of HDAC2, PI3K-δ, GR-α, and GR-β mRNAs were measured by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. Reduced expressions of HDAC2 and GR-α, as well as increased expressions of PI3K-δ and GR-β could result in lower steroid sensitivity and more severe ACOS course. Conclusion. Investigation of pharmacogenetic and epigenetic mechanisms of steroid sensitivity in patients with ACOS could predict the efficacy of steroids and personalize the choice of the targeted treatment.

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