Role of CYP1A1, ABCG2, CYP24A1 and VDR gene polymorphisms on the evaluation of cardiac iron overload in thalassaemia patients

ObjectivesIron-burden-induced arrhythmia and heart failure are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in -thalassaemia major patients. T2* cardiac magnetic resonance remains the only reliable noninvasive method for the heart iron excess assessment. We explored the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in vitamin D metabolism, transport and activity and in deferasirox (DFX) metabolism on cardiac iron burden.Patients and methodsOne hundred and five -thalassaemia patients, treated with DFX, were enrolled in the present study. Drug plasma C-trough was measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method. Allelic discrimination was carried out using the real-time PCR.ResultsCYP1A1*1189 CC, ABCG2 421 GA, CYP24A1 8620 GG and VDR TaqI CC single nucleotide polymorphisms influenced T2* values. Age, serum ferritin, ABCG2 421 GA, ABCG2 1194 +928 TC/CC, CYP24A1 22776 TT and VDR TaqI TC/CC were retained in linear regression model.ConclusionOur results suggested, for the first time, the role of DFX and vitamin D pharmacogenetics on cardiac iron overload.