Interleukin-1 Variations Increase Risk of Restenosis - Brief Article

Applied Genetics News, April, 2000

Individuals with specific variations in the interleukin-1 (IL-1) genes have an 81% increased risk of requiring retreatment after angioplasty procedures, according to a research study conducted by Albert Schomig and Adnan Kastrati in Munich and collaborators at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), the University of Sheffield, U.K., and Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (100 NE Loop 410, Ste. 820, San Antonio, TX, 78216; Tel: 210/3496400, Fax: 210/349-6900, Website: www.ilgenetics.com). Their results were presented at the College of Cardiology's 49Th Annual Scientific Session in Anaheim, CA. The data presented was from 1850 patients who had undergone coronary stent replacement to reopen blocked coronary arteries at the Deutsches Herzzentrum and 1. Med. Klinik, Technische Universitat, Munich, Germany.

One of the major limitations of the transluminal coronary angioplasty is that restenosis of the arteries occurs in approximately 35% of the cases. Although the use of stents has reduced the incidence of restenosis, the clinical outcome is still compromised in 25-30% of the patients, and requires repeat angioplasty or by-pass surgery in the first year after treatment in approximately 20% of the patients. It is now apparent that genetics may influence which patients and how many patients will need a repeat procedure.