New genetic links in diabetes drug could pave way for better treatment

LONDON - A commonly used diabetes drug has been found to have unexplored genetic links, which could pave way for new and better treatments, say scientists.

University of Dundee researchers have found how a gene known as ATM affects how well common diabetes drug metformin works in different patients.

Dr Ewan Pearson, Professor Colin Palmer and colleagues used data from patients with diabetes and blood samples donated by 20,000 people.

Results revealed that the gene ATM and one particular chromosome determined how well patients responded to metformin.

ATM is a gene that is known to be involved in the DNA damage response system of cells, a mechanism that if faulty can lead to the development of cancer, Pearson said.

“We were expecting to find genes involved in blood sugar regulation so the finding that ATM is involved in metformin response was totally unexpected,” the Scotsman quoted Pearson as saying.

“Our finding therefore draws together mechanisms that protect against cancer and lower blood sugar, suggesting a new area for diabetes drug development,” he added.

Palmer agreed, “This is an important development in defining how individuals may respond differently to diabetes drugs, but further work is required before we have enough information to be able to reliably use genetic testing in the clinic to guide treatment of common forms of Type 2 diabetes.”

The research was published in the journal Nature Genetics. (ANI)