The thiopurine drugs are purine antimetabolites widely used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, autoimmune disorders (e.g., Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis), and organ transplant recipients.
Metabolism is catalyzed by S-methyltransferase and nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15).[1]
Litigation over patents covering diagnostic kits to monitor the dosing of these drugs led to a US Supreme Court case, Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. that dramatically changed the nature of patent law in the United States.[2][3]
- ^ Sahasranaman S, Howard D, Roy S (August 2008). "Clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenetics of thiopurines". Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 64 (8): 753–67. doi:10.1007/s00228-008-0478-6. PMID 18506437.
- ^ Supreme Court Decision. Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc., No. 10-1150, Slip Op. at 16. Decision
- ^ Gene Quinn, Killing Industry: The Supreme Court Blows Mayo v. Prometheus IP Watchdog (March 20, 2012).