Thiopurine Metabolites

The Thiopurine Metabolites test contains 1 test with 2 biomarkers.

Includes

6-Thioguanine (6-TG), 6-Methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP)

Patient Preparation 

trough specimen is required (within 1 hour prior to the next dose)

Reference Range(s)

 

6-TG 235-400 pmol/8x10(8) RBC
6-MMP <5700 pmol/8x10(8) RBC

 

Clinical Significance

6-Mercaptopurine (Purinethol) and its imidazolyl derivative, Azathioprine (Imuran), are immunosuppressive drugs. 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) is indicated for remission induction and maintenance therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Azathioprine is indicated as an adjunct for the prevention of rejection in renal allograft (kidney transplant) patients, for the management of rheumatoid arthritis, and for the management of inflammatory bowel disease.
Azathioprine is cleaved to 6-MP. 6-MP is metabolized via a series of enzymatic steps to 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGNs), to 6-methyl-mercaptopurine (6-MMPNs) by the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), and to 6-thiouric acid by the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO). TPMT enzyme activity has large inter-individual variations which affect the efficacy, toxicity and variability of the treatment. Therapeutic drug monitoring of 6-MP metabolites (6-TGNs and 6-MMPNs) in erythrocytes is recommended to assist therapy, particularly in combination with TPMT enzyme activity or mutation analysis.

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

6 Mmp

6 Tg

*Process times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. The lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.

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