Matthew Gale

• MBBS
• Identification of genetic risk factors for drug-induced liver injury

A number of widely used drugs including the antibiotic flucloxacillin and the immunosuppressant azathioprine can cause liver problems in some patients taking them at the recommended dose. The toxicity can be severe and in some cases a liver transplant may be needed. It is likely that the risk of developing this toxicity relates mainly to inherited genetic factors. This project followed up on preliminary data suggesting three new genes which may be important risk factors for this type of liver toxicity and detected positive associations for two of these genes.

Funding Source: Newcastle University