Variants of the CYP11B2 gene predict response to therapy with candesartan.

In a prospective trial, patients with an elevated diastolic blood pressure (above 95 mm Hg) received high-dose (16 mg) or low-dose (8 mg) candesartan in addition to standardised medication. A positive response to treatment was defined as a diastolic blood pressure <85 mm Hg at follow-up. Genotyping for two candidate genes was performed in 116 patients. Genotypes of the CYP11B2 promotor polymorphism significantly predicted a positive response to treatment (CC: 67%; TC: 34%; TT: 21%; p=0.005).