Significance of the results of genome-wide association studies for primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Personalised approach

Abstract

The method of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) steadily becomes the basis for searching for candidate genes of monogenic and multifactorial diseases, including type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, obesity, vascular diseases, and others. To date, approximately 40 loci associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been identified and genetic predisposition factors for cardiovascular diseases have been determined. In some cases, the GWAS results not only enable understanding of the pathophysiologic basis for diseases, but also may give rise to new drugs. However, the question naturally arises about the possibility of implementing the accumulated knowledge to predict the development of diseases, including T2DM and its vascular complications. This review summarises the literature data on the possibilities to use the GWAS results to calculate the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Determination of the individual genetic risk will allow for the primary prevention of diseases and will apparently be the basis of personalised predictive medicine in the near future.