Marlena Fejzo, PhD, HER Board Member and Research Advisor, presents at the American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting on the genetics of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).
Title of presentation: “Whole-exome sequencing confirms GDF15 is the greatest genetic risk factor for Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Identifies Rare and Novel Variants in appetite genes GDF15 and GFRAL“
Conclusions
• This study confirms GDF15 is the greatest genetic risk factor for HG and identifies rare variants in GDF15 and GFRAL, providing further evidence the hormone pathway plays a role in disease etiology.
• The GDF15/GFRAL/RET signaling pathway is associated with taste, appetite, and cachexia. Drugs targeting this pathway are under investigation to treat obesity and cancer cachexia.
• These novel treatments may be applicable to HG, and if safe, limit adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
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