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Cotinine Clearance Biomarker

Meaning

A specific physiological indicator that quantifies the rate at which the body metabolizes and eliminates cotinine, the primary metabolite of nicotine, from the system. This biomarker is used clinically to assess the functional activity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2A6, which is responsible for the majority of nicotine and cotinine breakdown. Understanding an individual’s cotinine clearance rate provides essential pharmacogenetic information that influences the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapies and determines the long-term toxicological exposure from tobacco or vaporized products.