The third relatively well-characterized genetic polymorphism is that of CYP2C9. Two well-characterized variants of this enzyme exist, each with amino acid mutations that result in altered metabolism. The CYP2C9*2 allele encodes an Arg144Cys mutation, exhibiting impaired functional interactions with POR. The other allelic variant, CYP2C9*3, encodes an enzyme with an Ile359Leu mutation that has lowered affinity for many substrates. For example, individuals displaying the CYP2C9*3 phenotype have greatly reduced tolerance for the anticoagulant warfarin. The warfarin clearance in CYP2C9*3-homozygous individuals is about 10% of normal values, and these people have a much lower tolerance for the drug than those who are homozygous for the normal wild type allele. These individuals also have a much higher risk of adverse effects with warfarin (eg, bleeding) and with other CYP2C9 substrates such as phenytoin, losartan, tolbutamide, and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Table 4–4). Note, however, that despite the predominant role of CYP2C9 in warfarin clearance (particularly that of its pharmacologically more potent S-isomer), warfarin maintenance doses are largely dictated by polymorphisms in the VKORC1 gene responsible for the expression of vitamin K epoxide reductase, the specific cellular target of warfarin, rather than by CYP2C9*2/*3 polymorphisms alone (see Chapter 5).
Allelic variants of CYP3A4 have also been reported, but their contribution to the well-known interindividual variability in drug metabolism apparently is limited. On the other hand, the expression of CYP3A5, another human liver isoform, is markedly polymorphic, ranging from 0% to 100% of the total hepatic CYP3A content. This CYP3A5 protein polymorphism is now known to result from a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within intron 3, which enables normally spliced CYP3A5 transcripts in 5% of Caucasians, 29% of Japanese, 27% of Chinese, 30% of Koreans, and 73% of African Americans. Thus, it can significantly contribute to inter-individual differences in the metabolism of preferential CYP3A5 substrates such as midazolam. Two other CYP3A5 allelic variants that result in a PM phenotype are also known.
Polymorphisms in the CYP2A6 gene have also been recently characterized, and their prevalence is apparently racially linked. CYP2A6 is responsible for nicotine oxidation, and tobacco smokers with low CYP2A6 activity consume less and have a lower incidence of lung cancer. CYP2A6 1B allelic variants associated with faster rates of nicotine metabolism have been recently discovered. It remains to be determined whether patients with these faster variants will fall into the converse paradigm of increased smoking behavior and lung cancer incidence.
Additional genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolism are being discovered. Of these, the gene for CYP2B6 has become noteworthy as one of the most polymorphic P450 genes, with a 20to 250-fold variation in interindividual CYP2B6 expression. Despite its low (1–5%) contribution to the total liver P450 content, these CYP2B6 polymorphisms may have a significant impact on the CYP2B6-dependent metabolism of several clinically relevant drugs such as cyclophosphamide, S-methadone, efavirenz, nevirapine, bupropion, selegiline, and propofol. Of clinical relevance, women (particularly Hispanic-American women) express considerably higher hepatic levels of CYP2B6 protein than men.