Test ID: 2C9SO
Cytochrome P450 2C9 Genotype by Sequence Analysis, Saliva

Predicting metabolism status for drugs that are modified by CYP2C9

Evaluating patients for adverse drug reactions involving fluoxetine(1)

Assessing hypoglycemia with accepted dosing of oral hypoglycemic agents and sulfonylureas(2)

Assessing causes of idiosyncratic reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(3) 

As an aid in altering dosing of antiepileptic drugs(4)

• Informed Consent for Genetic Testing
• Multiple Saliva Genotype Tests

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Followed by DNA Sequence Analysis

Multiple saliva genotype tests can be performed on a single specimen after a single extraction. See Multiple Saliva Genotype Tests in Special Instructions for a list of tests that can be ordered together.

Container/Tube: Oragene DNA Self-Collection Kit (Supply T651)

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Collection Instructions:

1. Fill tube to line.                  

2. Send specimen in original container per kit instructions.

Additional Information:

1. Cytochrome P450 Patient Education Brochure (Supply T526) is available upon request.

2. This test is used for assessing CYP2C9 for polymorphisms affecting the metabolism of drugs other than warfarin/Coumadin. If requesting for the use of warfarin, order WARFO/60341 Warfarin Sensitivity, Genotype; which includes testing for the CYP2C9 gene and VKORC1 gene promoter.

3. Liver transplants will interfere with testing. Call Mayo Medical Laboratories at 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700 for instructions.

Forms: New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Please document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. An Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (Supply T576) is available in Special Instructions.

Primary metabolism of many drugs is performed by cytochrome P450 (CYP450), a group of oxidative/dealkylating enzymes localized in the microsomes of many tissues including the intestines and liver. One of these CYP450 enzymes, CYP2C9, metabolizes a wide variety of drugs including warfarin and many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also partially responsible for metabolizing other drugs such as fluoxetine, fluvastatin, oral hypoglycemic drugs, and phenytoin.

CYP2C9-mediated drug metabolism is variable. Some individuals have altered CYP2C9 gene sequences that result in synthesis of enzyme devoid of or with diminished catalytic activity. These individuals may metabolize various drugs at a slower rate than normal and may require dosing adjustments to prevent adverse drug reactions.

A number of specific polymorphisms have been found in the CYP2C9 gene that result in enzymatic deficiencies. The following information outlines the relationship between the polymorphisms detected in the assay and the effect on the enzyme activity encoded by that allele:  

Individuals without inactivating polymorphisms have the phenotype of an extensive drug metabolizer and are designated as CYP2C9*1/*1. All of the identified polymorphisms are autosomal recessive. Consequently, only individuals who are homozygous or who are compound heterozygous for these polymorphisms are poor metabolizers. Individuals who are heterozygous, with 1 normal gene and 1 polymorphic gene, will have metabolism intermediate between the extensive (normal) and poor metabolizers. The CYP2C9*2 allele has greater residual activity than other alleles. Consequently, an individual homozygous for the *2 allele is predicted to be an intermediate metabolizer.

Dosing of drugs that are metabolized through CYP2C9 may require adjustment for the individual patient. Patients who are poor metabolizers may benefit by dose alteration or by being switched to other comparable drugs that are not metabolized primarily by CYP2C9. The following is a partial listing of drugs known to affect CYP2C9 activity as of the date of this report.

Drugs that undergo metabolism primarily or in part by CYP2C9:

-Angiotensin II blockers: irbesartan, losartan

-Anticoagulants: warfarin

-Antidepressants: amitriptyline (minor), fluoxetine (minor)

-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, piroxicam

-Oral hypoglycemic agents: glipizide, glimepiride, glyburide/glibenclamide, rosiglitazone (minor), tolbutamide

-Miscellaneous drugs: fluvastatin, phenytoin, rosuvastatin (minor) sulfamethoxazole, tamoxifen, torsemide

Coadministration may decrease the rate of elimination of other drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.

Drugs known to increase CYP2C9 activity:

-Rifampin, secobarbital, phenobarbital

Coadministration of these drugs increases the concentration of CYP2C9 and increases the elimination of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.

Drugs known to decrease CYP2C9 activity:

-Amiodarone, fluconazole, fluvastatin, fluvoxamine, isoniazid, lovastatin, ticlopidine

Coadministration will decrease the rate of metabolism of CYP2C9-metabolized drugs, increasing the possibility of toxicity, particularly in heterozygous individuals.

An interpretive report will be provided.

An interpretive report will be provided. 

Drug-drug interactions and drug-metabolite inhibition must be considered when dealing with heterozygous individuals and individual homozygous for the *2 allele.

Drug-metabolite inhibition can occur, resulting in inhibition of residual functional CYP2C9 catalytic activity.

Patients may also develop toxicity problems if liver and kidney function are impaired.

Direct DNA testing will not detect all the known mutations that result in decreased or inactive CYP2C9. Absence of a detectable gene mutation or polymorphism does not rule out the possibility that a patient has an intermediate or poor metabolizer phenotype.

This test detects only the specified polymorphisms. Additional findings, such as small insertions and deletions or novel mutations, will be reported if found. Other polymorphisms in the primer binding regions can affect the testing and, ultimately, the genotyping assessments made.

1. Llerena A, Dorado P, Berecz R, et al: Effect of CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 genotypes on fluoxetine and norfluoxetine plasma concentrations during steady-state conditions. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2004;59:869-873

2. Niemi M, Cascorbi I, Timm R, et al: Glyburide and glimepiride pharmacokinetics in subjects with different CYP2C9 genotypes Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;72:326-332

3. Martinez C, Blanco G, Ladero JM, et al: Genetic predisposition to acute gastrointestinal bleeding after NSAIDs use. Br J Pharmacol 2004;141:205-208 

4. Gage BF, Eby C, Milligan PE, et al: Use of pharmacogenetics and clinical factors to predict the maintenance dose of warfarin. Thromb Haemostasis 2004;91:87-94

5. Hung CC, Lin CJ, Chen CC, et al: Dosage recommendation of phenytoin for patients with epilepsy with different CYP2C9/CYP2C19 polymorphisms. Ther Drug Monit 2004;26:534-540 

Genomic DNA is extracted from saliva. The CYP2C9 gene is amplified by PCR. The PCR product is then purified and sequenced in both directions using fluorescent dye-terminator chemistry. Sequencing products are separated on an automated sequencer and trace files analyzed for variations in the exons 3, 5, and 7 using mutation detection software and visual inspection. (Unpublished Mayo method)

Varies

81227-CYP2C9 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 9) (eg, drug metabolism), gene analysis, common variants (eg, *2, *3, *5, *6)