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Comparison of the Effects of OPRM1 A118G Polymorphism Using Different Opioids: A Prospective Study
Miho Takemura1, Kazuyuki Niki1, Yoshiaki Okamoto2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research and Education (M.T., K.N., K.I.), Osaka University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Pharmacy (M.T., K.N., Y.O.), Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Ashiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Context:
μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) A118G polymorphism (rs1799971) causes loss of N-glycosylation sites at the extracellular domain of μ-opioid receptors. G-allele carriers show a limited response to morphine; however, studies investigating the impact of A118G polymorphism on the efficacy of opioids other than morphine are limited.
Objective:
To compare the impact of A118G polymorphism on the efficacy of various opioids.
Methods:
This prospective cohort study enrolled 222 in-patients administered one of the following opioid therapies for cancer pain as part of an opioid introduction or rotation strategy: tapentadol extended-release tablets, methadone tablets, hydromorphone controlled-release tablets, oxycodone controlled-release tablets, or transdermal fentanyl patches. The impact of A118G polymorphism on the difference in the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form score on days three, seven, and 14 from baseline was compared among the groups.
Results:
Overall, 81, 74, and 67 patients had the AA, AG, and GG genotypes, respectively, with an OPRM1 A118G G-allele variant frequency of 0.47. The reduction in the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form score after opioid therapy initiation did not differ significantly among the patients with the three A118G genotypes treated with tapentadol (p = 0.84) or methadone (p = 0.97), whereas it was significantly smaller in G-allele carriers than that in AA homozygous patients treated with hydromorphone (p < 0.001), oxycodone (p = 0.031), or fentanyl (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Tapentadol and methadone may be more suitable than hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl for G-allele carriers due to their dual mechanism of action and low susceptibility to OPRM1 A118G polymorphism.
Insights
The OPRM1 A118G polymorphism affects opioid efficacy. Tapentadol and methadone are more effective for G-allele carriers compared to hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacogenomics
- Pain Management
- Genetics
Background:
- The μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) A118G polymorphism (rs1799971) impacts μ-opioid receptor glycosylation.
- G-allele carriers exhibit reduced response to morphine, but data on other opioids are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism on the efficacy of various opioid analgesics in cancer pain management.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study included 222 cancer patients receiving tapentadol, methadone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, or transdermal fentanyl.
- The change in Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form scores from baseline at days 3, 7, and 14 was compared across genotypes and opioid treatments.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in pain score reduction was observed for tapentadol or methadone across OPRM1 A118G genotypes.
- G-allele carriers showed significantly smaller pain reduction with hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl compared to AA homozygous patients.
Conclusions:
- Tapentadol and methadone appear more suitable for G-allele carriers due to their dual mechanisms and lower susceptibility to OPRM1 A118G polymorphism effects.
- Hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl efficacy may be compromised in G-allele carriers.
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