PharmVar Catalogues CYP2B6 Variation Impacting Efavirenz, Methadone, and Ketamine
This GeneFocus reviews PharmVar's standardised star allele nomenclature for CYP2B6, a pharmacogene with high clinical relevance for efavirenz (HIV), methadone (opioid use disorder), ketamine (depression), and bupropion (smoking cessation). Accurate CYP2B6 genotyping is increasingly important as these therapeutic areas adopt precision dosing. The review describes how PharmVar nomenclature feeds into PharmGKB and CPIC clinical resources.
The original study
PharmVar GeneFocus: CYP2B6.
- Authors
- Desta Z, El-Boraie A, Gong L, Somogyi AA, Lauschke VM, Dandara C, et al.
- Journal
- Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
- Type
- Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
- PMID
- 33448339
Original abstract
The Pharmacogene Variation Consortium (PharmVar) catalogs star (*) allele nomenclature for the polymorphic human CYP2B6 gene. Genetic variation within the CYP2B6 gene locus impacts the metabolism or bioactivation of clinically important drugs. Of particular importance are efficacy and safety concerns regarding: efavirenz, which is used for the treatment of HIV type-1 infection; methadone, a mainstay in the treatment of opioid use disorder and as an analgesic; ketamine, used as an antidepressant and analgesic; and bupropion, which is prescribed to treat depression and for smoking cessation. This GeneFocus provides a comprehensive overview and summary of CYP2B6 and describes how haplotype information catalogued by PharmVar is utilized by the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) and the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC).