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Thomford NE, Kellermann T, Biney RP, Dixon C, Nyarko SB, Ateko RO, Ekor M, Kyei GB. Therapeutic efficacy of generic artemether-lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana: assessing anti-malarial efficacy amidst pharmacogenetic variations. Malar J 2024; 23:125. [PMID: 38685044 PMCID: PMC11059713 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04930-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite efforts made to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with malaria, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria continues to be a public health concern that requires innovative efforts to reach the WHO-set zero malaria agenda. Among the innovations is the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) that is effective against Plasmodium falciparum. Generic artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is used to treat uncomplicated malaria after appropriate diagnosis. AL is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 family of enzymes, such as CYP2B6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, which can be under pharmacogenetic influence. Pharmacogenetics affecting AL metabolism, significantly influence the overall anti-malarial activity leading to variable therapeutic efficacy. This study focused on generic AL drugs used in malarial treatment as prescribed at health facilities and evaluated pharmacogenomic influences on their efficacy. METHODS Patients who have been diagnosed with malaria and confirmed through RDT and microscopy were recruited in this study. Blood samples were taken on days 1, 2, 3 and 7 for parasite count and blood levels of lumefantrine, artemisinin, desbutyl-lumefantrine (DBL), and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the active metabolites of lumefantrine and artemether, respectively, were analysed using established methods. Pharmacogene variation analysis was undertaken using iPLEX microarray and PCR-RFLP. RESULTS A total of 52 patients completed the study. Median parasite density from day 1 to 7 ranged from 0-2666/μL of blood, with days 3 and 7 recording 0 parasite density. Highest median plasma concentration for lumefantrine and desbutyl lumefantrine, which are the long-acting components of artemisinin-based combinations, was 4123.75 ng/mL and 35.87 ng/mL, respectively. Day 7 plasma lumefantrine concentration across all generic ACT brands was ≥ 200 ng/mL which potentially accounted for the parasitaemia profile observed. Monomorphism was observed for CYP3A4 variants, while there were observed variations in CYP2B6 and CYP3A5 alleles. Among the CYP3A5 genotypes, significant differences in genotypes and plasma concentration for DBL were seen on day 3 between 1/*1 versus *1/*6 (p = 0.002), *1/*3 versus *1/*6 (p = 0.006) and *1/*7 versus *1/*6 (p = 0.008). Day 7 plasma DBL concentrations showed a significant difference between *1/*6 and *1/*3 (p = 0.026) expressors. CONCLUSIONS The study findings show that CYP2B6 and CYP3A5 pharmacogenetic variations may lead to higher plasma exposure of AL metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medicine Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
| | - Tracy Kellermann
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robert Peter Biney
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medicine Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Pharmacotherpaeutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Charné Dixon
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Samuel Badu Nyarko
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medicine Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Richmond Owusu Ateko
- Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Division of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martins Ekor
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - George B Kyei
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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Marwa KJ, Kapesa A, Kamugisha E, Swedberg G. The Influence of Cytochrome P450 Polymorphisms on Pharmacokinetic Profiles and Treatment Outcomes Among Malaria Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2023; 16:449-461. [PMID: 37223718 PMCID: PMC10202199 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s379945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) population is genetically diverse and heterogenous thus variability in drug response among individuals is predicted to be high. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) polymorphisms is a major source of variability in drug response. This systematic review presents the influence of CYP450 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), particularly CYP3A4*1B, CYP2B6*6 and CYP3A5*3 on antimalarial drug plasma concentrations, efficacy and safety in SSA populations. Methods Searching for relevant studies was done through Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Medline, LILACS, and EMBASE online data bases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Two independent reviewers extracted data from the studies. Results Thirteen studies reporting the influence of CYP450 SNPs on plasma concentrations, efficacy and safety were included in the final data synthesis. CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*5, CYP2B6*6 and CYP2C8*2 did not affect antimalarial drug plasma concentration significantly. There was no difference in treatment outcomes between malaria patients with variant alleles and those with wild type alleles. Conclusion This review reports lack of influence of CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3, CYP2C8*3 and CYP2B6*6 SNPs on PK profiles, efficacy and safety in SSA among P. falciparum malaria patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol J Marwa
- Department of Pharmacology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Anthony Kapesa
- Department of Community Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Göte Swedberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Assessing the Roles of Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance and the Host Pharmacogenetics in Drug-Resistant Malaria. J Trop Med 2022; 2022:3492696. [PMID: 35620049 PMCID: PMC9129956 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3492696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria caused by the Plasmodium parasites is a major public health concern in malaria-endemic regions with P. falciparum causing the most severe form of the disease. The use of antimalarial drugs for the management of the disease proves to be one of the best methods to manage the disease. Unfortunately, P. falciparum has developed resistance to almost all the current in-use antimalarial drugs. Parasite development of resistance is primarily caused by both parasite and host genetic factors. The parasite genetic factors involve undergoing mutation in the drug target sites or increasing the drug target gene copy number to prevent the intended action of the antimalarial drugs. The host pharmacogenetic factors which determine how a particular antimalarial drug is metabolized could result in variations of drug plasma concentration and consequently contribute to variable treatment outcomes and the emergence or propagation of resistant parasites. Since both host and parasite genomes play a role in antimalarial drug action, a key question often asked is, “which of the two strongly drives or controls antimalarial drug resistance?” A major finding in our recent study published in the Malaria Journal indicates that the parasite's genetic factors rather than the host are likely to energize resistance to an antimalarial drug. However, others have reported contrary findings suggesting that the host genetic factors are the force behind resistance to antimalarial drugs. To bring clarity to these observations, there is the need for deciphering the major driving force behind antimalarial drug resistance through optimized strategies aimed at alleviating the phenomenon. In this direction, literature was systematically reviewed to establish the role and importance of each of the two factors aforementioned in the etiology of drug-resistant malaria. Using Internet search engines such as Pubmed and Google, we looked for terms likely to give the desired information which we herein present. We then went ahead to leverage the obtained information to discuss the globally avid aim of combating antimalarial drug resistance.
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Pernaute-Lau L, Camara M, Nóbrega de Sousa T, Morris U, Ferreira MU, Gil JP. An update on pharmacogenetic factors influencing the metabolism and toxicity of artemisinin-based combination therapy in the treatment of malaria. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2022; 18:39-59. [PMID: 35285373 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2022.2049235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are recommended first-line antimalarials for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic variation associated with ACT drugs and their effect is documented. It is accepted to an extent that inter-individual variation is genetically driven, and should be explored for optimized antimalarial use. AREAS COVERED We provide an update on the pharmacogenetics of ACT antimalarial disposition. Beyond presently used antimalarials, we also refer to information available for the most notable next-generation drugs under development. The bibliographic approach was based on multiple Boolean searches on PubMed covering all recent publications since our previous review. EXPERT OPINION The last 10 years have witnessed an increase in our knowledge of ACT pharmacogenetics, including the first clear examples of its contribution as an exacerbating factor for drug-drug interactions. This knowledge gap is still large and is likely to widen as a new wave of antimalarial drug is looming, with few studies addressing their pharmacogenetics. Clinically useful pharmacogenetic markers are still not available, in particular, from an individual precision medicine perspective. A better understanding of the genetic makeup of target populations can be valuable for aiding decisions on mass drug administration implementation concerning region-specific antimalarial drug and dosage options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyre Pernaute-Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Mahamadou Camara
- Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Taís Nóbrega de Sousa
- Molecular Biology and Malaria Immunology Research Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Ulrika Morris
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Marcelo Urbano Ferreira
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal.,Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Pedro Gil
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal.,Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal
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Abuaku B, Duah-Quashie NO, Quashie N, Gyasi A, Afriyie PO, Owusu-Antwi F, Ghansah A, Malm KL, Bart-Plange C, Koram KA. Trends and predictive factors for treatment failure following artemisinin-based combination therapy among children with uncomplicated malaria in Ghana: 2005-2018. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1255. [PMID: 34911501 PMCID: PMC8672499 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06961-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Ghana in 2005 there has been a surveillance system by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and the University of Ghana Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (UG-NMIMR) to monitor the therapeutic efficacy of ACTs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in the country. We report trends and determinants of failure following treatment of Ghanaian children with artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) combinations. Methods Per protocol analyses as well as cumulative incidence of day 28 treatment failure from Kaplan Meier survival analyses were used to describe trends of failure over the surveillance period of 2005–2018. Univariable and multivariable cox regression analyses were used to assess the determinants of treatment failure over the period. Results Day 28 PCR-corrected failure, following treatment with ASAQ, significantly increased from 0.0% in 2005 to 2.0% (95% CI: 1.1–3.6) in 2015 (p = 0.013) but significantly decreased to 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1–1.6) in 2018 (p = 0.039). Failure, following treatment with AL, decreased from 4.5% (95% CI: 2.0–9.4) in 2010 to 2.7% (95% CI: 1.4–5.1) in 2018, though not statistically significant (p = 0.426). Risk of treatment failure, from multivariable cox regression analyses, was significantly lower among children receiving ASAQ compared with those receiving AL (HR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11–0.53; p < 0.001); lower among children with no parasitaemia on day 3 compared with those with parasitaemia on day 3 (HR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01–0.13; p < 0.001); and higher among children who received ASAQ and had axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C on day 1 compared with those with axillary temperature < 37.5 °C (HR = 3.96; 95% CI: 1.61–9.75; p = 0.003). Conclusions Treatment failures for both ASAQ and AL have remained less than 5% (below WHO’s threshold of 10%) in Ghana since 2005. Predictors of treatment failure that need to be considered in the management of uncomplicated malaria in the country should include type of ACT, day 3 parasitaemia, and day 1 axillary temperature of patients being treated. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06961-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Abuaku
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Nancy Odurowah Duah-Quashie
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Neils Quashie
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - Akosua Gyasi
- National Malaria Control Programme, Public Health Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patricia Opoku Afriyie
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Anita Ghansah
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Keziah Laurencia Malm
- National Malaria Control Programme, Public Health Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Constance Bart-Plange
- National Malaria Control Programme, Public Health Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Ansah Koram
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Pernaute-Lau L, Morris U, Msellem M, Mårtensson A, Björkman A, Gil JP. Influence of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 polymorphisms on the efficacy and tolerability of artesunate-amodiaquine treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Zanzibar. Malar J 2021; 20:90. [PMID: 33588856 PMCID: PMC7885591 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03620-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anti-malarial drug, amodiaquine, a commonly used, long-acting partner drug in artemisinin-based combination therapy, is metabolized to active desethyl-amodiaquine (DEAQ) by cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8). The CYP2C8 gene carries several polymorphisms including the more frequent minor alleles, CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3. These minor alleles have been associated with decreased enzymatic activity, slowing the amodiaquine biotransformation towards DEAQ. This study aimed to assess the influence of these CYP2C8 polymorphisms on the efficacy and tolerability of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Zanzibar. METHODS Dried blood spots on filter paper were collected from 618 children enrolled in two randomized clinical trials comparing AS-AQ and artemether-lumefantrine in 2002-2005 in Zanzibar. Study participant were under five years of age with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Human CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3 genotype frequencies were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistical associations between CYP2C8*2 and/or CYP2C8*3 allele carriers and treatment outcome or occurrence of adverse events were assessed by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS The allele frequencies of CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3 were 17.5 % (95 % CI 15.4-19.7) and 2.7 % (95 % CI 1.8-3.7), respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects carrying either CYP2C8*2 or CYP2C8*3 alleles amongst those with re-infections (44.1 %; 95 % CI 33.8-54.8) or those with recrudescent infections (48.3 %; 95 % CI 29.4-67.5), compared to those with an adequate clinical and parasitological response (36.7 %; 95 % CI 30.0-43.9) (P = 0.25 and P = 0.31, respectively). However, patients carrying either CYP2C8*2 or CYP2C8*3 alleles were significantly associated with an increased occurrence of non-serious adverse events, when compared with CYP2C8 *1/*1 wild type homozygotes (44.9 %; 95 % CI 36.1-54.0 vs. 28.1 %; 95 % CI 21.9-35.0, respectively; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS CYP2C8 genotypes did not influence treatment efficacy directly, but the tolerability to AS-AQ may be reduced in subjects carrying the CYP2C8*2 and CYP2C8*3 alleles. The importance of this non-negligible association with regard to amodiaquine-based malaria chemotherapy warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyre Pernaute-Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ulrika Morris
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mwinyi Msellem
- Training and Research, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Andreas Mårtensson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Björkman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose Pedro Gil
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
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