Cytochrome P450 3A: genetic polymorphisms and inter-ethnic differences.

Ethnicity is a demographic variable that plays an important role in interindividual variability of drug metabolism and response. The genetic variations of drug-metabolizing enzymes exhibiting interindividual differences of drug metabolism also show differences between populations. The reason for this is that the frequency of a polymorphism is found to differ between populations. The other reason is that different variants are seen in different populations. Most drugs are biotransformed in the body by cytochrome P450. The CYP3A isozymes are responsible for the metabolism of 50-60% of all currently prescribed drugs. Studies have shown that there is variability in CYP3A activity and also inter-ethnic differences in CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism. The purpose of this review is to focus on the genetic polymorphism and ethnic variations in CYP3A-mediated oxidative drug metabolism.