Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A high rate of interindividual variability in response to tamoxifen (TAM) in breast cancer patients with CYP2D6 polymorphism has been reported, which affects the patient's therapeutic outcome. The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacogenomics of CYP2D6 genotyping in Iranian patients with breast cancer treated with adjuvant TAM. METHODS: A peripheral blood sample was obtained to determine the steady-state plasma concentrations of TAM and its metabolites (Endoxifen (EN) and 4-Hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT)) using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLU) assay. We detected CYP2D6 * 3, * 4, * 10, and * 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms via polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: A total of 84 Iranian estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancer patients receiving the daily dose of 20 mg tamoxifen were recruited. Although a consequent decrease in the median EN and 4-OHT concentrations was observed by comparing poor or intermediate metabolizer patients with an extensive metabolizer population, this difference did not reach a significant level. The mean plasma EN concentrations in poor and intermediate metabolizers were 46.1 (95 CI, 7.4-27.8) and 59.4 (95 CI, 11.9-37.3) of extensive metabolizer subjects, respectively. Poor and intermediate metabolizers had the mean plasma 4-OHT concentrations that were 46.6 (95 CI, 0.9-61.7) and 73.2 (95 CI, 2.7-93.1) of those of subjects who were extensive metabolizer, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The possible role of genotyping in Iranian patients' response to treatment may explain inter-individual differences in the plasma concentrations of active metabolites of TAM.