Table 2. Human genetic variants important for antimalarial metabolism17.
| Gene | Phenotype | Phenotype frequency in African populations (%) | Phenotype frequency in Asian populations (%) | Phenotype frequency in white populations (%) | First-line antimalarial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug metabolizing enzymes | |||||
| CYP2A6 | Poor metabolizer | 2 | 4–12 | 1 | artesunate |
| CYP2C8 | Poor metabolizer | 1.5–4 | < 0–1 | 2 | amodiaquine |
| CYP3A5 | Poor metabolizer with residual CYP3A5 activity | 12–40 | 60–75 | 85–95 | artemether, lumefantrine, mefloquine |
| Poor metabolizer with no CYP3A5 activity | 10–22 | 0 | 0 | artemether, lumefantrine, mefloquine | |
| UGT1A9 | Poor metabolizer | < 0–1 | unknown | ≤ 1 | DHA |
| UGT2B7 | Poor metabolizer | 4–10 | 6–7 | 20–25 | DHA |
| Drug transporters | |||||
| ABCB1 | Reduced function | 21 | 69 | 46 | mefloquine |
| Higher concentration of drug substrate | < 1–16 | 40–45 | 46–56 | mefloquine |
DHA, dihydroartemisinin