How Do Enzyme Polymorphisms Affect Drug Metabolism?
Enzyme polymorphisms can result in diverse metabolic phenotypes, such as poor, intermediate, extensive, and ultra-rapid metabolizers. These differences are particularly evident in enzymes like Cytochrome P450 (CYP) family, which are responsible for the metabolism of a large proportion of pharmaceutical drugs. For instance, polymorphisms in the CYP2D6 enzyme can lead to significant variations in drug metabolism, affecting therapeutic outcomes and the risk of adverse drug reactions.