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Genetic testing for cannabinoid use

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Cannabis is the most popular and consumed illicit drug in the world, it has about 540 bioactive phytocannabinoids, including tetrahydrocarbinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids has been the subject of many studies in recent decades for many medical situations, including the management of chronic pain. The advent of pharmacogenetics currently allows the indication of the Cannabis dose to be evaluated individually. The objective of this work was to carry out a survey of the literature on the medicinal use of Cannabis and the application of pharmacogenetics in this therapy.

CONTENTS:

THC and CBD phytocannabinoids are the most abundant and researched. In the endocannabinoid system there are compounds similar to phytocannabinoids, cell receptors and metabolism enzymes. All these molecules are secreted from genes, which may have individual genetic polymorphisms that determine the modulation of the endocannabinoid system, and consequently impact the patients’ therapeutic response.

CONCLUSION:

The existence of genetic tests for the prior assessment of the patients genetic profile in order to avoid side effects and to have more assertiveness in the indication of the cannabis product is an important tool to increase adherence to cannabis treatment.

Keywords
Cannabis; Genetic variation; Medical marijuana; Pharmacogenetics; Polymorphism; Single nucleotide

RESUMO

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:

A cannabis é a droga ilícita mais popular e consumida no mundo, possuindo cerca de 540 fitocanabinoides bioativos, entre eles o tetra-hidrocarbinol (THC) e o canabidiol (CBD). O potencial terapêutico dos fitocanabinoides tem sido alvo de muitos estudos nas últimas décadas para muitas situações médicas, incluindo o manejo da dor crônica. O advento da farmacogenética permite que atualmente a indicação da dose de cannabis seja avaliada individualmente. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento da literatura sobre o uso medicinal da cannabis e a aplicação da farmacogenética nessa terapia.

CONTEÚDO:

Os fitocanabinoides THC e CBD são os mais abundantes e pesquisados. No sistema endocanabinoide, existem compostos similares aos fitocanabinoides, receptores celulares e enzimas de metabolismo. Todas essas moléculas são secretadas a partir de genes que podem possuir polimorfismos genéticos individuais determinantes para a modulação do sistema endocanabinoide e, consequentemente, impactam a resposta terapêutica do paciente.

CONCLUSÃO:

A existência de testes genéticos para avaliação prévia do perfil genético do paciente a fim de evitar efeitos colaterais e ter mais assertividade na indicação do produto de cannabis é uma importante ferramenta para aumentar a aderência ao tratamento com cannabis.

Descritores:
Cannabis; Farmacogenética; Maconha medicinal; Nucleotídeo único; Polimorfismo; Variação genética

HIGHLIGHTS

  • There are questions about adverse effects and risk of addiction associated with cannabis use.

  • Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms related to cannabis use is a reality.

  • Pharmacogenetics allows assertiveness in cannabis prescribing.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • There are questions about adverse effects and risk of addiction associated with cannabis use.

  • Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms related to cannabis use is a reality.

  • Pharmacogenetics allows assertiveness in cannabis prescribing.

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacogenetics is the study of how individual genetic variability impacts an individual’s response to a particular drug. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), responsible for genetic and phenotypic variability, have been associated with different therapeutic and adverse responses in treatments with various drugs and with cannabis. Thus, the determination of SNPs can identify which phytocannabinoid is best suited to a particular patient, and which specific dosage to bring therapeutic benefits with low risk or even absence of side effects, which makes the treatment much more effective and with greater adherenc11 Horpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;106:110164.

2 Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Li N, Berger AA, Cornett EM, et al. Adverse Effects of Recreational and medical Cannabis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(1):94-109.

3 Grieco M. Cannabis Medicinal: baseado em fatos. Rio de Janeiro: Agir; 2021. 400p.

4 Romero P, Peris A, Vergara K, Matus JT. Comprehending and improving cannabis specialized metabolism in the systems biology era. Plant Sci. 2020;298:110571.

5 Ahmed S, Roth RM, Stanciu CN, Brunette MF. The Impact of THC and CBD in schizophrenia: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:694394.

6 Bialas P, Fitzcharles MA, Klose P, Hauser W. Long-term observational studies with cannabis-based medicines for chronic non-cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety. Eur J Pain. 2022;26(6):1221-33.

7 Bonaccorso S, Ricciardi A, Zangani C, Chiappini S, Schifano F. Cannabidiol (CBD) use in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. Neurotoxicology. 2019;74:282-98.

8 Bousman CA, Bengesser SA, Aitchison KJ, Amare AT, Aschauer H, Baune BT, Asl BB, Bishop JR, Burmeister M, Chaumette B, Chen LS, Cordner ZA, Deckert J, Degenhardt F, DeLisi LE, Folkersen L, Kennedy JL, Klein TE, McClay JL, McMahon FJ, Musil R, Saccone NL, Sangkuhl K, Stowe RM, Tan EC, Tiwari AK, Zai CC, Zai G, Zhang J, Gaedigk A, Müller DJ. Review and Consensus on Pharmacogenomic Testing in Psychiatry. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2021;54(1):5-17.

9 Filippini G, Minozzi S, Borrelli F, Cinquini M, Dwan K. Cannabis and cannabinoids for symptomatic treatment for people with multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;5:CD013444.

10 Kuhns L, Kroon E, Colyer-Patel K, Cousijn J. Associations between cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and mood disorders: longitudinal, genetic, and neurocognitive evidence. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(5):1231-49.

11 Wang L, Hong PJ, May C, Rehman Y, Oparin Y, Hong CJ, Hong BY, AminiLari M, Gallo L, Kaushal A, Craigie S, Couban RJ, Kum E, Shanthanna H, Price I, Upadhye S, Ware MA, Campbell F, Buchbinder R, Agoritsas T, Busse JW. Medical cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer and cancer related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2021;374:n1034.

12 Demers CH, Bogdan R, Agrawal A. The genetics, neurogenetics and pharmacogenetics of addiction. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2014;1(1):33-44.

13 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.
-1414 Whirl-Carrillo M, McDonagh EM, Hebert JM, Gong L, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, Altman RB, Klein TE. Pharmacogenomics knowledge for personalized medicine. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;92(4):414-7..

The genes containing the SNPs specific to cannabis pharmacogenetics can be divided into membrane receptor genes, transport genes, genes to enzymes involved in cannabinoid metabolism, genes involved in the biosynthesis and bioactivation of endogenous cannabinoids, and genes for cannabinoid-related cellular processes1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12..

Thus, previous genetic evaluation regarding the use of cannabis can allow a great assertiveness for the prescription, promoting better management and efficiency of the treatment, with a decrease in intoxication risks or in administration of sub-optimal doses for a certain individual, besides suggesting the best route of administration1212 Demers CH, Bogdan R, Agrawal A. The genetics, neurogenetics and pharmacogenetics of addiction. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2014;1(1):33-44.

13 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.
-1414 Whirl-Carrillo M, McDonagh EM, Hebert JM, Gong L, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, Altman RB, Klein TE. Pharmacogenomics knowledge for personalized medicine. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;92(4):414-7..

The present study’s objective was to conduct a survey of the literature on medicinal use of cannabis and the application of pharmacogenetics to this therapy.

CONTENTS

Brief history

200 years ago, pain medicine already knew about and made use of morphine, a potent painkiller naturally obtained from opium, which is extracted from poppy. Due to the large amount of opioid prescriptions for chronic pain management in recent decades, opioid overdose has claimed 69,000 lives annually, and another 15 million people are considered addicted to opioids worldwide. Due to analgesic effects of active ingredients and secondary metabolites of cannabis, its medicinal use, especially in the control of chronic pain, linked or not to malignant tumors, has been increasingly discussed in counterpoint to the opioid prescription crisis66 Bialas P, Fitzcharles MA, Klose P, Hauser W. Long-term observational studies with cannabis-based medicines for chronic non-cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety. Eur J Pain. 2022;26(6):1221-33.,1111 Wang L, Hong PJ, May C, Rehman Y, Oparin Y, Hong CJ, Hong BY, AminiLari M, Gallo L, Kaushal A, Craigie S, Couban RJ, Kum E, Shanthanna H, Price I, Upadhye S, Ware MA, Campbell F, Buchbinder R, Agoritsas T, Busse JW. Medical cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer and cancer related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2021;374:n1034.,1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472.

16 Crist RC, Clarke TK, Berrettini WH. Pharmacogenetics of opioid use disorder treatment. CNS Drugs. 2018;32(4):305-20.
-1717 Gilron I, Blyth FM, Degenhardt L, Di Forti M, Eccleston C, Haroutounian S, Moore A, Rice ASC, Wallace M. Risks of harm with cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicine for pain management relevant to patients receiving pain treatment: protocol for an overview of systematic reviews. Pain Rep. 2019;4(3):e742..

Until the early 20th century, cannabis use was common among Chinese, Mexicans, Arabs, and Afro-descendants, i.e., among socially discriminated minorities. In addition, cannabis competed with the powerful cotton textile industry for clothing, and also with the tobacco and alcohol industry. Thus, cannabis came to be seen as a drug that should be combated. In 1925, cannabis was included by the Geneva Convention as a dangerous and illicit drug, while tobacco and alcohol remained legal33 Grieco M. Cannabis Medicinal: baseado em fatos. Rio de Janeiro: Agir; 2021. 400p..

It was not until the 1960s that chemical structure, isolation, purification, and synthesis of CBD and THC were obtained. Pharmacological experiments with the cannabinoids extracted from cannabis were performed between the 1940s and 1950s, as well as the first tests with synthetic cannabinoids, demonstrating the power of each type of cannabinoid in different animal species, especially its psychotropic effect1818 Pertwee RG. Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years. Br J Pharmacol. 2006;147 Suppl 1:S163-71..

PHYTOCANNABINOIDS

Although there are more than 500 phytochemicals in cannabis, the fat-soluble phytocannabinoids THC, CBD and their precursors are the most abundant molecules in cannabis variants and therefore both have been widely investigated11 Horpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;106:110164.. Depending on the cannabis species and strain, there is a higher concentration of either one phytocannabinoid. In general, Cannabis sativa produces more THC and Cannabis indica has a higher concentration of CBD33 Grieco M. Cannabis Medicinal: baseado em fatos. Rio de Janeiro: Agir; 2021. 400p.,1919 Freeman TP, Craft S, Wilson J, Stylianou S, ElSohly M, Di Forti M, Lynskey MT. Changes in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations in cannabis over time: systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction. 2021;116(5):1000-10..

THC is the main psychoactive molecule in cannabis, with a wide variation in concentration according to the cannabis species, which has an important impact on those who use it medicinally. The effects of THC are related to mood swings and psychopathological symptoms, such as anxiety, panic or paranoia, as well as producing audiovisual changes and negatively impacting memory33 Grieco M. Cannabis Medicinal: baseado em fatos. Rio de Janeiro: Agir; 2021. 400p.,1818 Pertwee RG. Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years. Br J Pharmacol. 2006;147 Suppl 1:S163-71..

On the other hand, CBD, the second most present molecule in cannabis, has no psychoactive effect and, if administered in conjunction with THC, diminishes the psychoactive effects promoted by THC. CBD is a molecule of wide interest due to its therapeutic potential, for not being psychoactive and having few side effects.

As for its therapeutic potential, CBD has been used in Brazil for treatment of psychiatric or neurodegenerative diseases, besides having analgesic, antitumor and immunosuppressive actions33 Grieco M. Cannabis Medicinal: baseado em fatos. Rio de Janeiro: Agir; 2021. 400p.. However, in legal trade purchased cannabis, the presence of THC has increased from 4% to 12% in the last 25 years, while the proportion of CBD in relation to THC has been decreasing55 Ahmed S, Roth RM, Stanciu CN, Brunette MF. The Impact of THC and CBD in schizophrenia: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:694394.,77 Bonaccorso S, Ricciardi A, Zangani C, Chiappini S, Schifano F. Cannabidiol (CBD) use in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. Neurotoxicology. 2019;74:282-98.. In different presentations of cannabis, there has been a difference in THC concentration increase, while the concentration of CBD has not changed over the last decades1919 Freeman TP, Craft S, Wilson J, Stylianou S, ElSohly M, Di Forti M, Lynskey MT. Changes in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations in cannabis over time: systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction. 2021;116(5):1000-10..

ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

The endocannabinoid system comprises endogenous phytocannabinoid-like molecules and their precursors, the enzymes responsible for synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids, and the cell membrane receptor system. The discovery of this system had a great impact on cannabinoid research, because research started to study not only phytocannabinoids from cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, but also endocannabinoids and what are the physiological and pathological events that promote the release and metabolism of these molecules, besides their role in health and disease1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472.,1818 Pertwee RG. Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years. Br J Pharmacol. 2006;147 Suppl 1:S163-71..

Endogenous ligands of the endocannabinoid system are derived from arachidonic acid and ethanolamine, namely anandamide or N-araquidonoiletanolamine (AEA) and 2-araquidonoilglycerol (2-AG). While AEA is similar to THC, 2-AG is similar to CBD, and is more prevalent than AEA. Besides these two, three other endocannabinoids have been described, all derived from the degradation of arachidonic acid. The metabolic enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids include diacylglycerol lipase α and β isoenzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase, monoacylglycerollipase, and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-selective phospholipase D22 Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Li N, Berger AA, Cornett EM, et al. Adverse Effects of Recreational and medical Cannabis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(1):94-109.

3 Grieco M. Cannabis Medicinal: baseado em fatos. Rio de Janeiro: Agir; 2021. 400p.
-44 Romero P, Peris A, Vergara K, Matus JT. Comprehending and improving cannabis specialized metabolism in the systems biology era. Plant Sci. 2020;298:110571.,1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472..

The main G protein-coupled cell membrane receptors that are part of endocannabinoid system are called CB1 and CB2, with 44% homology between them. CB1 is encoded by CNRI gene, located on chromosome 6q14-15, and is extremely conserved between species. CB2 is encoded by the CNR2 gene and is located on chromosome1p361111 Wang L, Hong PJ, May C, Rehman Y, Oparin Y, Hong CJ, Hong BY, AminiLari M, Gallo L, Kaushal A, Craigie S, Couban RJ, Kum E, Shanthanna H, Price I, Upadhye S, Ware MA, Campbell F, Buchbinder R, Agoritsas T, Busse JW. Medical cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer and cancer related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2021;374:n1034.. The highest concentrations of CB1 and CB2 receptors are in central nervous system (CNS) and immune system cells, respectively.

CB1 receptors are very present in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. CB1 neurochemical structure is very similar to that of opioid receptors and is believed to modulate the nociceptive process in the brain. CB2 receptor, on the other hand, is found in higher concentration in sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord, areas known to be sites of intense nociceptive integration. Outside CNS, cannabinoid receptors are involved in antinociceptive pathways by noradrenergic signaling11 Horpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;106:110164.,22 Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Li N, Berger AA, Cornett EM, et al. Adverse Effects of Recreational and medical Cannabis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(1):94-109.,44 Romero P, Peris A, Vergara K, Matus JT. Comprehending and improving cannabis specialized metabolism in the systems biology era. Plant Sci. 2020;298:110571.,1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472..

In addition to CB1 and CB2 receptors, two more receptor genes involved in the endocannabinoid system, TRPV1 and GPR55, have been described. TRPV1 is on chromosome 17p1322 Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Li N, Berger AA, Cornett EM, et al. Adverse Effects of Recreational and medical Cannabis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(1):94-109. and encodes a transient receptor with potential subfamily V member 1 action for CBD. THC does not bind to TRPV1 receptors, but CBD does. Binding of CBD metabolites simultaneously at the CB2 and TRPV1 receptors is necessary for ABCB1 gene expression, related to phytocannabinoid transport. When there was binding only on CB2 or TRPV1 receptors, there was no signaling for ABCB1 gene, showing that only joint binding on the two receptors is capable of initiating the metabolization process2020 Arnold JC, Hone P, Holland ML, Allen JD. CB2 and TRPV1 receptors mediate cannabinoid actions on MDR1 expression in multidrug resistant cells. Pharmacol Rep. 2012;64(3):751-7..

GPR55 gene is located on chromosome 6 in the human species and encodes the G protein-coupled receptor with 319 amino acids and seven hydrophobic domains, presenting a structure similar to that found in cannabinoid receptors, and is even considered a new subtype of cannabinoid receptor that does not bind to CB1 and CB22121 Mackie K, Stella N. Cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids: evidence for new players. AAPS J. 2006;8(2):E298-306.,2222 Ryberg E, Larsson N, Sjögren S, Hjorth S, Hermansson NO, Leonova J, Elebring T, Nilsson K, Drmota T, Greasley PJ. The orphan receptor GPR55 is a novel cannabinoid receptor. Br J Pharmacol. 2007;152(7):1092-101..

There is evidence in animal model studies of other possible cell membrane receptors that are involved in cannabinoid signaling, however these have not yet been properly identified2121 Mackie K, Stella N. Cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids: evidence for new players. AAPS J. 2006;8(2):E298-306..

Endocannabinoid system modulates the neurological hormone system in a retrograde manner, regulating many neurobiological processes, with a key role in homeostasis, hunger sensation, anxiety, emotions, depression, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, reward system, learning, memory, pain sensation, fertility, gestation, and preand postnatal development11 Horpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;106:110164.,22 Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Li N, Berger AA, Cornett EM, et al. Adverse Effects of Recreational and medical Cannabis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(1):94-109.,1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472..

The tissue concentration of endocannabinoids and its receptors increases in some conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, cancer, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress, intestinal and cardiovascular diseases, causing a reduction in the severity of symptoms or slowing the progression of the condition. In other situations, such as female infertility, obesity, brain damage after heart attack, septic shock, cystitis, and gastrointestinal alterations, there is also an increase in the endocannabinoid system, but in this case leading to unwanted effects, and there are no studies on the clinical relevance of such effects yet1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472.,1818 Pertwee RG. Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years. Br J Pharmacol. 2006;147 Suppl 1:S163-71.. Thus, due to the multiple functions linked to endocannabinoid system, its modulation has been the subject of studies to benefit dozens of medical conditions1515 Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The endocannabinoid system: a potential target for the treatment of various diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(17):9472..

PHYTOCANNABINOID METABOLISM

In the process of phytocannabinoid metabolism, there are reports still being studied of membrane-associated proteins for the transport of these molecules. At least two proteins from ABC transporter gene family are involved in extraand intracellular transport of cannabinoids, ABCB1 and ABCG2. These proteins are involved in multidrug resistance, especially ABCB1. SLC6A4 gene and COMT gene also produce cannabinoid cellular transport proteins1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12..

The fat-soluble phytocannabinoids THC and CBD are metabolized in the liver for elimination via feces and urine. Products of natural origin, such as cannabis, are known to have their effect modulated by cytochrome P450 enzymes and uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucuronosyltransferase (UGT).

In humans the enzyme proteins of cytochrome P450 gene family include 57 functional genes and 58 more pseudogenes. Cytochrome P450 family enzymes act in a variety of phase 1 metabolic reactions, including the metabolism of steroids, drugs, and xenobiotics. Phytocannabinoids are metabolized primarily by enzymes produced by cytochrome P450, such as CYP 2C9 and CYP 2C19 enzymes, with genes on chromosome 10, and CYP 3A4 enzyme, with genes on chromosome 7.

CYP 2C9 enzyme metabolizes about 15% of all clinically relevant drugs, including opioids and THC. CYP 2C19 enzyme is involved in about 2% of drug metabolism. CYP 3A4 enzyme is involved in the metabolism of THC and also of CBD1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.,2323 Velazquez MNR, Parween S, Udhane SS, Pandey AV. Variability in human drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A5 activities caused by genetic variations in cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2019;515(1):133-8.. Phytocannabinoids and metabolites of THC are able to inhibit a good part of cytochrome P450 enzymes2424 Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Bardhi K, Fort G, Chen G, Lazarus P. Inhibition of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes by Major Cannabinoids and Their Metabolites. Drug Metab Dispos. 2021;49(12):1081-9..

UGT complex enzymes are located in endoplasmic reticulum of liver, kidneys, and upper aerodigestive tract cells, being most present in liver. They comprise four subfamilies, UGT1, UGT2, UGT3, and UGT8, comprising a total of 22 enzymes essential to the reaction that catalyzes the binding of metabolized molecules to glyburonic acid in phase 2 detoxification. This reaction allows the molecules to become water soluble to facilitate excretion by urine and feces. UGT family enzymes are critical for metabolism and clearance of endogenous and exogenous compounds, including steroid hormones, bile acids, bilirubin, fatty acids, carcinogens, and therapeutic drugs, and are responsible for 15% of the drugs metabolism2424 Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Bardhi K, Fort G, Chen G, Lazarus P. Inhibition of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes by Major Cannabinoids and Their Metabolites. Drug Metab Dispos. 2021;49(12):1081-9.

25 Hu DG, Mackenzie PI, Hulin JA, McKinnon RA, Meech R. Regulation of human UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes by miRNAs. Drug Metab Rev. 2022;54(2):120-40.
-2626 Omura K, Motoki K, Kobashi S, Miyata K, Yamano K, Iwanaga T. Identification of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and sulfotransferase as responsible for the metabolism of dotinurad, a novel selective urate reabsorption inhibitor. Drug Metab Dispos. 2021;49(11):1016-24..

UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A9 enzymes, all on chromosome 2, and the enzyme UGT2B7, on chromosome 4, are involved in metabolization and detoxification of phytocannabinoids1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.. Recently it has been shown that phytocannabinoids, especially CBD, are able to inhibit many of UGT enzymes (mainly UGTs1A6, 1A9, 2B4 and 2B7), suggesting that deleterious effects of cannabis may be more likely to occur in patients with reduced renal or hepatic function2424 Nasrin S, Watson CJW, Bardhi K, Fort G, Chen G, Lazarus P. Inhibition of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes by Major Cannabinoids and Their Metabolites. Drug Metab Dispos. 2021;49(12):1081-9..

CANNABIS PHARMACOGENETICS

Pharmacogenetics studies the variations in response to drugs according to the patient’s genetic makeup1414 Whirl-Carrillo M, McDonagh EM, Hebert JM, Gong L, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, Altman RB, Klein TE. Pharmacogenomics knowledge for personalized medicine. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;92(4):414-7.. The knowledge of proteins and other molecules involved in reception, transport, action and metabolism of cannabinoids leads to a list of candidate genes to check for SNPs that can influence therapeutic responses and especially adverse reactions in cannabis treatments1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.,2727 Rambaran KA, Chu M, Johnson TB, Alzghari SK. The current landscape of marijuana and pharmacogenetics. Cureus. 2017;9(7):e1525..

In the topics already described, were mentioned the main constituent genes of endocannabinoid system and also of phytocannabinoid metabolizing system.

In the endocannabinoid system, the cell membrane receptors CB1 and CB2, encoded by CNR1 and CNR2 genes, besides being the main responsible for endocannabinoid cell signaling, are also activated with phytocannabinoids. CNR1 is so far the gene with highest number of SNPs described for risk of cannabis dependence and risk of mood swings due to abstinence. Carriers of these SNPs have higher or lower risk of dependence and withdrawal crisis, depending on the unique individual combination11 Horpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;106:110164.,1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.,2828 Murphy T, Matheson J, Mann RE, Brands B, Wickens CM, Tiwari AK, Zai CC, Kennedy J, Le Foll B. Influence of cannabinoid receptor 1 genetic variants on the subjective effects of smoked cannabis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(14):7388.. CNR2 gene also has polymorphisms described that promote altered receptor function1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12..

To date, there are no reports of polymorphisms in TRPV1 membrane receptor gene associated with cannabis. As for the GPR55 gene, also a membrane receptor, a polymorphism has been described that is associated with an increased risk of anorexia nervosa1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12..

The opioid receptor gene OPRM1 has a polymorphism that contributes to individual response to cannabis and to serum THC levels2929 Bourgault Z, Matheson J, Mann RE, Brands B, Wickens CM, Tiwari AK, Zai CC, Kennedy J, Le Foll B. Mu opioid receptor gene variant modulates subjective response to smoked cannabis. Am J Transl Res. 2022;14(1):623-32..

The phytocannabinoid transporter genes, extra and intracellular, ABCB1 and ABCG2, involved in resistance to drugs, in addition to SLC6A4 and COMT genes, have polymorphisms, some associated with cannabis metabolism. The SNP present in ABCB1 gene is responsible for modulating THC serum levels in chronic cannabis users1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.,3030 Kebir O, Lafaye G, Blecha L, Chaumette B, Mouaffak F, Laqueille X, Benyamina A. ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism is associated with tetrahydrocannabinol blood levels in heavy cannabis users. Psychiatry Res. 2018;262:357-8.. In COMT gene, a variant increases the risk of schizophrenia in the carrier and also promotes a greater adverse effect on cannabis use2727 Rambaran KA, Chu M, Johnson TB, Alzghari SK. The current landscape of marijuana and pharmacogenetics. Cureus. 2017;9(7):e1525.,3131 Bosia M, Buonocore M, Bechi M, Stere LM, Silvestri MP, Inguscio E, Spangaro M, Cocchi F, Bianchi L, Guglielmino C, Cavallaro R. Schizophrenia, cannabis use and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT): Modeling the interplay on cognition. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2019;92:363-8.,3232 Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Cannon M, McClay J, Murray R, Harrington H, Taylor A, Arseneault L, Williams B, Braithwaite A, Poulton R, Craig IW. Moderation of the effect of adolescent-onset cannabis use on adult psychosis by a functional polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene: longitudinal evidence of a gene X environment interaction. Biol Psychiatry. 2005;57(10):1117-27..

As for the metabolization of phytocannabinoids, the main genes involved are from cytochrome P450 family CYP 2C9, CYP 2C19 and CYP 3A4 and from UGT family, UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A9 and UGT2B7. Certainly, there are other genes involved in the various signaling pathways involving the metabolization of more than 500 phytocannabinoids, but not all have been discovered yet1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12..

Genetic variants in the genes encoding these cytochrome P450 enzymes have been evaluated with regard to altered enzyme function. A relevant number of functional haplotypes have been identified in cytochrome P450 genes, resulting in phenotypes whose frequencies vary according to ethnic group. An alteration in CYP 2C9 enzyme activity, originating from a SNP, impacts one of the THC conversion steps, reducing THC metabolization by up to 70% when compared to the wild allele carrier3333 Gasse A, Vennemann M, Kohler H, Schurenkamp J. Toxicogenetic analysis of Delta9-THC-metabolizing enzymes. Int J Legal Med. 2020;134(6):2095-103.. CYP 3A4 gene has also been described as a causal factor for lower enzyme activity in THC metabolization1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12..

Genetic markers of pharmacokinetics, involving cytochrome P450 genes, are important tools to define the optimal dose of the drug in question, or in the case of cannabis, to help define the best concentrations of THC and CBD that should be used in a given individual. Patients with high rate of metabolization need higher doses, while patients with low metabolism need lower doses1313 Hryhorowicz S, Walczak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2018;43(1):1-12.,1616 Crist RC, Clarke TK, Berrettini WH. Pharmacogenetics of opioid use disorder treatment. CNS Drugs. 2018;32(4):305-20..

UGT enzymes are critical for phytocannabinoid detoxification, and UGT expression and activity are regulated by very precise processes at various cellular levels2525 Hu DG, Mackenzie PI, Hulin JA, McKinnon RA, Meech R. Regulation of human UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes by miRNAs. Drug Metab Rev. 2022;54(2):120-40.. UGT1A gene presents polymorphisms that are variable according to ethnicity, impacting bilirubin and estrogen levels3434 Maeda H, Hazama S, Shavkat A, Okamoto K, Oba K, Sakamoto J, et al. Differences in UGT1A1, UGT1A7, and UGT1A9 polymorphisms between Uzbek and Japanese populations. Mol Diagn Ther. 2014;18(3):333-42., also impacting THC metabolism3535 Schneider JS, Gasse A, Schurenkamp M, Sibbing U, Banken S, Pfeiffer H, et al. Multiplex analysis of genetic polymorphisms within UGT1A9, a gene involved in phase II of Delta(9)-THC metabolism. Int J Legal Med. 2019;133(2):365-72..

Besides SNPs in genes involved in the endocannabinoid system, there are also specific SNPs to predict which individuals are likely to develop cannabis addiction. In such cases, the genomes of thousands of cannabis users have been compared with the genomes of non-users in order to find allele frequencies that could relate to cannabis addiction11 Horpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021;106:110164.,1010 Kuhns L, Kroon E, Colyer-Patel K, Cousijn J. Associations between cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and mood disorders: longitudinal, genetic, and neurocognitive evidence. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(5):1231-49.,3636 Johnson EC, Demontis D, Thorgeirsson TE, Walters RK, Polimanti R, Hatoum AS, et al. A large-scale genome-wide association study meta-analysis of cannabis use disorder. Lancet Psychiatry. 2020;7(12):1032-45.,3737 Sideli L, Quigley H, La Cascia C, Murray RM. Cannabis Use and the Risk for Psychosis and Affective Disorders. J Dual Diagn. 2020;16(1):22-42.. Other genome wide analyses have assessed tolerance and risk behaviors for habits such as smoking, alcoholism, and sex addiction, and found hundreds of SNPs associated with higher risks of addiction and higher tolerance to the drug administered3838 Karlsson Linner R, Biroli P, Kong E, Meddens SFW, Wedow R, Fontana MA, et al. Genome-wide association analyses of risk tolerance and risky behaviors in over 1 million individuals identify hundreds of loci and shared genetic influences. Nat Genet. 2019;51(2):245-57..

Genetic variants may also be present in psychological and psychiatric factors that may be associated with cannabis use, such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychoses. SNPs already identified for all of these conditions can be previously evaluated prior to therapeutic cannabis use to identify genetic susceptibility for a particular psychological or psychiatric condition22 Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Li N, Berger AA, Cornett EM, et al. Adverse Effects of Recreational and medical Cannabis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(1):94-109.,55 Ahmed S, Roth RM, Stanciu CN, Brunette MF. The Impact of THC and CBD in schizophrenia: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:694394.,77 Bonaccorso S, Ricciardi A, Zangani C, Chiappini S, Schifano F. Cannabidiol (CBD) use in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. Neurotoxicology. 2019;74:282-98.,88 Bousman CA, Bengesser SA, Aitchison KJ, Amare AT, Aschauer H, Baune BT, Asl BB, Bishop JR, Burmeister M, Chaumette B, Chen LS, Cordner ZA, Deckert J, Degenhardt F, DeLisi LE, Folkersen L, Kennedy JL, Klein TE, McClay JL, McMahon FJ, Musil R, Saccone NL, Sangkuhl K, Stowe RM, Tan EC, Tiwari AK, Zai CC, Zai G, Zhang J, Gaedigk A, Müller DJ. Review and Consensus on Pharmacogenomic Testing in Psychiatry. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2021;54(1):5-17.,1010 Kuhns L, Kroon E, Colyer-Patel K, Cousijn J. Associations between cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and mood disorders: longitudinal, genetic, and neurocognitive evidence. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022;239(5):1231-49.,3131 Bosia M, Buonocore M, Bechi M, Stere LM, Silvestri MP, Inguscio E, Spangaro M, Cocchi F, Bianchi L, Guglielmino C, Cavallaro R. Schizophrenia, cannabis use and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT): Modeling the interplay on cognition. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2019;92:363-8.,3232 Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Cannon M, McClay J, Murray R, Harrington H, Taylor A, Arseneault L, Williams B, Braithwaite A, Poulton R, Craig IW. Moderation of the effect of adolescent-onset cannabis use on adult psychosis by a functional polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene: longitudinal evidence of a gene X environment interaction. Biol Psychiatry. 2005;57(10):1117-27.,3737 Sideli L, Quigley H, La Cascia C, Murray RM. Cannabis Use and the Risk for Psychosis and Affective Disorders. J Dual Diagn. 2020;16(1):22-42.,3939 Carvalho C, Vieira-Coelho MA. Cannabis induced psychosis: A systematic review on the role of genetic polymorphisms. Pharmacol Res. 2022;181:106258.

40 Cosker E, Schwitzer T, Ramoz N, Ligier F, Lalanne L, Gorwood P, et al. The effect of interactions between genetics and cannabis use on neurocognition. A review. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2018;82:95-106.

41 Misiak B, Stramecki F, Gaweda L, Prochwicz K, Sasiadek MM, Moustafa AA, et al. Interactions Between Variation in Candidate Genes and Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: a Systematic Review. Mol Neurobiol. 2018;55(6):5075-100.

42 Volkow ND, Swanson JM, Evins AE, DeLisi LE, Meier MH, Gonzalez R, et al. Effects of Cannabis Use on Human Behavior, Including Cognition, Motivation, and Psychosis: A Review. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(3):292-7.
-4343 Zwicker A, LeBlanc MA, Pavlova B, Alda M, Denovan-Wright EM, Uher R, et al. Genetic counselling for the prevention of mental health consequences of cannabis use: A randomized controlled trial-within-cohort. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2021;15(5):1306-14.. Individuals with sleep disorders and insomnia also have SNPs that may predict changes in cannabis use4444 Byrne EM, Gehrman PR, Medland SE, Nyholt DR, Heath AC, Madden PA, et al. A genome-wide association study of sleep habits and insomnia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2013;162B(5):439-51.. It is even possible to predict the risk of obesity with cannabis use according to the SNP of FTO gene4545 Lima WAG, Taylor AP. Fenótipo da gordura, fatores associados e o polimorfismo rs9939609 do gene FTO. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum. 2010;12(2):164-72..

SNPs evaluation is certainly a useful tool for prediction of adverse reactions and unwanted risks in patients who need to perform therapeutic use of cannabis. Through a simple buccal swab and collection tube with a liquid that preserves DNA, cells are obtained for genetic variants analysis44 Romero P, Peris A, Vergara K, Matus JT. Comprehending and improving cannabis specialized metabolism in the systems biology era. Plant Sci. 2020;298:110571.,1414 Whirl-Carrillo M, McDonagh EM, Hebert JM, Gong L, Sangkuhl K, Thorn CF, Altman RB, Klein TE. Pharmacogenomics knowledge for personalized medicine. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;92(4):414-7..

CONCLUSION

Cannabis treatment is very different from an allopathic therapy, as finding the right dose of cannabis for a patient is challenging, as there are numerous factors involved in the process, such as weight, age, stage and type of disease, sensitivity to cannabis, cannabinoid pharmacology, various plant options with different concentrations of active ingredients and various routes of administration, as well as the patient’s individual genetics and metabolism.

In Brazil, there are already tests that evaluate individual SNP-type genetic variants involved in endocannabinoid system and other genes that may be associated with adverse effects of cannabis on the body.

Performing these tests prior to medical cannabis use allows the physician to prescribe cannabis in a much safer, individualized and personalized manner to the patient, drastically reducing the risk of addiction and unwanted symptoms after use, as well as promoting more safety and therapeutic efficacy in the choice of cannabis product that will be used.

The customization of medicine with application of predictive genetic testing is already a reality and should be used as an important tool for patients who have an indication for therapeutic cannabis use, considerably improving treatment adherence.

  • Sponsoring sources: none.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    16 June 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    08 July 2022
  • Accepted
    24 Feb 2023
Sociedade Brasileira para o Estudo da Dor Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 937 Cj2 - Vila Mariana, CEP: 04014-012, São Paulo, SP - Brasil, Telefones: , (55) 11 5904-2881/3959 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: dor@dor.org.br