The A118G polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), resulting in the substitution of an amino acid, has been found to be associated with functional effects and response to opioid treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess whether this polymorphism contributes to the variability in response to tramadol/acetaminophen combination tablets (Ultracet) for treating oxaliplatin-induced painful neuropathy.
A total of 96 patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum (n = 84), or stomach (n = 12) who had developed oxaliplatin-induced painful neuropathy were enrolled. Ultracet was administered at 1 tablet every 6 hours, and pain was assessed and scored using a visual analog scale (VAS). The OPRM1 A118G polymorphism was examined with a polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing method.
The allelic frequency of variant (118G) allele was 39.6%, and the prevalence of OPRM1-118 AA, AG, and GG genotypes was 31.3% (n = 30), 58.3% (n = 56), and 10.4% (n = 10), respectively. For all patients, the mean pre-treatment and post-treatment VAS scores were 3.1 and 2.1, respectively (P < .001). Patients with AA genotype had a better analgesic effect than those with G allele variants (AG or GG genotypes). Pre-treatment and post-treatment VAS scores for patients with G allele variants were 3.1 and 2.6, respectively; however, for patients with AA genotype, pre-treatment and post-treatment VAS scores were 3.0 and 0.9, respectively (P < .001). The requirement for rescue analgesia was also higher for patients with G allele variants (P = .01).
These data suggest that Ultracet is effective in the management of oxaliplatin-induced painful neuropathy. A118G polymorphism of OPRM1, by altered function of the mu-opioid receptor and consequential analgesic effect on opioid agents, could be a key determinant for decreased response to Ultracet.