*2.1.1 Biguanides (Metformin)*

First-line drugs in T2D therapy are biguanides, however, when the patient is not obese, the sulfonylureas group is usually prescribed and the response to treatment will be evaluated after 3 months [100]. Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE) recommend early initiation of metformin as a first-line drug for monotherapy and combination therapy for patients with T2D [101]. Approximately 30% of patients with T2D do not respond to metformin and about 20 to 30% experience intolerable side effects [102]. There is considerable variability in the glycemic response and PK characteristics of metformin. In terms of PK, metformin

#### *From Pharmacogenetics to Gene Expression: Implications for Precision Medicine in Diabetes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97375*

is not metabolized, and is excreted unchanged in the urine, with a half-life of roughly 5 h. In particular, mean plasma concentrations of metformin fluctuate between 0.4 and 1.3 mg/L at a dose of 1,000 mg twice daily [103].

The disposition of metformin includes elimination and tissue distribution, which in turn involves organic transporters (OCTs) and multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins (MATEs); both may contribute to the wide variation in metformin PK. Metformin response variability is important, in fact >30% of patients receiving metformin are classified as poor responders [102]. This drug is a polar molecule largely eliminated by the kidney without undergoing hepatic metabolization. The processes of uptake and secretion of metformin are highly dependent on membrane transporters, among which are solute carrier family 22A members 1 and 2 (SLC22A1/OCT1 and SLC22A2/OCT2, respectively), multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins MATE1 (SLC47A1) and MATE2 (SLC47A2) and the plasma membrane monoamine transporter PMAT (SLC29A4/hENT4). Therefore, impacting variants in any of these transporters may have an influence in metformin efficacy and adverse effects (**Table 1**). In this context, the most studied genes are SLC22A1/OCT1, SLC22A2/ OCT2, SLC47A1/MATE1 and SLC47A2/MATE2. Genetic variants in SLC22A1/OCT1 are responsible for the adverse gastrointestinal effects experienced by many patients with T2D diabetes who use metformin. Dujic et al. found that 47% of participants with T2D, incident users of metformin, experienced gastrointestinal adverse effects. In the study the number of SLC22A1/OCT1 reduced-function alleles was highly correlated with over two-fold risk of gastrointestinal side effect development [20]. Consequently, the gastrointestinal adverse effects and in some cases intolerance to metformin could lead to treatment abandonment. In this same gene other variants associated to metformin response have been reported. As it can be seen in **Table 1**, most of the reported variants are related to a decrease in the effect of metformin, reflected in the less reduction in HbA1c levels (high concentration of HbA1c). In contrast variant rs316019 in SLC22A2/OCT2 is associated with lactic acidosis and better response to metformin, due to the evidence that this variant is related to a reduced level of metformin clearance [30, 104]. Therefore, patients with these variants may benefit receiving alternative therapy instead metformin.

The studies that evaluated the role of SLC47A1/MATE1 and SLC47A2/MATE2 SNPs in PK and PD in patients receiving metformin revealed that promoter variants in MATE1 (g.-66 T ! C, rs2252281; g.-130G ! A, rs2289669) are associated with a greater response to the drug in T2D patients [34, 35]. Interestingly, it is also reported that the MATE1 variant affects the PD but not the PK of metformin, a very important finding that reveals that the distribution of drugs occurs in response to the organspecific location of the various transporters [34]. Most studies have associated variants in SLC47A2/MATE2 with contradictory effects. Concerning rs12943590, it was related to a reduced response in European populations and a better metformin response in South Indian populations; whilst rs34399035 was associated with a reduced response to metformin in European populations [31, 34]. It is important to mention that the studies were carried out in different populations, and that investigations in other ethnicities had not found associations between these variants and metformin response [105, 106]. In a recent meta-analysis by Dujic et al. there was no association between rs12943590 and glycemic response [107]. Nonetheless, it is important to note that SNP-drug interactions and SNP-SNP interactions cannot be ruled out, since the presence of other SNPs also modulate the response to drugs and are different in each individual, thus, genotyping of these SNPs should be considered if it is desired apply personalized medicine in diseases such as T2D [34].

Other SNPs in candidate genes such as SLC2A2/GLUT2 (solute carrier family 2/Glucose transporter 2) have been associated with reduction in HbA1c or treatment success, together with rs11212617 in *C11orf65* (MFI, inhibitor of mitochondrial fission), in rs2162145 CPA6 (encoded protein CBPA6, this peptidase may convert inactive angiotensin I into the biologically active angiotensin II) and rs2162145 in STK11 (serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in cell metabolism) [36–39]. In contrast, variants in genes *PRPF31* (PRP31), CAPN10 (CAN10), SP1, FMO5 and *SLC22A3* (OCT3) are related to reduced response to metformin. Nonetheless, these associations have not been replicated in other studies or populations.

## *2.1.2 Sulfonylureas*

Sulfonylureas are a class of oral antidiabetic agents widely used for the management of T2D [108]. They are chosen in the first line of treatment if the patient does not present with obesity or with insulin resistance or if there is intolerance or contraindication to metformin. Also, they are used in the second line in combination with other oral hypoglycemic agents, such as metformin [109]. According to the 2003–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), sulfonylurea monotherapy decreased from 33–8%, nonetheless, the combination with insulin or metformin was used in 50% of patients in the mentioned period [110]. Patients with a short duration of diabetes with residual beta cell function (high C-peptide levels) are likely to be most responsive to sulfonylurea therapy [111]. The mechanism of action of sulfonylureas consists of promoting insulin secretion via binding to sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), an element of the ATPsensitive K+ (KATP) channel. The link between sulfonylurea and SUR1 inhibits the K-ATP channel, depolarizing the β cells, increasing intracellular Ca2+, and consequently insulin granule exocytosis [112]. The rise of insulin levels regulates postprandial glycemia, stimulating peripheral glucose utilization [113]. Despite, sulfonylureas have a relatively short half-lifes (3 to 5 hours); they can cause hypoglycemia, which affects the quality of life and adherence to therapy in patients with T2D [114]. Two studies have reported hypoglycemia had occurred in 16–39% of patients treated with sulfonylureas [115, 116]. As a consequence, it has been estimated that 10–20% of individuals treated with sulfonylureas do not attain adequate glycemic control and 5–10% initially responding to sulfonylurea subsequently lose the ability to maintain normal glycemic level [117].

The most commonly used sulfonylureas, including the second-generation: glyburide, glipizide, and glimepiride are mainly metabolized through the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 enzyme. CYP2C9 belongs to the cytochrome P450 gene family and is the enzyme most abundantly expressed in liver. Indeed, CYP2C9 accounts for approximately 20% of total hepatic P450 protein, based on mass spectrometry quantitation [118]. It contributes to the metabolism of approximately 15% of all drugs that are subject to P450-catalyzed biotransformation, and it is responsible for >25% of metabolic clearance of oral hypoglycemic agents, such as chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, nateglinide and tolbutamide [119, 120]. Although CYP2C9 is highly polymorphic, however, only two polymorphisms have shown impact in enzyme expression and function, both allelic variants CYP2C9\*2 (Arg144Cys, rs1799853) and CYP2C9\*3 (Ile359Leu, rs1057910), encode proteins with less enzymatic activity for the metabolism of several substrates compared with the wild-type allele CYP2C9\*1 (Arg144/Ile359). CYP2C9\*2 and CYP2C9\*3 are generally associated with more than 80% reduction in CYP2C9 mediated intrinsic clearance, while the effect of CYP2C9\*2 is generally slightly smaller and varies considerably, depending on the substrate [120]. In both cases patients present more drug event reactions. Some studies have shown that CYP2C9 loss-of function alleles CYP2C9\*2/\*3 are associated with higher sulfonylurea levels and greater response to sulfonylureas. In the Go-DARTS study, patients with two copies of a loss-of-function allele were 3.4 times more probable to reach good glycemic control compared with patients with two wild-type CYP2C9 alleles,

#### *From Pharmacogenetics to Gene Expression: Implications for Precision Medicine in Diabetes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97375*

corresponding with a 0.5% greater reduction in HbA1c [44, 45]. In several pharmacokinetic studies the two variants rs1799853 and rs1057910 in CYP2C9 have been associated with hypoglycemic events, suggesting identification of these variants as a tool to predict adverse effects of these drugs in the patients with T2D [121].

Polymorphisms in KCNJ11, ABCC8, NOS1AP, TCF7L2, CYP2C8, KCNQ1, and IRS1 genes have been associated with altered therapeutic response to sulfonylureas, which will be described below [122]. ABCC8 and KCNJ11 encode K-ATP channel proteins SUR1 and Kir6.2, respectively, both form the K-ATP channel, which controls glucose-dependent insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells [123, 124]. It has been reported that 50% of cases of neonatal diabetes are caused by mutations in KNJ11 or ABCC8 (SUR1) [125]. Therefore, genetic variants in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes could influence K-ATP channel function of beta cells, leading to changes in depolarization of the cell membrane and impact insulin secretion. Most studied SNPs in the ABCC8 gene include rs757110 (Ser1369Ala), rs1799854 (intronic variant) and rs1799859 (Arg1273Arg). Feng et al. demonstrated the association of the Ser1369Ala variant in the ABCC8 gene with fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) and two-hour plasma glucose after oral glucose tolerance test decreases after 8 weeks of gliclazide therapy. Additionally, the authors found a nominal association of the variant with levels of HbA1c, suggesting a role of this SNP on antidiabetic efficacy of gliclazides [46]. Several authors have attempted to associate this variant with insulin secretion; however, the findings have been contradictory. A study in the Diabetes Prevention Program population that includes Caucasian, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians and Asian Americans, found an association with a significantly lower insulin index, nevertheless, other studies failed to replicate this association [126–128]. Despite these data, it is interesting to mention that variant Ser1369Ala has been related with progression to diabetes [126]. Nikolac et al., found that rs1799854 and rs1799859 in the ABCC8 gene were associated with sulfonylurea efficacy in Caucasians, evidenced by significantly lower HbA1c concentrations in carriers compared with noncarriers [48].

As mentioned above, the KCNJ11 gene encodes the Kir6.2 subunit; four pore forming subunits assemble with four regulatory subunits of SUR1 to form the K-ATP channel of the β-cell [129]. Two SNPs have been associated with sulfonylureas response, rs5219 and rs5210. The rs5219 (Lys23Glu, p.E23K) A allele plays an important role in insulin secretion through reduction of ATP sensitivity of the K-ATP channel and suppression of insulin secretion. Previous studies, have demonstrated that carriers of a common variant, E23K, with normal glucose tolerance showed up to 40% reduction in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion [130, 131]. However, the mechanism of action of this locus in the insulin secretion pathway is still not completely understood. Although early observations have reported that E23K carriers exhibit higher predisposition to secondary failure when treated with sulfonylureas, other investigations have associated this variant with a better response to sulfonylureas [50, 51, 132, 133]. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the presence of the E23K variant is related to the severity of hypoglycemia in patients with sulfonylureas therapy or with lower response [52, 133]. Regarding rs5210, it has been reported that the G allele acts as a potential target for miR-1910, which is implicated in T2D; however, the mechanism of action of this miRNA in the development of T2D is unknown [134]. Moreover, variant rs5210, has been associated with gliclazide response, revealed by decreased levels of FPG test in carriers of this SNP [46].

The KCNQ1 gene belongs to a large family of voltage-gated K+ channels [135]. Although KCNQ1 is mainly expressed in the tissues or cells in the heart, it is also expressed in other tissues or organs such as pancreas islets [136]. Blockading the channels with KCNQ1 inhibitors, might stimulate secretion of insulin in pancreas, suggesting the association of KCNQ1 with the regulation of insulin secretion,

specifically with reduced insulin secretion [137]. The intronic SNPs rs2237892 and rs2237895 were shown to increase gliclazide efficacy, whereas the intronic variant rs163184, was reported to lower-sulfonylureas effects on FPG levels [53, 54].

The transcription-factor-7-like-2 (TCF7L2) gene encodes the transcription factor 7 like-2 [138]. TCF7L2 can act through GLP-1 protein (Glucagon Like Peptide 1), which plays a central role in glucose homeostasis and is involved in the regulation of insulin secretion [139]. Several studies have suggested that TCF7L2 stimulates the proliferation of β-cells in the pancreas and facilitate the production of GLP-1 in intestinal cells. In this context, it is postulated that the SNP rs7903146 could decrease the expression levels of TCF7L2 in the pancreas and lead to lower secretion of insulin due to the decreased levels of GLP1. However, the association between TCF7L2 and T2D is more complex and is not limited to the decrease in GLP1, but also to alterations in other processes regulated by TCF7L2 such as the differentiation of pancreatic beta cells, in the normal metabolism of cholesterol and in the production of other incretins [140]. Pearson et al. determined the association of two genetic variants rs1225372 and rs7903146 in TCF7L2 with the treatment success of sulfonylurea therapy in T2D patients. It was shown that 12% of the diabetic population are homozygous carriers of SNP rs1225372 and were twice as unlikely to achieve good glycemic control within 1 year of treatment initiation compared to 42% of the population with wild type [56]. These findings were replicated in Indian and European populations among others [57, 141]. Therefore, carriers of these variants are at high risk of therapy failure with sulfonylureas.

The rest of SNPs that were associated with decreased response to sulfonylurea treatment and are found in the following genes: nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1). NOS1AP binds to neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). This enzyme plays a role in the electrical current of the heart and in insulin release from pancreatic β cells [142, 143]. Some polymorphisms in the NOS1AP gene have been described as predictive markers of cardiovascular mortality in diabetics treated with sulfonylureas. In patients with the rs10494366 TG/GG genotypes, glibenclamide is less effective in reducing glucose levels and mortality rates compared with the wild type TT genotype. By contrast, mortality risk was lower in tolbutamide and glimepiride users who carried a G allele compared with the T/T genotype [58]. Of note, no genotype differences in mortality were observed in metformin or insulin users. The mechanisms through which this polymorphism influenced mortality risk and the reason why this association differed based on the type of sulfonylurea used are unclear. Moreover, it was shown that in users of glibenclamide the TG and GG genotypes were associated with an increased risk of mortality; in tolbutamide and glimepiride users, the TG or GG genotypes were associated with a reduced risk of mortality [144]. Conversely, in a Korean study no significance was found between rs10494366 in the NOS1AP gene and response on glimepiride treatment [145].

Regarding rs1801278 in the ISR-1 gene, this variant has been associated with increased risk for secondary failure in African an European populations [59, 60]. In case of rs9282541, T2D patients carriers of variant needed a higher dose of glyburide in order to achieve the same glucose lowering effect that persons with the wild type variant [61].

#### *2.1.3 Thiazolidinediones*

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are pharmacologic agents that specifically treat insulin resistance. TZDs are effective at lowering HbA1c by 1–1.25% on average [146]. Despite durability in action, TZDs show weight gain which has limited their clinical utility [147, 148]. For every 1% reduction in HbA1c, an estimated 2–3%

#### *From Pharmacogenetics to Gene Expression: Implications for Precision Medicine in Diabetes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97375*

weight gain is reported [149]. TZDs are transported into the liver by OATP1B1 (encoded by *SLCO1B1* gene*)* and metabolized by CYP450 2C8 enzyme (encoded by *CYP2C8* gene) [150, 151]. The most studied variant allele in the CYP2C8 gene is CYP2C8\*3, which comprises two linked polymorphisms at codon 139 and codon 399 (Arg139Lys; Lys399Arg) [152].

TZDs decrease insulin resistance directly through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ (PPARγ) receptors, which facilitate differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes, promote lipogenesis in peripheral adipocytes, decrease hepatic and peripheral triglycerides, decrease activity of visceral adipocytes, and increase adiponectin. These primary effects of TZDs markedly ameliorate insulin resistance and decrease insulin requirements [153, 154]. Individuals differ in drug response, and 20–30% of diabetic patients fail to respond to thiazolidinediones [155]. To date, numerous case–control studies have been conducted to identify the possible relationship between PPARG gene polymorphisms with the risk of T2D in various ethnic populations [156]. The most common variant is located at exon-2 of PPARG, rs1801282, and consists of a non-synonym change Pro12Ala. This substitution leads to a change in the structure of PPARγ protein, which in turn decreases the binding effect of target genes, and reducing transcriptional activity [157]. PPARγ is also the target of antidiabetic TZD drugs, which have a unique and powerful insulin-sensitizing effect [158].

#### *2.1.4 DPP-4 inhibitors/GLP-1 receptor agonists*

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) are enzyme inhibitors that inhibit the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Inhibition of the DPP-4 enzyme prolongs and enhances the activity of incretins which play an important role in insulin secretion and blood glucose regulation [159]. DPP-4 is a 766 amino acid transmembrane glycoprotein, which is also known as adenosine deaminase or CD26, is a ubiquitously expressed glycoprotein of 110 kDa, which was first characterized by Hopsu-Havu and Glenner [160].

The DPP4 gene encodes a serine aminopeptidase enzyme, which inactivates GLP-1, GIP and other proteins via dipeptide cleavage of the N-terminal amino acid. Other DPP-4 substrates include peptides containing proline or alanine, such as growth factors, chemokines, neuropeptides, and vasoactive peptides [161].

Inhibitors of DPP-4 reversibly inhibit the hydrolysis of endogenous incretins, which increases plasma levels of GIP and GLP- 1, producing an increase in insulin response and a decrease in glucagon secretion. Therefore, the increase in the concentration of GLP-1 in plasma is the pharmacological effect of DPP-4 inhibitors, which increases insulin synthesis in β cells of the pancreas, stimulates the growth of these cells and prevents apoptosis [162]. Hence, DPP4 inhibition leads to greater exposure to incretins and therefore prolongs the half-life of insulin action. Because of this, DPP4 became a major target for the treatment of T2D [163].

However, it has recently been reported that some patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors are at increased risk of heart failure. It has been suggested that DPP-4 polymorphisms could potentially lead to a change in gene expression in renal cells in patients with T2D; these changes would be related to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system causing cardio-renal damage or myocardial hypertrophy, however further studies are needed to clarified the impact of these polymorphisms in DPP-4 inhibitors response [164].

#### *2.1.5 SGLT-2 inhibitors*

Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors are adjunctive medications in the treatment of T2D. These drugs decrease HbA1c concentrations in diabetic patients, with few adverse effects seen to date. In a healthy adult, the kidneys filter approximately 180 g of glucose per day, this is almost entirely reabsorbed into the circulation and less than 1% of glucose is excreted in the urine filtered. This reabsorption is possible thanks to the action of a family of transmembrane proteins called sodiumglucose cotransporters (SGLT, sodium glucose co-transporter) [165]. So far, seven types of sodium-glucose transporters have been identified. Particularly, type 2 (SGLT2) is responsible for glucose renal reabsorption; and is mainly found in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule.

Glycosuria, which was initially observed as an etiopathogenic component of some renal and urinary complications in patients with T2D, has been proposed as a means to lower glucose concentrations through the pharmacological use of SGLT2 inhibitors [166]. Some SGLT-2 inhibitors can be glucuronidated by UGT enzymes (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase), thereby polymorphisms like UGT1A9\*3 allele (rs72551330), in the genes encoding these drug-metabolizing enzymes could potentially influence its response. Despite, higher values of area under the curve (AUC) of canaglifozina in carriers if UGT1A9\*3, the studies have not found clinical implications [90, 91]. Recently Zimdahl et al. found that common genetic variants in the SLC5A2 gene do not affect diabetes-related metabolic traits and they do not have a clinically relevant impact on response to treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin [167]. Nonetheless, a study in a Caucasian population showed that rs9934336 carriers presented increased 30-min glucose concentrations after oral glucose tolerance test [92]. Studies on these drugs are few, because SGLT2 inhibitors are relatively recent. Thus, the efficacy and safety evaluation of these drugs in various clinical settings has not yet been fully established.

#### **2.2 Epigenetics**

Despite, the major contribution in drug response can be attributed to genetic components, common genetic polymorphisms explain only less than half of this genetically encoded variability, thus it is important to address other factors of drug response, such as pharmacoepigenomics [168].

Pharmacoepigenomics combines the analysis of genetic variations and epigenetic modifications in an effort to advance personalized medicine [169]. Epigenetic modification refers to processes that modify DNA or chromatin structure in a manner that alters the level of expression of genes but not the DNA sequence itself. Chemical processes that fall into the realm of epigenetics include DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones such as the addition of methyl, phosphate, and acetyl groups. These modifications influence the overall chromatin structure and the availability of gene regulatory regions to transcription machinery [170].

On the other hand, regulatory processes involve molecules such as miRNas. Although miRNAs do not directly interact with DNA, they inhibit mRNA translation, therefore it is considered as having epigenetic effects [158].

Specific genes can be expressed or silenced depending on specific stimulators, such as hormone levels, dietary components or drug exposure, and can also accommodate gene-expression changes in response to gene–environment interactions [171]. Although, the cellular machinery responsible for the secretion of miRNA is not fully understood yet, it is recognized that miRNAs are packaged into microvesicles, exosomes, lipid drops and apoptotic bodies by a broad range of cell types and can be found in various types of body fluids, such as serum, plasma, and urine [172]. The miRNAs participate as negative regulators in post-transcriptional processes inhibiting mRNA translation or degrading the mRNA via the seed sequence region at the 5<sup>0</sup> end of the miRNA, which allows the binding to its

#### *From Pharmacogenetics to Gene Expression: Implications for Precision Medicine in Diabetes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97375*

3-´untranslated region (3 -UTR) of mRNA. miRNAs are estimated to affect approximately 30% of the process of protein coding genes [173]. A single miRNA is responsible for the expression of hundreds of proteins, and a protein-coding gene can be modulated by more than one miRNA, this is therefore a highly complex mechanism, but its results largely contribute to inter-individual variability in response to drugs. Although the study of miRNAs has focused on their involvement in the genesis of some complex diseases [174, 175] there is some evidence about their participation in the response to treatment in T2D. Interestingly the treatment with dapagliflozin (an inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2, SGLT2), but not with hydrochlorothiazide (useful in treating high blood pressure), significantly up-regulated miR30e-5p and downregulated miR199a-3p (P < 0.05). These miRNAs are involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure and suggest a cardioprotective effect of SGLT2 inhibitor response [165].

Metformin can also interfere with the levels of miRNAs in the blood, which results in a change in the expression of the genes that are controlled by these. Ortega et al. have shown that increasing the dose of metformin modifies the levels of circulating miRNAs (started at a 425 mg/day and increased progressively during the first week to reach 1,700 mg/day), increased miR-192 (49.5%; P = 0.022) and decreased miR-140-5p (15.8%; P = 0.004), and miR-222 (47.2%; P = 0.03), in parallel to decreased fasting glucose and HbA1c. Revealing the response of circulating miRNAs to metformin therapy [95].

The information generated on miRNAs and their molecular actions place these molecules as innovative applications in the industry. Among the most promising prospects is the use of miRNA in medical therapy. Future studies of miRNAs that allow the generation of knowledge about their probable role in the modulation of pharmacogene expression will undoubtedly contribute to personalizing the treatment of T2D. miRNA-based therapies offer advantages over other nucleic acid therapies, because miRNAs are efficient silencers and, in contrast to plasmid DNA or synthetic oligonucleotides, miRNAs are naturally found in the bloodstream. As they target multiple mRNAs, the resulting synergistic effects could be positive for therapy, however, there are still multiple aspects that must be addressed before application to clinical trials in various human pathologies, among them, to identify the best miRNA candidates of miRNA targets for each disease type, the design of more efficient vehicles for the targeted delivery of oligonucleotides to specific organs, as well as avoiding potential toxicities and off-target effects. Low toxicity and good tolerance in patients treated with antagomiR a 15-nucleotide locked nucleic acid–modified antisense oligonucleotide whose action is sequestering mature miR-122 in a highly stable heteroduplex, thereby inhibiting its function avoiding the stability and propagation of hepatitis C virus (HCV), supporting the beneficial role of miRNAs in therapy [176]. miRNAs are naturally endogenous regulators of cell processes that are often dysregulated in diabetes restoration of any given miRNA function to normal levels will be the ultimate therapeutic goal. Several miRNAs appear to affect the function of the differentiated state of the pancreatic β-cell, while miRNAs in skeletal muscle, the liver, and adipose tissue constitute sets of different miRNAs, which is why the choice of the best molecules to treat this disease becomes very complex. Several challenges will need to be overcome in the field of pharmacotherapy with miRNA in the control of diabetes, but they will undoubtedly contribute to personalizing the treatment of this disease.

It has been suggested that epigenomics may act synergistically with pharmacogenomics towards optimization of drug therapy [177]. In addition, epigenomic somatic alterations represent an emerging class of biomarkers that hold promise for personalized therapy particularly to overcome drug resistance [178].

Regarding methylation, García-Calzón et al. evaluated the potential blood epigenetic markers associated with metformin glycemic and intolerance response. They analyzed DNA methylation in blood from newly diagnosed patients with T2D after 1.5 years of metformin treatment. According to the authors, the methylation risk scores explain 68–73% of the variation in glycemic response to metformin. In addition, the methylation risk scores explain 50–51% of the variation in metformin tolerance. In the same study, the researchers also assessed whether any of 26 SNPs previously associated with metformin response were associated with DNA methylation of any of the identified epigenetic markers. They identified one significant association between a SNP in SCL22A1 (rs628031) and DNA methylation of cg05151280 (P = 0.001, q = 0.028). The A/A genotype carriers had lower methylation (83.6 2.3%) compared to carriers of the G/G (85.3 1.9%, P = 0.002) and G/A (85 1.8%, P = 0.006) genotypes in 132 participants from the discovery and replication cohorts. Lower methylation of this CpG site was associated with a better glycemic response to metformin (**Table 2**) [93]. In previous work from the same group, they assessed the DNA methylation in OCT1 encoded by *SLC22A1*, OCT3 encoded by *SLC22A3*, and MATE1 encoded by *SLC47A1* liver biopsies from gastric bypass surgery. Lower promoter DNA methylation of *SLC22A1*, *SLC22A3*, and *SLC47A1* were found in diabetic subjects receiving metformin. These findings suggest that metformin decreases DNA methylation of metformin transporter genes in the human liver, in contrast with the higher methylation levels in these genes associated with hyperglycemia and obesity. These findings show how a drug is capable of modulating gene expression however, the presence of genetic variants in these genes would be interfering with the methylation process with unexpected results [94].

Methylation in KCNJ11 and ABCC8 gene promoters in T2D patients receiving sulfonylurea therapy have been assessed by Karaglani et al., their results show that epigenetic changes such as methylation influence interindividual variability in treatment with sulfonylureas. They considered hypoglycemia as an outcome of the treatment. KCNJ11 methylation was detected in 21.6% of hypoglycemic individuals and in 27.7% of non-hypoglycemic patients (P = 0.353) in this study, while ABCC8 methylation in 7.2% of non-hypoglycemic and none of the hypoglycemic patients (P = 0.012). These findings suggest that ABCC8 methylation is associated with hypoglycemic events in sulfonylurea-treated T2D patients [97].

#### **3. Conclusions**

The interindividual variability in the response to a drug is the consequence of various factors, including pharmacokinetic causes: absorption, distribution, metabolization and excretion of the drug that affects the intensity and duration of the response, or to pharmacodynamic causes in drug-receptor interaction. Each of these PK and PD factors is different in each individual due to genetic, environmental or pathological determinants, and also depends on the severity or intensity of the disease to be treated.

One of the main obstacles to transferring findings from pharmacogenetics to the clinic is the impact of ethnicity on genetic variation. The highly significant associations between SNPs and the response modulated by pharmacogenetics can differ considerably between populations, which has a direct impact on drug use and dosage decisions. It is necessary then that the studies to evaluate pharmacological efficacy and pharmacogenetics, have uniformity in research designs, dosage regimens, study populations, and analytical methods.

### *From Pharmacogenetics to Gene Expression: Implications for Precision Medicine in Diabetes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97375*

The epidemic of T2D has forced the use of drugs that aim at glycemic control and avoid secondary complications that cause very high medical costs and decrease the quality of life of patients. However, it has been observed that even though many patients carefully follow medical guidelines, the glycemic control so desired is not achieved. Thus, with the advent of pharmacogenomics, various studies are carried out to achieve personalized medicine in this field having an impact on a better quality of life and also reducing the costs of treatment of this disease by the Health services.

In this review, the main drugs used for the treatment of T2D were analyzed and the implications that the various SNPs have on their target genes, which will affect their pharmacological response. All this opens the way for us to apply these genomic findings in daily clinical practice, in search of personalized medicine that impacts adequate glycemic control in patients with T2D in search of a better quality of life.
