Summary What is known and objective Genetic polymorphism is one of the most important factors responsible for interindividual and interethnic variability in drug response. Studies in major populations, ie, Caucasians, Asians, and Africans, have provided evidence of differences in the genotype frequencies of major drug‐metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP). This study aimed to review systematically, all relevant articles related to the genetic polymorphisms in CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 in South‐East and East Asian (SEEA) populations. Methods Articles that report genetic polymorphisms, genotype frequencies and allele frequencies in CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 were retrieved from the PubMed database. Results and discussions A total of 86 studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria representing different ethnic populations of SEEA, ie, Burmese, Chinese, Japanese, Karen ethnic minority, Korean, Malaysian, Philippino, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese, were included in the analysis. In general, the genotype frequencies across SEEA populations are comparable. The CYP2C9*1/*1 (69.3%‐99.1%), *1/*3 (2.3%‐20.1%) and *3/*3 (0%‐2.2%) genotypes are reported in most SEEA populations. Six major CYP2C19 genotypes, ie, *1/*1 (6.25%‐88.07%), *1/*2 (21.5%‐86.46%), *1/*3 (0.8%‐15.8%), *2/*2 (3.4%‐14.5%), *2/*3 (0%‐7.3%) and *3/*3 (0%‐10.2%), are reported in most SEEA populations. Major CYP2D6 genotypes include *10/*10 (0%‐69.6%), *1/*1 (0%‐61.21%) and *1/*10 (0%‐62.0%). Major CYP3A5 genotypes are *3/*3 (2.0%‐71.4%), *1/*3 (16.0%‐57.1%) and *1/*1 (0%‐82.0%). Genotyping of abnormal genotypes of CYP2C9 (*1/*3), CYP2C19 (*1/*2, *1/*3), CYP3A5 (*1/*3) and CYP2D6 (*5/*10) associated with IM (Intermediate metabolizer) status, may be clinically beneficial in SEEA populations. Similarly, with CYP2C19 (*2/*2, *2/*3), CYP2D6 (*5/*5 ) linked to PM (Poor metabolizer), CYP2D6 (*10/*10, *1/*5 and to lesser extent *1/*4, *2/*5, *10/*41, *10/*49, *10/*14) and CYP3A5 (*1/*1) associated with EM (extensive metabolizer). What is new and conclusion Sufficient number of studies has provided comparable results in general. This review suggests that comparable genotype frequencies of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A5 exist among the SEEA populations. It is noted that more research data are reported from East Asians compared with South‐East Asians. Concerned efforts are required to establish partnerships among SEEA countries that will ensure sufficient data from South‐East Asian countries which will assist in establishing the databases for SEEA populations.

In this study, we analyzed DNA sequence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions on the 130 native domestic pigs and eight wild boars in the mainland South and South-east Asian countries including Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Forty-four haplotypes were found in the 138 individuals, 41 were in the domestic and four were in wild boars. Only one haplotype was shared by domestic and wild population in Bhutan. In other cases, mtDNA of wild boars did not show close affinity to that of the domestic pigs in the same location, indicating that the native domestic pigs in these countries did not originate in the present habitat. Phylogenetic analyzes of mtDNA haplotypes recapitulated several major clusters identified in other studies, but 11 haplotypes were grouped in a new cluster we named MTSEA. In most cases, more than one lineage group were present in a sampling station, indicating that the present indigenous domestic pigs may have multiple origins. The MTSEA haplotypes were present in relatively high frequencies in domestic pigs in the mountainous area of mainland South-east Asia (Cambodia and Laos), with a few found in Myanmar and Bhutan. The distributions of MTSEA haplotypes are in great conformity with the distribution of present-day Mon-Khmer language and indicated the existence of yet another independent domestication. The D2 haplotypes that distribute high frequency (almost 100%) throughout the Chinese breeds were dominant in Bhutan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. These results suggest an existence of human-mediated dispersal of domestic pigs from north to the south during the historical expansion of Sino-Tibetan and Tai peoples. The D3 haplotypes previously reported in north India were found in sympatric domestic and wild pigs in Bhutan. The D3 haplotype is an important proof of independent domestication event and/or great gene flow between wild and domestic pigs in the foot of Himalaya.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a malignant tumor of the bile duct, is a major public health problem in many Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand. The slow progression makes it difficult for early diagnosis and most patients are detected in advanced stages. This study aimed to review all relevant articles related to the biomarkers for the diagnosis of CCA and point out potential biomarkers. A thorough search was performed in PubMed and ScienceDirect for CCA biomarker articles. Required data were extracted. A total of 46 articles that fulfilled the inclusion and had none of the exclusion criteria were included in the analysis (17, 22, 3, 4, and 1 articles on blood, tissue, bile, both blood and tissue, and urine biomarkers, respectively). Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), either alone or in combination with other biomarkers, are the most commonly studied biomarkers in the serum. Their sensitivity and specificity ranged from 47.2% to 98.2% and 89.7% to 100%, respectively. However, in the tissue, gene methylations and DNA-related markers were the most studied CCA biomarkers. Their sensitivity and specificity ranged from 58% to 87% and 98% to 100%, respectively. Some articles investigated biomarkers both in blood and tissues, particularly CA19-9 and CEA, with sensitivity and specificity ranging from 33% to 100% and 50% to 97.7%, respectively. Although quite a number of biomarkers with a potential role in the early detection of CCA have been established, it is difficult to single out any particular marker that could be used in the routine clinical settings.

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The phylogenetic positions of the Bayanbulak sheep in China and the Sipsu sheep in Bhutan in the northern Asian sheep group were determined on the basis of allele frequency data for five informative and polymorphic loci of blood protein and nonproteins, such as transferrin (TF), arylesterase (ES), hemoglobin-beta (HB-beta), X-protein (XP), and potassium transport (KE), using different electrophoretic and ion-densitometric techniques. Based on Nei's genetic distance, clustering analysis by the UPGMA method showed that the Bayanbulak sheep is clustered in the northern Asian sheep group. Furthermore, the Bayanbulak sheep belongs to a subgroup containing the Khalkhas and Hu sheep of the Mongolian sheep group, which is distinguished from another subgroup of the small-tailed Han, Tan, Tong, and Wadi sheep. The Bayanbulak sheep was closest to the Hu sheep, despite a morphological difference in the fat deposits. In addition to these findings, the Sipsu sheep was verified to belong to the Baruwal sheep.