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Aromatic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs) add up to the limited use of the AEDs in the treatment and prevention of seizures. Human leukocyte antigen-B (HLA-B) alleles have been linked to AEDs-induced cADRs. We investigated the association between cADRs (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome; SJS/toxic epidermal necrolysis; TEN, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; DRESS, and Maculopapular eruption; MPE) caused by AEDs (phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital and oxcarbazepine) and HLA-B alleles in Thai population. Through the case-control study, 166 patients with AEDs-induced cADRs, 426 AEDs-tolerant patients (AEDs-tolerant controls), and 470 healthy subjects (Thai population) were collected. The HLA genotypes were detected using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) method. We also performed a meta-analysis with these data and other populations. The carrier rate of HLA-B*15:02 was significantly different between AEDs-induced cADRs group and AEDs-tolerant group (Odds ratio; OR 4.28, 95% Confidence interval; CI 2.64-6.95, p < 0.001), AEDs-induced cADRs group and Thai population (OR 2.15, 95%CI 1.41-3.29, p < 0.001). In meta-analysis showed the strong association HLA-B*15:02 with AEDs-induced cADRs (OR 4.77, 95%CI 1.79-12.73, p < 0.001). Furthermore, HLA-B*15:02 was associated with SJS/TEN induced by AEDs (OR 10.28, 95%CI 6.50-16.28, p < 0.001) Phenytoin (OR 4.12, 95%CI 1.77-9.59, p = 0.001) and carbamazepine (OR 137.69, 95%CI 50.97-371.98, p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that genetic association for AEDs-induced cADRs was phenotype-specific. A strong association between HLA-B*15:02 and AEDs-induced SJS/TEN was demonstrated with an OR of 10.79 (95%CI 5.50-21.16, p < 0.001) when compared with AEDs-tolerant group. On the other hand, the carrier rates of HLA-B*08:01, HLA-B*13:01, and HLA-B*56:02 were significantly higher in the DRESS group compared with the AEDs-tolerant group (p = 0.029, 0.007, and 0.017, respectively). The HLA-B*15:02 allele may represent a risk factor for AEDs-induced cADRs., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Pharmacogenomics has great potential in reducing drug-induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs). Pharmacogenomic studies have revealed an association between HLA genes and SCARs including acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Areas covered: Pharmacogenomics-guided therapy could prevent severe drug hypersensitivity reactions. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC), and Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) provided guidelines in the translation of clinically relevant and evidence-based SCARs pharmacogenomics research into clinical practice. In this review, we intended to summarize the significant HLA alleles associated with SCARs induced by different drugs in different populations. We also summarize the SCARs associated with genetic and non-genetic factors and the cost-effectiveness of screening tests. Expert opinion: The effectiveness of HLA screening on a wider scale in clinical practice requires significant resources, including state-of-the-art laboratory; multidisciplinary team approach and health care provider education and engagement; clinical decision support alert system via electronic medical record (EMR); laboratory standards and quality assurance; evidence of cost-effectiveness; and cost of pharmacogenomics tests and reimbursement.

The HLA-B ∗ 15:02 allele has been reported to have a strong association with carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) in Thai patients. The HLA-B alleles associated with carbamazepine-induced maculopapular exanthema (MPE) and the drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) among the Thai population have never been reported. The aim of the present study was to carry out an analysis of the involvement of HLA-B alleles in carbamazepine-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs) in the Thai population. A case-control study was performed by genotyping the HLA-B alleles of Thai carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reaction patients (17 MPE, 16 SJS/TEN, and 5 DRESS) and 271 carbamazepine-tolerant controls. We also recruited 470 healthy Thai candidate subjects who had not taken carbamazepine. HLA-B ∗ 15:02 showed a significant association with carbamazepine-induced MPE ( P = 0.0022, odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 7.27 (2.04-25.97)) and carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN ( P = 4.46 × 10 -13 ; OR (95% CI) = 70.91(19.67-255.65)) when compared with carbamazepine-tolerant controls. Carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN also showed an association with HLA-B ∗ 15:21 allele ( P = 0.013; OR (95% CI) = 9.54 (1.61-56.57)) when compared with carbamazepine-tolerant controls. HLA-B ∗ 58:01 allele was significantly related to carbamazepine-induced MPE ( P = 0.007; OR (95% CI) = 4.73 (1.53-14.66)) and DRESS ( P = 0.0315; OR (95% CI) = 7.55 (1.20-47.58)) when compared with carbamazepine-tolerant controls. These alleles may serve as markers to predict carbamazepine-induced cADRs in the Thai population.

Drug hypersensitivity reactions affect many patients leading to a variety of clinical manifestations, mainly the cutaneous adverse reactions ranging from milder skin reactions to severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). Hypersensitivity reactions are unpredictable and are thought to have an underlying genetic etiology, as suggested by case reports. With the scientific knowledge of pharmacogenomics and the evidence based on the genomic testing, it is possible to identify genetic predisposing factors for these serious adverse reactions and personalize drug therapy. The most significant genetic associations have been identified in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encoded for human leukocyte antigens (HLA) alleles. Drugs associated with hypersensitivity reactions with strong genetic predisposing factors include abacavir, nevirapine, carbamazepine, and allopurinol. In this review, strong genetic associations of drug-induced SCARs are highlighted so as to improve drug safety and help to select optimal drugs for individual patients. Further investigation, however, is essential for the characterization of other genes involved in the hypersensitivity reactions with the use of several genetic strategies and technologies.