Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2007):

Human leukocyte antigens and drug hypersensitivity.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present article reviews the recent literature on the identification of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles as major susceptible genes for drug hypersensitivity and discusses the clinical implications. RECENT FINDINGS: Several recent studies have reported strong genetic associations between HLA alleles and susceptibility to drug hypersensitivity. The genetic associations can be drug specific, such as HLA-B*1502 being associated with carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), HLA-B*5701 with abacavir hypersensitivity and HLA-B*5801 with allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions. A genetic association can also be phenotype-specific, as B*1502 is associated solely with carbamazepine-SJS/TEN, and not with either maculopapular eruption or hypersensitivity syndrome. Furthermore, a genetic association can also be ethnicity specific; carbamazepine-SJS/TEN associated with B*1502 is seen in south-east Asians but not in whites, which may be explained by the different allele frequencies. SUMMARY: The strong genetic association suggests a direct involvement of HLA in the pathogenesis of drug hypersensitivity when the HLA molecule presents an antigenic drug for T cell activation. The high sensitivity/specificity of some markers provides a plausible basis for developing tests to identify individuals at risk for drug hypersensitivity. Application of HLA-B*1502 genotyping as a screening tool before prescribing carbamazepine could be a valuable tool in preventing carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN in south-east Asian countries.

Author information

Author/s: Chung, Wen-Hung (WH); Hung, Shuen-Iu (SI); Chen, Yuan-Tsong (YT);

Affiliation: Molecular Medicine Program of Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica and School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology (Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Aug; vol 7 (issue 4) : pp 317-23

Dates: Created 2007/07/10; Completed 2007/09/21;

PMID: 17620823, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Allopurinol - adverse effects Carbamazepine - adverse effects Dideoxynucleosides - adverse effects Drug Eruptions - genetics; immunology Drug Hypersensitivity - genetics; immunology Epidermal Necrolysis, Toxic - genetics; immunology

Genetic Predisposition to Disease HLA Antigens - genetics HLA-B Antigens - genetics Humans Pharmacogenetics Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - genetics; immunology

Associated Chemicals: Dideoxynucleosides (0) ; HLA Antigens (0) ; HLA-B Antigens (0) ; abacavir (0) ; Carbamazepine (298-46-4) ; Allopurinol (315-30-0)

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• HLA-B allele associations with certain drugs are not confirmed in Japanese patients with severe cutaneous drug reactions. 30 Dec 2007
• HLA-B locus in Caucasian patients with carbamazepine hypersensitivity. 30 Aug 2006
• Genetic susceptibility to carbamazepine-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions. 30 Mar 2006
• Pharmacogenetics of hypersensitivity to abacavir: from PGx hypothesis to confirmation to clinical utility. 9 Mar 2008
• Abacavir hypersensitivity reaction predicted by genetic test. 24 Mar 2004
• HLA-B*5701 and abacavir hypersensitivity. 30 Oct 2004
• High sensitivity of human leukocyte antigen-b*5701 as a marker for immunologically confirmed abacavir hypersensitivity in white and black patients. 30 Mar 2008
• Value of the HLA-B*5701 allele to predict abacavir hypersensitivity in Spaniards. 30 Oct 2007
• Pharmacogenetic information derived from analysis of HLA alleles. 30 Jan 2008
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis caused by allopurinol in patients with a common HLA allele: what causes the diversity? 30 Dec 2006

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.