HLA-A*31:01 and carbamazepine-induced DRESS syndrom in a sample of North African population

Drugs and the skin: A concise review of cutaneous adverse drug reactions

Drug-induced skin disease or cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are terms that encompass the clinical manifestations of the skin, mucosae and adnexa induced by a drug or its metabolites. The skin is the organ most frequently affected by drug reactions, which may affect up to 10% of hospitalized patients and occur in 1-3% of multimedicated patients. Most CADRs are mild or self-resolving conditions; however, 2-6.7% of could develop into potentially life-threatening conditions. CADRs represent a heterogeneous field and can be diagnostically challenging as they may potentially mimic any dermatosis. Currently, there are between 29-35 different cutaneous drug-reaction patterns reported ranging from mild dermatitis to an extensively burnt patient. The most frequently reported are maculopapular rash, urticaria/angioedema, fixed drug eruption and erythema multiforme. Less common but more severe patterns include erythroderma, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum. Almost any drug can induce a CADR, but antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antiepileptics are the most frequently involved. Different mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of CADRs, although in some cases, these remain still unknown. CADRs could be classified in different ways: (i) type A (augmented) or type B (bizarre); (ii) immediate or delayed; (iii) immune-mediated or nonimmune-mediated; (iv) nonsevere or life-threatening; and (v) by their phenotype, including exanthematous, urticarial, pustular and blistering morphology. Recognizing a specific CADR will mostly depend on the ability of the physician to perform a detailed clinical examination, the proper description of the morphology of the skin lesions and supporting laboratory and/or skin biopsy findings.

Clinical observation and analysis of rash caused by lacosamide in children with epilepsy

PURPOSE

To draw clinical attention to rashes caused by lacosamide.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included patients admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2021 and September 2023. We focused on patients who developed rashes after lacosamide treatment and analyzed all patients who exhibited rashes after lacosamide treatment to analyze the risk factors.

RESULTS

In total, 190 patients received lacosamide, of whom four developed allergies (2.1 %). Three patients had severe rashes, and two patients had high fever. All of these adverse events improved after the withdrawal of lacosamide. Of the 13 patients reported to date, including the four patients in this study, eight used various antiseizure medicines, including seven patients who used four or more antiseizure medicines. Four patients underwent testing for HLA-B*1502, and two patients were positive. Patients developed rashes within 1-10 days after treatment initiation, and the duration of the rash ranged 2-37 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Lacosamide-induced rash was detected in 2.1 % of patients in our cohort. Rashes are potentially serious, and prompt evaluation is required. Rashes are more likely to occur when multiple antiseizure medicines are used simultaneously, typically within 10 days of treatment initiation.

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): Focus on the Pathophysiological and Diagnostic Role of Viruses

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a heterogeneous, multiorgan and potentially life-threatening drug-hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) that occurs several days or weeks after drug initiation or discontinuation. DHRs constitute an emerging issue for public health, due to population aging, growing multi-organ morbidity, and subsequent enhanced drug prescriptions. DRESS has more consistently been associated with anticonvulsants, allopurinol and antibiotics, such as sulphonamides and vancomycin, although new drugs are increasingly reported as culprit agents. Reactivation of latent infectious agents such as viruses (especially Herpesviridae) plays a key role in prompting and sustaining aberrant T-cell and eosinophil responses to drugs and pathogens, ultimately causing organ damage. However, the boundaries of the impact of viral agents in the pathophysiology of DRESS are still ill-defined. Along with growing awareness of the multifaceted aspects of immune perturbation caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2-related disease (COVID-19) pandemic, novel interest has been sparked towards DRESS and the potential interactions among antiviral and anti-drug inflammatory responses. In this review, we summarised the most recent evidence on pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and clinical management of DRESS with the aim of increasing awareness on this syndrome and possibly suggesting clues for future research in this field.

HLA pharmacogenetic markers of drug hypersensitivity from the perspective of the populations of the Greater Middle East

Specific HLA associations with drug hypersensitivity may vary between geographic regions and ethnic groups. There are little to no data related to HLA-drug hypersensitivity on populations who reside in the Greater Middle East (GME), a vast region spanning from Morocco in the west to Pakistan in the east. In this review, the authors intended to summarize the significant HLA alleles associated with hypersensitive drug reactions induced by different drugs, as have been found in different populations, and to summarize the prevalence of these alleles in the specific and diverse populations of the GME. For example, HLA-B*57:01 allele prevalence, associated with abacavir-induced hypersensitivity, ranges from 1% to 3%, and HLA-DPB1*03:01 prevalence, associated with aspirin-induced asthma, ranges from 10% to 14% in the GME population. Studying pharmacogenomic associations in the ethnic groups of the GME may allow the discovery of new associations, confirm ones found with a low evidence rate and enable cost-effectiveness analysis of allele screening before drug use.

Associations of HLA genetic variants with carbamazepine-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions: An updated meta-analysis

Aggregated risk of carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs) with different HLA variants are unclear and limited in terms of the power of studies. This study aimed to assess the aggregated risk of CBZ-induced cADRs associated with carrying the following HLA variants: HLA-B*15:02, HLA-B*15:11, HLA-B*15:21, HLA-B*38:02, HLA-B*40:01, HLA-B*46:01, HLA-B*58:01, HLA-A*24:02, and HLA-A*31:01. Literature was searched in different databases following PRISMA guidelines. The outcomes were measured as odds ratio (OR) using RevMan software by a random/fixed effects model, where p < 0.05 was set as statistical significance. In total, 46 case-control studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this analysis consisting of 1817 cases and 6614 controls. It was found that case-patients who carried the HLA-B*15:02 allele were associated with a significantly increased risk of CBZ-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) compared to controls (OR 26.01; 95% CI 15.88-42.60; p < 0.00001). The aggregated risk of cADRs was slightly higher in Asian compared to Caucasian patients (Asians: OR 14.84; 95% CI 8.95-24.61; p < 0.00001; Caucasians: OR 11.65; 95% CI 1.68-80.70; p = 0.01). Further, HLA-B*15:11, HLA-B*15:21, or HLA-A*31:01 allele was also associated with significantly increased risk of CBZ-induced cADRs (HLA-B*15:11: OR 6.08; 95% CI 2.28-16.23; p = 0.0003; HLA-B*15:21: OR 5.37; 95% CI 2.02-14.28; p = 0.0008; HLA-A*31:01: OR 5.92; 95% CI 4.35-8.05; p < 0.00001). Other HLA variants were not found to have any significant associations with CBZ-induced cADRs. Strong associations between the HLA-B*15:02, HLA-B*15:11, HLA-B*15:21, or HLA-A*31:01 allele with CBZ-induced cADRs have been established in this analysis. Pharmacogenetic testing of particular HLA alleles before initiation of CBZ therapy may be beneficial to patients and may help to eradicate cADRs substantially.

Drug reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): A Tertiary Care Center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare, drug-induced severe adverse reaction that usually occurs 3-6 weeks after initial exposure to certain drugs. It affects mainly adults and children to a lesser extent. Clinical features include fever, facial edema, generalized skin rash, lymphadenopathy, hematologic abnormalities, and internal organ involvement.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical and laboratory features of patients with DRESS in our center.

METHODS

We retrospectively describe and analyze 19 cases of DRESS whose diagnosis was based on the RegiSCAR criteria (≥ 6 points) that occurred from January 2009 to December 2019.

RESULTS

Patients ages ranged from 4-76 years(4 children/15 adults); 10 were female (52.3%). The most common culprit drugs were antibiotics (74%) and anticonvulsants (21%). The most common comorbidities were epilepsy (26%) and hypertension (26%). All patients developed cutaneous manifestations and of those, 58% presented facial edema. LFTs, urea/creatinine and troponin elevation were present in 74%, 32% and 42%, respectively. The median time to develop the skin rash after the drug exposure was 3.7 weeks (IQR2.4-4.2 weeks). Eosinophilia (≥ 0.7 x 10^9/L) was present in 95% of the patients and peaked around 10 days after the skin manifestations. Leukocytosis and reactive lymphocytes were reported in 84% and 26% of all patients respectively. Treatment with systemic steroids was reported in 16 patients. The mean recovery time was 2 weeks (IQR 2-3.5 weeks) and mortality was 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

DRESS is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality, which requires more research for a better understanding.

Nivolumab-associated DRESS in a genetic susceptible individual

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is rising exponentially in numerous cancers, but immune-related adverse events can occur. We report a rare case of high-grade drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome developed stepwise in a patient with gastric cancer after nivolumab treatment. Subclinical myocarditis was sensitively detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance 3 weeks after initiating nivolumab. Eruption, eosinophilia, and interstitial pneumonitis occurred 1 week later. Corticosteroids were started and his condition improved. Four months later, when he was still on steroids tapering off, acute kidney injury and sequential herpes zoster virus activation developed. Severe acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATN) with an intense infiltration of lymphocytes was observed on renal biopsy. In blood, a substantial shift to Th2 response, an increase of Th17 cells, and strikingly enriched granzyme B⁺ and perforin⁺ CD8⁺ T cells were detected at ATN onset. Serum interleukin (IL)-5, IL-17, interferon gamma, and IL-6 levels were consistently elevated. Further molecular profiling identified a DRESS risk allele human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*31:01 in this patient. His ATN responded favorably to a high dose of corticosteroids. In parallel, complete antitumor response was observed during the clinical course of DRESS. This is the first ever case report of nivolumab-associated DRESS syndrome with exploration of the mechanisms from the histopathological, cellular and molecular aspects. Nivolumab-induced DRESS may result from type IV hypersensitivity-related 'off-target effect' and PD-1 block-mediated 'on-target effect'. HLA risk alleles may constitute the genetic susceptible basis. HLA typing assay has the potential to screen susceptible individuals to avoid ICI-induced DRESS.

Translational Pharmacogenomics: Discovery, Evidence Synthesis and Delivery of Race-Conscious Medicine

Response to medications, the principal treatment modality for acute and chronic diseases, is highly variable, with 40-70% of patients exhibiting lack of efficacy or adverse drug reactions. With ~ 15-30% of this variability explained by genetic variants, pharmacogenomics has become a valuable tool in our armamentarium for optimizing treatments and is poised to play an increasing role in clinical care. This review presents the progress made toward elucidating genetic underpinnings of drug response including discovery of race/ancestry-specific pharmacogenetic variants and discusses the current evidence and evidence framework for actionability. The review is framed in the context of changing demographics and evolving views related to race and ancestry. Finally, it highlights the vital role played by cohort studies in elucidating genetic differences in drug response across race and ancestry and the informal collaborations that have enabled the field to bridge the "bench to bedside" translational gap.

Clozapine-related drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe, multiorganic, and potentially life-threatening drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction, linked to several common drugs, including antiepileptics, antibiotics, and several psychotropic drugs, including clozapine. Due to the importance of clozapine in the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, a systematic review and characterization of clozapine-related DRESS syndrome is long overdue.

AREAS COVERED

This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library databases were independently reviewed up to 1 November 2019 for articles reporting clozapine-related DRESS syndrome cases. The RegiSCAR score system was applied to systematically characterize the clinical presentations of selected studies.

EXPERT OPINION

Clozapine-related DRESS syndrome was reported in six patients from four articles. Five patients received polypharmacy. Skin rash and liver involvement with elevated liver enzymes were very common. No fatal cases were found. Treatment mainly included clozapine discontinuation and immunosuppression. The mismatch between incidences of DRESS with other responsible drugs, the common misdiagnosis of this syndrome, and the fact that an extensive literature search only identified six cases suggests that clozapine-related DRESS may be overlooked. It is, therefore, necessary to optimize diagnostic strategies to identify immune-related side effects of clozapine.

Genetic variants associated with T cell-mediated cutaneous adverse drug reactions: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review-An EAACI position paper

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are associated with high global morbidity and mortality. Cutaneous T cell-mediated reactions classically occur more than 6 hours after drug administration and include life-threatening conditions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and hypersensitivity syndrome. Over the last 20 years, significant advances have been made in our understanding of the pathogenesis of DHRs with the identification of human leukocyte antigens as predisposing factors. This has led to the development of pharmacogenetic screening tests, such as HLA-B*57:01 in abacavir therapy, which has successfully reduced the incidence of abacavir hypersensitivity reactions. We have completed a PRISMA-compliant systematic review to identify genetic associations that have been reported in DHRs. In total, 105 studies (5554 cases and 123 548 controls) have been included in the review reporting genetic associations with carbamazepine (n = 31), other aromatic antiepileptic drugs (n = 24), abacavir (n = 11), nevirapine (n = 14), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (n = 11), dapsone (n = 4), allopurinol (n = 10), and other drugs (n = 5). The most commonly reported genetic variants associated with DHRs are located in human leukocyte antigen genes and genes involved in drug metabolism pathways. Increasing our understanding of genetic variants that contribute to DHRs will allow us to improve diagnosis, develop new treatments, and predict and prevent DHRs in the future.

An Update on the Immunological, Metabolic and Genetic Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) represent a major burden on the healthcare system since their diagnostic and management are complex. As they can be influenced by individual genetic background, it is conceivable that the identification of variants in genes potentially involved could be used in genetic testing for the prevention of adverse effects during drug administration. Most genetic studies on severe DHRs have documented HLA alleles as risk factors and some mechanistic models support these associations, which try to shed light on the interaction between drugs and the immune system during lymphocyte presentation. In this sense, drugs are small molecules that behave as haptens, and currently three hypotheses try to explain how they interact with the immune system to induce DHRs: the hapten hypothesis, the direct pharmacological interaction of drugs with immune receptors hypothesis (p-i concept), and the altered self-peptide repertoire hypothesis. The interaction will depend on the nature of the drug and its reactivity, the metabolites generated and the specific HLA alleles. However, there is still a need of a better understanding of the different aspects related to the immunological mechanism, the drug determinants that are finally presented as well as the genetic factors for increasing the risk of suffering DHRs. Most available information on the predictive capacity of genetic testing refers to abacavir hypersensitivity and anticonvulsants-induced severe cutaneous reactions. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of DHRs will help us to identify the drugs likely to induce DHRs and to manage patients at risk.