Pharmacogenetic biomarkers associated with risk of developing severe drug eruptions and clinical implementation of HLA genetic testing

Abstract

The association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) with the risk of drug-induced skin eruptions has been extensively studied. The sensitivity of the association of specific HLA alleles with drug eruptions ranges from approximately 50 to 100%, indicating a significant influence of HLA alleles on the risk of developing such reactions. Consequently, HLA testing holds substantial clinical potential as a genetic diagnostic tool to avoid drug eruptions. For instance, when prescribing drugs like carbamazepine and lamotrigine, which are known to cause severe drug eruptions, preemptive HLA genetic testing can help predict an individual’s risk. This approach enables clinicians to reduce the overall incidence of drug eruptions by selecting alternative therapeutic agents or adjusting dosages based on the results of HLA genetic testing.