Two tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms to capture HLA-DRB1*07:01-DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02:02 haplotype associated with asparaginase hypersensitivity.

AIMS: Asparaginase (ASP) hypersensitivity is a well-known challenge in the treatment of lymphoblastic malignancies. In terms of cost considerations, the cheap native Escherichia coli ASP, the most immunogenic form of this medication, is used in the first line in middle-income countries. Previously, the role of the HLA-DRB1*07:01-DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02:02 haplotype had been established to associate with E. coli ASP hypersensitivity. We investigated a possible cost-effective genetic testing method to identify patients harbouring the risk HLA haplotype in order to pave the way for safer ASP treatment. METHODS: In 241 patients with previously determined HLA-DRB1*07:01-DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02:02 haplotype and known ASP hypersensitivity status, 4 candidate HLA-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s were measured, and the performance of the different sets of these tag SNPs was evaluated. RESULTS: We identified a combination of 2 SNPs - rs28383172 and rs7775228 - as a tag for HLA-DRB1*07:01-DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02:02 haplotype with sensitivity and specificity values >95%. In line with previous findings, we found complete concordance between HLA-DRB1*07:01 and rs28383172. With bioinformatics methods, the results were also confirmed in the 1000 Genomes dataset in different ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: Rs28383172 and rs7775228 are suitable for identifying HLA-DRB1*07:01-DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02:02 carriers. Compared to the rest of the population, patients with hypersensitivity-prone genotype would benefit more from the administration of less immunogenic PEGylated ASP before the hypersensitivity evolves, incurring minimal extra cost.

[Epigenetic effects affecting etoposide distribution and metabolism in the human body]. / Az etopozid szervezeten belüli eloszlásában és metabolizmusában szerepet játszó epigenetikai hatások.

Etoposide is a topoisomerase II inhibitor antitumor agent which is widely used in the treatment of several hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The therapeutic index of etoposide is quite high, thus its application causes several short-term and long-term side effects which can decrease the chance to cure patients. Drug dosing is based on body surface area calculation; recommendations for individual dosing do not exist yet. The biotransformation and transportation of etoposide are carried out by enzymes and transporters as reported in pharmacogenomic studies published in this area. Nowadays pharmacoepigenetics research has come to the fore. The authors wish to give an insight into the research of the epigenetical changes of the etoposide pathways, especially focusing on published findings on enzymes and transporters with pharmacokinetic relevance. In the future, epigenetical changes of the etoposide pathway might have a great role in diagnostics, prognostics and personalized medicine. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(32): 1295-1302.